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ULORIOIS SKWS FROM IXDIA-'S\El5i;j£I»Ifi «F THE BUETISII ARES.On \\ ednesday intelligence reached town of the signal victory gained by the army of the Indus under Sir John Keane, and of the triumphant success of its operations in Afghanistan. Jn these “ piping times of peace” the report of such glorious achievements is as startling as it is gratifying; it renews the tame of our arms in India, and forcibly recals to every state in Europe the recollection of the brilliant and enduring triumphs of British arms under Sir Arthur Wellesley, which so largely contributed to consolidate our power in the East.To the officers and men composing the army of the Indus— • :od more especially to its distinguished commander—the deep giatitude of the country is due. Its career has been as hrII-iiant as it was brief, and renews the salutary lessons formerly taught Indian chiefs and governments—that neither fortresses ner armies can resist successfully the force of British skill, British discipline, and British gallantry.The glorious issue of the war will, we trust, be turned to good account; and, beyond all question, the fall of Ghuznee, and the dethronement of Dost Mahomed, will tend, in a very remarkable degree, to consolidate and extend the influence of England throughout the greater part of Asia. The effect of the recent campaign will not be lost on the ruler of Persia ; while the intrigues of Russia in that quarter have been baffled more effectually by Sir John Keane’s cannon than by ten years spent in such hollow negotiations as have recently marked our negotiations with the emissaries of the great northern power.The war in Afghanistan may be said to be at an end. The capture, in less than two hours, by the army under Sir John Keane’s command, of the important fortress of Ghuznee, supposed impregnable by the Affghan nation, and (it is understood) by the Asiatics generally, determined the flight, without '-triking a blow, of Dost Mahomed Khan’s army of 1:1,009 men, well appointed—leaving 80 pieces of artillery in position as he had placed them to receive our attack. The subsequent entry of the British troops into Gabool, and the unopposed restoration of Shah Soojali, must have almost appeared a dream to our brave LOimtiymen and the astonished natives. Titus savs Sir Job Keane, in his despatch to Lord Auckland, “ 1 trust we have accomplished all the objects which your lordship had in con-t inplation when you planned and formed the arm v of the I ndus,! the expedition Into Affghanistan.”But now to the details of this almost bloodless victorv. The (i.-♦.patches received per the Genoese steamer state that the British army, which marched from Candahar in four division-;, on the 27th, 28th, and 29th of May, and the 3d of June, arrived on the ltith of July at Mookecr, four days’ march from Giiizny. I p to the 20th it encountered no other obstacle than a troop belonging to a rebel tribe, which it repulsed with ease.()n the iith the army was concentrated at Nance, distant twelve miles from Giiizny. On the morning of the 21st the arinr marched for the latter place. When within gun-shot it was i revived by a lively cannonade and well-sustained fire of musketry, to which the British artillery returned a few guns, after n hich the army bivouacked. On the 22nd the place was reconnoitred, and the preparations for assaulting it were ordered. At l. clnight the artillery changed its position, and was followed at- nort interval by the infantry. A few minutes before three o'clock in the morning the gates were blown in by the engineers. The trumpets sounded the charge, and the artillery owened a terrible lire, under cover of wiiicn the infantry foi-ceil an entrance through the gates, in spite of the most strenuous resistance ; and at live o’clock in the morning the colours of her Majesty's 13 th and 17th Regiments floated on the towers of the citadel of Ghizny. Thus, in less than three hours, one of the •tror.gcst places in Asia, defended by a garrison of 3,500 of the i)r.ivt:-t of the Affghans, and commanded by a son of the ex-King of Cabool, fell into the power of the British. 500 men of me garrison were killed. The remaining 3,000 were made prisoners, together with their commander. The loss of our troops was only 191 men hors dc combat. Intelligence of this brilliant feat having reached Cabool, Dost Mahomed sallied forth at the head of 13,000 men, but the demoralizing effect produced by the fall of Ghizny was such, that Dost Mahomed was, a few minutes afterwards, abandoned by ai! his soldiers, and compelled to fly with only 300 men, abandoning his artillery, ammunition, baggage, c. The .English army immediately advanced on Cabool without meeting the slightest resistance. Or. the 4th of August an envoy of the Schah Sujah, escorted by 150 British soldiers, under the command of Major Cureton (?), took possession of the city, into which the Schah Sujar made his solemn entry on the 7th of August, accompanied by the British minister, the general commanding the army, and a numerous staff. Two new expeditions were contemplated and in preparation—the one against Saudporo, the other against Kurnaui. The success of the British army in Afghanistan, the preparations for attacking the Wo cities just mentioned, and the recent deposition of the Rajah of Sattara, will render more manageable and mild the most untractable enemies.We learn the following additional particulars from Sir John Keane’s official despatches, dated llead-quarters, Camp, Cabool, August 8, 1839: —■■ The army marched in four divisions from Candahar on the l7lh, 28th, and 29th of May, and the 3d of June. They encountered but a very slight opposition on their road to Nance ; where the whole force was concentrated on the 20th of July. Nance is twelve miles distant from Ghuznee, one of ’ e strongest fortified places in Asia; which is thus described by Sir )ohn Keane in his despatch : —It is not only that the Affghan nation, and, I understand, Asia generally, have looked upon it as impregnable, but it is, in reality, a place of great strength, both by nature and art, far more so than I had reason to suppose from any description that I had receive,1 of it, although some are from officers in our own service, who had seen it in their travels. I was surprised to find a high rampart, in good repair, built on a scarp mound about thirty-five feet high, and flanked by numerous towers, and surrounded by a fausse hrayz and a wet ditch, whilst the height of the citadel covered the interior from the commanding fire of the hills fiom the north, rendering it nugatory. In addition to this screen-walls had been built before the gates, the ditch was filled with water and unibrdable, and an outwork built on the right hank of the river so as to command the bed of it.”••’or the last thirty years the Kings of Cabool had been continually making additions to the strength of this fortress, li was garrisoned by 3,500 of Dost Mahomed’s beM troops, commanded by Prince Mahomed ilyder, his son. It was fully provisioned, supplied with artillery, and every means for resistin'* a long siege. The British army arrived under its walls on the evening of the 21st of July. When within gun-shot they encountered a brisk cannonade and a heavy fire of mus-keti v, poured from behind garden walls, temporary field-works, and the outwork on the right bank of the river. Sir John Keane ordered this fire to be returned, in order to ascertain the strength of the enemy in guns. The outworks were speedily carried, and their defenders driven in by detachments commanded bv S'r W'illoughby Cotton and Brigadier Sale; while shrapnell '-hells, thrown into the citadel under the direction of Brigadier Stevenson, did much execution.After these preliminary operations the troops weredrawn off, and ordered to bivouac. Sir John Keane found himself surrounded by enemies on all sides—“ I had information that a night attack upon the aamp wasintended from without. Mahomed Ubzul Khan, the eldest son of Dost .Mahomed Khan, had been sent hy his fother with a strong body of troops from Cabool to the brother’s assistance at Ghuznee, and was encamped outside the wails, but abandoned his position on onr approach, keeping, however, at the distance of a few miles from us. The two rebel chiefs of the Ghilzie tribe, men of great influence, viz., Abdool Rhumnn and Gool Mahomed Khan, had joined him with 1,500 horse, and also a body of about 3,1)00 Ghaveer from Zeinat under a mixture of c hiefs and Moolahs, carrying banners, and who had been assembled on the cry of a religious war. In short, we were in all directions surrounded by enemies. These last actually came down the hills on the 22nd, and attacked the part of the camp occupied by his Majesty Shah Shooja and his own troops, but were driven hack with considerable loss and banners taken.’’ On the 22nd Sir John ordered a reconnoissance to be made for the purpose of discovering the most assailable part of the for. tification. The report of Captain Thomson, chiefengineer, was to the effeet that the place was equally strong “ all round.” Sir John then ordered the whole army to cross the river which was at the foot of the fort, so as to occupy more commanding gronnd and secure the Cabool road. Pieparations were made for carrying the place by storm. Captain Thomson undertook to blow in the Cabool gate, the weakest point, with gunpowder; and, fully relying on the success of this operation, Sir John Keane made his dispositions accordingly'—“ The different troops of Horse Artillery, the camel and foot batteries, moved off their ground at 12 o’clock that night, without the slightest noise, as had been directed; and in the most correct manner took up the position ‘assigned them, about 250 yards from the walls. • In like manner, and with the same silence, the infantry soon after moved from their ground; and all were at their post at the proper time. A few minutes before three o’clock in the morning (of the 23d) the explosion took place, and proved completely successful. Captain Peat, of the Bombay Engineers, was thrown down and stnnned by it, but shortly after recovered his senses and feeling. On hearing the advance sounded hy the bugle, (being the signal for the gate having been blown in,) the Artillery, under the able directions of Brigadier Stevenson, consisting of Captain Grant’s troop of Bengal Horse Artillery, the camel battery, under Captain Abbott, both superintended by Captain Pew, Captains Martin and Cotgrave’s troops of Bombay Morse Artillery, and Captain Lloyd’s battery of Bombay Foot Artillery, all opened a terrific fire upon the citadel and ramparts of the .fort, and in a certain degree paralyzed the enemy.‘‘ Under the guidance of Captain Thomson, of the Bengal Engineers, the chief of the department, Colonel Dennie, of her Majesty’s 13th Light Infantrf, commanding the advance—con-sis'ing of the light companies of her .Majesty’s 2nd and 17 th Regiments of l'oot, and of the Beflgal European Regiment, with one company of her Majesty’s 13th Light Infantry,—proceeded to the gale, and with great difficulty, from the rubbish thrown down, and the determined opposition offered by the enemy, effected an entrance, and established themselves within the gateway, closely followed by the main columns, led in a spirit of great gallantry by Brigadier Sale, to whom I had entrusted the important post of commanding the storming party, —consisting (with the advance above mentioned) of her Majesty’s 2nd Loot, under Major Carruthers, the Bengal European Regiment, tinder Lieutenant-Colonel Orchard, followed by her Majesty’s 13th Light Infantry,under Major Thomson, and her Majesty’s 17th Regiment, under Lieutenant-Colonel Croker. The stuggle within the fort was desperate for a considerable time. In addition to the heavy fire kept up, our troops were assailed by the enemy sword in hand, and with daggers, pistols, ♦\c. ; but British courage, perseverance, and fortitude, overcame all opposition ; and the fire of the enemy in the lower area, on the fort, being nearly silenced, Brigadier Sale turned towards the citadel, from which could now be seen men abandoning their guns, running in all direction?, throwing themselves down from immense heights, endeavouring to make their escape; and on reaching the gate with her Majesty's 17th, under Lieutenant-Colonel Croker, followed by the 13th, forced it open at five o’clock in the morning. The colours of her Majesty’s 13th and 17th were planted on the citadel of Ghuznee, amidst the cheers of all ranks. Instant protection was granted to the women found in the citadel, (amongst whom were those of Mahomed ilyder, the Governor,) and sentries placed over the magazine for its security.”The officers especially commended in Sir John Keane's despatch, for their gallant and able conduct in this affair, are Major-General Cotton, Major-General Willshire, Brigadier Sale, Brigadier Stevenson, Brigadier Roberts, Colonel Dennie, Captain Thomson, Major Keith, Captain Alexander, Major Cunningham, Surgeons Kennedy and Atkinson, Major l’arsons, Colonel Macdonald, Captain Powell, and the General’s Aide-de-Camp, Lieutenant Keane.The brilliant triumph we have obtained ( continues Sir John), the cool courage displayed, and the gallant hearing of the troops I have the honour to command, will have taught such a lesson to our enemies in the Affghan nation as will make them hereafter respect the name of a British soldier.Our loss is wonderful small considering the occasion; the casualties in killed and wounded amount to about 200.The loss of the enemy is immense ; we have already buried of their dead nearly 500, together with an immense number of horses.I enclose a list of the killed, wounded, and missing. I am happy to say that, although the wounds of some of the officers are severe, they are all doing well.It is my intention, after selecting a garrison for this place, and establishing a general hospital, to continue my march to Cabool forthwith.—I have, c.(Signed) John Keane,Lieut.-General.No. 1.List of killed, wounded, and missing in the army under the command of Lieut.-General Sir John Keane, before Ghuznee, on the 21st July, 1839: —2nd Troop Bengal Horse Artillery—Three horses wounded. 3rd Troop Bombay—Two rank and file, two horses wounded. 4th Troop Bombay—One horse killed.2nd Regiment Bengal Cavalry—One horse killed, c-ee rank and file wounded.4th Bengal Local Horse—One rank and file and o le horse missing.Her-Majesty's 13th Light Infantry—One rank and file killed, liith Bengal Native Infantry—One captain wounded.48th Ditto, ditto—One lieutenant and two rank and file wounded.Total killed—One rank and file and two horses.Total wounded—One captain, one lieutenant, five rank and file, and -fix horses.Total missing—One rank and file and one horse.NAMES OK OFFICERS WOUNDED.Captain Graves, 16th Bengal Native Infantry, severely, Lieutenant Vanhomrigh, 48th Bengal Native Infantry, slightly.(Signed) R. Macdonald, Lieut.-Colone;,Military Secretary and Deputy Adjutant-General, II.M.F., Bombay.No. 2.List of killed, wounded, and missing in the army under the command of Lieut.-General Sir John Keane, K.C.B.,and G.C.H., in the assault and capture of the fortress and citadel of Ghuznee, on the 23rd of July, 1839 :—General Staff—1 colonel, 1 major wounded.3d Troop Bombay Horse Artillery—1 rank and file wounded. 4th ditto ditto—] rank and file and 1 horse wounded.Bengal Engineers—3 rank and file killed, 2 rank and 111 wounded, 1 rank and file missing.Bombay Engineers —1 lieutenant, 1 rank and file wounded. 2nd Bengal Light Cavalry—1 rank and file wounded.1st Bombay Light Cavalry—1 havildar killed, 5 rank and file, and 7 horses wounded.Her Majesty’s 2nd Foot (or Queen’s Royal)—4 rank and file killed, 2 captains, 4 lieutenants, 1 sergeant, and 26 rank and file wounded.Her Majesty’s 13th Light Infantry—1 rank and file killed,3 sergeants, and 27 ra k and file wounded.Her Majesty’s 17th Foot—6 rank and file wounded.Bengal European Regiment—1 rank and file killed, 1 lieute-4***I major, 2 captains, 4 lieutenants, I ensign, 1 sergeant. 51 rank and file wounded.Kith Bengal N.I.—1 havildar, 6 rank and file wounded. 35th ditto ditto—5 rank and file killed, 1 havildar, and 8 rank I and file wounded.48th ditto ditto—2 havildars killed, 5 rank and file wounded. Total killed—3 sergeants or havildars, 14 rank and file. Total wounded—1 colonel, 1 lieutenant-colonel, 2 majors,4 captains, 8 lieutenants, 2 ensigns, 7 sergeants or havildars, 140 rank and file, 8 horses.’Total missing—1 rank and file.Grand total on the 21st and 23d of July, killed, wounded, and missing—191 officers and men, and 16 horses.(Signed) R, Macdonald, Lieut.-Colonel,Military Secretary, and Deputy Adjutant-General to her Majesty’s Forces, Bombay.NAMES or OFFICERS KILLED, WOUNDED, AND MISSING.General Staff—Brigadier Sale, her Majesty’s 13th Light Infantry, slightly ; Major Parsons, Deputy Commissary General, ditto.Bombay Engineers—Second-Lieut. Marriott, slightly.IJcr Majesty’s 2d (or Queen’s Royals)—Captain Raitt, slightly; Captain Robinson, severely; Lieut. Yonge, ditto; Lieut. Stisted, slightly ; Adjutant Simmons, ditto; Quartermaster Hadley, ditto.Bengal European Regiment—Lieut.-Col. Orchard, slightly ; Major Warren, severely; Captains Hay and Taylor, slightly ; Lieut. Broadfoot, slightly ; Lieut. Haslewood, severely ; Lieutenants Fagan and Mngday, slightly ; Ensign Jacob, ditto. (Signed) R. Macdonald, Lieut.-Col., Military Sec., and Deputy Adjt.-Gen. H.M.F , Bombay. Head Quarters, Camp Ghuznee, July 24, 1839.(True Copies.)( Signed) T. H. Maddock, Officiating Sec. to the Government «f India with the Governor-Gen.Head Quarters, Camp Ghuznee, July 2.3, 1839.
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