The Sun.
London, England, 1857-11-30 00:00:00

THE VICTORY AT AGRA.

Advices from Agra of the Bth state that Colonel
Gresthed's column marched from Allyghur to Ak-
burabad on the 6th, the cavalry moving rapidly in
advance. They were accompanied by Mr. George
Campbell as commissioner, and succeeded in killing
two celebrated rebel chief, Mungul Singh and
Mehtab Singh, with about 100 of their followers.
Four guns were found loaded, and pointed towards
the entrance of the fort. These, with a large
quantity of powder and grape shot, were captured.
the column was expe3ted to beshortly strengthenPd
by reinforcements of European infantry from Delhi
••••:1 clear indication that the force under General
Wilson is neither so weak nor so sickly as affirmed.
We have since received advices from Agra to the
11th inst., from which we learn that a hard-fought
battle had taken place there on the 10th, between
Colonel Greathed's column and the rebels, who
wee totally defeated, with the loss of 13 guns.
Colonel Greatbed marched into the station on the
morning of the 10th inst., at half-past six o'clock.
The troops, fatigued by their long march, had only

tiw€ to elic'amp,—and had just sat Clown to breakfast
quite unprepared to meet an enemy, when they
were suddenly surprised and attacked by the muti-

neers, cavalry and artillery, who had been hidden

all the previous night in the ice-pits and burial

ground;. The enemy's guns opened fire upon our
camp, and their cavalry appeared and took us in
flank, when of course many of the European troops

were killed and cut up before the column formed in
battle array, but the fighting then commenced in
good earnest. The Sikhs charged, followed by the
9th Lancers in their shirts, but the enemy► captured

one of our guns. This was retaken by a charge of the
Lancers, when the infantry, consisting of the
Bth, 75th, and Sikhs, came into action, and our ar-
tillery was brought into play. Lieutenants French
and Jones, of the 9:h Lancers, with nine men,
attacked about fifty sepoys, who were in possession
of the gun. In re-taking it, Lieutenant French
was killed, and Jones was very severely wounded.
The artillery caused great havoc among the enemy,
who were put to flight after a fierce contest of two
hours, and chased ten miles along the road to
Gwalior, avoiding complete destruct on by crossing
the river. All their infantry were cut to pieces,
and only two of our men were wounded in the

chase. In the battle our loss is said to have been

♦ery small, but one account states that about eighty
were killed and wounded. The loss on the aide of

,be enemy is not exactly known, but is supposed
o have been about 2,000 in all. The whole of the

enemy's baggage, ammunition, camp equipage, and
treasure, amounting to ten lacs of rupees, besides
elephants, &c., fell into our bands, and thirteen
guns, some of them brass, were captured. The
enemy consisted of seven or eight thousand men,
being the main body of the Indore and Mhow

rebels, and others frorii Gwalior, who had proceeded
to Agra for the purpose of laying sitge to the place.

The rebels wereuoles3 surprised than the fiyiug
column, as the former expected having only to deal
with th) small garrison of Agra, who were thus
delivered from imminent danger. The following
_ .

[ our Agra correspondent's letter, which gives

some interesting particulars regarding this brilliant
and decisive victory :
Agra Fort, Sept, 10, 1857, 10 p.m.
In my letter of yesterday I intimated the near
approach of the Mhow and Neemuch mutineers,
and of an advanced guard of the enemy firing on

some of our militia -cavalry, reoonnoitring at the

Saari river, about ten milts from the cantonment,

and following them up to within a mile or two of
the station ; and I also told you that a body of the
cavalry belonging to Colonel Greathed's moveable
column was expected by 7 o'clock, and that the

remainder woula march the next moining. Towards
evening, the militia cavalry picket reported that no

vestige of the enemy was seen within 6 miles of the
cantonment, and it was generally supposed by the
authorities that the enemy had re-crossed the Kbari
river I Towards night the cavalry videttes sta-
tioned near the cantonment burial ground (the
parade ground, on which the moveable column was
subs,quently encamped, is nearly between the
burial ground and the Metcalfe testimonial) filed on

a native, who was creeping along the burial ground
walls, and had answered to his challenge. Of course
the milltia at the Metcalfe immediately turned out,

but nothing further transpired. This morning the
moveable column, including the body of cavalry we
expected the evening before, came in, and marched
past the Fort towards the cantonment. The 9th
LAncers took the lead, followed by the Artillery ;
then came the Sikhs, cavalry, and infantry, and a
portion of her Majesty's Bth Foot. About 10 am.
the Lancers had taken their horses to be watered,
and had just returned, some of the horses being
still under saddle ; the Bth were pitching their
tents, and many of them were taking it ea y, while
other portions of the Bth, and a portion of the
75th, had just reached the camp. Our guns were
previously in position. Just at this time some two
or three natives came into our camp playing tom-
toms, upon which the sergeant of the guard over

the guns ordered the fellows away ; but the next
moment one of the scoundrels drew his hidden
sword and cut the sergeant down. Some grass-
cutters then rushed in, and gave the alarm of the
enemy's cavalry being upon us, and almost spon-
taneously their guns opened on our camp. Several
of the Lancers told me that the enemy's c avalry had
flanked us beautifully, and that we were surround-
ed. The Sikhs charged, followed by the Lancers
in their shirts ; and not before the enemy had
taken possession of one of our guns (some say three
guns). The charge of the Lancers was fierce and
irresistible, and they soon re-took our guns. Mean-
whi'e the Bth and 75th, with the Sikh infantry,
came into action, and our own guns opened fire.
By noon the enemy were in full retreat, hotly pur-
sued by our gallant troops. The 3d Bengal Euro-
peans
the
swe least idea thatwithinerethefo ashrtt,em
eteheeywereauthoritiesat h
had
not
fig teadt i
to
on
ma ta rae lhl
tver by this had arran-
-toownartdhse theoenKtrhaarrsi t'
ey
ilitia, were told that they would not be requieven-
ingred
until about 2 p.m. The latter were at the Met-
calfe testimonial, distant about a mile or two from
the fort. On intelligence reaching the fort of the
enemy having surprised our camp, the 3d of course
were immediately under arms, and marched out
wilt a true English cheer. As they moved along
they were greeted with—" Remember Cawnpore
an f Delhi.' When they got to the scene of actin
the enemy were in full retreat, and the 3d followed
them up with our cavalry and artisl-ry. On com-
ing to the river, the enemy's infautry en the other
side was drawn out to protect the retreat across the
stream of the rebels on this side,
and upon these
our artillery played most effectually. Our balls
went among the rascals in fine style, and they bolted
—followed helter-skelter by the retreating enemy
on this side. All the enemy's baggage and camp
equipage with their treasure, and a large quantity
of loo;—English goods, trinkets, Sec.—fell into our
possession, as also 13 of their guns (all they had I
believe), including a very large one, not equalled
by any ordnance within the tort. They loft about
2,000 killed on the field, and along their line of
retreat. Our casualties are about 80 killed and
wounded, but I will not be sure, among whom are
several officers. With the wounded came in several
sick. I may add that the moveable column came
on from Ilattrws to this by forced marches, 36
miles, in a few hours. The men were much fatigued,
and many of them had had nothing to eat since
noon yesterday. I will not attempt a description
of the state of the wounded—it is too appal ing fur
me ; neither will I dwell on the readiness with
which all here, the ladies especially, proffered their
aid, since this is nothing novel among the daughters
of England.
P.S.—The enemy, it is supposed, and I am in-
clined to think correctly, were in the position from
which they attacked us the previous night. Their
position was on the other side of the burial ground,
where we marched up and encamped just close to
them, without the slightest idea of their close
vicinity. Fortunately, they were too close for their
artillery to do much mischief, as their shot went
over our men. So it is said by those who were in
the midst of the fight.—Bombay Times, Oct. 24.
The following proclamation has been issued by
the local Government. We would at the same
time draw attention to the fact that the Supreme
Government have authorised. the payment of a re-
ward of fifty rupees for every armed sepoy, and
thirty rupees for every one unarmed, captured and
delivered up to the State.
IC T 1
rEOCLAMATION.—Agra Fort, 29th Sept. 1857.
The sepoys who have mutinied upon lying pretexts of
interferences with religion and caste, and have shown
the absurdity of those pretexts by assoc!ating themselves
with gaol felons and miscreants of every description,
theyby have and vain efforts to contend with the British Government
at Delhi and ehewhere, are now fleeting from the punish-
meat due to their crimes,through various parts of these
provinces, showing theirve obtained motvaeinemedntbsy violence,onlyades
desire to
save the plunder and
their worthless
ea'
s on all landholders and farmers, with their
tenantry,worithless lives. The government of these pro
in
and on all well disposed subjects, to give all
possible assistance to the authorities in bringing these
outcastes to justice. Landholders and farmers of land

E V 18111 &G

especially are reminded of the terms of their engagement r
not 'o harbour or countenance criminals and evil dis
posed per,,ons. The Government requires proofs 4 of the
fidelii and loyalty of all classes of its subjects, in re- ,
covering the arms, elephants, horses, camels, and other
Covernmenr property, which have been feloti tusly taken
by these offenders. All persons are warned against pur-
chasing or bartering for any such property of the State,
under the severest penalties, and rewards will be paid I
to those who immediately on obtaining possession of the
same to bring them to the nearest civil or military au-
thoriy....Bi order, " C B. THORNHILL

Officiating Secretary to Government, N. W. P.'
—Mofussilite, Oct. 3.

DESTRUCTION OF BHITOOR.

CAWNPORB, OCt. 20.

Some 650 infantry, a battery orartiliery, and a few
sowers of the garrison of Cawnpore, marched on the
morning of the 18th inst towards a video) cal!fei Shee-
Rajpore, distant hence some 16 miles, where it was re-
ported, at 10 p.es., of the 17th, a large force of rebels
had colleated with the fiend Nana at its head. We moved
off at one o'clock, a.m., and after several short halts we
got as far as Bhitoor, where we rested, and breakfasted
on hard biscuit and a g ass of rum and pawn -y. At
about 12 o'clock we again moved off, under a broiling
sun, and after accomplishing five or six miles, intelli-
gence was received that the enemy were in a grove of
trees not half a mile a head, with two guns in position
—24-pounder and a 9-pounder. We had not moved on
much further when it was thought prudent to deploy our
small force on either side of the road, but this move we
were rather late in putting into effect, for the detach.
meat of the 90. h Light Infantry, which was in rear, had
just commenced to move off the road, when the enemy's
guns opened fire, and told terribly en the fated 90th.
The first shell burst immediately before this detachment,
killing two and wounded two or three others. Our gusts
shortly afterwards oonitnenciel, but our shot fell far
short, and we had to advance closer up, so as to get in
range ; and it was well we did so, for the shot of the
enemy came pretty quick, but now passed harmlessly
over our heads, except one or two shells which exploded
immediately above us, but did us no injury. After
exchanging 20 or 31 rounds the enemy's guns were
charged—l should have said position, as the guns were
already silenced and being limbered up. No sooner
was this effected than the cmardly rascals made off,
leaving behind two waggons, which could not be moved,
owing to some of the horses being knocked over by our
shot. The enemy, however, cut the traces, eti., of the
animals, and fairly bolted. Were it not for the paucity
of cavalry on our side, we should have created great havoc
amongst the routed foe. The want of this arm has been
greatly felt in all our actions with the insurgents, and I
doubt not that, if we had bad a body only 500 strong
at the battle before Cawnpore, the massacre at the as-
sembly room might never have happened. The enemy
loft behind sham three country carts laden with ammu-
nition, and these also fell into our bands. Though our
movement was quiet and quickly done, yet the rebels knew
and bad prepared for our coming. One unfortunate fellow,
however, was fast asleep during the action, and continued
in this happy state till he was roused by one of our men
dealing him a soft kick on his posterior. He set forth a
yell that would have done credit to a beast of the forest,
on seeing a white face over him, and made one bound,
thinking of a run ; but he was roughs sharp round by
the thrust of a bayonet, and was seen no more. The
action altogether did not last an hour, but in that short
space of time we had two killed and six wounded. The
two former, and five of the latter, belong to the 90th
Light Infantry, and the other wounded man is one
of the Madras Fusiliers, who was struck in the
arm. Of the five wounded of the 90th, no
less than four bad to undergo amputation—one from the
shoulder, one from the thigh, and two of the arm. It
was difficult to estimate the loss of the enemy, as the
villains have a most expeditious way of either carrying
off their killed and wounded, or secreting them in some
place tedious to find. On oui return to Cawnpore, we
set fire and otherwise destroyed the village of Sbeo-
Rajpore. In one house there was a great quantity of
hay and chopped straw stowed away, and nothing would
do but that a few of the 64th must needs go poking
their bayonets into the loose portion in quest of live
game. Strange to say, after driving in two or three
bayonets, and turning over a small quantity of the stuff,
out came no less than four or five rebels, with drawn
swords in their hands. You may rest assured the men
of the 64th did not allow them time or opportunity to
use their weapons, but bayonetted every one on the spot.
The ...hole of this day was occupied in destroying the
village of Bhitoor- add on the morning of the 20th we
marched hack to Cawnpore, and arrived at about I
o'clock a.m. Soon after, two of the many prisoners we
brought in were launched into eternity by the hangman.
One was the bearer of letters from Nana to the villagers
of Bhitoor and the neighoouriog places, calling upon
them to supply ammunition, and have supplies prepared
against hie coining, which would take place in 15 or 20
days, when it was his intention to clear Cawnpore of the
infidel Feringee loque.
The open spaces of the entrenched camp literally
swarm with human beings. At sunrise and sunset
large numbers of coolies, almost of all ages and of
both sexes, are to be seen seated in clusters of 50 or
a 100, awaiting to be mustered or paid for their day's
labour. When I first set foot in Cawnpore I could
scarce see a living being moving about ; now I am
absolutely tired with their eternal salaams. These
coolies are employed in cleaning away and breaking
down houses before our fortification, and levelling and
Meaning the intrenchment.—Bombay

MASSACRE OF THE BENGALEE RESI-

DENTS AT AGRA.

The following account or the massacre of the Ben-
galee residents of Agra is Furnished by a native eye-
witness, whose wife, daughter, and son-in-law have
all died by the hands of the mutineers :
"On the breaking out of the mutiny the portion
of ,the Bengalee residents bad got hold of a strongly
built house, and instead of throwing themselves openly
at the mercy of the mutineers. shut themselves up
within the house. But when the plane was thrown
open one of the inmates placed at the feet of the
mutineers all the ornaments of their women and other
valuable articles, and asked of them in the most
piteous terms to spare their lives. But they only in-
quired of their female companions, and at last wade
out their hiding place. The women, who had till this
time stifled their feelings, now shkieked out in loud
lamentations and piteous cries, but tie scoundrels re-
mained untouched, insulted them in the grossest man
ner, and then put them to death. The men were
also butchered, but three did escape by hiding for
some time in a large hole made under the ground.
When they emerged from their biding-place, they
found all rolling in blood, but a grandson of one of
the survivors was alive. This was a babe ; it had not
been touched, and it was lying by the dead body of
its mother, perfectly unconscious of what had taken
place. Three of the enrvivere, with the babe, taking
advantage of the darkness of the night, fled from the
place, and, after suffering intolerable hardships, arrived
within a few days at Benares."

DELHI.
The following letter is from an officer in the 61st
who commanded the party which took the Palace,
and afterwards had the custody of the old King.
in the siege, and committed
It shows what spirit animated every soldier engaged
by the enemy even
might have had thewill
during the final struggle, justi-
fying every act of our soldiery which otherwise
otkaotrfocerituieeis
" Ajtnere Gate, Delhi, Sept. 26.
"My dear Father,—l confess I have been some-
what remiss in ray correspondence of late, but until
the last two or three days I have been so knocked
about that I have, in truth, hardly had a moment
to myself. At last, after having been hard at it for
nearly four months, we have taken this accursed
place. I must try and give you a sketch of our ope-
rations. The wing to which I btlonod left Feroze-
pore on the 25th r.f July, and arrived here on the
14th of August. You may fancy how hot it was in
cuts—the wonder was we didn't all die from it.
We made forced marches so as to join the army as
quickly as pos'ible. Until the arrival of our siege-
train of heavy guns and mortars we could do nothing
beyond keeping up a cannouale from such guns as
we had in battery, to which the enemy replied. How-
ever, on the 7th inst. the long looked-for train ar-
rived in camp, and we at once commenced the off, n-
aive by throwing up our first battery on the right.,
at a distance of some 400 yards from the Mere° bas-
tion. A line of batteries was gradually established
by night from the right battery towards our left,
and by the 10th were all in full play, keeping up a
terrific cannonade, to which, however, the enemy
replied with vigour. However, such was the fire
concentrated on the Cashmere bastion that the guns
on it were smashed to atoms and the er.etuy unable
to reply. Oae of the most unpleasant nights I ever
passed was on the oth, when I commanded a work-
ing party throwing up a sandbag battery, about
280 yards from the Cashmere and Church batteries
of the enemy. The blackguards kept us constantly
on the qui vivo with a fire of shells, round shot, and
grape, and as we were on a level pl tin or field, and
the guns so close, we were at times obliged to dis-
continue work and lie flat on our faces, and so let
the grape pass over us ; the darkness favoured us
very much, but a party of our regiment who relieved
us at daybreak on the 10th, Were
driven from the
place, losing five men. On the 13th it was pretty
well known in camp that we were to assault the
city on the following morning, and we were all
anxiety, wondering how it was to be done. True
enough, at two in the morning of the 14th, we pa-
raded, and at three marched down to the assault.
There were two breaches, and we went at the left
one between the Cashmere and Water bastions ;
the ditch was about 30 feet deep and 50 broad. As
we neared the walls we caught it from grape,
rockets, and musketry, the air being literally alive
with bullets of all sizes. Oa we rushed and quickly
descended the ditch, and, rearing our scaling lad-
ders against the scarp of the wall, away we
went. We soon forced an entrance into the
place, and then a most terrible struggle ensued. We
had to charge up narrow streets and lanes swept by
guns firing double charges of grape. And here it
was our losses for the most part occurred. I may
as well at once say I hear about 65 officers and 1,200
men were put hors de combat. I have been in a
good deal of rough and terrible work myself, but
I was never iu my life under such a fire of grape as
these rascals kept up. We fought till dark, some