INDIA. FALL OF MOOLTAN. {From the Delhi Gazette, January 8.)

New Zealander, Volume 4, Issue 304, 28 April 1849, Page 3

INDIA. FALL OF MOOLTAN. {From the Delhi Gazette, January 8.)

' Camp, Mooltan, 2nd January, 1849. Five, p m.—Herewith a few hasty lines to tell you that the town of Mooltan it in our possession, with six regiments and four gum in occupation. Wheeler's cavalry may be seen scouring the country, cutting down the routed soldiery of Moolraj; except an occasional shell, all appears perfectly quiet. The Bengal force engaged consisted of her Majesty's 32nd, the 49th, and 72nd N. I. A stubborn resistance was made at one of the gate* (Delhi), and the breach being found impracticable, the force mored off to the other one, and soon effected an entrance. Our loss, I «m told, is imall. Lieutenant Garforth, En> gineers, is supposed to bs mortally wounded, and I hear another officer of the lame branch is slightly so; some sharp encounters between the sword and bayonet took place. Six, p.m.—l have just heard that the loss of H.M. 32nd is two men killed, ten wouudad. Lieutenant Taylor U the other officer wounded—shot through the arm. Moolrsj is firing an occasional random shot; but

I do not think he can hurt our troops, sheltered ai they are by the streets. Camp. Mooltan, January 3, 1849. I send you herewith a few important addenda to thoglorioui news of yesterday. It appeari that the Bengal column, on reaching the point of attack at the Delhi Gate, found it totally impracticable; a drop of leveral feet would have been an Jinsuperahle barrier to out advance. Here it was that our principal loss was sustained, and Captain Smyth, commanding the Gr. Co. of H.M. 32nd, wa9 slightly wounded ; the column then had to retire, and follow in the footsteps of the more fortunate Ducks, who by that time had penetrated tho city. They may, however, thank us for so good an. entrance, as I believe our artilleiy opened it, and theirs noted for us, vice versa. The Adjutant and another officer of the Bombay Kusileers I hear are killed, nnd another officer severely wounded. That corps first plumed its colours on an eminence, and it was done by their brave Serjeant.Mnjor. Hundreds of fugitive* might be seen at dusk moving across the plain, which ii so much intersected with deep cuts and canals, that; large bodies of them have escaped in the direction of Sirdarpoor. One large body of not less than one thousand marched off very compactly ; they were soon seen, but the cavalry could not get their four guns across a deep canal, and they consequently escaped. Sever.il men have been taken prisoners, their arms being all taken from them during their retreat. A. Frenchman give himself up in the afternoon ; the fact of itself betrays another direct violation of the treaty ! The Jemadar of the Goorknh Buttalion has given him* ■elf up. That villain Hindoo Singh, who cut down Agnew with his own hands, is killed, so is Sham Singh, and many more Singhs, too numerous to mention ; during the night all our cavalry were scouring tho country far and near, as a report had got abroad of Moolruj having at last bolted. Need I tell you that it is not the case— he is still determined to die in his fortre I. This morning the plunder is being collected ; as yet the live stock only are being brought in. Twenty-five elephant* and numeroug horses, &c, ; fouttcen guns have been taken, and a vast supply of grain and supplies. It is said that the grain destroyed by the great Are was worth five lukhs of rupees ; this is a lerioui deduction from our prize property ; all the Dewan'i valuables too must have been destroyed by that explosion. During the night there was one ; it it said to have beeu a mine ; from all I can gather 1 of its effect*, it would appear that some of our Bombay troops have suffered. There arc many similar trapt laid for us we may be sure, the moit certain of which is in the Fort ; our shells have not yet been able to touch it, though a spy has pointed out the situation oC ths magazine. At day -break this morning we re* opened a heavy cannonade ; during which Colonel Young, who is dowu there in command of three com* panics of her Majesty's 10th, seeing a favourable mo* ment, dashed at the only gate lefc in the hands of the enemy (I think it is in the Dowlut gate), and took it immediately. The thick smoke of the powder bagi emp oyed to burst it open was at first attributed by those in camp to another mine, but I bare aicertainei the above to have been the cause. Ten, a.m.— Our heavy guns are playing away at interval!. The Mahnjuns have offered fifteen lakhs of rupees to save their property in the city ; but I believe their offer hat been rejected. Okb, p.m.— The taking of that Dowlut Gate wai a very dashing affair. Our men scrambled over with ropes, and charged helter-skelter Jn the narrow passage at the enemy, many of whom they disarmed. A> good view of the ditch was obtained ; it is about tweniy-four feet deep; it is certain that the garrison, can depress the muzzles of their guns into it, for on the party attempting to explore further, some wooden p<tihnga were withdrawn, a gun run out, aud a charge) ot grape firtd at our men ; fortunately no one was hit* Lieutenant Maunsell is the Engineer officer who led ths party, and by judicious advice induced the coup da main. Sjmc of the prisoners were very communica« tive, and told us that the Dewan was silting within, all forlorn, and that every, hour desertions were taking place. So quiet indeed bad the fort become, that it was supposed by our men to be evacuated, the shower of grape alone disabused them. Tha principal portion of the Sikh army was, according to Ust advices (2nd January) still at Moong, Sberet Singh himself having moved some four or five miles towards Ruisool. * Ram Singh has again made his appearance at ther head of the Rechna Daob, but as Brigadier-General Wheeler is in the neighbourhood, we trust be may not ebaliowed to escape this time."