Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1846-03-27
Sir Henry Hardinpe. and the Sikhs-a Hin


The country between the su,lej and the
Indus, called The i" Punjaub, or country Of
the Five Rivers, takes its name from the five
celebrated rivers which run through it. 1, is
extremely populous and fertile, and is at
present possessed by a warlike nation of
Hindoos called the Sikhs, who are as dstn-
gushed for their bravery as they are for the
singularny Of their manners. For forty
years they had been the allies of the British, |
so much so, that they we're permitted by the
latter 10 purchase in England tina, immense
train Of artillery which covered the plains of
Ferozeshah with British corpses. Upon the
death Of their ruler, the Maharaah Runieet.
Singh, they began to cast their eyes upon
the British Provinces, as an object of plum.
der. Their movements we're so suspicious
that the Anglo. Indian authorities sen, an ar
my to watch them last June. Until last De.
cember they we're quiet, but on the 18th of
that month they crossed the River with an
army Of 80, 900 men, 10000 Of whom we're
cavalry. in the highest state of discipline ,and
$50 pieces Of artillery Of the largest calibre
tina, could be procured five years ago in Eng
land. The mos, advanced of the British posts
was Ferozepore, whrh was held by Major
Gen. Sir John Liuler, with 5000 men,
They crossed the river within Is miles of il
and marched directly to attack il, bnt on the
18Th they broke up, and 10000 Of them
marched about 25 miles past Fcrozcporc TO
"a place called Moodkee, where they were
met towards evening by par, of the British
under Sir Hugh Cough and the Governor
General, Sir Henry Hardnge. who was Sec
ond in command. A fierce combat took
place which was kept up for an hour and
half after dark, in which the Sikhs we're
moved down with musketry and then swept
from the field with the bayonet, with great
slaughter, and the loss of all the cannon they
had with them - II pieces. 1t is here that
Sir Robert Sale, SO celebrated for his con-
duct in the disastrous expedition to Caubul,
was slain. His thigh was shattered by a
cannon ball. Sir John McCaskill, an old
and valued officer, was also killed, and a
number Of other officers and soldiers.
For two days both parties were occupied
in burying their dead, but on the 2ls,, the
British being joined by Sir John Lit,ler and
his troops, made an attack upon the Silks.
These, also greatly reinforced and number
ing about 10000, occupied an entrenched
camp, at a place called Ferozeshah, - miles
in retreat from Moodkee. This was par
allelogram, a mile long and half mile
broad, which they had strongly fortified ant
defended with 100 pieces Of artillery. The
desperate fight continued through two day
: and nights, when at last, the Silks wcr,
s sw"r, o"' sc .L";- ".".r ~:.i ".",s ndo"
slaughter, and the capture of all their artlle
ry, baggage and stores 1t was the creates
victory tina. the British ever gained in India
: and was won by the bulldog courage of IT,
: European soldiers. over an enemy whic
S out numbered them fonr to one. The off
cial account of the forces engaged and tn
j, loss sustained is as follows:
n Men killed, 900; - wounded, 1885,
# Horses. 524 ;-wounded, POS. Troops en-
e gagged, 10000.
l. The gallantry Of the officers and troop
o has received the highest commentator i
}. England. At very critical period five O
n Sir Henry Hardinge's aids. de- camp wer
u killed and five wounded, and he had TO sen
y, his orders from point to point by his ow
% son. boy of sixteen, who never had seen
battle before, but who performed his du,ie
in such a manner as to draw forth the high
u est encomiums from every one. His o,he
son, who was deprived of the use of one foo
j. stuck by his father until forced by him to G
i to the rear.
! In FRANCE in the Chamber of Deputies
:: NJ. Guizot took the frs, opportunity to re
=. peat his intention Of pursuing a policy {
- perfect Indifference with regard 10 the Unite
" States. Unless the determination to pursu
such course was easily and clearly man
~ tested, he said that he foresaw the Cover
ment would have To struggle strongly again
the popular desire tn drag France into an
war which might occur between the Unit,
States and England. This, he sand, shou
not he the case if he could help it, The e
feet of his remarks was, that when M. Rem
:; usat proposed resolution, expressive of pr
:, ference for, and sympathy with the Unite
States, it was rejected by majority of 6
This debate shows us the obligations v
10 10 are under to Mr. Polk. Previous to Il
nd message, France was our powerful al
a friendly ally. We had-and in spite of NJ
$ Polk, we continue 10 have-many interes
he in common. In the event of war wi
p.. England, it was with no unreasonable expe
lie ta'ion that we relied upon the encourageme
lat II not the assistance of France. But N
We Polk mast 60 out Of his way to insult d
French Government in the face of the worl
w and we lose in an instant, and by one flou
~ ish of goosequi, the advantages of 6f
:" years alliance! Even if there had been d
~ leas. necessity for this, it would be 10
y" worth lamen,ing, but il becomes intolerat
when we see that il has occurred because
lst tenth rate politician did not know enough