The Sun.
London, England, 1855-12-01 00:00:00

THE BATTLE OF INGOUR.

Official Despatch.

(From, lust Night's Gatette.)
FOREIGN-OFFICE., Nov. 29.
to Thetb E
Major
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lowing is a copy :-
Camp; Shanglann, ',inv. 7th, 1855.
My Lord,--I-have to:infiirm your hirdebip that Omer
Pacha, having collected of dspot -of provisions at Tchim-
shera, moved on by the searcosist to the mouth of the
river Ertiss-Tchal, where a standing bridge was lime-
iliately constructed for the passage of the troops. The
advanced guard, consisting of 16 battalions.of infantry
and 3 battalions of chassenrsi unler Lieutenant-Colonel
Ballar 1, the whole commanded by Ferhad Pacha (Baron
Stein), moved on the 28th of October to the village of
Ertiss-zkalsk.

From that day until the Ist November, his highness
was occupied in sending up provisions to the advanced
guard, in moving other troops to support it, and in esta-
blishing depots at Godova, at the mouth of --the Ertiss-
Zehal, whence to provision his army fora forward move-
ment.

On the first instant the advanced guard moved about
ten miles forward, having its advanced posts on the
River Ingur, opposite an old ruined castle called Rooki,
on the road to Sugdidi. •
His highness joined the advanced guard himself on
the 3d instant, his total force consisting, of 4 brigades
(32 battalions) of infantry, 4 battalions 'of chasseurs, and.
1,000 cavalry, with 27 field. piecea and Illininnitain guns,
r in all about 20,090. men ,rcnialtidor o his Isick,
bout 10110 ti 144,. being. 044 eldlnpiteect the C4cfs
d0va,..7 '' - t ,_„. : ..:',..:;..;1
Lio ►
On the 4th instant his higtmeeis com►rienced conetrnde.
ing batteries on the right bank of the Ingur, with a
view. of menacing the enemy by the ford at Ruki. These
batteries were armed on the following night, and opened
their fire on the morning of the 6th instant about noon.
On the same morning his highness- moved-3 brigades of
infantry (24 battalions) with 3 batteries, with an ad-
vanced guard of 3i battalions of chasseurs and four
guns, under the command of Colonel Ballard, down the
right bank of the river, a distance of about seven-miles,
where a branch of the river was forded to an island,
which is some miles in length, and from a half to two
miles wide. .

After proceeding along this island for about two miles
some Mingrelian militia were encountered near a ford,
which crosses from the island to the left bank of the
river ; they speedily retired, when the enemy opened a
fire of artillery and a heavy fire of musketry from the in-
trenchments on the left bank, thrown up fur the protec-
tion of the ford. _ _

It very soon became evident that to force a direct
passage at this ford would be a very difficult undertaking.
His highness, therefore, while occupying the enemy at
this ford, sent officers to the right and left, and fords
were discovered in both directions ; one about three
quarters of a mile above or to the left of the main ford,
the other about one mile and, a half below or to the right
of the main ford.
Troops were immediately sent to pass these fords ;
that to the left was unprotected. The passage was made
by two battalions of infantry and three companies of
ehasseurs by about 4 p.m. His Highness having en-
trusted me with this command I moved them by a wag-
gon track through the forest unperceived by the enemy,
until within. 600 yards of the pesitiott at the main ford,
which his troops were occupied in defending from a
direct attack. The Turkish troops advanced readily to
the attack, taking the enemy and his entrenchments in
reverse.

The enemy immediately fell back, and attempted to
break through the Turks in column, but being met by a
heavy fire in their front and on both flanks, they broke
and dispersed in the forest, leaving us masters of the
field, with three pieces of their field artillery and six
ammunition waggons in our possession. At the moment
that the Russian columns attempted to break through
our line, I grieve to say that my aide-de-camp, Captain
Dymock, 95th Regiment, having first had his horse
killed under him, was wounded close by my si le, encou-
raging the Turkish troops. He died soon afterwards.
His death is to be deplored, as her Majesty has lost in
him the services of a most promising and brave young
officer, for whom his highness Omer Paella has frequently
expressed to me his high esteem. This young officer had
accompanied me from the commencement of the war in
Turkey.

Whilst this operation was proceeding on the left a
brigade moved down to the right, under Osman Pasha,
and forced a passage in front of a force believed to be of
four battalions, but without artilleryand not entrenched.
This operation succeeded, and soon after dark the Turk-
ish forces on the left bank were in communication from
right to left, and complete masters of that side of the
river throughout this length.
_ _ _

The loss on the side of the Turks has, been 51.6 killed
and wounded; of whom 68 are killed. and 4 miming.
' His highness has been pleased to express himself In
terms of the highest satisfaction of the conduct of the
Bristish officers who accompanied his force. Lieutenant-
Colonel Ballard conducted the advanced guard, and sus-
tained a very heavy fire from the enemy at the principal
fold, about 100 yards wide, from noon until dark at 5
p.m., occupying the enemy until his position was turned
by the Turkish left.
Captain Caddell also rendered good service, attached
as Second Senior Artillery Officer to that branch of the
service. His interpreter was killed.
The loss on the side of the enemy has not yet been
ascertained, but up to the present time (noon) 347 have
been buried, of whom eight officers, among which the
prisoners report there are two colonels. _ _

. .
The prisoners report that there were eight battalions
of infantry, besides a great number of Mingrelian militia
opposite the main ford.—l am, &c.,
(Signed) JOHN L. A. SIMMONS.
The Earl of Clarendon, &c.

COURT FOR TBE CONSIDERATION •OF
CROWN CASES RESERVED.

(Present—Lord Campbell, the Lord Chief Justice of the
Common Pleas, Justices Wightman, Cresswell, Erle,
Williams, Crompton, and Willes, and Barons Parke,
Alderson, and Platt.)