The Sun.
London, England, 1857-10-16 00:00:00

THE OVERLAND MAIL.

THE INDIAN MUTINIES•

We have received together the Bombay and Cal-
cutta mails. The dates from Bombay are to the
17th September ; the dates from Calcutta are to
Vie 9th September inclusive.
We take the following from the Overland Bombay

Times:—
" The Indian revolt has not during the last fort-
n Mit been marked by any very stirring events, and
nAther of the contending parties has gained any
decisive advantage over the other. The British
forces throughout Lndia have been inactive, await-
ing reinforcements before striking the final blow
which will crush the hopes of the mutineers. On
the whole, however, our prospects may be consi-
derel cheering ; for, wh,:le the rebels have obtained
no fresh success, we have, had considerable acces-
sions of strength by the arrival of fresh troops, both
at Bombay and Calcutta. When these reinforce-
ments reach the seat of war ;7.tt the disturbed pro-
vinces our armies will be enabled to resume offen-
si ye operations and bring affairs. to a crisis.
" Gen. Havelock, who had re or ossed the Ganges
after his unsuccessful attempts to relieve Lucknow,
rested for a few days at Cawnpore, hie troops having
been much crippled by sickness. On the 16th Aug.
the force marched towards Bithoor, where a large
body of the enemy, about 4,000 in number, with
two guns, was posted. They occupied a strong de-
fensive position in a village to the west of Bithoor,
yr Lich they desperately defended. Havelock's force
mustered 1,300 men with about 14 glens. The right
w ing was towards the Ganges, and the left on a deep
nullah crossed by a bridge. After an obstinate en-
g tgement, in which the enemy lost 250 killed and
wounded, they were driven from their position, and
fled in confusion, leaving their guns behind. In this
contest the British troops lost about 14 killed and 30
wounded, besides some of their baggage. After the
action Havelock's force retired towards Cawnpore,
lk hare they arrived on the 20th of August, after a
harassing and fatiguing march, during which they
suffered severe privations, which were patiently
borne by our gallant soldiers. Cholera had made
its appearance among the men, carrying off 10 or
12 daily, but the ravages of this epidemic had since
begun to abate. Gen. Outram had arrived at Alla-
habal on the Ist Sept., with her Majesty's sth
Fusiliers, the 90th, and a company of Artillery.
With this force he hoped to reach Cawnpore ou the
9th inst. The details of her Majesty's 64th, 78th,
84th, and lst Madras Fusiliers would follow on the
arrival of Capt. Peel and his naval brigade at Alla-
habad. Sir James Outram had communicated his
arrangements to Gen. Havelock, who had in reply
btated his perfect confidence in his being abbe to
effect the relief of Lucknow with these reinforce-
meats. Gen. Outram had, with characteristic gene-
rosity, announced to Gen. Havelock that to him
should be left the glory of relieving Lucknow, for
which he had so nobly struggled,' and that it was
Lie intention to accompany the force in his civil
capacity, only placing his military services at the
disposal of Gen. Havelock, if necessary. General
Havelock was to make arrangements fur the force
to move forward from Cawnpore on the arrival of
the reinforcements. The rebels have assembled 'on
the Oude side of the river, opposite to the British
camp, in great numbers, and have thrown up a
battery.
" The garrison at Lucknow, although reduced to
great straits, is bravely holding out, and will no
doubt do SO until relieved by Gan. Havelock. For
some time the situation of the beleaguered garrison
was believed to be desperate, aid the worst fears
were entertained regarding their fate, as no tidings
had been received from them. Letters have since
teen received, stating that the garrison of Lucknow
had communicated with Gan. Havelock, and ad-
vised him not to run any risk in attempting to re-
lieve them, as they had provisions enough for six
months ; that the attacks of the enemy were be-
coming fewer and fainter, trom the want of ammu-
nition, it was supposed ; and it was believed that
tae enemy were quarrelling among themselves. The
latest intelligence received from Lucknow is, that
1,030 of the rebels had collected, and these, with
the elite of the rebel force, made an assault on the
devoted garrison. They were repulsed with great
slaughter, 200 of the Gbazee3 being killed, and a
great many of the wounded had since died. There
is a want of proper food for the ladies and children,
but the garrison get beef, and have plenty of grain.
They have been ordered to hold oat to extremity,
and, with the fate of Cawnpore before their eyes,
it is not likely that they will entertain the idea of
surrender, with help so close at hand. A letter from
Cawnpore, dated Aug. 31, says that at present the
gars icon of Lucknow is all right and in good spirits.'

"The Din apore mutineers, completely broken and
dispersed by the prudent combinations of Major
Eyre, are now endeavouring to make their way to
Delhi, across the hills in the Mirzapore district.
Major Eyre had not succeeded in capturing Kooer
Singh, the rebel leader, but a reward of 10,000 rs.
has been offered for his apprehension. Those of the
mutineers who escaped have taken refuge in the hill
country of Rhotusghur, whither they were being
followed by Major Eyre. They had since passed
south of Mirzapore, and had crossed the Tonse
river, which flows into the Ganges between Mina
pore and Allahabad. A force under Major lifinde
from Rewah is endeavouring to intercept them, hue
it is feared he will be unable to arrest their pro-
gress, which is marked by rapine and pillage. They
rill probably make towards Delhi, passing through
the Banda district, which is utterly disorganised.
" From Delhi we have no news of much import-
ance, though the British troops have become bolder
in their attacks upon the enemy, who have been
defeated on every occasion. General Nicholson's
column, consisting of her Majesty's 52d Light In-
fantry, a wing of her Majesty's 61st Foot, and seve-
red Sikh corps, arrived in the camp on the 11th of
August. The auxiliary force furnished by the Sove -
reign of Cashmere, fully equipped, is also marching
t ) join Gen. Wilson's army, which will then be
strong enough to act on the offensive. Lieutenant
Hodson, with a small body of troops, had proved
successful against the insurgents in the Rohtuck dis-
trict, whom he dispersed, killing about 80 of them.
General Nicholson, with about 2,04)0 men and 16
gnus, marched on the 25th of August in the direction
of Nujuffghur to meet a body of the enemy moving
on that place, who were evidently bent on inter-
cepting the siege train by a flank march on Soneput.
On the following day the rebels were defeated after
a short encounter, inwhich they lost 13 guns besides
their camp baggage. The loss in General Nieholson'a
brigade was 17 killed and wounded, including Lieut.
Lumsden, of the 68th Native Infantry, who was
killed. Lieutenant Gabbett, of her Majesty's 61st
Foot, died of hie wounds ; and Lieutenant Elking-
ten, Glst, and Dr. Ireland were both dangerously
wounded. Ou the same day the mutineers in the
city, thinking that most of our troops had gone after
their detachment, made an att ick on th ) camp, but.
it produced no impre=sion, and was repulsed with
heavy loas. Aft. r their defrat at Nujuffghur the mu-
tineers were much disheartened. Our troops were
preparing for active operations on the arrival of the
siege train, which was on its way to the camp, and
were delighted at the prospect of doing something.
At fliesar, in the province of Rohilcund the robtls
h tve likewise beendefeated in their designs. A body
of upwards of 2,000 men, horse and fooF, a' teinP tC
l
to surprise the gate of the town on the 12th Awrust;
but Lieutenant Mildtnay, Assistaht Political Ageot,c'
who received a timely warning, met the assailants
with some loyal troops, and totally routed and pur-
sued them, after killing 300 of their number. Other
effeirs of minor importance have taken place, which
will be found recorded elsewhere.
" At Agra all was quiet up to the 27th of Aug.,
the date of our Most advices. On the 214 a force
of about 153 of the 3d Europeane, under paptain
Strove; three euns under Lieut. 'Griffini and 30
moutted militia, the whole under Major G. J.
Montgomery, Brigade-Major, left the fart with the
view of making a demonstration against the insur-
gents in the neighbourhood of ilattrass. The force
entered that ph c4l Without oppo:ition, but intelli-
gence having been received that a large party of the
insurgents from Allygliur was moving down to at-