IMPORTANT INDIAN NEWS.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 227, 11 July 1846, Page 73

IMPORTANT INDIAN NEWS.

TWO BATTLES. THE BRITISH FORCES

AGAIN VICTORIOUS.

By extracts from Indian papers to the 21st February, published in the Launceston Examiner of the 30th May, we learn the success of our troops in two more great battles with the Seikhs, fought on the 28th of January and 10th of February last. Those of Moodkee and Ferozeshah, fought on the 18th and 21st December, have already been noticed in our paper of the 2d of May. It appears that, from various causes, upwards of a month elapsed before our army was in a condition to advance a step from the spot where these hard-earned victories were achieved. The enemy, in the mean time, established himself in a strong position within the frontier, and contrived to detach a force to attack Loodeehana, a post about 70 miles in the rear of our main army, and succeeded in carrying off or destroying the whole of the mess stores, &c, belonging to H.M. 50th Regiment. In consequence of this and other threatening movements, Sir Harry Smith was despatched with a division of about 6,000 men, with orders to unite with the force at Loodeehana. On the 21st of January he came unexpectedly upon the enemy, computed at 30,000 men. For some unexplained reason Sir Harry did not engage, though he lost two or three hundred men and the greater part of his baggage and stores. For this he was severely censured by a portion of the Indian press; but the brilliant success

which resulted from his tactics appears to have fully justified the course he adopted. After uniting his force with that at Loodeehana, Sir Harry came up with and attacked the enemy on the 28th, and the hattle of Aleewal ensued. The following particulars are from the Delhi Gazette of Feb. 2 : —

Sir Harry Smith marched from Buddeewal at daybreak towards the enemy's camp. On reaching the village of Chuck, about eight miles from Buddeewal, the force came in sight of the enemy, with their right on Bhoomaree and their left on Waleepoor. They advanced some distance towards the division beyond their entrenched camp, and cannonaded the British troops for half an hour, till the force stormed the village of Alleewal, the key of their position. The whole of our line then advanced on them, charged, and was soon master of all their guns, on which they fled towards the river. The cannonade commenced at ten. a.m. By one, p.m., the enemy was driven across the river [the Sutlej], and everything he had in our possession. Sir Harry Smith bears testimony, in a communication to the Commander-in-Chief, to the splendid charge of the cavalry, both "black and white," and to the remarkably good behaviour of all the troops, both native and European. The Seikhs had no bridge, but two or three fords, in crossing which numbers were drowned and killed, "as our advance was so rapid that we overtook them before they got to the first ford !" The day was favourable ; cool, without much wind ; " and altogether it was a most imposing sight." The Sirmoor Battalion and the 56th Bengal Infantry returned to Loodeehana after the action, and reached the place about midnight. The loss on our side is most trifling, considering the result, and does not exceed, we understand, 400 in killed and wounded. The 16th Lancers seem to have been the greatest sufferers, their loss being estimated at 120 killed and wounded. The brigade consisting of H.M. 50th foot and the 47th and 48th Bengal Infantry (Colonel Wheeler's) suffered severely, being in advance. The loss of the Nusseree Battalion is also great. The following is, we believe, nearly a correct list of the casualties in the commissioned ranks, and it is a subject of heartfelt congratulation that it is so very small. We hope to be in receipt of the official despatches in a few days : —

KIST OF OFFICERS KILLED AND WOUNDED. Killed.

Lieut. H. D. Swetenham, H.M. 16th Lancers. Lieut, or Cornet Williams, of the same corps. Capt. C. R. Grimes, H.M. 50th Foot. Lieut. Smallpage, of the 55th N.I. (4th Irreg.) Wounded.

Major Smyth, H.M. 16th Lancers. Lieut. Da Veraet, H.M. 31st Foot. Ensign John Parcell, H.M. 31st Foot. (? 50th.) Ensign Farmer, H.M. 50th Foot. Captain Pringle O'Hanlon, Major of Brigade. Lieut. H. J. Frampton, H.M. 50th Foot. Lieut. William P. Elgee, H.M. 50th Foot. Ensign F. J. S. Bragshawe, 36th Bengal N. I. Lieut, and Adjt. Frederick Wall, 48th Bengal Inf. (badly). Capt. Henry Palmer, 48th Bengal Infantry. Ensign W. E. Marshall, 48th ditto.

Capt. H. L. Bird, 48th ditto.

Though the enemy had suffered three defeats within six weeks, he made one more stand before he abandoned the contest, and the battle of Attaree was the result. The subjoined narrative is extracted from the Delhi Gazette of the 23d of February :—: — Camp, 44 miles from Ferozepoor, 11th February, 1846. At three o'clock yesterday morning the army was formed for the attack. General Smith occupied the right of our line, General Dick formed on the left of the army in continuation, whilst the centre, under General Gilbert, covered a multitude of heavy guns and rocket boards, near the forfeited village occupied as the outpost. At daylight all were in position, and about sunrise the guns commenced on both side's, when shells and rockets followed one another in rapid succession and with unerring aim, proved by the frequent explosion of the enemy's ammunition wagons. During this interval the infantry were lying within cannon range under cover, facing the works. At first (I speak chiefly of the extreme left, and therefore of our gallant friends of the 53d) a few horsemen showed themselves, reconnoitring. The cannonade continued for a couple of hours, and then, as if by common consent, it ceased; when the enemy appeared lining the whole of the position ; and as it was entirely surrounded, and having found themselves thus situated, without perceiving the route of the columns, which arrived at their stations during darkness, tried to be prepared at all points, with an army estimated at 80,000 men and 60 guns. At this crisis the advance was ordered, General Smith having moved to a false attack, with the view of distracting the attention. In an instant every gun was opened from a common centre in the works of the enemy, and a tremendous fire was continued

on the British troops, and in some instances answered with tolerable effect by our light field pieces ; but the enemy were too well protected, and shot after shot was replied to by the Seikhs with fatal precision. The advance, however, was not to be retarded, and the whole closed in towards the entrenchments. The 53d, on the extreme left, covered by two or three companies of Sepoys in skirmishing order, moved across at least 4,200 yards, skirting the river and marching through deep sand. On they went in line amidst a shower of grape and musketry, which opened at all points, even from guns on the opposite focus of the entrenched position. The Seikhs saw their danger, but, elated with confidence in the strength of their defences, stood firm and fought bravely behind their position. A shout, a run, and a fire had no effect. The men were tired from the heavy ground, the balls continued increasing, and the Europeans were falling fast, when the enemy's cavalry made an effort for a rescue, and were seen- preparing for a charge; the regiment formed a square, the gallant Sepoys closed on their own centre, and the firing became more desperate. The cavalry took warning, the corps re-formed line and moved to the charge. Another frightful effort on the part of the enemy, without having yet entered the position anywhere. Suddenly the steady advance created a panic ; the Seikhs gradually gave way in front of us ; their cavalry, though at first a small body, moved towards the ford, and every man in the trenches began to give way; firing of musketry in all quarters announced the event, and although the conflict continued to rage with vehemence, and the struggle was intense, the enemy were forced at the point of the musket on to the ford, where they were received by the two companies of Sepoys and the 53d, who found themselves actually in the anomalous position of being between the enemy and his reserve. Regiment after regiment came down in slow succession to pass over, and regiment after regiment, both horse and foot, moved on amidst one continued rattle of destructive musketry, without returning a single shot, excepting those fired by men. despairing of their lives, or some vagabond wounded Akalies. At this juncture came under observation the most wonderful scene the human mind could conceive. The bridge of boats haying partly sunk by the pressure, the whole Seikh army, part of whom had tried to outflank our right batteries, arrived on the ford and were trying to escape. The river was deep and the stream rapid, the multitude immense, and the firing so incessant that the loss of life was terrific. Each individual as he was shot became at once a corpse, without a hope of escape from the current, the depth of which exceeded four feet and a-half generally, and much more in particular parts. This lasted about three hours, when the corps already named being entirely without ammunition for the time, and having used all the spare caps with Seikh cartridges, moved to the rear, leaving the work of destruction to be completed by the light artillery, who continued, with other corps, till not a man remained. Ten thousand slain is a moderate calculation of the loss. Ours has been severe; about a fifth of the above, or less, every corps having suffered greatly. To attempt a description of all the features of the battle would require an eye-witness from each regiment; but the fact that it fell to the lot of the 53d to carry the key of the position in a most miraculous manner, cannot be denied. Good luck or good management — little signifies it which it is, as none will gainsay the fact — all the arrangements connected with this most important triumph evinced the highest generalship, and its result the most consummate bravery ; but the position of the enemy was strong beyond all conception. High ramparts and deep ditches, traverses, holes, and banks, constructed under the immediate eye of a skilful Spanish engineer, Colonel Don Hurbon de Alcantra, defied the most desperate efforts of our troops; and would have continued to defy our efforts much longer, had not the 53d, by throwing up their right shoulder, fortunately come on the only unprotected point of the camp, embracing about thirty yards, being the actual road from the bridge into the heart of the entrenchments, and thus taking possession of it. Notwithstanding the fire continued severe, the effect was visible, and the enemy abandoned all their guns, which, being fixed in embrasures, could scarcely be removed with even the assistance of dhurwas and dragropes. The Seikh columns moved out of range on the right bank and pitched their tents, previously sent across, while three or four heavy guns, which had at different times played upon our force, saluted the camp followers and stragglers employed in collecting the trophies and burning the bridge and camp — thus adding, if possible, to the horrors of the battle. But the Seikhs are taught a lesson ; and we trust British supremacy, with its fresh laurels, will hold glory despite the insult of a conquered foe, who is in turn now to be attacked at home, as General Smith, with the advanced guard of the army of the Sutlej, broke ground this morning on its

march to the bridge of boats at Ferozepoor, across which General Littler has already proceeded with troops and guns. The following is a list of those names of the killed and wounded which have as yet reached us ; but we regret to add that it is by no means complete, and that several names have yet to be communicated : —

LIST OF OFFICERS KILLED AND WOUNDED.

Killed. - Major-General Sir R. Dick, K. C. 8., commanding 3d division. C. C. Taylor, C. 8., ti. M. 50th Foot, commandind 2d brigade 2d division. Lieut-Col. G. L. Davies, H. M. 9th Foot. Lieut.-Col. J. Ryan, K. H., H. M. 50th. Captain G. E» D. Werren, H. M. 53d Foot. Lieut. H. E. Y. Faithful, H. A. Lieut. F. W. A. Hamilton, Ist Eu. Light Inf.

Brevet Captain Fletch Shuttleworth, Ist Europe Light Infantry. Captain Hay, 50th N. I. i Ensign G. H. Davidson. Ist Eu. Light Infantry.

Captain J. Fisher, 23d N. I. Lieut. J. S. Ramon, 63d N. I. Lieut. W. T. Bartley, H.M. 62d Foot. Captain G. M'Leod Tew, H. M. 50th Foot. Lieut. A. M' Queen, 42d Light Infantry.

Wounded.

Major-General Sir J. Littler, X.C.8., commanding 4th division. Major-General W. R. Gilbert, com. 2d division. Major C. Grant, H. Artillery. Lieut.-Col. Gough, H. M. 3d Dragoons. Lieut-Col. Gole, H. M. 53d Foot.

Lieut. F. Mackenzie, 26th N. I. (dangerously).

Lieut. W. D. Playfair, 23d N. 1., ditto. Lieut, and Adjt. Donning, H. M. 53d Foot, do. Lieut. A. B. O. Stokes, H. M. 53d Foot. Capt. T. Smart, H. M. 53d Foot, leg amputated. Lieut. John Chester, H. M. 53d Foot. Ensign H. Lacas, H.M. 53d Foot. Lieut. R. N. Clarke, H. M. 53d Foot. Lieut.-Col. Barr, offg., Adjt-Gen. (lost an arm), Lieut. J. Bucher, Eng. Cadtain W. Halford, 41st N. I. Captain J. Cumberlege, 41st N. I. Lieut. M. T. Kemble, 41st N. I.

Lieut. A. W. Onslow, 41st N. I. Brigadier Fenny, Com. Nueseeree Battalion. Brig. M'Laren, Com. 4th Brigade, 2d division. Lieut. O'Brien, Ads Nusseeree Battallion. Captain Needham, H. M. 50th Foot. Major Patwhett, 42d Light Infantry.

We learn also that Sir diaries Napier is on his way from the south with 10,000 or 12,000 men, and that on his arrival the army on the Indus will exceed any ever brought together in India under a British General. It is believed that the downfal of the independence of the Seikhs is at band, and that nothing less will give security to the adjacent provinces. The neighbouring Sovereigns, who stood aloof from the contest, but were prepared to join the enemy if he had been successful, are greatly alarmed, and anxious to propitiate the Go-vernor-General.

The only other Indian news of importance which we have seen an account of, is the dreadful ravages of the cholera at Madras. The mortality among British officers had been very great. In a few days the 26th regiment lost 140 men.