The Sun.
London, England, 1857-08-29 00:00:00

LONDON, SATURDAY, AUGUST 29, 1857.

The Overland Mail has just come to hand. It
arrived by the Vectis at'MarseilleP, at 7 p.m., on
Thursday. Clpious extracts will be found in
another part of our impression, giving the melan-
choly details of the fearful scenes enacted in the
disaffected districts. The dates are—Calcutta,
July 28th ; thmbay, July 30th ; and Hong
Kong, July 10th.
The intelligence it contains is of a truly de-
plorahle character. It is not only positively as-
certained that Cawnpore had fallen into the hands
of the miscreant NENA SAHIB, but that after the
garrison, pressed by famine, had capitulated, un-

der the most solemn assurances of safety, these
pledges were immediately violated. Not only
were the fighting men and civilians butchered in
cold blood, but helpless women and children were
destroyed under circumstances of the most revolt-
ing cruelty. Two hundred and forty of these
innocent victims were first sold by public
auction in the town, where, after
being treated with the most terrible
barbarity and indignity, they were slaughtered by
their new masters, whose cruelty exceeded their
avarice. There is a faint hope that some may
have had a temporary respite, as it was reported
that NENA SAHIB had retained about 100 hostages
in his hands in order to enable him to make terms
with the Government. We fear, however, that if

such be the case their fate is even more deplorable
than that of their companions in misery, and that
they may envy those who had previously perished.
The atrocious ruffian who had murdered the
fugitives from Futtyghur would not be likely to
leave any prospect of escape for those who had
the misfortune to fall within his power. He
would only retain them as a means of safety for
himself, and when that prospect faded, as un-
doubtedly will be the case, he would before his
own downfall satiate his diabolical malevolence
to the most fearful extent.

The prospect would be dark, indeed, but for
the brilliant conduct of the gallant HAVELOCK,
and the troops under his command. He bad
started from Allahabad with about 2,000
Europeans, consisting of the 64th, the 78th
Highlanders, the Madras Fusiliers, and a com-
pany of_ the Royal Artillery. By two haras-
sing marches he had joined Major RENAUD'S
advanced column about three hours before day-
light on the morning of the 17th ult., and ar-
rived about eight o'clock four miles from Futteh-
pore, where he encamped. The rebels advanced
from the town which they had previously occu-
pied, assuming the initiative in the contest. The
splendid management of the Artillery (eight guns,
under Captain MAUDE, R.A.), soon destroyed
their confidence. They abandoned gun after
gun, and speedily took to flight. They were
pursued through garden enclosures and the
streets of Futtehpore. It was a complete
panic, and the most remarkable circum-
stance connected with the affair was that
there was not a single casualty amongst the Bri-
tish troops—not one killed or even wounded.
Eleven guns were there taken, in addition to the
twenty-six that subsequently were captured on the
re-occupation of Cawnpore. Previously to the
arrival of the troops at Cawnpore two other bat-
tles had taken place, and with similar results in
each instance. The cowardly murderer who had
committed such unparalleled atrocities did not
make head!in a single instance against a force of
armed men. He had fled up the Bithoor, some
eight or ten miles from Cawnpore, and has, pro-
bably, already received the exemplary pueish•
rnent which his crimes so justly merited.
It is difficult to understand how any reliance
could have been pieced in the promises of such a
demon. It would appear that Sir HUGH WHELER
had previously fallen, and that the garrison, em-
barrassed by the number of fugitives and,woruen
and children, had been reduced to a state of ab-
solute starvation. Tney therefore unfortunately
accepted the treacherous overtures, not being
sufficiently strong to have the slighteet prospect
of extricating themselves from their desperate
condition. We know the sad results—and
NeeTA SAHIB will discover, to his cos', that they
will not be disregarded by any Englishwar. He
has destroyed the chance of escape, and will ever-
more
fight with a rope about his neck, as an
outlaw, with
whom there can be no compromise.
It was on the 21 July
that Sir IT. LAWRENCE
received the Wounds a
afterwaris deprive
tht
er,unaetkionnowofwohniecho
ft two
tad
:ys
e:
distinguished heroes. Ti,e garrison, however, cei i-
tinned firm under the command of m
Ljor BANK,;,
and there was every reason to hope that they
could maintain their position until relieved by-
General HAVELOCK.

At Delhi the rebels had made several sorties,
but all in vain. Although thera wore not aut36.-
ef out troops to huml a general assault, there were.
sufficient to maintain their position, and repeg