The Sun.
London, England, 1853-03-16 00:00:00

CAPTURE OF THE AENCI STOCKADE.

(From the Bengal Hurkaru of Jan. 27.)
Connected with the subject of the frontier passes °f
,Burmah, and more particularly the formidable one of
Aeng (possession of which we lately reported had been
obtained by our troops), it is with great pleasure we are
able to communicate to the public the following details
of the bold and soldier-like attack upon the stockade
erected upon the Narigan-hill, whereby its capture W 5
effected, and the most formidable position in the pas°
secured to us.

In October last, it was reported to the commanding
officer in Arracan, that the Burmese had taken possession
of Narigan, en m summit of the Toomer Mountains,
and were erecting a stockade. Captain Barry was
ordered to advance against them, and, if practicable,
attack and dislodge the enemy. From some deficiency
of information concerning the route intended to be
t --
followed with the purpose of turning the enemy's
flank,was obliged his ptoartryetire. becamedisordered,a rep oandr
Subsequently,
made of the impracticability of w
position and
out a strong reinforcement, and a supply of rockets
_
mortars being sent down from the Presidency
It has,
however, since been carried by the Coup de main of
another officer, whose dashing conduct, we think, richly
deserves the marked approba.tion of Government. Wemay, perhaps, fall into slight error in detailing the
transactions, because our information is indirect, but We
believe the general accuracy of our account may be re-
lied on.
A chief named Nakeekay had described the eneinits
position, .leading our officers to suppose that they
might advance to a point commanding a flanking fir
on the stockade. • It was necessary to be certain
of the truth of this man's evidence, and obtain_l
knowledge of the nature of the ground and the gene'
character of the enemy's defences. For this pur-
pose Captain Nuthall was sent under orders
from Major Maling (commanding the troops
Arracan) to gather information previous to an attempt
e
being made to force the Aeng Pass, and take the stockade
on the Narigan-hill by a flank movement. The duty v'a's
accordingly undertaken, but followed with more corePlewf
results than had been anticipated, for within six days
Captain Nuthall's entering the pass (having made bu
one halt at Thorowa), he had not only reconnoitred ti
enemy's position, but was in possession of the stockade
itself. Captain Nuthall, accompanied by Captain Sutherti
land and a party of the Arracan Battalion, reache
Thorowa on the Ist of January, where they awai_ted
~
the arrival of the Kyeng chief, Nakeekay, from w' f-ci
they learned that the Governor of
,Meng-doon 'fed
proceeded to attack Prome, after which he inter"
to return and invade Arracan by the Aeng 13'356A.
It had also been stated that the removal of the
bead-quarters of the Arracan Battalion from th
neighbourhood of Aeng had made the enemy care,
less in guarding their post. Every available man bel„l
collected at the advanced post under Narigan, the march
was begun on the morning of the sth through the c,
gle, pursuing a line parallel with the Toomar Mountains'
and so turning the enemy's left flank. At 9 a•rn':
halt was made within about 800 yards of the pass, -0
the Burmah side of the Toomar range. Captaid,
Nuthall, accompanied by Nakeekay and two atten
ants, advanced to reconnoitre, putting these men in sly
bush to watch whether any communications were Mali
between the Burmese stockades of Tsetmeng
Narigan, which appeared about three miles and 0,-;;
or four miles apart. Just before dusk the men "We
moved up to within 200 or 300 yards of the Pe!
so as to debouch upon the road and make a recan4o
noissance before sunrise the following morning ieb,
the 6th they were under arms at 2a.m., but k 0
strutted by the thickness of the jungle) did not fbri
upon the road until after 4 a.m. Guided by Naket.3„
they then marched up the pass towards Narigan (disc t
rather more than two miles), every one remaining infat
perfectly silent, so that they could have beat a retr_:er
had their been a necessity, and their advance
have been known to the enemy. Shortly before ;Jr,
break they halted near the rear of the enemy's re,
ricades. Captain Nuthall himself proceeded to
into he
connoitre them; and being enabled to survey the inteihe
through the interstices of a gate, he perceived that or,
enemy were asleep, and capable of being taken by a to
prise. He immediately ordered Captain Sutherlauthoe
advance in full force against the gate, at the same or
posting a body of men on an adjoining eminence, °oa
manding the road by which alone any enemy from be,
could approach. Sutherland with his men inaue
car
instant charge, and as they entered the stockade, the
taro Nuthall fired a volley over their heads liOuffect
still sleeping inmates of the defences. The e no.
was paralysing : the enemy, so completely take',l,,erf-
awares, never for an instant rallied, but fled incuviog
minately, leaving Captain Nuthall in possession, 'laded,
captured even their muskets, which were found 100
but had been left behind, together with two in-
howitzers, ammunition, the chief's pony, and seve r;00,
signia of Burmese rank. The only accidents Nuthall
curred were three sepeys wounded, and Captain thigh
himself rather severely, the cap of the knee and ed
bone both being exposed, the wound being eaus had
one of the bamboo spikes with which the Burmese
studded the approach.
The prompt and soldierlike manner in whin h r the
capture has been effected reminds us of some we.
daring deeds of the Peninsular War. NY% and
no doubt the services of Captains Nut seated
Sutherland will have been properly rePre- that
to the Government. We are very glad to beaorf the
on his return Major Maling and the officers .o,:aent
68th Native Infantry gave a public entertal. .tion
to Captain Nuthall to testif their admits ed.
• splal
for the great tact and coura yh
ge e had di eel-
Ave cannot too highly praise the judgment andetie)
lent tactics of this spirited officer, and we aP_lPther
in
military men will acknowledge it no small fe‘ a so
a man's cap to advance several days' march
_c'untxio
enemy's position to penerate a formidable
,inoupt there
pass, and fall upon an important stockade, with
wit d thus' his
being any suspicion ofan hostile approach ; ..adiejon
rapidity of marches, circumspection, and raosviii ost ifa:
arrangements, wrest from a foe one of their rootier
portant positions--in fact, the most importanbin fan I"T9
o
entrance into a country. We think many a soon
earned a C.B. for smaller services ; and we hope
.arit eon,
congratulate Captain Nuthall on having his g
duct and most excellent judgment properly
recOgnrs
and rewarded by Government.