The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-03-20

upon the Ilih instant il became known at UmbaI.
Ia, where had established my head quarters that
this nvasio0 had actually taken place. the efforts to
repel il followed in rapid succession, notwithstand.
ing had the fullest confidence in Major General
Sir John Litter, commanding at Ferozepore and
in the devotedness and gaantry OF the troops occu-
plying II.
The troops from the different stations 10 the Shlr-
hind division were directed tn move by forced
marches upon Busseean, where, by most judicious
arrangement, you had directed supplies to be COL
lected within wonderfully short space Of time.
The main portion of The force at L0odlanah was
Withdrawn, and garrison thrown into the little for
tress there From this central position, already al
luded 10, both Loodianah and Ferozep0re could be
supported, and the safety Of both places might be
considered to bd brought, in some measure, within
the scope OF the contingencies OF general action to
but most harasslng have been the marches OF the
troops in completing this concentration When their
march had been further prolonged to this place, they
had moved over distance OF upwards OF loo miles
IN six days, along roads OF heavy sand their perpet
ua labor allowing them scarcely time to cook theis
food, even when they received it, and hardly anhour
for repose before they were called uponfor renewed
exenlons.
When our leading corps reached Wudnee, small
jaghire of the late MsmIsj&A Shere Singh s garri-
son shut the gates Of No tort against them and a.
our baterng guns were Rr IN the rear. was deter.
mincd to reserve it for future ,chastisement, and
we remained content with compelling the village 70
furnish supplies Gt could, however. provide little,
except for our over worked eaitiel under pain OF
out the necessity OF firing shot
When we reached Wudnee, it was evident that
the iorce before Ferozepore tell the influence ct our
that force had been detached to oppose our further
advance; their feeling parties retired on the morn
ing OF the 18Th before cavalry piquets, the
village and fort OF Moodkee.
Soon utter mid day, the division under Mjer Ce.
neral Sir Harry Smith, brigade OF that nnder Mlor
General Sir ]. M'Caski, and another Of that under
Major General Gilbert, with five troops OF horse ar
SaAk hiatt liant M
Colonel Brooke, OF the horse artillery, (brlgader ia
command OF the artillery force and the cavalry di-
vision, consisting Of her Msjesty's 81 Light ORA
gocn,s, the bodyguard, 4sh and 9th Light Cavalry,
and 9th Irregular Cavalry, took up their encamping
ground In front OF Moodkec.
The troops were in a state of great exhaustion,
principally from want OF water, which wss not pro-
durable on the road, when, about r. M intorma-
ton was received that the Sikh army was advanc'
ing; and the troops had scarcely time to get under
arms, and move. to their positions, when the fact
| Immediately pushedforward the horse artillery
and cavalry, directing the infantry accompanied ~
the field batteries to move forward in support. We
had not proceeded beyond two miles when We
consist Of from Is 900 to 10000 infantry. about the
same force Of cavalry, and 40 guns. Tney evident
y had Just taken up their positions or were advanc.
Ing Ia order to battle against US.
To resist their attacks, and to cover the terula-
ton OF the infantry, advanced the cavalry under
Rgigad,era White, Cough, and Mactier. rapidly. TO
tue plain They we're speedily followed ~ The Ave
troops OF horse artillery under Brigadier Brooke,
wac took up forward position, having the cavalry
then on his TANKS.
The country il dead fiat, covered at short inter-
walls with low but, in some places, thick ,ao~ na-
gle, and dotted with sandy h,looks. Ina eneny
screened their infantry and artillery behind tnis u,
gle; and such unduiations as the grouud ffofc'd;
and whilst II battalons formed fro ednslon OF
brlgades into line, opened very severe cenaonads
upon our advancngsroops, which was vigorously
Brigadier Brooke, which was soon joined by the
two light field batteries. The rapid and well diteo-
ted fire Of our artillery appeared soon to paralyso
o. s r. was
the artillery too near to the jungle, objected tho
cavalry under Brigadiers White and Cough to make
flank movement on the enemy's left, with . new
OF threatening and turning that flank, II possible
With praseworth galanny, the Bird Light Dragons,
with the 2nd brigade of cavalry, consisting Of the
body guard and 9th Light Cavalry, with portion
my, and, sweeping along the whole rear Of i,s in:
fantry and guns sllenccd for TINA the latter, and
put their numerous cavalry to fight. Whilst this
movement was taking place on the esemys LEFT. /
directed the remainder OF the 4th Lancers, the 9th
Irregular cavalry, under Bfigadier Macucr, with
light field battery, to threaten their right. THIS
manGuvrc wasalso successful. Had not the infant
~ and guns Of the enemy been screened by the
Jungle, these brilliant charges Of the cavalry would
have been productive of greater effect
When the infantry advanced to the attack, Brlga-
der Brookss rapidly Pished on his horse artillery
close to the Jungle, and tbs cann0nade was resumed
on both sides. Tbs infantry, uuder Major eoeral
Sir Harry Smith. Gilbert, and Sir Joha MsCaskh,
attacked IN echelon OF lines the enemy's infantry,
almost invisible amongst wood and the approaching
darkness oil night The opposition Of the enemy
was such might have been expected from troops
who had everything at stake, and who had ioax
vaunt-d Of being irresistible. Their ample ard ex-
tended line from their great superiority OF numbers,
far outfianked ours bur this was counteractel by
the flank movements Of our cavalry; The attack OF
the infantry now commenced and the roll OF hre
from this powerful arm soon convinced the Sikh
arly that they had met with foe tney little expect
eds and their whole force was driven from posi-
ton after position with great slaughter, and the loss
OF IL pieces of artillery, some OF heavy cabre our
infantry, using that never failing weapon, the bayo-
net, whenever the enemy stood Night only saved
tAem from worse disaster, for this stoat conflict was
maintained during IN hour and half OF dim star
light, amidst cloud Of dust from the sandy PLAIN,
which yet more 0bscured every object
regret to say, this gallant and successful attack
was attended with considerable loss; tine foIce 1l-
returned to its encampuent after ascertaning that
i had no enemy befofe 1t, and that nlgat prevented
the possibility OF regular advance In pursuit.
this first defeat Of our invaders by the army have
the honorto command. The perseverance, by winch
success was attained you personally winessrd; and
| the troops am sure fet proud of the seudevotion
with which their Governor General expoSed hlns
| self TO every danger amongst ihsm. l before said
that our loss had been severe it could NOT b. eseem
ten that. towards the conclusion Of the affair, Major
General Sir Robert Sale, to whom India and Eng
land are 80 much indebted, had his left thigh shatleF
ed by grape shot, and that the wound has slncs
proved mortal. Sir John MsCaskl, an old and valu-
ed officer, who has done his country much good SER
vice, received ball through his chest, on
the advance OF his division, aud immediately ex-
pred. Brigadiers Boltoa and Mac,ier, and Lieute-
nant Colonies Banbufy and Byrne, and other vaiua-
bic officers, are amongst the wounded These loeses
our country and the service will dePore, bu, not con,
slider unavailing when Ferexopors shall be rescued
from the invader. and the Insult to territory aad
rule ftly punished.
| have every reason to be proud Of, and grati6ed
with, the exertions of the whole Of the officers and
troops OF this army this arduous occasion with
the conduct and dispositions OF the generals OF div-
soua, the brgsdiers Of the several arms, the gene
raj. personal, divisional, and brigade sah. and tho