The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-04-26

most lndomitable bravery Sir H. Smith, whoss
victory over the Slkhs al Ahwal has been the theme
of unqualified eulogy the part alike Of soldiers
and civiliank 10 name new to iame-new TO his
countrymens ears. But it cannot be 80 hereafter
Tactics so telling. followed by brilliant.
show that our army, notwithstanding its Compare
tive torpor of late years, abounds in men who are
equal to any emergency, and only want the opportu-
nitv to rival the greatest Of our historic glories
The severe thrashing Of the Sikh iorces by Sir
OF the main body by the Governor General of India
and the Commander in Chief. The loss OF the
enemy in this engagement 10 estimated at from
10000 to 1900 men; that Ct ne Brllsn IN kl.ed
a large portion of officers The action CONNIE need
In the morning, and the work OF destruction had
closed by eleven o'clock in the forenoon. Sir. H.
Coughs OF this battle proves II 10 have been,
while it lasted, one OF the most terrific on record.
Unlike the able manguvrlng OF Sir II. Smith, this
affair seems 10 have owed II success to the daring
intrepidity OF our men, who stormed the enemy's
entertainments, bayonet in hand, defended a. they
were, by 80 00O Skhs and 10 pieces of artillery The
slaughter immense, tor our troops braved the
enemys fire by reserving their shot until they got
within his entertainments. Toe horrors of war are
painted with appalling power in the few brief SEN
fences oil the victorious commander. For the de-
tails we must refer the reader TO the despatch itself
Ii is document that will amply repay perusa. The
N.Y. the capture OF his guns, and the loss OF his camp
and baggage. An awful sacrifice OF life took place
on the Suilej, IN attempting to cross which, our
those who escaped the fire were drowned in the
stream. This victory has put the finishing stroke
to the war. II has brought the Slkhs to their
senses-to their knees-and they are now humble
supnliants for our mercy and Tolerance. They
have agreed to pay million and half sterling, in
the course OF tour years, towards the expenses OF
the war, the payment to be enforced by the occuPa-
ito, of Lahore.
This result is, in many respects, gratifying. The
honor of our arms has been brilliantly maintained,
and the invasion Of our soil has been adequately
punished. The moral effect OF these victories on
OF blood-will secure the continuance OF amlty and
peace Further the elaborate preparations, the con-
sumption Of time and money necessary tor the inva-
sion and subugation of the Sikh territory will have
been spared and a conflict with warlike race,
which, under the most favored circumstances, must
have been protracted, and could not TAIL 10 have
been bloody, has thus been entirely superseded.
Anticipating a somewhat protracted struggle IN
subduing and Furnishing inc aggressors, the lead
ing English journals have been discussing the CUES
tion as to what should do with the Punjaub when
we had conquered it-when our injured honor had
taken vengeance on the parties who solicited the
conflict The general feeling has been ayerse to the
permanent occupation Of the country. Every ono
feels that Indian empire Is at present sufficiently
keep possession of the Punjaub would, in a
pecuniary sense, entail heavy loss, with the
certainty OF constant collisions with the ma
tives. The conquest Of the Sikhs would IN
4
| tering on scheme so gigantic, our hands would
be constantly full, and an empire, the extent and
diversity Of which il a marvel In the history OF
| mankind, might be exposed 10 constant and SUPER
| fuous tribuatlons All this will be avoided. A
native prince OF power and popularity, attached to
the British alliance, will answer the end In view
| the continuance Of friendly relations-better far
than If our ensign foated in triumph over Lahore.
Such prince is believed to exist In the person OF
Gholab Singh, who, more wary than the other
chiefs, had not compromised himself bv his hos
Hardinge had formed treaty for the future go
vernment of the Punjaub, the terms OF which will
probably restore order to that distracted country.
The many demands on our space prevent US
from giving the official documents connected with
the recent movements in India, with the exception
OF the COMMANDMENT Chiefs account OF the last
great victory. A glance at their contents will SUI
flee for the bulk OF our readers The Co.
vernon General, who was expected to enter Lahore,
the capital OF the enemy, about the 10Th ult had
Issued proclamation relative to the war, In which
he denied that territorial ACKNOWLEDGEMENT was
sought or desired. But an indemnity for the ex-
penses of the campaign, the districts between the
rivers Sutle and Beas, hill and dale, with their re-
venues, were to be affixed to the British provinces
He had also published general order, giving
glowing. but by no means exaggerated account OF
the victory OF Sobraon, in which the exploits OF the
men and off GERS are dwelt uoon, and eulogised
| with commendable pride and minuteness. he an
| nounces his intention OF having medal struck 10
honor of the battle to be worn by the brave fellows
| who took part In It.
Tins has ended a war, respecting the conse-
quences of which a good deal of anxiety not unna-
turally prevaiIed-a war forced upon US by the pc
cullar exigences Of the case; from which we could
not shrink, but for which we had made no previous
preparation-used no adequate foresight. The Sikhs
took an ungenerous advantage of the long alliance
which had existed between US and their great ruler,
Runjeet Singh and their perfidy has been punished
in manner fully commensurate with It's enormiy
punished promptly theoretically, and in a style
which promises in all future time to prevent a repe
tition Of conduct at once base, dishonorabe, and
called for