American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-03-23

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THE GREAT BATTLE IN INDIA
sTWEEN THE ENGLISH AND THE sIKHs.
I'VE gave on Saturday an account Of great
tie in India between Her Majesty's army
that of the Skhs, in which the British
ce was completely victorious, dispensing the
kin army with loss of about so, 900 of their
mber, but sustaining themselves the loss of
g killed and 1856 wounded, of whom 2l3
pre- commissioned officers. 10000 British
pops, 5000 of whom were natives, were en-
ICED in this battle, which they gained against
army of more than four times their num-
r. The conduct of the British troops is
ghly commended, but a victory against such
Ids by men exhausted from fatigue and thirst
beds no eulogy.
The London Times closes its editorial sum-
hry Of the transaction, by saying that the
and although we have won great battle,
have only begun the war;"
The immediate cause of this battle is as fol-
Tvs: In June, ls45, the Council of India de-
rmined that in consequence of the anarchy
lich prevailed in the Puniaub, the Governor
eneral should repair to the Northwest pro-
in October, to provide against contin-
nces.
On the LIST of Octobet it was thought that
attack would be male by the Sikh forces;
i'd this opinion was again expressed by the
overnor General in a despatch, dated Octo-
pr 24th. He nevertheless ordered two-thrds
an advanced force to be in readiness for
archng at the shortest notice.
- On the 22d of November he was informed
lat the Sikh army intended Immediately to
lvance to the frontier and invade the British
rritory. This information, however, was
bt believed and on the 4th of December Sir
henry Hardings still doubted any act of ag-
resslon. Consequently their army crossed the
yer Sulei unopposed, on the 18th, 18th and
18th of December with 900 men, of whom
0, 900 to sc, 900 we're cavalry, and about $50
eces of artillery of the largest calbre and
brfectly finished. The Sikhs with this i'm
ense force, established themselves on the
ritish side of the Sulei, which is branch of
lie Indus.
On the 18th they broke position, and force
about 10000 marched to Woodkee, where
hey established themselves. Here they were
let by portion of the British army under Sir
Hugh Cough, Sir H. Hardinge being second
command. Of this engagement we make
pc following extracts from the official report of
ir Hugh Cough:
The troops were in a state of great exhaus-
on, principally from want of water, which
Tbs not procurable on the road, when, about
lree p NJ. information was received that the
ikh army was advancing; and the troops had
carcely time to get under arms, and move to
leir positions, when the fact was ascertained.
Immediately pushed forward the horse ar
llery and cavalry, directing the Infantry, &C
ompanied by the field batteries, to move for
yard in support. We had not proceeded be-
ond two miles when we found the enemy in
ostion. They were said to consist of from
5000 to $1,000 infantry, about the same force
cavalry, and 40 guns.
To resist their attack, and to cover the for
nation of the infantry, advanced the caval-
rapidly to the front, in columns of squa-
rons, and occupied the plain. They were
peedily followed by the five troops of horse ar
llery, under Brigadier Brooke, who took up a
prward position, having the calvary then on
is tanks.
The country is dead fiat, covered at short
Intervals with a low, but, in some places, thick
how Jungle, and dotted with sandy hillocks.-
The enemy screened their infantry and artlle-
y behind this Jungle, and such undulations as
he ground afforded.
The rapid and we'll directed fire of our ar
a Ypd n ltzn hat nF fha
nemY, and as it was necessary to complete
ur infantry dispositions without advancing the
rtillery too near the Jungle, directed the ca
airy under Brigadiers White and Cough to
make flank movement on the enemy's left,
With aview of threatening and turning that flank
possible. With praiseworthy gallantry the
I'd Light Dragons, with the I'd brigade oil
avalry, consisting of the body guard and 9Th
light Cavalry, with portion of the 4th Ian.
ers, turned the left of the Sikh army, and
weeping along the whole rear of it's infantry
Ind guns, slenced for a time the latter, and
but their numerous cavalry to flight. Whilst
This movement was taking place ON the enc.
ny's left, directed the remainder of the 18th
4ancers, the 9th irregular cavalry, under Br.
gadier Mactier, with light field battery, te
threaten their right. This maneuvre was also
successful.
When the infantry advanced to the attack
Brigadier General Crooke rapidly pushed or
his horse artillery close to the Jungle, and thu
cannonade was resumed on both sides. Tit
infantry, under Major Generals Sir Harry
Smith, Gilbert and Sir John nj 'Caskill, attack
ed in echelon of lines the enemy's infantry, al
nost invisible amongst wood and the approach
ng darkness of night. The opposition of tn
enemy was such as might have been expecte
Prom troops who had everything at stake, AM
who had long Wanted as being irresistible
Their ample and extended line, from their su
periority of numbers, far outfanked ours; bu
This was counteracted by the flank movement
of our cal Lay The attach nf ho ;aEa