DISASTEOUS BLUNDER.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 1, Issue 41, 3 July 1858, Page 3

DISASTEOUS BLUNDER.

THE GEITEB.iL WAKPOXE ATTAIB,

We take from the Dcl'd Gazette an account of one of the most disaslroiis blunders of the Ind'an mutiny. The author of it, General Walpole, it is to be hoped, will pay the penalty of his crime with his life : — "We promised, says cur contempoi'ary, to give particulars of the disasters attending the attack on the fort of Hoowah, published by us in an extra yesterday, and now fulfil it. It now appears tliat at daybreak of the morning of the 15th the force (it is not mentioned how composed) under the command of General Walpole, broke grounaud, after a march of nine miles, the troops got into a position to attack a fort at a place called Eoowah, or some such name. General Walpole did not make the slighted reconnolsance, but immediately led a portion of his men right up to the fort, on approaching which, there was found to be ditch all roand, and hgh walls thickly loopholed, f/om which the enemy poured a most deadly fire of musketry, which of course, could not be replied to with effect, as not a man of the enemy was visible. Our men could get little or no cover, and it was only then that the General began to think of getting up the guns ; but even then they were ordered to be placed in such a position that they were of little use. Tn fact, all the leading principles of military tactics appear, on an instant, to have been forgotten ; for he actually sent two companies of the 42nd Highlanders straight up to the walls of the fort in skirmishing order without any support, and we are told, that when a captain of one of the companies remonstrated with General Walpole on the subject, he was told to obey orders, and he, the G-eneral, would see him supported ; but lb ; s it is asserted was not done. We come now to the saddest part of the story. Brigadier Adrian Hope in going to look after these two companies was shot down ! In his death the army and the public have sustained a heavy loss, one that cannot well be replaced. Ths 42nd also lest two officers kiJled and wounded ; the names are not given, and about 40 men placed hors tie combat. The 4th Punjaub Inf.mtry, who were only 120 strong, lost 44 men, one officer killed and two wounded ; but to crown this unfortunate business, and to add to the vexation of the heavy losses, the troops were about 4 o'clock in the afternoon ordered to retire, the rebels yell ing at our troops ; and the next morning it was found they had evacuated the fort during the night. In fact the whole ail'air is described, and we can well understand the feeling, as "sickening." The first mistake was inexcusable, for there were but 400 men in the fort, our force was nearly as many thousands ; still something might have been done by escalading it, and less life would most probably have been expended than at present, and a gloi-ious victory have been the result, instead of a disgraceful retreat in the sight and under the sne 'rs of the lvbols. The steadiness and coolness of the troops were wonderful we are told ; and none in the wo v ld have belsa. ed better. There is anoth.r foit fourteen miles off, and it is reported that there are some 200 altogether to be taken ! We will not add to the distress we are sure General Walpole must foci, by copying the very severe animadversions our letters contain upon his want of Generalship ; it will be suillcient source of discomfort to linn when he considers the loss the troops under h ; s command, the army, and the public have sustained. What will Sir Colin say to this utter defiance of one of h'S late orders regarding the storm'ng of Forts?"