The Sun.
London, England, 1858-01-30 00:00:00

DESPATCHES FROM INDIA,

(Prom the Gauge of last evening.)
INDIA BOARD, JAN. 28, 1853.
The following papers have Wen received. at the East
India House :

No. 1.
GIMBAL •RDBR BY THE GOVERNOR•GENERAL OF INDIA

COUNCT.L
Fort William, December 24, 1857.
No. 1,649 of 1857.
The Right Hon. the Governor-General in Council is
pleased to direct the publication of the accompanying de
spatehes lately received from the head-quarters of the
army. ance of
These papers contain accounts of the safe convey
the women and children, sick and wounded of the garrirn
major-
of Lucknow across the Ganges : of the resistance by
General Windham to a well-organized and dehspoderatoef
attack on his position at Cawnpore by
rebels ; and of the subsequent defeat anda;tttlearrgaTteroeuottiooftlythoef
insurgents by the troops under the immediate
his Excellency the Commander-in-Chief-
Throughout these operations all branches of the service
vied with each other in enhancing the glorious name which
the contests of the last few months have secured for the
British army in India.
As regards the operations of the 6th, the masterly gui-
dance of the Commander thanf
hi
Was at Lfincttikn iow ;toeach
disposition and movement o s forces,fitting n one
complete
and effective scheme, proof against all disturbance
by the ohance of the 'day of battle. General Sir Colin
Campbell has added largely to the heavy claim which he
kola upon the gratitude and confidence of the Govern-
ment, and of the soldiers whom he leads to victory. In
two hours the camp of the rebels was reached and taken,
and their rout complete ; seventeen guns, and a large
amount of stores and ammunition falling into the hands
of the British Force.
His Lordship in Council desires to record his apprecia-
tion of the admirable manner in which Brigadier-General
*Mope Grant, C. 8., has executed the duties of his division,
and particularly of his exertions in pursuit of the enemy
on the 6th, and his operations on the Bth and 9th Dec., on
which occasion he took 15 of the enemy's guns without the
loss of one man.
On this, as on every occasion in which danger was to be
faced and difficulty overcome, Captain Peel, R.N., com-
manding the Naval Bcigade, was foremost in intrepidity
and 'weans°.
Lieut. Vaughan and the other officers and men of
-H.M.S. Shannon are worthy of their brave commander ;
and it is a pleasure to the Governor-General in Council to
declare his warm admiration of their conduct.
The Governor-General in Council very cordially concurs
in the praise sojustly bestowed by the Commander-in-Chief
on the general officers commanding divisions, on Major
General Mansfield, chief of the staff, and on all the officers
of the general staff in all its branches and the personal staff,
and officers commanding brigades and regiments, troops
and batteries. In the commendation given by his Excel-
lency to officers of every arm of the service, the Governor-
General in Council most heartily joins.
To all officers, non-commissioned officers, and men, en-
gaged in the defence of Cawnpore, or in the attack on the
-enemy's position, the Governor-General in Council offers
his cordial thanks for their gallantry and good service to
the State. -
It will be his pleasing duty to take the first opportunity
of bringing their merits to the favourable notice of her
• Majesty's Government, and of the Honourable Court of'
Directors.

R. J. H. BIRCH, Colonel,
Secretary to the Government of India,
in the Military Department.

No. 2.
The Commander-in-Chief to the Governor-General.
Head Quarters, Camp, Cawnpore,
Dec 2d, 1857.
My Lord,—ln accordance with the instructions of your
lordship, arrangements were finally made with Sir James
Outram, that his division, made up to four thousand 0,000)
strong of all arms, should remain in position before Luck-
-4011.
This position includes the Post of Alumbagh, his stand-
ing camp, of which the front is fifteen hundred (1,500)
yards in the rear of that post, and the bridge of Bunnee,
which is held by four hundred (400) Madras sepoys, and
wo (2) guns.
On the 27th I marched with Brigadier-General Grant's
division, all the ladies and families who had been rescued
from Lucknow, and the wounded of both forces, making in
all about 2,000 people, whom it was necessary to carry;
and encamped the evening of that day a little beyond
Bunnee-bridge.
The long train did not reach completely and file into
camp until after midnight.
When we arrived at Bunnee, we were surprised to hear
very heavy firing in the direction of Cawnpore. No news
had reached me from that place for several days ; but it
appeared necessary, whatever the inconvenience, to press
forward as quickly as possible.
The march accordingly re-commenced at 9 a.m. the next
morning, and shortly afterwards I received two or three
notes in snceession— first, announcing that Cawnpore had
been attacked ; secondly, that General Windham was
hard pressed ; and thirdly, that he had been obliged to
fall back from outside the city into his entrenchment.
The force was accordingly pressed forward, convoy and
all, and was encamped within three miles of the Ganges,
about three hours after dark, the rear guard coming in
with the end of the train some 21 hours aterwards.

I preceded the column of march by two or three hours,
and reached the entrenchment at dusk, where I learnt the
true state of affairs.
_ _

The retreat of the previous day had been effected with
the loss of a certain amount of camp equipage, and shortly
after my arrival, it was reported to me that Brigadier
Carthew had retreated from a very important outpost.
All this appeared disastrous enough, and the next day
the city was found to be in possession of the enemy at all
points.
It had now become necessary to proceel with the utmost
caution to secure the bridge.
All the heavy guns attached to Gen. Grant's division,
under Capt. Peel, R.N., and Capt. Travers, R.A., were
placed in position on the left bank of the Ganges, and
directed to open fire and keep down the fire of the enemy
on the bridge.
This was done very effectually, while Brigadier Hope's
brigade, with some field artillery and cavalry, was ordered
to cross the bridge, and take position near the old dra-
.goon lines.
A cross fire was at the same time kept up from the en-
trenchment, to cover the march of the troops.
When darkness 'began to draw on, the artillery parks,
the wounded and the families were ordered to file over the
bridge; and it was not till 6 o'clock p.m., the day of the
30th, that the last cart had cleared the bridge.
The passage of the force, with its encumbrances, over
the Ganges, had occupied 30 hours.
The camp now stretches from the Dragoon lines, in a
half circle round the position occupied by the late Gen.
Sir Hugh Wheeler, the Foot Artillery lines being occupied
by the wounded and the families,
A desultory fire has been kept up by the enemy on the
entrenchment and the front of the camp since this position
was taken up, and I am obliged to submit to the hostile
• occupation of Cawnpore until the actual despatch of all
my encumbrances towards Allahabad has been effected.
However disagreeable this may be, and although it may
tend to give confidence to the enemy, it is precisely one of
those cases in which no risk must be run.
I trust, when the time has arrived for me to act with
• due regard to these considerations, to see the speedy eva-
cuation of his pfesent position by the enemy.
In the meantime, the position taken up by Brigadier-
General Grant's Division, under my immediate orders, has
restored the communications with Futtehpore and Allaha-
bad, as had been anticipated. The detachments moving
along the road from these two places have been ordered to
continue their march accordingly.
Major-General Windham's despatch, relating to the
operations conducted under his command, is inclosed.
In forwarding that document, I have only to remark,
that the complaint made by him in the second paragraph,
of not receiving instructions from me, is explained by the
fact of the letters he sent, announcing the approach of the
Gwalior Force, not having come to hand.
The first notice I had of his embarrassment was the dis-
tant sound of cannonade as above described.
All the previous reports had declared that there was but
little chance of the Gwalior Contingent approaching Cawn-
pore. _ .

I have, dm,
0. CAMPBELL, General,
Commander-in-Chief.
P.S. Annexed is a return of casualties from the 2ith
ultimo to this date.

No. 3.
Major General C. A. liVindhara to the Commander-in-
Chief.
Cawnpore, November 30, 1857.
Sir,—ln giving an account of the proceedings of the force
under my command before Cawnpore during the opera-
tions of the 26th, 27th, 28th, and 29th instant, I trust
your Excellency will excuse the hasty manner in which it
is drawn up, owing to the constant demands upon me at
the present moment.
Raving received, through Captain H. Bruce, of the sth
Puojamb Cavalry, information of the movements of the
Gwalior Contingent, but having received noise whatever
from your Excellency for several days from Lucknow, in :
. answer to Iny, letters to the Chief of the Staff, I was
obliged toast for myself.
I therefore resolved tothe canal,
ready to strike at any portion encamp my force on
came
within
nay
reach, k ion of the advancing enemy that
safe with cae:ping at the same time my com-
munications,
Finding that the Contingnerae.
INurdeszolv.edwitoy
force
et
cottirstefiarsotreD
e determined to advance,
ivision on the Pandoo
- 8 guns and 100 moented Sowarsabout 1,200 bayonets and
the rear, I }Laving sent my camp
equipage and baggage to
in the following order : advanced to the attack
Four companies of the Rifle Brigade
Walpole, followed by four companies under Colonel R.
naught Ringers, under Lieut.-Colonel p.,,ofHthe 88th Con-
four light 6-pounder Madras guns, raider Lieut.
and '
the whole under the command of Bri 1 qt. Chewier ;
the Madras Native Infantry. gather Carthew, of
Following this force was the 34th Regiment, und •
erLient.
Colonel R. Kelly, with four 9-pounder guns; the 82d
iZevi-
ment in reserve, with spare ammunition, lee.
- I had given directions, in the event of the enemy being
• found directly in our front, and if the ground permitted,
that Brigadier Carthew should occupy the ground to the
left of the road, and that Lieutenant-Colonel Kelly, with
the 34ttr, divided into wings, and supported by his artil-
lery, should take the right. It so happened, however,
that this order, on oux earning into action, became exactly'
inverted by my directions in consequence of a sudden tern
of the road. No confusion, however, was caused. The
isJvauee -was made with a complete line of skirmi.hcls
along the whole front, with supports on either irde and a
reserve in the centre.
The enemy, strongly posted on the other ci 7e of the dry
b..rd of the ?andoo Nuddee, opened a heavy fire of artil-
lery from siege and field guns ; but such was the eagerness
and courage of the troops, and so well were they led by
their officers, that we carried the position with a rush, the
men cheering as they went; and the village, more than
half-a-mile in its rear, was rapidly cleared. The muti-
neers hastily took to Telt, leaving in our possession two
• 8-inch iron howitzers and one 6-pounder gun.
In Oil fight my loss was not severe ; but I regret very
you officer, Captain H. H.
much that a very promising y
Regiment, was killed.
Day, 86th
height the other of the on side
lage,
Observing, from a
main body was at hand, and that
that the enerny's
I d' division I once
their ea mg
the one just defeated was c
my entchtec t vin pore,
decided on retiring to protect
G es. We accordingly
meets, and the bridge over the ang
enemy up to the
fell back, followed, however, by the
bridge over the canal.
On the morning of the 27th, the enemy commenced r
attack, with an overwhelming force of heavy artillery.MY
position was-in front of the city. I was threatened 011 all

.1 I ,

'----------------------7-------- front and right
sides, and very seriously attacked r
ante. my
the point of j
flank. The heavy fighting in l'
unc-
tion,lpe otfh
et the
RifleC
al3tY the 88tla Regiment and four
iTyoCreoloesnieelcWaly-
le who was sapportad by .
Po , Delhinflloonmatlecelil
guns (two 9-poun , a,.
alßPeriegaadned,
Roy
Artillery, and two 24-pounder
Captain D. S. Greene
hannon, under Lieut.
dors two 21-pounder howitzers) under
was twice wounded. Lieutenant-Colon ft.
Flay' whoßo al Artillery, also afforded me marked
John AtlYe. —Y wa,
g,uns, manned by seamen.
assistance with those g
In spite of the heavy bombardment of the enemy, my
'
troops resisted the attack for five hours, and still held the
ground, until, on my proceeding personallytomnmearkeef
msuerne
of the safety of the fort, I
found from
the nn
bayonetted by the 88th Regiment, that the mutineers had
folly penetrated the town ; and having been told that they
were then attacking tho fort, I directed Major-General
Dupuis, B.A. (who, as my Second-in-command, I had left
with the main body), to fall back the whole force into the
fort, with all our stores and guns, shortly before dark.
Owing to the flight of the camp followers at the com-
mencement of the action, notwithstanding the long time
we held the ground, I regret to state, that in making this
retrogade movement, I was unable to carry off all my
1 camp equipage and some of the baggage. Had not an
'1 error occurred in the conveyance of an order issued by me,
I am of opinion that I could have held my ground at all
events until dark.
I must not omit, in this stage of the proceedings, to
report that the flank attack was well met, and resisted,
for a considerable time, by the 34th Regiment under
Lieutenant-Colonel Kelly, and the Madras Battery under
Lieutenant Chamier, together with that part of the 82d
Regiment which was detached in this direction under
Lieutenant-Colonel D. Watson.
In retiring within the entrenchments I followed the
general instructions issued to me by your Excellency, con-
veyed through the Chief of the Staff, namely, to preserve
the safety of the bridge over the Ganges, and my commu-
nications with your force, so severely engaged in the im-
portant operation of the relief of Lncknow, as far as pos-
sible. I strictly adhered to the defensive.
After falling back to the fort, I assembled the superior
officers on the evening of the 27th, and proposed a night
attack, should I be able to receive reliable information as
to where the enemy had assembled his artillery.
As, however, I could obtain none (or, at all events, none
that was satisfactory), I decided
Firstly, That on the following day Colonel Walpole,
Rifle Brigade, should have the defence of the advanced
portion of the town on the left side of the canal, standing
with your back to the Ganges. The details of the force
upon this point were as follow
5 companies Rifle Brigade, under Lieut.-Colonel C.
Woodford.
2 companies of the 82d Regiment, under Lieut.-Colonel
Watson.
4 guns (two 9-pounders, and two 24-pounder howitzers),
under Capt. Greene, R.A.
(Two of these guns were manned by Madras gunners,
and two by Seikhs.)
Secondly—That Brigadier N. Wilson, with the 61th
Regiment, was to hold the fort and establish a strong
picquet at the Baptist Chapel on the extreme right.
Thirdly—That Brigadier Carthow, with the 34th Regi-
ment, under Lieut.-Colonel Kelly, and four Madras guns,
should hold the Bithoor road in advance of the Baptist
Chapel, receiving support from the picquet there, if
wanted.
Fourthly— That, with the 88th Regiment under Lieut.-
Colonel Maxwell, I should defend the portion of the town
nearest the Ganges on the left of the canal, and support
Colonel Walpole if required.
The fighting on the 28th was very severe. On the left
advance, Colonel Walpole, with the Rifles, supported by
Captain Greene's battery, and part of the 82d Regiment,
achieved a complete victory over the enemy, and captured
two 18-pounder guns.
The glory of this well-contested fight belongs entirely to
the above-named companies, and artillery.
It was owing to the gallantry of the men and •fficers,
under the able leading of Colonel Walpole, and of my
lamented relation, Lieutenant-Colonel Woodford, of the
Rifle Brigade (who, I deeply regret to say, was killed),
and of Lieut.-Colonel Watson, 821, and of Capt. Greene,
R.A., that this hard contested fight was won and brought
to so profitable an end. I had nothing to do with it, be-
yond sending them supports, and, at the end, of bringing
some up myself.
I repeat that the credit' is entirely due to the above-
mentioned officers and men.
Brigadier Wilson thought proper, prompted by zeal for
the service, to lead his regiment against four guns placed
is front of Brigadier Carthew. In this daring exploit, I
regret to say, he lost his life, together with several valuable
and able officers. Major T. Stirling, 61th Regiment, was
killed in spiking one of the guns, as was also that fine
gallant young man, Capt. R. C. M`Cree, 64th Regiment,
who acted as Deputy-Assistant Quartermaster-General to
the force here. Capt. W. Morphey, 64th Regiment (the
Brigade Major), also fell at the same time. Oar numbers
were not sufficient to enable us to carry off the guns.
Captain A. P. Bowlby, now the Senior Officer of the
64th Regiment, distinguished himself, as did also Captain
H. F. Saunders,•of the 70th Regiment, who was attached
to the 6ith, and is Senior to Captain Bowlby, whose con-
duct he describes as most devoted and gallant; as was also
that of the men of the regiment.
Brigadier Carthew, of the Madras Native Infantry, had
a most severe and strong contest with the enemy, from
morning till night ; but I regret to add, that he felt him-
self obliged to retire at dark.
Daring the night of the 28th inst., the enemy occupied
the town, and on the morning of the 29th commenced bom-
barding my entrenchments with a few guns, and struck
the bridge of boats several times.
The guns mounted in the fort were superior in number
to those of the enemy, and were well manned, throughout
the day, by the officers, non-commissioned officers, and
sea of the Royal Artillery, seamen of the Shannon, Ma-
dras and Bengal gunners, and Sikhs.
The chief outwork was occupied by the Rifle Brigade,
and in the course of the afternoon, by your Excellency's
instructions, they were advanced, and gallantly drove the
mutineers out of that portion of the city nearest to our
works, under the command of Lieut.-Col. Fyers, who was
supported by Col. Walpole.
Throughout the short period I have had the temporary
command of this division, I have received, both in the
field and elsewhere, the most important assistance from
Capt. H. Bruce, sth Punjaub Cavalry. Without him I
should have been at a groat loss for reliable information,
and although I am aware that your excellency is not igno-
rant of his abilities, courage, and assiduity, I think it my
duty to make this mention of his service to the country.
Pressed as I am by the operations now going forward, 1
am not able to specify the services of every individual
who has assisted me, where all have behaved so well. I
have no Staff of my own, except Capt. Roger 8 wire, of
the 17th Foot, my Aide-de-Camp, who has behaved with
his usual zeal and courage. -
I therefore hope I may be allowed to thank, through
your Excellency, the undermentioned officers, for the
great services they have voluntarily rendered me daring
this trying time :
SPECIALLY—Major-General J. E. Dupuis, C. 8., Com-
manding Royal Artillery in India ; Lieutenant-Colonel J.
Adye, C.B. Assistant Adjutant-General, Royal Artillery;
Lieutenant-Colonel H. D. Harness, Commanding Royal
Engineers; and Major N. M‘Leod, Bengal Engineers.
Lieutenant-Colonel John Simpson, 34th Regiment.
Senior-Surgeon R. C. Elliot, C. 8., Royal Artillery.
Captain John Gordon, 82d Regiment.
Captain Sarsfield Greene, Royal Artillery.
Captain Smyth, Bengal Artillery.
There are several other officers in addition, who I
fortunately found detained here, en route to join your
Excellency's force, and I beg to submit their names, viz. :
Captain R. G. Brackenbury, 61st Regiment.
Lieutenant Arthur Henley, 524 Light Infantry. .
Lieutenant Vafentine Ryan, 64th Regiment.
Captain Ellis Cunliffe, let Bengal Fusiliers.
Lieutenant E. H. Budgen, 82d Regiment (to whom I
gave the command of the 100 mounted Sowars.)
Captain C. E. Mansfield, 3341 Regiment.
Lieutenant P. Scratchley, Royal Engineers.
Lieutenant W. C. Milne, 74th Bengal N.I.
I beg to inform your Excellency that I have called for
nominal returns of the killed and wounded, and I have
also directed all officers commanding corps, regiments, and
batteries, &c., to forward to me the names of any officers,
non-commissioned officers, or soldiers, who may have espe
cially distinguished themselves by gallantry in the field,
which shall be forwarded to your Excellency without delay.
In conclusion, I hope I may be permitted to express my
sincere thanks to all the regimental officers, non-commis-
sioned officers, and mon, for the zeal, gallantry, and
courage with which they have carried out my orders dur-
ing the four days of harassing actions which have succes-
sively taken place in the defence of this important strategic
centre of present operations.
I beg to forward the enclosed despatch, which I have
received from Major-General Dupuis, and I have called
upon the various officers commanding corps, &c., to for-
ward me the names of any officers they may wish to recom-
mend, which I will send to your Excellency as soon as 1
receive them.—l have, Ste.,
C. A. WINDHAM, Major-General.

No. 4.

Major-General Dupuis to Major-General C. A. Windham,
C. 8., Commanding the Cawnpore Division.
Cawnpore, November 30th, 1557.

Sir,—Without entering into any detail of the opera-
tions carried on by the force under your command, on the
26th, 27th, 28th, and 29th inst. which I consider un-
necessary, as you were present the whole time, yet I feel
it my duty to bring to your notice the excellent of
the officers, non-commissioned officers, and men, both of
the Royal and Bengal Artillery, whom you placed under
my command.
Lieutenant Oliver, R.A., who was in command of a
hastily equipped battery of two 9-pounders and two 24-
pounder howitzers, manned by a few Royal Artillery and
Bengal Gunners, and some Seikhs, did his best to bring his
guns into action on the first day's operations on the Pan-
doo River ; yet, from his extreme inexperience, I thought
it better to place my Aide-de-Camp, Captain Sarafield
Greene, R.A., in command, and I beg to bring to your
notice the admirable manner in which he directed and
fought the guns at the close of the day.
On the 27th he supported the Rifle Brigade and the 88th
Connaught Rangers, and as our force retired, he assisted
to protect the retreat. Again, on the 28th, he supported
Colonel Walpole, and the Rifle Brigade, on the advance
on the left, and assisted materially in the capture of two
4.118-Phouuder guns. On the 29th he commanded four guns
?altlsacheddi
i_
nit
meafnorte., Lieut. Chamier, of the Madras Artillery, who
:lotetboixo
force
et
under Brigadier
pe r rm e
cd
ar histh dutiesew.
Lieutenaut-Cooll,rin bring
General who voleulutjohn
‘"
Y satisfaction, particularly on the 28th, when he was
I beg
from
whicho hail been left I'Ll'il
to your consideration the conduct of
Adye, my Assistant Adjutant-
broughtof the town a 24-pounder gun,
the Ceectrea on the night the 27th, and
Bengal (This officer was assisted by ino
one of the narrow street?.
f its having been ..),
ford, of the Ben Ind in the retreat, in con eqnence
Austen and Brad-
volunteered and took co On the 29th be '
by a few sailors and miananar and of the same gun (mannedag.'l
position to protect the canal, gunners), and place ' -
it in
vice during the day. I be:. where it proved of
exertions of Senior-Surgeon„ also to testify to the willing
Br.
R. C. Elliot on
—I have, &c., all occ ' '
asion.s.
_

J. E. DUPUIS, Major-General,
Commanding Royal Artillery in India.

General, Head 1
The Com mander-in-Chief Ntoci.thse.Grnoreprnoer•
quarters Camp, ea
December 10, 1857,
My Lord.—l have the honour to report to your Lord-
ship, that late on the night of the 3d instant, the cony,
which had given me so much anxiety, including the
families and half the wounded, was finally despatched,
and on the 4th and sth the last arrangements were made
for consigning the remainder of the wounded in places of
safety, while a portion of the troops was withdrawn from
the entrenchments to join the camp.
On the afternoon of the stb, about 3 p.m., the enemy