New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1846-03-20

the road. wheI about three r NJ Information was re-
ceved tia, the Sikh army was advancing aud the
troops had scarcely time get under arms and move 10
their positions. when the fact was asceFtained
Immediately pushed forward the horse artillery and
cavalry directing the infantry accompanied 81 the ae!c
batteries TO forward in support we mad not pro
ceeded beyond miles when we found Inc enemy IN
position They were said consist Of from I5pg to
10000 infantry about the force OF cavalry and ~
guns They evidently had either ust taken up their po-
op or were advancing in order 10 battle against US
10 resist their attack, and TO cover the formation OF
infantry advanced The cavalry uhue! bL.saeIeI7
White Cough and Mactier, rapidly 10 me oat IN COL
uuns O! sdnadrons. and occupied the plain Ihey were
speedily followed by the i've troops OF horse aFuery'
under Brsadier Brooke who took up forward posi'ou'
having the cavalry then on his banks.
The country ia dead fiat, covered AZ snort intervals
with low, eut in places, thick jhow jungle an
dotted sandy hiiocks The enemy screened their
infantry and artillery behind this jungle and such uncu
ations as the ground Afforded; and while our twelve
battaions formed from echeon of bIigaGes INTO line
oIened very severe csunonade upon our advancing
troops which vigorously replied 10 oy Inc oatte!y
Of horse artillery under Brlsadler BROOKE WHICH was
eonn Joined by the two light field batteries.
The rapid and weLdirected fire OF our artillery sp-
peared psrayze that OF the enemy andas Was
necessary 10 complete Infantry clspo5uons Nthout
advancing the artillery 700 near the Jungle, directed
the cavalry under Brieaders White ans Cough TO maze
a flank movement on the eneInys lett, win view o!
threatening and turning that ianA II possible WIN
pr:sewur.hy g4lAatry the 81 Light Dragons win tse
% brigade Of cavalry consisting OF the oooy guard ana
5th Light Cavalry with portion oil the 4h Lahcers'
turned left of the sikh army, ana, 5"eeFlue hIOps
the whole rear Of infantry and guns, senced for
time The latter and put their numerous cavalry 10 night
While this movement taking place on the enemys
left directed the remainder ef the 4th Lancers the 9th
irregular cavalry under Brisader Mactier with light
field battery u threaten their right. IhiS maneuver
was also successful Had not the infantry and guns OF
the enemy been screened by the jungle, these orllsnt
charges OF the cavalry would have been productive OF
greater effect.
When The infantry advanced 10 the attack, Brtgadier
Brooke rapidly pushed hs horse artillery close 10 the
n hpfh aid
The infantry under Major Generals Sir Harry Smith
Gilbert and Sir John II Caskil attacked in echelun oil
lines The enemy's infantry. almoft invisible among
wood aud Incorporating darkness OF night The OPP
position OF the enemy such might have been e
pected from troops who mad everything at stake ana
who had long Wanted OF being Irresistible ihel ample
and extended line from their great superiority OF mum
bers far ouanked ours; but this was countcGacted by
the flank movements OF our cavalry
The attack OF the infantry now commenced ana Inc
roll Of IRE from this powerful arm soon convinced the
sikh army that they had met with foe they little eX
pected and their whole force was driven from position
after position with great slaughter and the loss o! Il
pieces of artillery some Of them oi heavy cai5re; our
infantry using that nevcr-taing weapon the bayonet
whenever the enemy stood Night only saved them
from worse disaster for this stout conflict was maintain
ed during IN hour and half OF dim starlight amidst
cloud OF dust from the sandy plain, which yet more OBJ
scured every object.
regret TO say this gallant and successful attack was
attended with considerable loss; the force bivouackec
the field for some hours and only returned to Its
eucapmen after hscerainnc that II had no enemy be-
fore it, and that night prevented the possibility oil regu
lar advance in pursuit.
beg TO congratulate you right honorable sir on this
first defeat Of invaders by the army nave the honor
TO command The perseverance by which success was
attained you personally witnessed; and the troops ain
sure felt proud OF the sedevoton win which their Gov
ernor General exposed himself every danger amongst
them before said that our loss has been severe; il
could be esteemed email we had no other TO record
when mention that toward the conclusion OF the affair
Major General Sir Robert Sale TO whom India snd Eng
and in 1ltaa hufn
by grape shot. and that the wound has since proved
mortal. Sir John MCaskill, an old and valued officer
who done his country much good service, received
ball through his chest the advance OF MS DIVISION
and Immediately expired. Brgaders Bolton and Macrer
and Leut-Coones Banbury and Byrne, and other velu
able officers, amongst the wounded These losses
country and the service will depore, eu not consic
er unavsing, when Fcrozepore shall be rescued from
the invader and the insult 10 our territory and rule hty
punished.
have every reason to be proud Of and gratfed with
the exertions of the whole OF the officers and troops Of
this army on this arduous occasion with the conduct
aud dispositions of the Generals OF divisions the Brga
dies the several arms the general personal divisional
and brigade staff and the commanding officers OF reg
ments but this dispatch is necessarily completed IN the
haste and in the midst OF most important opera
fiona must therefore reserve to future opportunity
the pleasing task of bringing especially and by name 10
the notice Government the particular inertia OF ind
vidual officers
cannot however refrain from expressing my deep
sense of obligation to the heads Of the principal de-
psrtments Major General Sir James Luney was I'M
fortunately prevented by severe sickness from taxing
part the active duties OF tnis great Crisis maj ura
Deputy Adutaut General. therefore supplied His place
and il is my duty say how ably this has been oone
and now great loss have endured by being deprived
for the present Of his services, in consequence OF TWO
wounds which he received whilst urging on the Infantry
10 the final and decisive attack Of the enmys batteries
Neither must fail to record the valuable aid which mas
upon this, former compaen, been Afforded me
BY the Quarter Master General Lieut. Colonel Garden
his departmental arrangements demand my highest com
rnendatiou. Major Gen. Sir Harry Smith having been
appointed TO the command OF division, the charge
OF his Office as Adiutan: General Of her Majesty
forces dcvolycd upon Lieutenant Colonel Barr who
only in the performance OF these duties, but IN every
way i'll which assistance be rendered in active opera
tons has been to me a most valuable stan officer.
have 10 thank you right honorable sir Tor havins
placed my disposal the services OF your stat and to
tank them for the valuable assistance they afforded me
this erduous day II shall be my pleasing ou'y 10
mention them individually with the officers OF my own
personal staff, in the recommendation list shall nave
the honor of forwarding, at an early date, 10 Govern
ment. have. &c.
H. COUGH. General, Commander Chief
From HIS Ercellency the Commander. IN. Chez TO
the Right Hon. tie GoUernor- General Of india.
CAMP FERozEsHAH Dec. % ls45.
Right Hon. Sir have again TO congratulate you on
the success grand battle has been fought
against the Seikh army AT this place and. by the oies
sing OF Divine Providence victory has been won oy Inc
vaior OF OF our troops against odds aud under crcum
stances which will render this action enc OF the most
memorable in the page OF Indian history
After the COMBAT or the lclu AT hiOOuhet
received the following day that the enemy, IN IN
creased numbers. were moving su 10 attack u.s. line
defence taken up in advance Of our encampmens
and dispositions made repel assault but the day wore
away without their appearing and st night We had the
satisfaction OF being reinforced by her Maestys 9tb
Foot and the East India Compauys LIST European Light
lnfantry with our small division OF heavy guns.
must here gllude 20 circumstance most favorable TO
our efforts in the field On this evening in addition 10
the valuable counsel in which you had in every ener
sency before favored you were pleased yet farther
strengthen my hands By kindly offering your services
as second in command in my army. need hardly cay
with how much pleasure the offer was accepted
On the morning ofihe 2lst the offensive resumed
columns OF all debouched four miles on the
road 10 Ferozeshah where il was known that the enemy
posted in great force and with formidable art!
ery had remained since the action OF the leta inces
sanity employed in eutrcnchips bis position Instead OF
advancing 70 the direct attack OF their formidable works
our forces Inaneuvered their right the second and
fourth divisions OF infantry, in 'front.' supported by the
FIRST division aud cavalry in second line continued 20 de-
file ,r time shot between The Seikhs
and Ferozepore The desired effect not long delay
ed cloud Of dust Lett, and according to
the instructions him the preceding evening, Mai
General Sir John Litter with his division, awaiting him
,lf ,ha ,a.r rgft-r pr-i N