The Sun.
London, England, 1846-03-06 00:00:00

OVERLAND MAIL

INDIA AND CHINA

(From the Times.)

Our extraordinary express from Marseilles, in anticipation
of the Bombay mail of the 3d of February, has reached us.
It brings important news from the theatre of war on the
banks of the Sutlej. The British 'army, of about 43,000
men, is thus described in the Delhi Gazette of the 23d of
January :

Men.
11 Troops of Horse Artillery, say ... 1,000
8 Companies of Foot Artillery, about ... GOO
7 Companies of Sappers and Miners ... 800
3 Regiments of European Cavalry, at 450 1,350
7 Regiments of Native Light Cavalry, at 400 2,800
5 Regiments of Irregular Cavalry, at 700 3,500
9 Regiments of European Infantry, at 750 6,750
20 Regiments of Native Infantry, at 800 20,800
2 Regiments of Local Infantry, at SOO 1,600

39,800

Forming a total of about..
Besides which, the following corps are on their way, or under
orders:—

The 4th Regiment of Bengal Infantry, from Sinde; the
7th Regiment of Bengal Infantry, from Delhi ; the (7th
Regiment of Bengal Infantry, from Bundelkund; and the
Kumaon Local Battalion; as, also, Captain Smith's Light
Field Battery, from Sinde; which, when they have joined
the force, will make " the Army of the Sutlej " of the fol.
lowieg estimated strength:—

Artillery ...
Sappers and Miners
Cava!ry :
European ...
Native
Irregular ...
Infantry
European ...
Native

Men.
... 1,680
... 800

... 1,350
... 2,800

... 3,500 - 7,650

... 6,750
23,200
... 2,400-32,350

Irregular
Ordnance :-
1 Heavy 24 -pounders
Howitzers, 10-inch
Howitzers, 8-inch
Iron 12-pounders (elephant battery) ...
Already with the force, siege guns taken from
Umballah, where they were sent for practice
from Delhi ... ...
11 Troops Horse Artillery ... ... -
5 Light Field Batteries ... ... 30
—making the proposed army to consist of 42,480 men, with
140 pieces of ordnance of all sizes. There are also 21 mor-
tars of various sizes under dispatch from Delhi to .day.
This army is formed into five divisions of infantry and four
brigades of cavalry, with a large brigade staff The cavalry
is commanded by Major-General Sir J. Thackwell ; and the
infantry divisions by Major Generals Sir H. G. Smith, W. R.
Gilbert, Sir R. 11. Dick, Sir J. H. Littler, and Sir J. Grey.
From the 22d of December, when the victory wasovon by
the British at Ferozeshah, up to the middle of January,
both parties appeared to be preparing for the approaching
struggle on the right bank of the Sutlej. The Governor-
General remained at Ferozepore, engaged in raising the
bridge of boats, and in making preparations for the crossing
of the river by the British army. The boats, which had
been sunk, were found to be somewhat injured, and time
was required for their repair. The crossing of the river
was expected about the 4th or 6th of February, when the
heavy guns, which had left Delhi on the 10th of January,
were expected to have reached the camp.
Sir J. Littler's division was stationed at Attaree, about
seven miles from Ferozepore; the head-quarters of the Com-
mander-in-Chief were at Aruffkee, twelve miles thence ;
and Sir Harry Smith's force was in advance of the others,
not far from Hurreeke Puttun, which is one of the great
fords of the Sutlej.
In the meantime the Lahore Government was making
every effort to reorganise its army. Several attempts had
been made in different placeas to cross the river. A strong
force was collected at Phulloor, opposite to Loodianah. This
force was independent of the grand Seikh army stationed on
the way from Hurreeke ghat to Lahore and its neighbour-
hood, with the object of protecting the capital.
Some skirmishing took place near the Seikh bridge of boats
on the 13th, 14th, and 15th of January, without any re-
markable effect. On the 15th the Seikhe came over the
river at Phulloor, plundered the neighbourhood, and
pitched a camp on the left bank, in the British territory.
On the following days they made some further advances, and
entrenched themselves near a nulla. Sir H. Smith moved

... 12
... 6
... 12

his brigade up the Sutlej, driving the enemy before him until
the 21st, in the morning, when he came upon one of the
fortified positions of the enemy, which fired grape shot

amongst the British troops. Some of the native troops
are said to have thrown down their arms, and to have fled,
leaving the Europeans to bear the brunt of the battle. Her
Majesty's 53d and 31st were engaged, and are said to have
suffered severely; but they demanded to be led anew to the
fight, which Sir H. Smith did not deem it prudent to do, and
therefore withdrew the troops. The Agra Ukbar construes
the retirement into a defeat; while the Delhi Gazette states.
that heavy firing was heard in the direction of Loodianah
during the whole of the afternoon of that day. .Nothing
positive appears to have been known as to the results of that
day when the mails were leaving Bombay.
The preparations of the Governor-General at Ferozepore
appear to be of an efficient kind, and it was supposed that
the British army would move ever the Sutlej, and before the
hot weather set in, in April, take possession of Lahore,

the Seikh capital, which is not fifty miles from
the Sutlej. There is said to be considerable dis-
union amongst the Seikh chiefs, many of whom have
made propositions to the British authorities, declaring their
willingness to join the British standard as soon as it appeared
on the right bank of that river. It was supposed that the
Seikh troops would try another battle before they would
allow their capital to be taken.

The gallant conqueror of Sinde, Sir Charles Napier, was
again in the field, and, at the head of about 15,000 Bombay
and 5,000 Bengal troops, was expected to cause a powerful
diversion, by proceeding to attack and to conquer Moultan
and the southern provinces of the Seikh dominions. The
very name of Sir Charles Napier infuses dread among the
native inhabitants of the banks of the Indus and of the five
rivers of the Punjaub ; he is called by them Sheitanka
bhaee, " the Devil's brother." His troops expected to be in
movement towards the enemy's frontiers on the 16th of
February.

The latest intelligence from the Bombay troops in this ex-
pedition describes them as in the highest spirits, for they
1, ek forward to victory for themselves, and even to a coronet
for their experienced leader.

It is undeniable that the Seikhs are a brave enemy, whom

the discipline they have learned from European officers
renders far more formidable than the other inhabitants of
India. The necessity of the most strenuous efforts to subdue

the troops and the fanatics of Lahore is evident. Theiremia-
saries have attempted to tamper with the Bengal sepoys,
but, as yet, they have gained nothing. The British troops
have abundant supplies of all kinds, and it nowremains to be
known if anything of a decided nature will occur before the
hot season.

The late attempts to produce sedition amongst the troops
and inhabitants of Dinapore, Patna, &c., have failed, and the
ringleaders have been seized and punished.
The latest intelligence from Upper Sinde states, that her
Majesty's 86th Regiment had reached Roree on the 23d of
January. The Sinde Horse, under Captain Jacob, had gone
to Subzulcote, where some Bengal troops had joined them.
A circumstance had occurred in the Seikh territory, near
Bhawulpore, which it may be useful to explain. Captain
Brows, the chief of the Sinde mounted police,went about ten
miles into the Seikh district in pursuit of a robber. The
head of the village promised to surrender the robber; but,
instead of doing so, he collected a number of horsemen (said
to be 300 and proceeded to attack the Sinde police. The
first volley killed three men. This proves the spirit of the
Seikh authorities to the southward. Moulton was quiet, but
great efforts were made to restore the fortifications, as a
siege was expected.

An augmentation has been ordered of five regiments of
irregular cavalry to the Bengal army, and of three regiments
of infantry to that of Bombay.,

The Bombay Railway, or, as it is called, the Great Indian
Peninsular Railway, has been most successful. The engi-
neers who have examined the districts through which it is
to pass into the interior, have found far more facilities for the
undertaking than they ever expected.

The utmost tranquillity prevails in the interior of India.
The Bombay Times adds the following particulars to those
details which we have already received in a more authentic
form from the official dispatches

- - -
" For nearly a week after these terrible encounters the
Seikhs continued on our side the river; nor do we appear to
have considered ourselves in a condition to follow up our
victory or drive them across. About the 27th they seem to
have retired in safety within their own dominions, and to have
encamped on the other side, leisurely and unmolested, within
sight of our pickets. The different divisions of our army,
now rapidly increasing in numbers and in strength, were
encamped near to, and in close communication with, each
other. General Littler and his division were posted at
Attaree, seven miles from Ferozepore ; the head-quarters
of the Commander-in-Chief some six miles higher up the
river ; and the Umballah force four miles beyond this, or
seventeen from Ferozepore. The Governor-General has,
since the action, continued at the place just named, and
which may be considered the point of advance, maturing
his plans, and hastening on preparations. The enemy mean-
while were permitted to complete a pontoon bridge without
interruption, in hopes that they might be induced again
to cross over to our side ; the heavy ordnance sent from Um-
ballah being so posted at the same time as to command the
passage. A foray had been made across the river by about
200 of the enemy of the 14th, with the view, apparently, to
plunder, and of course the robbers were speedily driven back.
The enemy, at the same time, continue to muster in formi-
dable force, and 70,000 men, with 110 pieces of ordnance,
are said to be assembled ready to oppose us. The bridge
they have established is one of much solidity, well placed,
and protected by heavy ordnance. Frequent demonstrations
had been made on Loodianah, where the force was considered(
weakest. About 20,000 had crossed over by the 18th ;anl
to
they had on the 19th settled themselves, and proceeded
intrench in our neighbourhood.
particu-
larsmoitte of the general action, believed n(l2[.o' o'clock),
kh
,v have
akf
ee
Ipyt owuarrrcaonituemd,nsin obpoepnest o.
ft
lheae
rl moment
the 21st. It is said that General S
tiro
thLaysemoitchcuirlrieedveadb•huist
division up the Sutlej on the 19thi andsig 2hOttehf, encountering
the hcamp
but
little opposition; that comngn
about eight o'clock in the morning of the 21st, he prepared