INDIA.

Otago Witness, Issue 367, 11 December 1858, Page 2

INDIA.

(From tht Sydney Morning Ha aid )

By the Leichhardt from Calcutta, we have twelve days' later papers, viz., to -30th August. The news, however, is not only scanty, but of a fragmentary nature.

I he following intelligence is supplied by the Government to the Englishman:—" Sen ice message from G. F. Edmonstone, Esq., dated Allahabad, 27th August, 101 5 p.m. We hear from Lucknow that the crossing of the Goomtee by our Sultanpore column was to commence on the morning of the 24th. The rebels must be very strong, but are said to be dispirited. Banee Madhoo has joined them with thirteen thousand men, of whom ei"-ht thousand are his own followers, and eight giuis. Jt is reported from Neemuch on the 25th inst.j that the Gwalior fugitive rebels are moving towards Rampoora, and have arrived at Boojuh, five coss beyond the Maiili pass. A small detachment was posted on yesterday to Manapa. Brigadier Parke, with a light column, expected to reach Rampoora on the 22nd."

It is reported at Chupprah that Brigadier Douglass attacked the rebels, first at Bausdee, and subsequently at Gya Ghaut, inflicting considerable loss on them. They are said to liave^ fled towards Iluldee, but we hear of, nothing from the brigadier's camp. I

The rebels from the Oude side mustering, as report gave out, 25,000, led on by the old scoundrel the Moulavie of Bareilly, the Nawab of Furruckabad and the 2s T awab of Bareilly gave out they would conclude their Mohorum at Shnjehanpore, and were on the march there, when they were met by our forces, joined by the Rajah of Powy and his forces, and were routed with great slaughter. The General is said to have masked his artillery till they were well in range, and then let out on them with grand effect. Great damage done amoim-st the horses, of which from 20>to 300 were taken ; none of the prineipais'were done for, so far as report goes. So much for these blood-thirsty villains who can only fight and murder women and children and defenceless men.

It is stated that the Government of India has, on the recommendation of the Lieu tenantGovernor of Bengal, sanctioned two lacs and ninety thousand rupees for the erection of a

suitable palace for his Highness the Xawab Nizam of Moorshedabad.

Three soldiers are now (August 26) undergoing a trial for desertion at Barrackpore from their regiment. They were arrested by the police in sailors' apparel in Calcutta. The experiment of forming an Eurasian corps has failed.

The Indian Empire of 2Gth August says: — The official telegram we published yesterday confirms jn some measure the rumour which mc mentioned as being prevalent in the bazaar regarding Banee Madoo mustering a large force. According to native report, he has an army of forty thousand; and the telegram from the Home Office informed us that he was forming an extensive combination with the Amithee Raja and the Talookdars of Banswara to resist our Sultanpore column.

Madras. — From Karinja (says the Spectator), we learn that this part of the Deccan is all quiet. The ryots are hard at work cultivating their fields, and the constant heavy showers that have fallen during the month will promote vegetation in a considerable degree. Lieutenant Twyford and his rohillas passed through on the 29th ultimo, en route to Ilingolie; he had only with him some twenty men — all the rest had bolted. We fear the raising of this Rohilla Police Corps will prove a failure — not through any want of energy on the part of this young officer, but simply because the pay allowed is not sufficient for a Rohilla's wants. A great Dumber of horses are being bought up for " Beatson's Horse," and the consequence is that all horse-flesh has risen in price : for instance, animals that could formerly be purchased for some 80 or 90 rupees, now fetch as much as 300 rupees.

Two smart shocks of an earthquake were experienced in Calcutta on the afternoon of the 21th of August. The direction was apparently from east to west, and the force such as sent doors and window-frames shaking. The interval between the shocks was about a minute in duration. Simultaneous shocks are recorded as having been felt in different parts of India.

The Phoenix of 25th August reports having received, through Government, the following message, dated Allahabad, 22nd :— " It is reported from Lucknow that Banee Madoo started on the 16th instant to join the Aniathee Rajah, who had summoned all the Talookdars of Bausware to resist our Sultanpore column. The following information regarding the fugitive rebel* from Gwalior has been received from Agra : — the rebels were turned from the south-west by the advance of the Xeenmch detachment, which had marched fifty miles in two days. The rebels are flying in a most disorganized condition, though still some thousands in number. They have still all the treasure with them on elephants, one gun on an elephant, and all their leaders, though one is wounded, and carried along on a charpoy. Villagers are being pressed into their service. The Commissioner of Benares reports that Brigadier Douglas yesterday relieved Ensign Freeman at Russeerah, and set off in pursuit of the rebels who lied in a north-easterly direction towards the Cogra."

The following appears in the Gazette: — "Governor-General's Camp, Allahabad, 18th August. The Right Honorable the GovernorGeneral has great satisfaction in announcing, that the Queen has been graciously pleased to command that a medal shall be granted to the troops in the service of her Majesty and of the East India Company, who have been or may be employed in the suppression of the mutiny in India, with clasps to those engaged in the capture of Delhi, and in the defence and relief of Lucknow; and that all those civilians, whether or not in her Majesty's service, who have been actively engaged in the Field, or otherwise, before the enemy, during the recent operations in India, shall participate in the same honorary distinction."

The Lucknow correspondent of the Delhi Gazette supplies the following information, under date 18th August :— " Matters in Lucknow and Oudc altogether seem to be assuming a most favourable aspect. From all accounts more energy has been displayed during the past fortnight than has been shewn for months, both in the settlement of the country and the beating off' from our civil and military posts those bodies of the rebels that had kept threatening them ever so long. In Lucknow itself the active and vigorous measures of both the civil and military authorities, are rendering the city better in management, appearance, and safety, than ever. The circumstances connected with the capture of Sundeela are interesting, as I have heard them, and 1 will give the substance of i\hat has been told me. Mr. Kavanagh, with his usual daring love of adventure and zeal for the service of Government, thought that he could effect the capture of Sundeela, and the dispersion of those rebels which had so long been threatening our civil post at Mulleeabad. lie proposed to Captain Dawson to attack Sundeela, and by a sudden march came up to it early one fine morning, beat in the picquets of the enemy, and, after some hard fighting, took possession of the town. Captain Dawson made over all his cavalry, about 50 men, to Mr. Kavanagh, and with his infantry, at the point of the bayonet, he drove out the mutineers from their nest. Mr. Kavanagh was most active in the pursuit with his sowars, and killed all who did not run away too fast. lie had his horse shot under him during this engagement. Captain Dawson had some hard fighting in the town, but at last got complete possession of it, having captured one gun and about 25 prisoners who had been keeping up a hot fire from «n npi/er-

roomed building. Mr. Kavanagh, it is said, had an encounter with a young Seikh who had deserted from the Baillie Guard during the siege, and was desirous of saving his life if possible ; but a Seikh of our party came suddenly up and put an end to the young fellow. The casualties on the side of the enemy are said to be about 50. I have not heard it mentioned what our loss was, but it must have been trifling. In one instance I hear Feroze Shah had 45 of our police murdered in cold blood.