The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-03-13

the important information Of the invasion of the
British territory by large Sikh force on the 2lst of
December, ON which battle Immediately took
place.
"BoMBAY, Times Office, Saturday, IL A. M, jan
3.-A despatch arrived this morning from the Cover
nor-General from Ferozepore, which mentions that
a battle had taken place. Our forces had stomed
one OF the enemys positions, and preparing 10
storm the other when the despatch left Sir II.
Hardinge led the centre, Sir n. Cough the right,
and Sir John L,ttler the left The slaughter was
ed US. The steamer V ictorla had made consider
able way out ofthe harbor when the above despatch
arrived, when che was Immediately recalled, and
returned into port about half past 10 O'Clock"
The despatch is dated from UnbalIa. the 26th Of
December
ii O'Clock-The news is that the battle took
place at Ferozepore the Governor General led the
CENTRE the COMMANDMENT. Chief the right, and Sir
John Littler the left
left was hard pressed.
The troops had stormed one position, and were
preparing to attack the other when the despatch
lett. The slaughter was very great.
There is no doubt of this, as ME- Cochrane, the
barrister, has just come from Government House,
This intelligence relieves Us from all apprehen-
sons relative to the garrison OF Ferozepore, and 10
the positions ofthe army, The Sikhs lost s. guns.
2. The fighting was for three days, day and night.
The British occupied the Sikh camp
NooN.-Another report ID that the Sikh force OF
more than 0OOO and $50 pieces OF artillery, inva-
ded the British possessions on the 2lst December
battle was the immediate result, which lasted TIL
the I'D, and was not over when the express LETT
The loss was great on both sides, but the enemy
suffered most, and lost IS pieces OF cannon. Il Is
also said that Sir Jehn Liter was forced to retire
on the first attack, and that the enemy were only
the COMMANDMENTS Chief No doubts were enter
tanned that the enemy would shortly be driven
across the Sutej. The steamer is about to start.
From tho London Sunday Times, Feb. 81
EDp IL hQVA n IL.
ways been Of opinion that Sir Henry Hardinge was
a most incompetent Governor General, and the IN
teligence brought by the mail just arrived has
been evident to all persons, whether in India or in
Great Britain, that the Sciks were preparing to
make an incursion into the British territories, not
much with view OF efiecting conquest a. of col
Letting plumber, and OF returning 70 ENJOY 7 at La
hore. Many, it is true, attrlbuting 10 the SEEKS
their own political calculations, persuaded them
selves that they never would be so insane, seeing
followed by the invasion Of their own country, and
the total overthrow OF their power But men like
the SEEK sodiery make no such reflections, and
concern themselves az little as possible with the
joyment, (Which being secured, they cafe as little
for the consequences as animals wanting dis
course OF reason" Sir Henry Hardinge knew,
Se to force
tell the hour in which they would put their design
into execution. 1t was consequently his obvious
duty 70 have strong force stationed along the left
bank of that river, sufficient to deter, or Immediate
less, when the Seiks actually put themselves in mo-
tion,. and advanced towards the frontiers, it was
found that little or no preparation had been
resistance. They accordingly came up to the
stream = selected, at their leisure, the points
Of passage, and fording it in one Place. and seizing
upon boats belonging to us in another-or, rather,
receiving them, it is sald from their treacherous
keepers-threw over large force into the protected
States and commenced at once the work of desola-
ton. All the roads and jungies were filled with des-
pervaded the whole country from Delhi to the Indus.
Then it was that Sir Henry Hardinge began to con-
slider what was to be done; An army had suddenly
to be created, az it were, the materld OF which lay
scattered over many districts and provinces. The
greatest possible hurry and confusion prevailed
cavalry, artillery, camel trains, and elephant
trains, all hurrying and busting towards the Suit
months The Seiks had completed the passage Of
the Sutledge on the 18th OF December, while II was
not until the 10Th that the heavy artillery moved out
Of Cawnpore, go miles beyond Delhi, to toll up the
succession Of battles had been lost or won Eight
days were allowed the Seiks to commit all manner
OF atrocities among our native subjects, since twas
not until the Flat that the Governor General found
himself in condition to offer them battle. BY this
time their force, il Is said, has swel!cd to $1,000
men, with $50 guns. Numbers from the protected
SEEK states, and some even OF our own people flock
cd 10 InclI camp ana turned lnelI arms against
but troops having come up. including apparent
ly, from 10 to l2,0O0 Europeans, cavalry and in
fantry, tremendous action was commenced IN the
vicinity OF Ferozepore, and was continued without
intemission through three days and three nights
Nor when the mail left the shores Of India was the
result Of the conflict known. Report stated that we
had gained several advantages, that we had captur
ed number OF guns, and that additlonai reelmenfs
were hocking towards the scene. But there had
been no victory. The battle OF Ferozepore was
still raging and the thunder OF the British and SEEK
cannon was booming along the waters OF the SUIT
LEDGE declaring to all India the weakness and folly
Of the Governors General. Had that sound come
from the right bank, or from the suburbs OF Lahore
or Amritsa, it would have beennll well. No enc
mys foot should be allowed to tread within the BIZ
tish frontier. Our subjects would feel secure under
our sway 1t is crime Of the highest order to ex-
pose them to the calamties Of invasonto the sack
ing Of their vIageso the massacreing OF their wives
and children. This, however, Is what Sir Henry
Hardnge has done, and this is what even Lord FL
enborough would not have done. II may be very
well for the Tory and semi-Tory PRESS, whether
here or elsewhere to affect plous satisfaction at
blow. In our opinion, we ought to have deprived
them of that honor. We knew, and all the world
saw, that they were preparing TO strike IT, and we
should, therefore, have prevented them, ana nave
own territory.
Much has often been said in certain prints, Of the
necessity Of consulting the public opinion Of Europe
in what we undertake in India But this u
slider nothing but the principles Of justice it beng
matter Of indifference to W what Europe thinks
on the subject, and whether II 10 pleased or DIS
pleased. We are masters Of India, and If we be
true to ourselves and faithfa 70 our trust, there 70
not a power on earth can shake our empire. 1ut
the sooner we put down the native governments tne
better. They are a nuisance TO 10, ana curse 70
their subjects; and a. they known to subslst BY
our Internationally. BY our suplort-evory
day Of their existence only alienates the natives
from US, by creating among them the belief that
we must be indifferent to their welfare, or we
would deliver them from systems Of oppression 60
contemplate
But what, it may be asked. will be the result Of
the battle of Ferozepore I What intelligence will
the next mail bring1 Will il be defeat or victory
In our opinion, certainly victory. We cannot be
beaten there, or if we were TO receive cheek, dis
astrous as the immediate results might be, we
should speedily recover ourselves, and beat down
all opposition. There is not in all Asia an army