The Sun.
London, England, 1858-01-20 00:00:00

THE ATTACK ON CA WNPORE.

The following has been addressed to the Editors
of the Freeman by a gentleman named Gregson :
Cawnpore, Tuesday, Dec. Ist, 1857.

The changes that have passed over us the last fsw
days have been startling and disastrous, and had any
one predicted, a few weeks ago, the straits to which we
are now reduced, he would have been laughed at as an
idiot.

It is now nearly a month since Sir C. Campbell left
this place for Lucknow. The Delhi column, after foreed
marches, reached Cawnpore the 26th of last month, and
was delayed here nearly a week, the Commander-in-
Chief waiting for reinforcements from Allahabad, more
especially of the Naval Brigade, that he might go to
Lucknow strong enough to strike a swift and decisive
blow. On the 6th of meet mouth, the I set of these rein-
forcements having arrived, Sir Colin Campbell left OP,
leaving only about 300 men to protect Cawnpore. This,
however, awakened no solicitude as troops were daily
arriving, and there was little doubt of our being strongly
reinforced before any fue could arrive to menace our
position. At that time, indeed, it was not thought pro-
bable that any enemy would venture to attack us. The
only enemy to be feared was the Gwalior Contingent,
and its movements were closely watched. It was not
strong in men, but very formidable in artillery. It
originally consisted of about 7,000 men. Part of these
had remained stedfast, and many others had deserted,
so that the remnant could not consist of more then 4,000
or 5,000 men. But they had a most formidable park of
artillery, comprising not less than 40 pieces of ordnance.
Of these three were 8-inch howitzers, four 18-pounder
iron guns, 20 light field pieces, 6,9, and 12-pounders,
and the remainder mortars, 10, 8, and se-incb. Their
magaziue was something prodigious, and their entire
train of garis (1. c. carts), bullocks, and beasts of burden
might have sufficed for an ordinary army of 50,000 men.
About the time of Sir Colin Campbell's departure
from Cawnpore these troops were on the move, and
a few days afterwards intelligence arrived that they
had reached Kalpee, distant about fifty-five miles from
this place. Here they remained some time. About
ten days ago it was reported they were coming upon
Cawnpore, and that one of the three divisions into which
they separated was on the march. This division was
said to be about 2,000 strong, and to have ten guns
Early last week it approached within ten miles of us on
the Kalpee road. Iu the meantime General Windham
having received very considerable reinforcements, went
out on the Kalpee road and pitched his camp there, and
the troops which were daily arriving from Calcutta were
immediately sent on to strengthen him, until by last
Monday, the 23d Nov., he had a force of about 2,100
men. On Wednesday the advanced pickets of the two
armies were within sight of each other, and the general
determined on attacking the rebels the following morn-
ing. Accordingly, on Thursday morning, the 26th
NOV., he marched against them with complete success.
Carried their advanced position, capturing two 8-inch
howitzers and one light field piece, and completely routed
the enemy Their position was only about ten miles
from here, and after chasing them some little
distance he ordered a retreat. He was urged to advance
one mile further, when it was alleged there was an
almost perfect certainty of coming upon their camp,
capturing the remainder of their guns and all their
baggage. This he would not do, and here, it is said,
was his first serious mistake. It was yet early in the
day—his men had had some days' rest, and had only
marched a few miles and fought an easily won battle--
hits loss had not reached sixty killed and wounded, and
the panic among the rebels from the capture of their
finest pieces and the defeat of their comrades was seen to
be great. But no, he would at once retreat. It is true
intelligence had been received that Cawnpore was
threatened on another side by some 2,000 rebels, chiefly
the rabble from Banda, who were defeated and lost their
guns a few weeks ago near Futtebpore. But these men
were without gnus, were mostly an undisciplined mob,
barely furnished with muskets or ammunition, and com-
pletely demoralised by repeated defeats. Yet from fear,
it is said, of these men, he retreated, to take up his
position in another place, where he could protect Cawn-
pore from both the rebel forces.
The rebels took advantage of his retreat, followed him
quite home, and that night encamped within four miles of
Cawnpore. It would also seem that daring the night
or very early in the morning the two rebel forces united,
and possibly were strengthened by the arrival of the
second division of the Gwalior force. The following
morning, Friday, just after the 12 o'clock gun had fired,
I the rebels commenced the attack. Two 24-pounders,
manned by the Naval Brigade, were ordered forward,
and advanced far in front of the infantry. Jack had no
sooner opened fire than be found himself exposed to a
galling cannonade from no less than four different quar-
ters, from his right and left flanks, his front, and again
between his front and right flank. This was more than
Jack bargained for, and to add to his misfortunes, the
bullocks galloped off with one of his ammunition tuns-1
bribe and so he thought it quite time to scamper off,
which accordingly lie did. His guns were thus for the
moment abandoned, but fortunately soon after regained.
However, to prevent a repetition of so dire a disaster,
the guns were instantly ordered home, and we have
taken very great care of theca ever since by not suffering
them to leave the entrenchment. Jack's troubles,
however, were not yet over. In dragging them home
through the city one stuck fast in the bed of a little
stream, and baffled fur the time all Jack's exertions to
release it, and the unfortunate 24-pounder, after being
spiked, was left in the city entangled in the mud and
exposed to the mercy of the rebels.
The sight of our retreating guns appears to have
spread tismay throughout the city, and caused a panic
' throughout the camp outside the entrenchments. About
half-past two the cry was raised " The rebels are here,"
and every one made for the entrenchment. The scene
• of confusion that ensued baffles description. A. long
baggage train belonging to the Rifle Brigade, some 850
strong, which had that morning arrived, was just enter.