Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1857-09-19
The English Indian Army.

ers to know that the English Indian Army
at this time is the most gigantic garrison
that the pages of history gives record Of
1t is subject full of thought and room for
reflection
This army holds in subjugation 12O,-
100000 of British subjects and 4G, 100000
of dependent natives of Hindostan, of all
manner of races, religions, and languages
the latter we believe, amounting to TWEEN
ty-ive distinct tongues besides an incalcula-
bic number of local dialects. This may be
called its home service; it has likewise to
deal w''' about l0,000000 of Persians,
So 400 of AItghans, 100000 Bcloch-
c 100000 of independent States in
IIindostan, and 5,00O,000 of Burmese,
with most of whom they have been at war
within the last few years, to say nothing
of an occasional professional debate with
China-whoso population amounts to 400,-
600, 900. The force that is toporform this
feat amounts to about 10000 of all denom-
nations, and its composition must hence
forth be matter of deep reflection to all
who feel that the sword is, in the last re-
Sort the real tenure of Englands Indian
empire. Of the Queens troops there arc
under 500 900 mon; of all the Europeans
in the East India Company service, under
10000, including officers attached to native
regiments and they can hardly number
less than 5000, aud probably exceed that
number considerably The natives in the
Companys service amount to 240 900 and
bring the total force to about 1000. In
addition to this they have the contingent
troops of the native States, commanded by
British officers, aud available, under treatH
les to the British Government, amounting
to about 32 900, of whom we learn one of
the principal bodies, Scindiahs $ the (Gwali-
or contngent,) S,400 strong, has already
moved to English assistance; and Holkar
and the Rajah of Nagpore are bound by
treaty to furnish contingents, the former
of 5000, and the latter of 1000 horse;
but these latter troops are not commanded
by British officers.
The disproportion between the Europe
ans and Ayiatics in the Company's service
is striking enough, but even this does not
represent the number of natives actually
in arms in India Scindiah, for instance,
who has lately so loyalty rendered his aid,
furnishes the British with the S,400 men
before alluded to; but for his own purpose
of government and police he keeps on foot
$4,000 men, and can in time of war pro-
duce 10000 horscmen, 10000 infantry,
and wcll-organized artillery. Holkar is
bound to furnish the English with 5000
horse, but he keeps 10000 and 1000 in
fantry of his own; and altogether the per-
sonal military resources of the native prin-
ces of India do not fall much short of 400,-
600 men, not including the police corps or
the quotas which the military chiefs are
bound TO furnish 10 their feudal superiors.
No doubt when the military force of ma
tive prince is not under the command of
European officers it is rarely regularly paid,
and will be generally found ill-organised
and inefficient; but making every allow
.ance for superiority of race and discipline,
it must be admitted that q somewhat formi-
dabe majority of natives bear the arms of
England and of their own chief in India.
In addition to these forces at the com
mand of England i'll India, she has during
the present revolt sent out 327 900 troops
of her regular army, many of whom figured
before the walls of Sebastopol Truly
does this afford a vast subject for reflection
for the present and future historian, in
more points than one. Yet, in one it has
no equal. England within one year, wars
with the greater portion of the world, and
still holds her own, though her enemies
have been the most powerful of the world.
Caroline Times.
THE INDIAN TROUBLES IN TExAs-
The Gazette, published at Austin, Texas,
of the 22d ult., has the following account
of rencontre between the United States
troops and the Indians at Fort Lancaster.
In tho first engagement, Sergeant Theodore,
OF the 9Th infantry, was killed and scaIped.
lie was one of n party sent ont to escort the
Fort Dnyis mail, and was attacked by the
Indians about 20 miles from Fort Lsacas.
ter. Capt; II. s. Granger, of the 1st In
lfantry, stationed at the latter fort, prompt
ly sent out detachment of forty men in
wagons to overtake che Indians If possible.
They were hidden SO well under the can
yass of the wagons that Che Indians could
not sec the force brought against thom,
and were induced to make an attack. The
men got into position as soon as possible,
and fought brayely, killing two Indians
without injury to themselves, but they
were wholly unable to strike an effective
blow. The Indians were mouDted and
armed with Sharp and Mimic rifles. and
fed.