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

refer their Lordships to it for further explanation. At
Ferozepore a junction was formed for the purpose of
uniting the forces, and when united they took the
enemy's entrenched camp. Tne effect of that junction
was apparent on the morning of the 21st, and the po-
sition which we then occupied (which was about
half-past one) was, as far as he could
make out by the dispatches, an oblong, and
which enabled us to entrench the enemy's camp.
It being still within three or four hours of daylight, it
was deemed advisable to make a further attack when day
should appear; a wise and noble proceeding, although
there may be, and I believe there are some, who con-
sidered it was rasfi to do so. The attack, in spite of all
difficulties, in spite of the great number of the enemy,
was determined on and made with vigour, and after a
severe conflict, a portion of the camp of the enemy was
taken, and his hopes of effectual resistance abandoned.
The darkness of the night rendered any further attack at
the instant impossible, but the work was only begun; it
was necessary to press forward, and it was determined in
the morning, as soon as day broke, that an attack should
be made. I need hardly say that the night was passed
in considerable anxiety, but they determined to maintain
their position, and follow up the success which they had
gained. During this bivouack the enemy made
an attack, but they were the first, and
immediately driven back. This was one of
the most gallant portions of the proceedings,
and it seemed to have paralysed the enemy, who con-
tented himself for the remainder of the night with a
distant cannonade. In the morning the troops at day-
break were again put in motion, and in half an hour
swept the whole lino of the enemy's entrenchments, and
captured many of their guns. It was immense success,
particularly when you consider what their position was.
It was taken up, with regular entrenchments formed and
the cannon fixed, some of which were so heavy that
the enemy considered themselves perfectly safe when
they got into the rear of them. To recapture these
guns they made three several attempts, and they were
at length obliged to abandon the position, and left us in
possession of the field. They retreated to a village in
the rear of their entrenchments, but here they had no
position in a country perfectly flat, from which they
were obliged to retreat across the Sutlej. Now, my
Lords, I believe that is a brief account of the transac-
tion, and I feel how truly inadequate I am to describe
the merits of those engaged in that great battle, for I
believe there never was an occasion in which British
valour and military skill was more remarkable.
In these desperate and hardly-fought engagements,
there were of course moments of critical importance
when all the resources of a general are called for to
meet the emergency of the occasion, but of course there
were moments when the skill and the energy of the ge-
neral are most called upon, and when the general shows
himself worthy of the country and the man. My Lords,
there are some things personal with respect to the Go-
vernor-General, which, although he does not mention, I
believe it necessary to mention, as they not only concern
him, but because they happen to show the peculiar cha-
racter of the proceedings of that day, and because more-
over they indicate at the same time the invincible reso-
lution and untiring energy of the general and his men.
My Lords, the Governor-General was placed in a most
critical and dangerous position, during the night of the
21st. When darkness had completely closed in, he had
ordered the four European regiments to lay down upon
the field, and in order to show them an example of the
advantage of cool self-possession and intrepidity, he went
with his companions in arms to lay for the night amongst
them. What, my Lords, must have been his feelings
when taking that position, and what must have
been the feelings of the men on this occasion,
whom he commanded, when they discovered
that their commander, and he found that his
men, were comrades in arms in the Peninsula. It was,
happily, unnecessary to rouse their courage in the com-
bat on the following day ; but still the influence must
have been considerable. In order to show the great
danger to which he was exposed, 1 have only to state
that during the succeeding day that every officer on his
staff was killed or wounded, with the exception of one.
The Governor-General, my Lords, had five officers in his
staff killed, the only exception was one from whom he
had received great assistance during that day ; this was
an aide- de-camp, a little boy only sixteen years of age,
his own son, who had only recently joined the army, and
was entirely ignorant of warlike movements, but who
was actuated by the noble intrepidity and excellent
example of his father, and was employed during the
whole of the day in conveying orders to different parts
of the field. I would not use any words on this topic,
for his father does not mention the circumstance, but I
thought it but right that this statement should be made
in justice to the boy, who may some day emulate the
high qualities of him by whom he was commanded.—
(Loud cheers.) The Governor- General had, at the same
time, the assistance of another son, who, although he
was not a military man, yet continued to render his
assistance throughout the engagement. He had
been originally intended for the army, but, in
consequence of a severe accident in his youth, he
was obliged to suffer an amputation of the foot,
and was, consequently, obliged to adopt some other
profession. That young man continued with his father
throughout the whole of the day, but the Governor-
General conceiving that he might distract his attention,
with a fatherly anxiety, and much against the young
man's inclination, had compelled him to retire.—(Loud
cheers.) This, my Lords, is but a small portion of all
that the Governor-General had to go through, but it is
sufficient to give you an idea of the perils and anxieties
he had to, endure. But, my Lords, we cannot too
highly estimate the vast advantages to our country by
the result of the battle. These advantages, however,
were not gained without very heavy loss. One of the
most distinguished men in that or any other field fell
nobly in the cause of his country. Who, my Lords,
does not know the character of Sir Robert Sale ? His
name is on the, tentsnes of all, and who is it that did
not glory in the honours which were showered upon him
by a grateful country ? It is not only necessary that we
should take notice of his great actions, but it is our duty
to keep his fame imperishable in the annals of his
country. I may say of that distinguished man what
Lord Hutchinson said of Sir Ralph Abercrombie, that
the memory of his glory should be as a living meuu-
rnent in the history of his country. There is another,
my Lords, who has fallen, and we must not forget how
highly he had been spoken of by Sir Hugh Gough. I
allude, my Lords, to our political agent, who fell
bravely in the field. He performed many actions
in his political capacity, with great service
to the Government of India. lie was well acquainted
with the whole country and the feelings of the people,
and therefore he was most admirably qualified for the
position he had filled. But while performing his poli-
tical duties, he did not forget the duties of his military
character. If there was anything which could be said
by the way of regret in connexion with this officer, it
was that he was ever forward in the face of danger, even
where his services were not called into action. Let us
look to the objects of the enemy, for it is by looking to
the objects of the parties that we shall be able to judge
of the important results. The object pf the Seikhs was
to overrun the whole country, from the Sutlej to the
Jumna; and then, after having gained possession of tin
country, to attempt to turn the timid from their allegi
ance, and in acquiescence with their plans, to coerce those
who might hare felt it their duty to remain with us, and
eventually drive us with disgrace from our territories.
All these objects had failed. The objects of the British
troops had been to force them back, to beat them out of
the city of Ferozepore, to compel the doubtful to adhere
to their allegiance, to support and confirm those who
were friendly to them, and to show the enemy that they
would not be insulted and invaded with impunity. All
the objects of the Scikhs bad failed—all their objects
had entirely succeeded. When they considered that in
the short space of three weeks their objects
had been attained when they considered the
combination of courage and exertion that
was necessary to gain these great battles—battles which
the Seikhs would not be likely soon to forget, he thought
that these thanks were well claimed at their hands.
The Seikhs were a warlike people, but he (Lord Ripon)
entertained considerable doubts whether they were not
greatly averse to personal conflict ; but he thought at all
events they had received a lesson which they would not
easily forget ; and they, in that country, had a right to
suppose that these victories had given that security to
the Punjaub which it was of so much importance should
be maintained. He (Lord Ripon) had been led to speak
personally and particularly of the Governor-General.
Ile had been led to do so, perhaps, from his intimate
knowledge, and he would add, his affectionate regard fur
him ; and he might, perhaps, have, in consequnce,
passed over the gallant deeds of others. But he would
bear his willing testimony to the admirable spirit and
gallantry of that experienced and tried officer,
the Commander-in-Chief—(Hear, and loud cheers)—of
a man who had served his country under the great man
who sat next to him (Lord Ripon), who had fought the
best years of his life, he believed seventy, for his country,
who had served in most of the quarters of the world
with undoubted credit and high renown, and who de-
served well the honours with which her Majesty had
been pleased to reward his exertions. It was the duty
of Government, with all the means in its power, now that
the war was brought upon them—forced upon them—
it was the duty of the Government
,by every exertion
which they could make, to contribute to the success of
these operations. The Governor of Bombay, with infi-
nite activity, forwarded a considerable reinforcement of
British troops and artillery. He also held in reserve
two more regiments of cavalry, who were ready to serve
if required. Troops had been ordered from Poonah to join
the army upon the Sutlej, and every exertion had been made
by Sir J. Macmahon to give effect to these movements.
When he moved the troops to Kurrachee they were
under the command of as gallant a hero as ever wore a
soldier's uniform, Sir Charles Napier.—(Cheers.) He
collected all the means at his disposal for the purpose
of brinp,ing them to bear upon the point where they could
be most efficiently applied, and any one who knew Sir
Charles Napier must know what his military talents
were, and above all what was his talent of inspiring
unlimited confidence among those whom he com-
manded, and should it be his fate to take part in the
operations of the war, they would find the glories of
Meance and Hyderabad revived in his person, and they
would again be called upon to return him their thanks
for his services. Everything, continued the Noble Earl,
has been done, at least I hope so—everything that was
possible with the view ,of facilitating any ulterior opera-
tion. 13ut you may depend upon it, my Lords, that
that which we propose to you to do—to tender to these
gallant men your thanks—is not among the least efficient
modes of exciting them to future deeds of valour, and of
leading them to renew on other occasions those heroic
actions which have given imperishable renown to our
arms. It is therefore with these feelings—conscious
how little worthy I am to state questions of this kind,
and to make military operations intelligible to your
Lordships—it is with these feelings, which lam sure
you will respect, that I beg to move the thanks of this
House to those who have been concerned in these great
battles, in the full confidence that I shall have your
unanimous support ; and all those who are conctrut:d,