The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1849-06-14
The Battle of Gooierat.

Wilmer s. Smiths European Times
says:
The details of Ehe battle OF Goojerat
brought by the Indian mail which left Bonn
bay on the l7th of March, realise all the
hopes we entertained of the complete decis-
iveness of the victory gslued by Lord Cough.
The journals which have been the ioudest
in decrying the gallant couirnander-in-chlef
find themselves now compelled 10 eulogse
him, and no doubt can be entertsi ned
but that the noble lord has gioriously
redeemed his reputation for military skill,
which for a passing naament had been I'M
peached. His bravery was never doubted.
1t appears from the otheiai dispatches, the
material passages of which will be found
elsewhere, that on the goth Of February
Lord Cough, having been joined by the
Bombay column, pressed forward upon the
Sikhs lodged around GooJerat, the British
forces amounting TO about 10000 men and
100 guns.
The Sikh forces were computed at 60 900
men, with so guns. The passage of the
Sikhs over the Chenab having been frus,fa-
ted, as we have before stated, and their de-
signs upon Lahore thus circumvented, on
the morning of the Dist Feb. Lord Cough
advanced upon the enemy, who was protec-
ted by one OF those Indian nullahs which
have previously been his effectuai security.
The field, however, before reaching the
nullah, was open ground. With the precis-
ion of a parade movement the British ar.ns
advanced, the object Of Lord Cough beif,s
TO penetrate to the centre or the enemy
line with the right wing oil the British, SO as
To turn the position ci the Skhs III rear OF
the nullah, and thus enable our left wing 70
cross it with little loss, and ia co-operaIion
with the right to double upon the centre Of
that part OF the eneny's force opposed &c
them.
The British cannonade opened magnifi-
Gently with terrible effect. The Sikhs serv-
ed their guns as regularly and as undaunted-
ly as ever, but the terrible effect OF the Brit
ish fire compelled the Skhs to fall back.
Our Infantry now advanced and took up a
position, when, being seconded by the cav
airy and artillery, the W hole army continued
to advance with extraordinary celebrity, la
King up successive forward POSITIONS, and
the reserve coming up in time, the ranks OF
the enemy were broken q. all points. The
nullah was cleared, several villages were
stormed, the guns that were i'll position car
rled, the camp captnreo. and the rout OF
the Sikhs became complete. The cavalry
following up holly iii pursuit, the rouF be-
came flight, and for distance of twelve
miles the arms and Announcements. thrown
away by the Sikhs marked the whole track
The British captured IS OF the guns cut
OF the 80 the Sikhs brought into action, and
ali their camp, magazines, ammunition and
equlpage have fallen into our hands, and it
will I've clearly Impossible for any effective
body OF Sikhs to rally in the Pupjaub. The
victory has been complete, and has been
less costly of human life on the part of the
British. We have to lament the loss how
ever, of officers and 81 men killed, "a ofli-
GERS were wounded and 6S2 men. The fol-
lowing day General Gilbert was despatched
towards the Jhelum to cut off the retreat of
the enemy by way OF the only practicable
gun road TO that river. General Campbell
and other officers were despatched to other
spots, in order to prevent the dispersed and
flying foe from again making head,