decisive victory over their whole army, and on the 20th the British troops occupied the city of Hyderabad.

Six of the Ameers delivered their swords to the British General upon the field of battle. All their guns, ammunition, and treasure were taken, together with their camp.

The Beloochees lost 5000 men.

Thus has victory placed at the disposal of the British Government the country on both banks of the Indus from Sukkur to the Sea, with the exception of such portions thereof as may belong to Meer Ali Morad of Khyrpore, and to any other of the Ameers who may have remained faithful to his engagements.

The Governor-General cannot forgive a treacherous attack upon a representative of the British Government, nor can he forgive hostile aggression prepared by those who were in the act of signing a treaty.

It will be the first object of the Governor-General to use the power victory has placed in his hands, in the manner most conducive to the freedom of trade, and to the prosperity of the people of Sinde so long misgoverned.

To reward the fidelity of Allies by substantial marks of favour, and so to punish the crime of treachery in Princes, as to deter all from its commission, are further objects which the GovernorGeneral will not fail to effect.

To Major-General Sir Charles Napier, and to the brave troops he commanded, the GovernorGeneral offers the tribute of his own admiration, and of the gratitude of the Government and people of India.

The bravery of the enemy against whom they were engaged, has enhanced their glory-the most decisive victory has been gained upon the best fought field.

In perpetual commemoration of this brilliant achievement, the second company second battalion, and the third company third battalion of Bombay artillery, and the C. company of the Madras sappers and miners, will bear upon their appointments, and the 9th regiment of Bengal light cavalry, the Poona horse, and the Sinde horse, upon their standards and appointments, and the 12th and 25th regiments of Bombay native infantry, upon their colours and appointments, the word "Hyderabad, 1843."

The regiment of Sinde horse is, on its present establishment, permanently attached to the army of Bombay.

The Governor-General will not further anticipate the measures which the Home Authorities informed, before they can receive his dispatches, of the victory which has been obtained, may think fit to adopt for the purpose of marking their high sense of the merits of those by whom so great a service has been performed.

The Governor-General directs that a salute of twenty-one guns be fired at all the stations of the army.

By order of the Right Honourable the Governor-General of India,

J. THOMASON,

Officiating Secretary to the Government of
India, with the Governor-General.

Major-General Sir C. J. Napier, K. C. B., Commanding in Sinde and Beloochistan, to Lord Ellenborough, Governor-General of India, &c.

Meeanee, 6 Miles from Hyderabad,
February 18, 1843.

MY LORD,

THE forces under my command have gained a decisive victory over the army of the Ameers of Upper and Lower Sinde. A detailed account of the various circumstances which led to this action does not belong to the limited space of a hasty dispatch, I, therefore, begin with the transactions belonging to the battle. On the 14th inst. the whole body of the Ameers assembled in full durbar, formally affixed their seals to the draft Treaty.

On leaving the durbar, Major Outram and his companions were in great peril, a plot had been laid to murder them all. They were saved by the guards of the Ameers; but the next day (the 15th) the residence of Major Outram was attacked by eight thousand of the Ameers' troops, headed by one or more of the Ameers. The report of this nefarious transaction I have the honour to enclose. I heard of it at Hala, at which place the fearless and distinguished Major Outram joined me with his brave companions in the stern and extraordinary defence of his residence against so overwhelming a force, accompanied by six pieces of cannon. On the 16th I marched to Muttaree. Having there ascertained that the Ameers were in position at Meeanee (ten miles distance,) to the number of twenty-two thousand men; and well knowing that a delay for reinforcements would both strengthen their confidence and add to their numbers, already seven times that which I commanded, I resolved to attack them, and we marched at 4 A.M., on the morning 1843. Ꮓ

of the 17th; at 8 o'clock the advanced guard discovered their camp, at 9 o'clock we formed in order of battle, about two thousand eight hundred men of all arms and twelve pieces of artillery. We were now within range of the enemy's guns, and fifteen pieces of artillery opened upon us and were answered by our cannon. The enemy were very strongly posted; woods were on their

flanks which I did not think could be turned. These two woods were joined by the dry bed of the river Fulaillee, which had a high bank. The bed of the river was nearly straight, and about 1200 yards in length. Behind this, and in both

woods, were the enemy posted.

In front of their

extreme right, and on the edge of the wood, was a village. Having made the best examination of their position, which so short a time permitted, the artillery was posted on the right of the line, and some skirmishers of infantry, with the Sinde irregular horse, were sent in front, to try and make the enemy shew his force more distinctly; we then advanced from the right in echelon of battalions, refusing the left to save it from the fire of the village. The 9th Bengal light cavalry formed the reserve in rear of the left wing, and the Poona horse, together with four companies of infantry, guarded the baggage. In this order of battle we advanced, as at a review, across a fine plain, swept by the cannon of the enemy. The artillery, and Her Majesty's 22d regiment in line, formed the leading echelon, the 25th native infantry the second, the 12th native infantry the third, and the 1st grenadier native infantry the fourth.

The enemy was 1000 yards from our line, which soon traversed the intervening space. Our fire of musketry opened at about 100 yards from the bank, in reply to that of the enemy, and in a few minutes the engagement became general along the

bank of the river, on which the combatants fought, for about three hours or more, with great fury, man to man. Then, my Lord, was seen the superiority of the musket and bayonet over the sword and shield and matchlock. The brave Beloochees, first discharging their matchlocks and pistols, dashed over the bank with desperate resolution, but down went these bold and skilful swordsmen under the superior power of the musket and bayonet. At one time, my Lord, the courage and numbers of the enemy against the 22d, the 25th, and the 12th regiments, bore heavily in that part of the battle. There was no time to be lost, and I sent orders to the cavalry to force the right of the enemy's line. This order was very gallantly executed by the 9th Bengal cavalry and the Sinde horse, the details of which shall be afterwards stated to your Lordship, for the struggle on our right and centre was, at that moment, so fierce, that I could not go to the left. In this charge the 9th light cavalry took a standard and several pieces of artillery, and the Sinde horse took the enemy's camp, from which a vast body of their cavalry slowly retired, fighting. Lieutenant FitzGerald gallantly pursued them for two miles, and, I understand, slew three of the enemy in single combat. The brilliant conduct of these two cavalry regiments decided, in my opinion, the crisis of the action, for, from the moment the cavalry were seen in rear of their right flank, the resistance of our opponents slackened; the 22d regiment forced the bank, the 25th and 12th did the same, the latter regiment capturing several guns, and the victory was decided. The artillery made great havoc among the dense masses of the enemy, and dismounted several of their guns. The whole of the enemy's artillery, ammunition, standards, and camp, with considerable stores, and some treasure, were taken.