The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1846-04-07 00:00:00

FOREIGN AND COLONIAL.

INDIA.
ANOTHER VICTORY OVER THE SIKHS.

Telegraphic despatches and an express in anticipation of
the Overland Mail have reached this country, bringing
news of a most important character. The British army
gained a decisive victory over the Sikhs on the 10111 of
February. The Bombay Times of March 3, says, " Ano-
ther great battle has been fought and victory won. On
the 10th ult., the Commander-in-Chief, with a force of
about 20,000 men,•pttacked the Sikhs, 36,000 strong, on
our side of the river at Herrekee, end, after a severe and
bloody action, defeated them at ail points, and drove them
across the river."

The works of the Sikhs had been repeatedly surveyed.
They consisted of formidable entrenchments, defended by
not fewer than 30,000 m'cn and 70 pieces of artillery. Tho
fortifications had been most skilfully constructed under
Colonel Don Hurbon de Alcantara, a Spanish engineer.
There was a double line 'of batteries, arranged in a semi-
circular form ; higlie-amparts, and deep and wide ditches.
with holes and banks; a triple line of defences of earth
and plank, such as a rifle ball could hardly enter, with
fascines, redoubts, and epaulements, appeared to defy the
efforts of our troops. -Immediately within, they were, as
in the camp of Ferozeshah, pierced with loaded mines,
and every thing arranged which skill could plan or perse-
verance carry out during. tbe four weeks they had occu-
pied their position. A considerable force remained on the
other side, with guns so. placed as to command and flank
the position on this. The arrangements in contemplation
had been submitted to the Governor-General by the Com-
mander-in-Chief, and met his hearty approval. Two
picquets in front of the "Kodeewallah and the little So-
braon, occupied by the enemy in force during the day
only, were ordered to be taken possession of on the night
of the 9th, and, though some misconception and delay oc-
curred, by daylight in the morning of the 10th they were
in our hands. The battering and field artillery were placed
in a semicircle, embracing within its fire the position of
the Sikhs. Thecannonade' which was meant to have
commenced at daybreak, was delayed until the rays ot the
sun had dispelled, the heavy mist, which, hanging overthe
river and the plain rendered distant objects obscure. Two
brigades, under Sir. R. Dick, meanwhile waited on the
margin of the Sutlej, to commence the attack on the
enemy's right. The-7th or Seacy's brigade, comprising
•m. 's 50th and .53d, led on, supported at a distance of
two hundred yards by the 6th, under Colonel Wilkin-
son ; the sth, under -Colonel Asbburnbam, forming the
reserve, was to advance from the entrenched villageof
Koodewallah, leaving one regiment behind if necessary
for its defence. -General Gilbert's division, constituting
the centre, was deployed for support or attack, its right
resting on the village of the little Sabaon, which it partly
occupied. On the left, near the village of Guttah, with
its right thrown- out towards the river, was General Sir
Harry Smith's division. The cavalry under Col. Cureton
feigned an attack on the ford at Hurrekee, threatening the
Sikh horse on the-other side. In the rear, between Gen.
Gilbert's right and Sir Henry Smith's left, Brigadier
Campbell occupied a position capable of protecting both.
Sir Joseph Thad< well, with Brigadier Scott, held the re-
mainder of the cavalry in reserve on the left, ready to act
as circumstances might demand.
At three a.m. on the 10th February, the troops ad-
vanced to their respective stations as just described. At
daybreak the light field batteries :Ind a brigade of howit-
zers opened. By half-i ast six the whole fire of our ar-
tillery was developed. Round shot, shells, and rockets
followed each other with fearful celerity, and the frequent
explosions of ammunition waggons in the enemy's camp,
showed with what precision they were aimed. At first a
few horsemen showed themselves reconnoitring and di-
recting the removal of the baggage across the river by the
bridge. Our infantry lay-facing the works within cannon
range, but under cover. The enemy at first scarcely
seemed aware of onr position, the columns having taken
up their ground under night, but were quickly seen lining
the whole of their -works as they saw themselves sur-
rounded. In an instant every gun was opened upon us
from a common centre, and the fire became tremendous.
Our guns were of formidable calibre, were admirably
served, and pointed •with the utmost precision ; but the
Sikh position was so formidable, and their cannon so nu-
merous, that it was feared that by cannonade alone it was
vain to hope to carry the day in any reasonable time, and
it was determined to bring the issue to the arbitrement of
musket and bayonet. The attack, in conformity to this
determination, was commenced at nine o'clock ; wLen
Colonel Stacy's brigade, supported by Colonel Lane's
horse artillery and 'Captains Horsford's and Fordyce's
foot batteries, advanced steadily in line towards the ene-
my's works. The infantry under Stacy, supported by.
Wilkinson's brigade, moved on steadily and coolly, halt-
ing when necessary to correct any imperfections in their
1 ne. Above 1,200 yards of deep sand had to be traversed.
The artillery went on at a gallop, taking np a succession
of positions, until within 300 yards of the enemy. The
simultaneous roar of 120 pieces of ordnance now resounded
along the Sutlej : the slaughter was terrible : and so hot
was the fire of musketry, camel swivels, and cannon, that
it seemed for a moment impossible that the intrench-
ments should be won. On our soldiers went, under a
storm of grape and musketry now opening on them from
the opposite side and focus of the intrenched position. A
shout, a run, and a fire had no effect; the heaviness of
the ground over which they had passed had fagged the
men. The Sikhs saw their danger, but, confident in the
power of their guns, and impregnability of their position,
stood firm and fought bravely. The enemy's cavalry, or-
dered to the rescue, were now seen preparing for the
charge. A squire was forahed ; the gallant sepoys coolly
closed in on their own centre; the enemy's horse took
warning and withdrew: In a moment the line was re-
formed and the troops advancing, but note man bad as
yet passed the entrenchments. The Sikhs showed signs
of wavering as they saw our column slowly and undis-
mayed move on. One frightful effort more, and the out-
works were our own. Her Majesty's 10th Foot, under
Colonel Franks. charged without firing a shot until with-
in the entrenchments of the enemy ; the 53rd came next ;
the sepoys of the 43rd and 59th emulated the Europeans
in coolness and determination. The brigade of Col. Ash-
burnham now came to the support of that of Col. Stacy.
Generals Gilbert and Sir H. Smith threw out their light
troops, aided by the artillery to threaten the other porti-
ons of the entrenchments. The Sikhs attempted to throw
the whole force within their camp upon the two brigades
which had entered, and the battle raged with terrific fury
all along from right to left. Our heavy guns had first
been directed to the right, when their fire required to be
gradually suspended. The Sikhs strove with indomita-
ble fury to recover sword in hand the positions from
which they had been driven at the bayonet's point; nor
was it till the weight of the three divisions of infantry,
and the fire of every piece of artillery belonging to our
army bad been felt, and the cavalry under Sir Joseph
Thackwell had in single file burst through the openings
made by the sappers in the entrenchments, re-formed and
charged on the other side, that the victory was won.
The Third Dragoons overcame every obstacle, galloped
over and cut down the men still standing by their guns,
and the victors pressed closely upon the enemy on every
side. Now their fire first began to slacken and then
ceased. Regiment after regiment moved steadily down,
and fearful volleys of musketry were poured in on the re-
tiring foe. The few parties first retiring were followed by
vast masses making tor the bridge.
Thousands betook themselves to the river, whicta sud-
den rise had just rendered unfordable. The bridge mean-
while had partially sunk, and was totally inadequate for
the conveyance of the multitudes pressing towards it.
This battle had begun at six ; it was over at eleven o'clock.
The hand to hand combat commenced at nine, and lasted
scarcely two hours. The river was full of sinking men.
For two hours volley after volley was poured in upon the
human mass,—the stream being literally red with blood,
and covered with the bodies of the slain. At last, the
musket ammunition becoming exhausted, the infantry fell
to the rear ; the horse artillery plying grape till not a man
was visible within range. No compassion was felt, or
mercy shown ; not only had our own loss been excessively
severe, but the enemy, during the earlier portion of the
day, had mutilated or murdered every wounded man that
fell into their hands. The coolness and order with which
the enemy retired, notwithstanding the havoc being made
amongst their ranks, was remarkable. Their columns
moved out of range of our fire on reaching the further
bank of the river, and pitched their tents—sent across at
an early part of the action. Three or four heavy guns,
which had, in the course of the fight, occasionally played
upon us from time to time saluted the camp followers en-
gaged in collecting the spoil. The bridge was partly burn-
ed, partly sunk, • and latterly destroyed by the engineers.
The camp was in several places set fire to by stragglers,
increasing the horror of the scene of carnage. Of 35,000
men who bad that day maintained so stout, but so un-
availing a fight against us, more than one-half must have
been killed or wounded. Not fewer than 10,000 are be-
lieved to have perished. Sixty-seven guns, with upwards
of 200 formidable camel-swivels, numerous standards, and
munitions of war, fell into our bands. In an engagement
so bloody and obstinate—even though of brief duration—
the loss of the assailants could not but be severe. Our
casualties amounted to 2,383. Of these thirteen European
officers were killed, 101 wounded ; 303 rank and file were
killed, and 1,913 wounded. Amongst the slain were the
gallant veterans Major-General Sir R. Dick, and Lieu-
tenant-Colonels C. C. Taylor and Ryan. The Governor-
General throughout seems to have been in the thickest of
the fight; he does not seem to have exercised a separate
command.

The same evening a portion of our troops crossed at
Ferozepore ; by the 14th the whole'army destined for the.
advance on the capital were over; and by the 24th in all
likelihood Lahore would be in our bands. It is unlikely
we shall attempt anything more this season ; and it has
been intimated by the Governor-General that it is not our
intention to annex the Punjaub to our dominions, but to
compel them to pay the expenses of the war, establish a
firm government, and retire. The whole arrangements of
the Scinde army have, since our last, been altered. Sir
C. Napier having received orders to join the Governor-
General without delay, quitted Sukkur on the 10th, leav-
ing the civil government of Scinde in the hands of General
Simpson—the command of the army devolving on Gene-
ral Hunter. Instead of proceeding to Alithenkote to take
up their quarters for the hot season, the troops are now
ordered up to within fifty miles of Behawulpore—a por-
tion of them, as is understood, moving on Ferozepore.
The division has been brigaded, and it consists of three
European and eight native infantry regiments, with the
Belooch battalion—two regiments of regular, aad one of
irregular cavalry—three troops of horse and four batteries
of foot artillery. The troops from all parts of India con-
tinue to move northward—the country generally very
tranquil. We have now on the Sutlej, from Mithenkote
to Umbaliab, an army of above 60,000 men. In the bat-
tle, thirteen European officers were killed-101 wounded ;
303 rank and file were killed, and 1,913 wounded. Amonz
the slain were the gallant veteran. Major-General Sir R.
Dick, and Lieut.-Colonels C. C. Taylor and Ryan. The
Governor-General thro,ughout seems to have been in the
thickest of the fight ; he d0i2,9 not seem to have exercised
a sepatate command. After so much of repose as the fa.
tigues such an engageule4 depended, the victoriolo