The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1849-04-24

THE DEFENDER OF MoULTAN.-The London
papers, copying from those of the East, give the
following account of the evacuation of Moultan,
and description of Moora, the Sikh CHEF by whom
it was so long and SO bravely defended:
About ten o'clock messenger appeared, intima-
ting that the garrison were at hand First hp-
peared about 200 ill-clothed, miserable wretches,
who seemed broken and dispirited then followed
$500 hardy, trained, stern, and stalwart- looking
men. They had defended the fort to the last, and
abandoned it only when no longer tenabe. They
looked though they would have fought to the
death in the breaches if such had been the will
of their chief They brought camels and horses,
and large bundles of things, along with them
These, together with their arms, were placed in
came Moolraj and his brethren and chiefs-the last
became him. in the retirement He was gor-
geousy attired in silks and splendid arms and rode
magnificent Arab steed, with rich saddle-cloth
of scarlet which bore no marks of suffering or pri-
vation No small curiosity was experienced to dis
cover the appearance of one who had maintained
defence obstinate and protracted beyond any re-
lated in the annals of modern warfare. He but
little exceeded the middle size i; was powerfully but
elegantly formed his keen dark. piercing restless
eyes surveyed at glance everything around. He
neither Wore the face of defiance nor detection but
moved along under the general gaze as one con-
scious Of having biavely done his duty, and aware
of being the object of universal regard. He was
taken TO the generals tent, where he gave up his
sword. This is said to have been returned to him.
Moolraj seems to have been actually adored by
the people; and no stronger evidence Of this at
tachment and fidelity can be given than that sup
piled by the fact that though for fortnight his de-
fence was known to be desperate-though hun
dreds We're slaughtered daily and no result what
ever could be looked for but death or captivity-no
one ever threatened to abandon him, or thought of
betrayng him. He was spoken of by all in terms
of the highest respect and deepest attachment--as
a man not more brave than he was generous and
just. 1t now became necessary to separate him
from his brethren and chiefs, and the separation is
represented as having been most touching There
were eighteen of these, of higher rank than the
rest, who had been with him through all his ad-
ventures They threw themselves at his feet, and
wept sore as they were parted from him, and might
under a strong guard some distance from the town,
Writing materials were prohibited him, but every
attention was shown to his comfort in far as this
was compatible with his safety. He declined see
ing his famly-he had not beheld them for nearly
a month before they had been placed for safety
in an excavation under ground. and he refused all
intercourse with them, as the sight OF ms mother,
wife and children, he said, unnamed him, and
disturbed him in the discharge of his duties 1t
was not considered safe 10 retain bin longer than
was indispensable in neighborhood where there
were numberless dependents ready to incur any
risk in attempting his rescue, and he was accord
ingly ordered to proceed with the force about to
march up the line Of the Chenaub in the direction
of Ramnuggur, to turn off as they approached the
road leading to Lahore for the camp of the Gov
ernor General.