INDIA.

New Zealander, Volume 4, Issue 299, 11 April 1849, Page 3

INDIA.

We recorded in our last the gallant affairs of the 21st November, and now continue the narrative of intelligence from the seat of war, up to the 28th December, as we have found it published in the Colonial Times, of March 20. A letter fiom Camp Ramnujrgur, dated the 6th of Deceaiber, states that »• General.Thackw ell's force which was detached for the purpose of effecting a flank movement, while we crossed the river to support him on the right, was met by Shere Singh's force about 2 p.m. on the 3rd instant, several miles before they could come up the point proposed for the atack. General Thuckwell obtained some advantage over them, killing about one thousand of the enemy. Our lost is estimated at about fifty killed and wounded. A Royal Salute was fired yesterday in honour of the Victory. Some of their guns were captured ; they made themselves scarce before our Infantry could get at them, On the morning of the 4th, we found to our astonishment that not a man of Shere Singh's force was to be teen on the entrenched position which they had occupied ever since our a rival at Ramnuggur. They retreated during the night, and General Thackwell with about 12,000 men in pursuit of the fugitives. Ido uot think that head-quarters will move further up, as it would be imprudent to be far away in the event of an outbreak in Lahoie, of which there seems great apprehension. The Sikhi are ready to take advantage of any untoward circumstance — our failure in carrying their position on the 22ud ultimo, has no doubt inspired them with the hope of being able ultimately to drive us from the Punjaub." We are indebted to the Delhi Gazette extra of the 9th Dec. for the following :— Jullondur Doab. — No doubt you will be anxious to know what has been going on in the neighbourhood of Kangra and Futhankote, for the last fortnight, so I will endeavour to give you a slight idea of the movement! of the troops and their result. On the afternoon of the 21st of November an express reached Kangra, directing Major Ferris to proceed to Puthankote, as the small garrison was in great peril, and at 5 p.m. he was off with the whole of the 2nd Hill Regiment. Major Ferris reached Puthankote on the evening of the 23rd, having marched upwards of 60 miles in 48 hours. On his arrival he found that Puthankote had been relieved by 5 conpanies of the 29 th N.I. under M»jor Sympson ; kere the force halted until the 25 th. On tlie evening of the 24th, however, news was brought that Purmonde Chund, the Katoch Rajah of Teere, had collectad about 2000 men, and taken possession of the fort of Teere, turning out the Government Thannab, and in fact had placed himself in positive rebellion against the Government. At the requisition of the Deputy Commissioner, Mr. G. Barnei, Major Ferrii detached 250 men of the 2nd Hill Regiment under Lieutenant and Adjutant Gordon, and they retraced their steps to Teera, the Head Qnarten proceeding on the Deenanuggur in company with the 29th Native Infantry. On the march short of Teera at a place called Turrul, intelligence was received on the line of march that the insurgents under Pahar Cund, Suddaroo, and other chiefs of note, had crossed the Bras with the intention of attacking the small force under Lieutenant Gordon before reinforcements could arrive ; shortly after this information was received the enemy, amounting to upwards of 700 men, were seen advancing in two columns, with three standards. Lieutenant Gordon immediately took poises* sion of some heights to the left of the road and awaited the attack of the insurgents. ' They came on in a most determined manner, waving their standards and vociferating dreadful abuse on the Feringees. On their approachiug Lieutenant Gordon's position he threw part of his small force into skirmishing order, and steadily advanced to meet them, and after a warm cob* tested fight of upwards of half an hour, they fled, leaving thirty killed and a large number wounded ; the Rajah's own standard was enptured and the standard bearer bayoneted ; Dabee Sing, a Sirdar of note, was killed, and Sohare Chund and Suddarow wounded ; the lost on our side has bsea very small, one Naik and two

Sepoys wounded. Lieutenant Gordon, with his imall force followed them for upwards of three miles, and the day after crossed the Beas together with a company of the 28th N.I. under Lieutenant Kendall, who, at the requisition of Mr. Barnen, was ordered out for their rescue ; they arrived however too late to share in this short but decisive affiir. Major Ferris, with the remainder of the 2nd Hill Regiment, reached Teera shortly after Lieutenant Gordon had crossed the river, where he found that Purmonde Chund had met Mr. Bacnes at the Ghaut, and given himielf up to ( ur tender mercies. It is to be hoped that a severe example will be made of him to prevent others from rebelling against the Government. ThU is a pro if, if any prool be required, that the 2nd Hill Regiment is staunch to its salt as in this case they were called on to oppose their own hereditary Raj ih. I may as well mention that the Company of the 28th made a forced march from Kangra of 33 mile«, and the spirit evinced by them deserve the greatest credit. Brigadier Wheeler, was reported lo be destroying fort after fort, between tho Ravee and Chenab. He had surrounded 3000 of the enemy in a place called Kulawala, and was making great havoc among them — 200 had fallen on the 22nd. Brigadier Penny had attacked a fort, called Jubbab, on the 23rd ; nnd on the 3rd December another action took place with the Sikhs, the particulars of which we subjoin :— The artillery and engineers under the convoy of Brigadier Penny crossed the Ravee on the 22nd, and travelled towards Ramnuggur till the 24th. They then received orders to capture and dismantle a fort called Jubbur, which was situated about fourteen miles to the west of the main road, the owner Ittur Singh having defied the Resident aud lhown a disposition to cut ofi the communications of the grand army with the capital. In the course of the 25th this service was effectually performed by Brigadier Penny, the whole of the garrison being captured, amounting to between 50 and 60 men, Ittur Singh having a few days before marched to join Shore Singh with 2,000 men. Ihis little band played very neatly, and the place being a strong one, a whole day wa3 loit before it, and and another in blowing up the defences. The convoy then resumed their march and reached the camp oi the 30ih of November. The same night three batteries were constructed, chiefly by the untiring exertion of H.M. 29th Foot who woiked five companies at a time, and on the morning of the Ist December, they frowned upon the antonished rebels ready to open the ball at a moment's notice, While these batteries were in progress, Sir Joseph Thackwell had been detached with a powerful force toward* Wuzeerbad. His orders were to proceed to a ford some twelve miles up the river and cross there, if practicable, but if the passage were dangerous at this point he was to move on to Wuzerbad, where that active and energetic officer Lieutenant Nicholson had secured sixteen boats In anticipation of their services being required. General Thackwell's force consisted of Huiih's Christie's and Wurner's troops of horse artillery, Kinleside's and Austin's field batteries; the Ist brigade of cavalry ; the 3rd and 12th Irregulars; and the 3rd, 6 th, and Bth brigades of artillery. They were accompanied by two 18 pounders with elephant draft, and detail artillery, pontoon train and 2 companies of Sappers — the entire force being equipped in light marching- order and provisioned for three days. It appears that Sir Joseph was under strict orders to act on the defensive, and not to engage the enemy till his Excellency came up. It is believed Lord Gough anticipated surprising the Sikhs, and a simultaneous attack was contemplated so as to forca a decisive battle on the enemy. As events showed, the Sikhs were neither so slttpy nor so easily out-mano»uvred. At one o'clock of the morning of the Ist of December, General Thackwell assembled his force in front of the right flank of the camp. " Considerable delay took place while waiting for some infantry and the Pontoon train, and the whole force had barely advanced by thrt-e o'clock, the pickets moving very slow]y onwards till daybreak. On at length arriving at j the spot where it was believed the ford exiited, a halt of about two hours or more occurred, when the ford being considered impracticable the whole force moved onwards towards Wuzeerabad." The reason why the ford was considered impracticable is not given. Be this as it may, the force moved on to Wuzeerabad, which it reached about sun»e; on the Ist, and " immediately commenced crossing over the infantry and artillery in the boats which had been provided by Captain Nicholson, aud which rendering the Pontoons uuneccessary the train was sent back with the heavy guns under escort of the 12th Irregulars. The cavalry moved to ford which was below the ferry, but as the ford was reported unsafe in the dark, and night had already set in, the mounted portion of the force bivouacked on the left bank of the rivar, with the infantry and artillery on the right. Next morning the cavalry was leisurely crossed over, and the whole force reunited on the right bank, apparently giving time to the main army to commence operations opposite Ramnuggur.— Firing having commenced in the latter quarter Sir Joseph started his force about 2 p.m. on the 2nd, and marched in the direction of the enemy's camp till dark. " The march was resumed the next morning (the 3rd of December) and continued with a short halt at 8, till 12 o'clock, when it was rumoured that the enemy were on the move and not far off. The surmise was soon after verified by the sudden opening of the enemy's fire. The mounted regiments were immediately in the ■addle and formed with great rapidity, the enemy showing in numbers to the front with an evident inclination to turn the right flank of General Thackwell.'' By retiring our cavalry in echellon of regiments the right was thrown back. Notwithstanding the movement, the enemy seemed resolute in their determination of outflanking us in this quarter, and covered their advance by a severe cannonade. All this while our troops hud not fired a shot, whether with the intention of not throwing any ammunition away, or because General Thnckwell conceived himself actually piecluded from hazarding an engagement in any degree we are not told. The infantry were made to He down, the enemy's shot going over them. Our extra* ordinary inactivity seems to have puzzled the Sikhs, but at lait it had an obviouc effect on them, and they moved forward to within 500 yards of our line, with an evident resolve io attack it. The ardour of our troops was then indulged, Christiei's troop of horse artillery was brought up from the left and posted between the 3rd Dragoons and the Bth Light Cavalry, and opened a deitructive fire on the Sikh advance. The enemy however continued to push on towards their own left, when the 3rd Dragoons were despatched to threaten their right. The danger of having their own flank turned brought the Sikhs to a stand still and then induced a retrograde movement. The whole of our artillery was now in full play upon them with evident effect. It was apparent they were meditating retreat, and "we are assured that if the General's hands had not, been tied, a dash of the cavalry must have secured the whole of the enemy* gum." While this attack on our right was going on, a division with artillery and zumbooruks on the left occupied Captain Warner's troop for an hour. At the conclusion of that time, it was clear ths Sikhs had had enough of fighting, or cUe that they had secured their object. They commenced a letreut and by sunset the last of their

columns had disappeared. Our troops appear to have been in a very exhausted state. Our lois was trifling. Captain Austin (Artillery) only was severely wounded ; Lieutenants Watson (Artillery,) Garstin (36th N. I.) and Gibbini (3rd Irregular) were slightly wounded. Our troops occupied tne field of battle, the official despatch saying—" the exhausted state both of mau and horse inducing the Ma-jor-General to postpone the attack upon their flank and rear, as he was directed until ths following morning, thp day having nearly cloied when tho cannonade ceased," We return now to the operations of the main body. During the Ist Lord Gough remained perfectly quiet, awaiting the result of the flank movement. The arri1 v»l of the A. D. C. announcing the passage of Sir I Joseph Thackwell to the right bank of the Chenah was the signal for a vigorou* cannonade from all our batteries, as it was clear by movements in the catip that they had learned our intentions, and were proceeding ' to counteract them by the detachment of a large body to meet General fhackwell. " Whan," says a writer, " the range was secured, the Sikhs got a specimen of. our gunnery, which some of them, at least, will re~ member for a long time. Their cavalry came cose up to the high bank of the river clustering like bees ; the dropping of our shells a nong them must have done mischief, and cenainly produced consternation for tho time, evidenced by the alacrity with which they receded from the neighbourhood of each as it fell, but they soon returned to their original position, to ba again driven away. They had apparently three batteries almost on the verge of the high bank, from which they maintained a fire in reply to ours ; but their pieces being of comparatively small calibre, the distance told against them, and they did no mischief." It now appears, however, that Shore Singh having gained all be desired by the show of a determined* stand on the Chenab — the delay of JJour advance for same weeks — only contemplated a "safe retreat. ' To this end he led out his elite ayainst Thackwell, whose progress— fettered as that officer was by orders — he cheaply and effectively stopped, till the Sikh cam|» was broken up ; and to the same end Lai I Smgh Mourareea, who appears second in command in the rebel force, kept up the demonstration from tho batteries on the Cbenab. It U evident by the slackening of the fire from the heavy artillery and the explosion of magazines, that the Sikhs were busy in preparing for. their retreat on the afternoon of the 2nd. la the meantimei tbe excrement of our C3tnp was on the increase, the decreasing fire of the enemy wag attributed to the precision of ours, the explosion of his magazines to the efiect of our shells. The perceptible departure of troops to the rear was believed to indicate^ the movement against Thackwell, and every body awaited the next day wiih anxiety aud enthusiasm.— Working parties were thrown forward during the night and our batteries and breastworks pushed close up to the river margin so as to command the principle ford* The moment this was gained, Lord Gough ordered! Brigadier Golby (at day light of the 3rd) to lead hi* brigade to the assistance of G< neral Thackwell. At 1L a. m., the Biigadier left Ramnuggur with the 2nd Europeans, the 70th N. 1., and two companies of the 45th N. 1., and the Pontoon train, and inarched to Hurreekeputtun where it was reported thera was a ford. On arrival, of course, thpre was no ford, and. the pontoon train was accordingly put into requiiition. From the detail of its performance, we must congratulate General Thackwell he had no occasion ta test them. The Brigadier was, in fine, obliged to use the pontoons as rafts, and at 3 p. m , commenced ferrying over the troop 3, 25 on a platform. It was dark before they got over, and the native troops remained on the left bank, it being deemed unsafe to conduct operations with the rafts at night. Foitunitely some boats float, ed down from Wuzeerbad during the night, and were secured. With these, the pasnage was effected with tolerable despatch, and early on the morning of the 4th a messenger came ia from General Thackwell desiring the Brigadier to join him with the least possible delay, as he was anxious to push on. The Brigade was set in motion as soon as it had crossed, and readied Sir Joseph about 11 a. m. The ammunition escorted by it was very acceptable to the artillery, the severe cannonade of the 3rd having nearly emptied the General's tumbrili. During the 3rd and 4th the men appeared to have been without food, but bore up cheerfully against all privations in the prospect of a general engagement. The Delhi Gazette of the 16th December mentions a report to the effect that Dost Mahomed Khan was about joinine Chuttur Singh with 12,000 men. Information had been received at head quarters on tl c 10th, stating that Shere Singh had been reinforced with, eight guns and 5,000 men of his father's troops, and was entrenched ou JheJum, twelve miles from the advanced division at Helah. The Rajah's force was estimated at 30,000 men. Strong efforts were making by Chatter Singh to rouse the other Seikh chiefs, and it was suspected he would be joined by Nawab Jubbar Khan. The Bombay reinforcements to the army joined on the 21st December, and the most active operations were forthwith resumed against Moultan. An attack was made on the town on the 27th, the result of which is given as follows, in the Agra Messenger — " From Moultan, 27th Dec—This day at noon we made a combined attack of all the Brigades and Edwardes' troops, on the town and mounds. " I was in camp and cannot tell you much, save that we soon saw our light guns firing from the brickkiln that before gave us such trouble. The right column attacked the small brick-kiln on the north-east angle later in the day, and carried it easily, and is now well on in advance. The only firing which we hear is at the right column from the Fort, and of course it will continue day and night. Towards the town all seems quiet, and there is a rumour that it is taken ; but in camp we know nothing, but that it is obviously all our own way, as far as we have chosen to go." Sir Henry Lawrence was expected to reach the camp hourly. Captain Abbot and Lieutenant Herbertf and Attok, were all in safety on the 15th and 19th December respectively. Narrain Singh is stated to " hare fortified himself in a fort about fifty miles from Ratnnugear, called Chinneah." The Mofussilite Extra of the 3rd January, gives the following intelligence from the seat of war — " Camp Moultan— dated 28th Dec, 1848. "W« attacked the fort at two point* yesterday, Mundleawar mound in front of the Ram Ileerut, and a high mound and suburbs in the vicinity of the mosque of SUumis Subrees (or the blue domed motque, as it is generally called in Camp.) Our loss is about 100 killed and wounded, including the following — 11 Major Gordon, 60th Rifles, killed. 11 Major Case, H. M. 32nd Foot, wounded in the neck. "Lieut. Tyrwhitt, 51st N. 1., wounded in the arm. " Liaut< Pkyfdre, 52ml N. 1., wounded. " Lieut. Gillon, 72« d N. 1., wounded (said to be mortally.) " Lieut. Hill, Bombay Engineers, ditto ditto. " There are some other officers, I bel eve, slightly wounded, but 1 have not yet heard their nam»s. There is tome talk of eicaladuig the town this afternoon*"