THE PUNJAUB.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume v, Issue 417, 1 August 1849, Page 2

THE PUNJAUB.

From the Bombay limes of March 17th, we take a sketch of the military operations in the Punjaub, from the fierce but indecisive battle of Chillianwalla, to the battle of Goojrat on the 21st February. In the last engagement the Sikhs were finally and completejy defeated. General Gilbert's division of the army crossed the Jhelum in pursuit of ihe di&comfited foe, and the insurgent chiefs Chutier Singh and Shere Singh surrendered nnconditionally on ihe Bth March. General Gilbert's* proceedings subsequent to the battle of Gooj:at were partially detailed in the Straits Times extra, but to understand the matter clearly, they should be read alter readin? the sketch copied from the Bombay Times. We stated in our issue of the 3rd insunt that a great battle was on tlie eve of being fought near the Chenaub. The detention of the mail till the 4th enabled us to insert a short extra in our overland papers announcing the fact that on ihe 21st February a glorious victory had been won by the British army,

under Lord Gough, over the Sikh insurgents under Rajah Shere Singh, followed by the total discomfi ure of the Sikhs, who fled, leaving behind them their camp, baggage, and equipments, and nearly the whole of their artillery. We have since then received the official accounts of the affair, with full particulars from private sources. It will be remembered that from the date of the unhappy action at Chilliunwalla, where the Commamler-in-Chief totally overthrew the enemy — who could not, however, be persuaded to move out of the way — our troops continued for a month to occupy an entrenched camp close by the scene ot combat. About the 6th a field-work skilfully placed in advance, compelled the Sikhs to shift that part of their camp more immediately threatened with danger ; and just after this an attempt was made by them to outflank us, they continuing to protect themselves in all their movements by excellent entrenchments, constructed with the skill and expertness in forming field-works to which all their successes are ascribable. Their object seerneJ to be twofold — first, to secure supplies, then on their way.'for them, and next, to provoke us, if possible, to attack them in their entrenchments before the arrival ot our reinforcements. They had begun very seriously to incommode us by interrupting our communications from the rear, when all at once they abandoned their entrenchments, and the rumour ran that they had crossed the Jhelum and fled into the Doao beyond. Their camp was examined everywhere, but not an article of property was found, or indications discernible of what might be their purposes, or whither they had gone. One day of mystery and wonderment was spent, when the next brought the astounding intelligence that the insurgents, instead of retiring across the Jhelum, had moved their whole army past us, and now occupied the town of Goojrat, seventeen miles in our rear. Rumour adde.l that they wers in full march on Lahore and that a party of them had crossed the Chef naub, and threatened Wuzeeraba'l, a detachment ol Nicholsons Irregulars having fallen into their hands. The Commander-in-chief now prepared to abandon his entrenchments, but the difficulty of collecting some 60,000 baggage cattle and 100,000 followers who were permitted to prowl about in quest of food as far from the camp as was consistent with safety, caused thirty hours' delay. At length the troops were got into motion on the 15th. They proceeded in nearly the same line as that in which they bad advanced, and, after a march of Irom twelve to seventeen miles, took up ground near the village of Lussooria, near the spot where Sir Joseph Thackwell had engaged the enemy on the 3rd December. Meanwhile the victorious array from Mooltan had been directed to push on by forced marches. General Whish with Maikham's Brigade arrived at Rarnnugger on the 13th ; Hervey followed on the 16ih ; and on the 18th Dundas with the Bombay column made their appearance, having covered thirty-seven miles of ground during their last day on the way, and having occupied in all a day less from Mooltan than any of the forces preceding them. And this was much where all had done so well ; it is here adverted to to meet the slander that they had lingered on the way. On arriving at Wuzeerabad, Whish found a strong force ou their way from Lahore to join head quarters. It consisted of H.M. 53rd, and the 13th and 20th, and 53rd Native lufantry, with the 12th and 13th Irregular Horse. The force, which had arrived with him from Mooltan, consisted of H.M. 32nd, the 51st, 52nd, and 72nd N. 1., with the 11th Irregular Cavalry. The first news which reached him on his arrival was, that the whole insurgent force was in full march on the Chenaub, a part of them having already crossed at Wuzeerabad. Immediately on becoming aware of this, General Whish, without waiting for instructions, ordered two nine pounder guns, and Quin's Irregular Horse, to proceed up the river's bank without delay on the 14th. On the 15th, H.M. 63rd the 13th N. 1., and 12th Irregular Cavalry, with two field guns, the whole under the command of Colonel Byrne, were despatched in the same direction. They marched all day, and reached Wuzeerabad in the evening — having covered since morning twenty-four miles of ground. They were ordered to risk nothing — to reconnoitre merely, and, if resisted, to fall back at once on Markhams Br'gade, which followed to support them. It turned out that the Sikhs had never crossed in force at all — those of them that had been on the hither side had returned to the further; there were at the same time reported to be 4000 of the insurgents on the opposite bank. On the 16th, Markbam's Brigade, consisting of H.M. 32nd, and the 51st and 72nd N. 1., with two sqadrons of the 11th Irregular Horse, pushed on to the ford at Hurree-ks-puttuu, half way betwixt Rarauuggur and Wuzeerabad, where a bridge of boats had been cons.ructed, and half the force proceeded immediately to cross. On the same day Colonel Byrne, learning that a body of Sikhs 6000 strong, with, six guns, were.

preparing to cross at Sodra Ghaut, despatched Colonel Alexander to the spot with four guns, two regiments of Irregular Horse, 580 men of H. M. 53rd, and the 13th N. I. These were not only able to prevent the Sikhs from crossing, but induced them to fall back on, the main force at Goojrat so that the detachment rejoined Colonel Byrne in the evening. Major Lawrence at this came into camp on parole — with what particu'ar object does not appear ; he immediately proceeded to meet his brother at Lahore. His family continued with the enemy as hostages for his return, and he rejoined accordingly just after the battle. On the 16th, Lord Gough quitted his camp at Sedoolapore, and made a march in the direction of the enemy. On the 17th, he made another short movement in advance, and being now within six miles of their outposts, and in a position to compel them to fighf, he resolved to await in the camp the arrival of the last of his reinforcements. Whish now joined head -quarters, and Hervey's brigade also came into camp, leaving the heavy guns to follow. On the l&ih, the Bombay column joined, and arrangements were now made for action. On the morning of the 20th, Markbam joined, and Byrne was directed to move down the left bank from the position he held at Wuzeerabad with two corps of infantry and four guns, leaving two regiments of Irregular Horse to watch the fords to prevent maurciuders from crossing. It. is said to have been the intention of the Sikhs at iirst to push on for Lahore, and if possible secure the capilal before they were overtaken. Foiled in this by the premature arrival of the Moollan column, they now wished to temporise so as, if possible, to gain time to enable them to secure provisions and fall back on their former position, which they seemed to ! aye left for want of supplies. A careful recounoisance having been made, the enemy were found to be nearly 60,000 strong, including, we presume, maurauders and camp followers, with probably 25,000 regular troops, and about sixty pieces ot artillery, nearly all of small calibre. Their camp lay around the town of Goojrat, in nearly a semi-circle ; their regular tioops immediately fronted us ; just behind them, and between them and the town, was the channel of the river Dwara, at this season without water. This forms a deep, stiong, and tortuous watercourse, which, after neaily embracing Goojrat in one of its flexures, diverges for some distance to the north and west, and tf en, taking a southerly direction, runs nearly through the ground occupied by the British army. The enemy had taken advantage of this for the protection of their right, their infantiy being secured by the watercourse, while his left was covered by another watercourse running by the east of the town into the Chenaub. Between these two a space of nearly three miles of ground well fitted for a battlefield extended. The order of battle had been set when our troops encamped. The Bombay column, commanded by Brigadier-General the honorable H. Dundas, occupied the left. It was supported by White's brigade of cavalry, including the Scinde horse and Captains Duncan and Huish's troops of horse artillery ; the infantry was covered by Major Blood's troop of Bombay horse artillery — the whole mounted force under Sir Joseph Thackwell. An attempt to turn the flank was apprehended from the Sikh and Affghan horse, which the cavalry were specially called to guard against. Campbells division of infantry, covered by Nos. 5 and 10 Light Field Batteries, under Major Ludlow and Lieutenant Roberston, were placed next the Bombay troops, with their right resting on a watercourse ; Hoggan's brigade acting as their reserve. On the right of the watercourse, again, Gilbert's division was placed. Eighteen heavy guns under Majors Day and Horsford, with batteries under Captain and Brevet Major Sir Richmond Shakespeare, were disposed of in two divisions on the flanks of the brigade. Whish's division of infantry, with Markhams brigade in support, formed a continuance of the line — the whole being covered by three troops of horse artillery, with one light field battery ; with a second reserve of artillery under Colonel Brind. The right flank was protected by Hearsey's and Lockwood's Cavalry Brigades, with Warner's troops of horse artillery. The rear was guarded by the sth and 6th light cavalry, the Bombay light field battery, and the 45th and 69th Native Infantry. The arrangement was completed, and the troops in position by daybreak, — the British force amounting to about 25,000 men, with nearly 100 guns, of which a third were of the largest calibre. The Commander-in-Chief's intention was to penetrate the centre of the enemy's line with his right, so as to turn the positiou of the force in the rear of the watercourse, so that the left may be enabled to cross in comparative safety, and in combination with the right to double upon the centre wing of the enemy's force opposed to them. At half-past seven the whole force, thus formed, moved forward

in the direction of the position of the enemy, who opened their guns with their usual skill and precision as soon as they believed us within range. The infantry were halted just out of reach of the fire, and our artillery, covered by skirmishers, was pushed on. The tables as they stood at Moodkee were now turned, and we had now abundance of battering gnns to oppose 7 and 8- pounder field pieces — with only two 16 and one 18-pound-er to resist us ; and at the distance of 1000 to 800 yards the heavy guns could pound them at pleasure, the lighter artillery pushing on as the opposing fire slackened. The Sikh gur-s one after another became dismantled, and it was clear they could no longer maintain themselves against us. About nine o'clock the whole line of infantry advanced, still covered by their guns. The heavy artiller^ and field guns were pushed on, taking up position after position as they approached the foe. A body of Sikh infantry which lay concealed near the village of Rutra Kalra, the key of their position, was gallantly driven in by Penny's brigade, consisting of the 2nd Europeans, the 31st and 70th N. I. A portion of Hervey's brigade, under Colonel Franks, about this time charged a body of the enemy at Chota Kalra. By eleven o'clock it was clear the Sikhs had no longer the slightest chance with us. They had at one time threatened to attack our left, and had, with this end in view, advanced some distance, when they were first checked by round shot, and then turned by grape. A party strongly posted by a nullah found itself enfiladed by our guns, and compelled to retire and leave a large piece of ordnance behind them. The enemy's cavalry now attempted, as had been anticipated, to turn our left — the Affghan horsemen, about 1500 in number, being conspicuous for their boldness. The Scinde Horse, mustering no more than 500, with a squadron of the 9th Lancers, were ordered to charge, they cut right through the enemy, and overthrew and dispersed them in a way that kept their comrades in breathless admiration. The General who saw the charge, came up and warmly congratulated Lieutenaut Malco'm, the officer in command of the former, on the conduct of his corps. A curious incident now occurred. Four guns had been lost by Captain Huish's troop of artilleiy at Chillianwallah ; the first gun captured by the cavalry on the left, to which the gallant captain's troop was attached, was oiie of these, — at which he was so overjoyed that kis said he actually hugge.i it in his arms. Lord Gough had at one lime narrowly escaped being made prisoner. A body of Sikh horsemen charged his escort, by whom they were driven back. His Excellency had to defend himself with his pistols, ami owed his escape to Major Tucker, who slew his most immediate assailant. About 10,000 of the Sikh irregular horse with Avitabile's dragoons galloped fora space along the British line, endeavouring to penetrate it ; they were attacked and diiven off in the most brilliant style by the Ist and 3rd light cavalry, and 14th dragoons. The enemy had already lost many of their bravest men, and a large number of their guns, and they now began everywhere to give way. The British line rapidly advanced, carrying every thing before it; the nullah and ford were crossed, all the villages carried at the bayonet's point, and Sikhs every where put to flight — the right wing and Campbells divisions passing in pursuit to the eastward, the Bombay column to the northward of the town. The retreat was rapidly converted into a flight, the enemy dispersing themselves in all directions. The gates of the town were now occupied, and all egress prevented. The camp, with all its contents, was in our possesion. A party of 200 Sikhs for a short time maintained themselves in a temple : they were expelled with severe loss by a detachment from the 52nd N. I. The cavalry division under Sir Joseph Thackwell were sent in pursuit. The horse artillery plied with grape in the retiring masses — the cavalry charged as often as they could get near, — and the enemy were shot and sabred in vast numbers in all directions. They at length under cover of approaching night escaped from their tired pursuers, who returned to camp at ten o'clock having been fifteen hours in the saddle. Of the 60 pieces of artillery brought into the field against us, 53 were left in our hands — all that had before been taken from us were recovered. The whole camp, camp equipage, and stores, with an incredible quantity of ammunition, was captured. Our casualties, killed, wounded,and missing, amounted to 807 ; those of the enemy to at least four times as many. The following are the names of the officers killed : — Captain J. Anderson, 4th troop 3rd brigade horse artillery; 2nd Lieutenant E. W. Day, Ist company Ist battalion foot artillery ; Lieutenant R. Cox, Bth Native Infantry ; and Lieutenant E. H. Sprot, 2nd European L.I. Wounded : Major G. Farquharson, Bth N. 1., dangerously ; Major J. K. M'Causland, 70th N. 1., severely ; Captain and Brevet-Majcr Sir R. C. Shakespeare, first company fourth battalion foot artillery ; Captains J. H, God*

dar, and A. Scudamore, 14th dragoons, the former severely, the latter dangerously ; Captain J. W. H. Jamieson,s2nd N. 1., severely; Captain A. Boyd, 2nd European L. \., slightly; Brevet-Captain C. S. Edwards, 70ih N. 1., slightly; Lieutenant H. J. Stannu 1 ?, sth lij»ht cavaliy, severely; G. Jeffrey, 32nd foot, slightly ; T. (J. Darnell, 51st N. 1., severely; W. H. Lovvther and G. R. Smith, 52nd N. 1., severelj ; A. Elderton, 2nd European L.1., slightly; and A. Fytche, 70th N. 1., slightly; second Lieutenant B. M. Hutchinson, Engineers, very severely, leg amputated ; Ensigns A. D. Toogood, D. A. Sandford, and J. G. S. Matheson, second European L.1., slightly ; F. G. Gaily, 31st X.1., slightly ; R. C. Whiting, and C. Marry, 70th N. 1., slightly ; and Provost Marshal Budd severely.