THE BATTLES ON THE SUTLEJ.

Wellington Independent, Volume II, Issue 79, 15 July 1846, Page 4

THE BATTLES ON THE SUTLEJ.

The Hobart Town papers, furnish the following, in addition to the accounts already published in this journal :— Extract from Sir Harry Smith's despatch of January 30. The battle was won—our troops advancing with the most perfect order to the common focus, the passage of the river. The enemy, completely hemmed in, were flying from our fire, and precipitating themselves in disordered masses into the fords and boats in the utmost confusion \ and consternation. Our 8-inch howitzers soon began to play upon their boats, when j the debris of the Seikh army appeared I upon the and high bank of the river, flying in every direction, although a Sort of line was attempted to countenance their retreat, until all our guns commenced a furious cannonade, when they quickly receded. Nine guns were on the verge of the river by the ford. These being loaded were fired once, upon our advance. Two others . were sticking in the river; one of them we got; out. Two were seen to sink, in the quicksands. Two were dragged to the opposite bank and aband< nd. These, and the one in the middle of the river, were gallantly spiked by Lieut. Holmes, of the llth irregular cavalry, and gunner Scott, of the Ist troop 2nd brigade horse artillery, who rode into the stream and crossed for the purpose, covered by our guns and light infantry.

Thus, indeed, the battle of Aleewah is one of the most glorious victories ever achieved in India, by the united efforts of her Majesty's and the Honourable Company's troops. Every gun the enemy had

fell into our hands, as 1 infer from his. never opening one upon us from the opposite bank of the river, which is lush am. favourabe for the purpose. liriy-two. guns are now in the Ordnance Park, two; sank in the bed of the Sutlej, and two, were spiked on the opposite bank, making! a total of fifty-six pieces of cannon cap tured or destroyed. Many jinjalls which were attached to Avitabiles corps, and which aided in the defence of the village of Rhoondee, have also been taken. Eleven guns since ascertained to be sunk in the river. Total, sixty-seven. Thirty odd Jinjalls fell into our hands. The whole army of the enemy has been driven headlong over the difficult ford of a broad river, his camp, baggage, stores of ammunition and grain, his all, in fact, wrested from him by the repeated charges of cavalry and infantry, aided by the guns of Alexander, Turton, Lane, Mills, Boileau, and of the Shekawatte brigade, and by the 8-inch howitzers, our guns literally being constantly a-head of everything. The determined bravery of all was as conspicuous as noble. lam unwpnt to praise when praise is not merited; and I here most avowedly express my opinion and conviction, that no troops in any battle on record ever behaved more nobly—-British and native no distinction —cavalry and artillery vicing with her Majesty's 16th Lancers, and striving to head in ihe repeated charges Our guns and gunners, officers and men, may be equalled, but cannot be exceeded by any artillery in the world. Throughout the day no hesitation, and bold and intrepid advance, and thus it is that our loss is comparatively small, though, 1 deeply regret to say, severe. The enemy fought with much resolution. They maintained frequent recontres with our cavalry hand to hand. Iv one charge upon infan try, of her Majesty's 16th Lancers, they threw away their muskets and came on with their swords and targets against the < lance.

Tame Trout.—lt is not an uncommon occurrence for persons residing in the country to place trouts in their wells, and they find them very useful in destroying \ insects and keeping the water pure. About eight years ago a trout three inches in length was put into a well at Delnashaugh, | and it is now fully 18 inches in length, j and so tame that it will eat out of the I hand of any person who may choose to hold out food for it.—Elgin Courier. Warlike Preparations.—Whatever may be the result of the present aspect of affairs, the Government of this country appears resolved on being prepared for any emergency, and will not be taken by surprise, as tbe standing army is about to be placed in a most -efficient state by tbe addition of 10,000 men, and the milita will be brought into readiness for immediate training on the shortest notice. The Royal Marines are to be increased t 0 the extent of 2,509 men; and the land forces of the line regiments 6.000 men J but whether the latter will be added in battalions or additional regiments is not made known. The increase b tbe Navy will be about 1,000 men, but it is already in a very efficient state and steam-vessels of very gieat power can be manned efficiently by a for less number «f hands than ships of war. This is « very great advantage. A very important addition is about to be made ia all large war iteamers of tins British navy, by the addition of two or more light six-pounders, mounted in ever} respect in thesame manner as the guns of the Royal Horse Artillery. These guns are to be fitted with men-harness, to be taken on shore when requited, an 2 moved from one place to another, with or without the aid of horses. Several handsome carriages are in progress of construction, at present, for the Gladiator steam-vessels, ordered to be made ready for sea with the least possible delay, and supposed to proceed to South America., The; bolts fixing, the tyers of the wheels of thege carriagesare sunk into the.tyers,to prevent any injury to the decks of the vessels should they require to be mounted on board.—Weekly Dispatch, Feb. 15. During the last three momh3.no fewer than nine new railway newspapers have been established. The total receipts at the Norwich Musical Festival amounted to the sura ot £6,724. There are 2,695 brewers in the United Kingdom. There is said to be an epidemic among the rabbits in Hampshire. A tradesman at Exeter has lately had his shop front fitted with windows in single panes, each piece containing nearly forty square feet. The extent of railway surveying has caused a certain popular query to be supresceded. Instead of " Has your mother sold her mangle ? " the boys in the streets no* ask, " Has your father sold bis Theodelite!"—Punch,