The Sun. — 1858-10-21 (London, England)

THE SUN.  THURSDAY. OCTOBER 21, 18,58.  The interest excited by the arrival of the overland mail from India has been greatly abated by the clear summary of the salient points of intelligence conveyed by means of the magical wires, which by land or water afford instantaneous communications between distant spots. It is, however, anxiously looked for. Details are eagerly sought after respecting the exploits of our truly gallant soldiers, and of the misconduct of those who, treated in the first instance with undue lenity, bitterly expiated their crimes. The mutiny at Mooltan is, perhaps, the most important portion of the tidings. It is true that it was promptly and speedily suppressed, and that few of those concerned escaped to convey the tidings of their disastrous experiment to other gangs. But it proves beyond the possibility of doubt the utter impossibility of ever again relying on the good faith or sincerity of high caste Sepoy troops, or again bringing a Bengalee native force into the field, or even entrusting them with minor duties.  These men, from their too notorious disaffection, had been disarmed in the early part of the outbreak. But they were not deprived of food or pay ; they were not only maintained in unarmed ease, but a number of British troops, whose services would have been peculiarly valuable in other quarters, remained inactive, for the sole purpose of keeping a close watch over the mutinous scoundrels. The necessity of such a course has become obvious, while the Brummagem AITRUNGZEBE reigned in Delhi—while the safety of the fugitives at Agra was still trembling in the balance—while the garrison, cooped up in the Residency at Lucknow, and the helpless women and children under their charge, were destined to a fate similar to that inflicted at Cawnpore by the archfiend NANA SAIIIB on those who unfortunately fell into his power. The Punjaub remains quiet These men never attempted to join the rebels, although there might have been some slight hope of eventual success. But when the contest had virtually terminated, when all the strongholds had fallen into British hands, and the insurgents were little better than gangs of hopeless and despairing brigands—then they entered on the desperate attempt of taking a powerful fortress, and doubtless keeping possession thereof against all who should come to seize it, possessing themselves of arms undei the care of British troops.  It is almost needless to say that the audacious effort was speedily defeated, and terrible retribution inflicted on the offenders. They succeeded, however, in the first instance, in murdering a gallant and distinguisned young officer and several of his men, but a change speedily occurred. Three hundred and fifty were killed during the contest, and an avenging Nemesis followed close on those who, in the first instance, sought safety in flight, but who were nearly all killed or executed. This mutiny has therefore been suppressed, and that in a manner to strike terror into all others similarly circumstanced.  It has been asserted that it was occasioned by a report that a wholesale massacre was about to take place, but it is more easy for the Sepoy sympathisers to find excuses than to obtain credit therefore. At all events, if men will yield to, and act on, such absurd suspicious, they must be contented to abide the natural consequence of their atrocities. The former mail gave the particulars of the brilliant victory achieved by General ROBERTS over TANTIA ToPEE and the shattered remnant of the Gwalior Contingent. For some time he wandered helplessly without guns or stores, but by a sudden dash succeeded in capturing the town of Jabra Puttan, notwithstanding the strenuous resistance of its chief, who was eventually compelled to seek safety in our camp. In this town TANTIA obtained large booty, and, still more important, 40 brass cannons; but they did not long remain in his possession. He was again attacked by the Mhow field force, on this occasion under the command of General Michel, who well maintained the reputation of the British officer, The rem*, as we  --.-...-. fto , . ,i.7.7.V.i1, „,,,-' ...• V , ‘,,,‘,,,u,',444. -70 ' 74. '' . ''67l,74eart/ a 1.., „I. s b/E I' ' ' •!, . ~,,Afllike4. ',-;'N.. ' I.