The Sun. — 1858-02-27 (London, England)

THE ALLEGED ATROCITIES AT TIIII TAKING OF DELHI.  Some of the continental papers, we (Calcutta Englishman, Jan. 23) observe, have falsely accused our soldiers of cruelty on the taking of Delhi ; a city is never taken by assault without some innocent victims. We need not assure our English reade)s that the accusations of foreign journalists are unfounded ; but, for the benefit of those gentlemen, we subjoin the following indignant denial by an officer who served throughout the siege, and was present at the assault : " I was told last evening that the government has written up to the Commissioner of Delhi, t.) know the particulars and number of the ' outrage: committed by the troops during the storm of the city, and afterwards. As there is a leisurely gran. deur about these 'gentlemen in black' who follow our armies in quest of good appointments after the fighting is over, which prevents their answering with that promptness and succinctness that such a question demands, I lose no time in send,ng you, for the world's perusal, the reply to such a ques. tion. You know that I would not write to yon an untruth, or even anything of which I was not perfectly certain—no, not even to defend and save the reputation of this glorious, though now despised, army. The answer is, in reply to English questions, and French, or any other calumnies—that this army has never, on any single occasion, sullied its arms and it t achievements by the slightest outrage, cruelty, or violence committed on any woman, or child, or peaceful and defenceless citizen. And, further, wa are not sepoys, or cowardly murderers of any otht r description, as is proved by what we have done ; for our country knows full well that men, capable of what is insinuated against us by the above question, never could have upheld their empire, their glory, and their well-acquired honour, as we have done. No, no ; thank God, we hard not forfeited or laid one single stain upon old England's pure and -noble character through. out this long and terrible struggle ; and f repeat it emphatically that whoever tan say that this army has committed anything cruel or atrocious, states that which is not fact, but foul and dishonourable slander. The rudest soldier in tbia army is incapable of slaying or harming a woman, a child, or an unarmed and peaceful citizen ; and f can swear upon my honour and my sword that no such thing has been done. This is my answer ; let him who can, gainsay its truth, and disprove its declaration. Mutineers and rebels, and mur. derers and violators of English children and wee men, we did slay, thank God, without mercy or hesitation, but women, or children or peaceful citizens—no, no, it is untrue, foully and shamefully untrue. It may suit the views of those who wrong this army, to calumniate it ; and to endeavour to prove, at the sacrifice of their country's honour, that we are unworthy of laudation and reward, but this shall not be done, so long as one man remainsi amongst us who knows the truth, and can give it to the world. I have dwelt rather long upon this sub. ject, but whilst endeavouring to be calm, I was de. sirous that our countrymen in England, and Eng. laud's friends and enemies all over the world, should know the truth fully, and without evasion or quibble.