The Sun.
London, England, 1853-01-01 00:00:00

Enclosure No. 5 in No. 81.
Her Majesty's ship Winchester's gig,
Prorne, Nov. 12, 1852.
The attack and capture of the fort opposite Upper
Prome took place so immediately under your Excellency's
notice, that little is left for me to detail.
The force placed by you under my orders consisted of
the steamers and boats named in the margin.*
I intended the Sesostris to take up a position to cover
the advance of the two small steamers containing t,roops,
but, on observing her take the ground, I desired the
commander of the Mahanuddy to proceed aheadtof her,
pass the batteries, and anchor this ship close to the bank
above them. The Medusa was to follow us, but that
vessel having unfortunately got into Chow-eliow water,
was unable to keep her station, notwithstanding Lieu-
tenant Fraser used every exertion to do so.
On arriving within range of the forts, they opened a
steady and well-directed fire on the Mahanuddy, which
was returned with shell, and having most fortunately
passed them without a casualty, I disembarked at a
landing place just above them, which a native guide
pointed out. We formed on the beach, and I found my-
self at the head of a reduced force of 42 men, who, with
50 men of her Majesty's 80th Regiment, under Captain
Montgomery. made a total of 104 officers and men.
We advanced by a narrow pathway, leading to the
rear of the Upper Stockade. When in sight of this
work, I had the gratification, also, of seeing the Ben-
thick, bearing your Excellency's pendant, open fire upon
it. We advanced at the double, charged into the fort,
and found that the enemy had retreated to the second.
Leaving a party in possession, we at once moved
rapidly on to the Lower Stockade, which was also de-
serted by the time we entered it, and I regret to say
that the enemy had here succeeded in removing their
ordnance. From the position we found the guns in on
the larger work, it was evident that they were in the
act of withdrawing them also, when we appeared. We
captured five guns and a jingall, besides a considerable
supply of ammunition.

Although your Excellency visited the works yourself,
might I be
permitted to call your attention to their
admirable construction. They were casemated stockades,
formed in the shape of a horse-shoe, with three strong
lines of abattes in their front ; within, they had circular
shell-proof galleries, into which they could retreat, and
also use them for magazines.
The officers and men behaved with spirit and coolness,
and I have great satisfaction in repeating to your Ex-
cellency names mentioned on former occasions.
Commander F. Beauchamp Seymour again volun-
teered, and was forward on every occasion.
Lieutenant Hillyar brought up his small detachment
rapidly and well. I left him in charge to burst the guns
and destroy the works, in conjunction with the Sape
which service was effectually performed. prs,
The Medusa came up after we bad captured the forts,
and instantly landed the seamen and marines, artillery-
men (enumerated in the margin), and 50 men of her
Majesty's 51st Regiment, who chased the retreating
enemy into the jungle.
The Honourable Company's steam-frigate Sesostris,
Commander Campbell, after she
floated, opened her fire
on the forts at a distant range.
The co-operation of the haf company of her Majesty's
80th Regiment, under Captain Montgomery, with my
broken party, was most satisfactory ; and had we not
advanced on the instant, it is my opinion the enemy
would have continued longer at their guns, besides
lining the jungle with skirmishers, through which the
narrow pathway went.

I have, &c.,
To his E
(Signed) GRANVILLE G. LOCI!, Captain.
Excellency Commodore G. It. Lambert,
Commander-in-Chief, Prome.

*
. C. steamer Mahanuddy, H. Simpson, Esq., towing
Winchester's gig, 6 men ; barge, 15 men, Lieut. Hillyar,
Mr. Round, mate, and Mr. Slade, assistant-surgeon; launch,
21 men, Lieut. Nelson, Mr. Hinde, mate, and the Hon. H.
D. Lascelles, midshipman. H. C. steam-frigate Sesostris,
Commander Campbell. H. C. steamer Medusa, Lieute-
nant Fraser, commanding, towing Winchester's pinnace,
8 men, Lieut. Pearse, and Mr. Bond, mate ; cutter, 9 men,
M. Allingham, midshipman, Mr. Gregory, N. cadet. Se-
sostris and Medusa's landing party, Lieut. Lewis, Mr. Du-
val, mate, 42 men ; Lieut. Fraser, Douglas, mate, 25
men. Fervaz, Mr. Hurlock, midshipman, 8 men.

PARIS GREEKS.—The police having for sometime past
remarked at different public balls and other places of
amusement several elegantly dressed foreigners, whose
movements appeared to them suspicious, a commissary
of police a few days ago questioned one of them as to
his means of existence. The man became confused, and
confessed that he was one of a band of sharpers, who
lived by cheating at play ; and he added that their pro-
fits were so large that they all lived in luxury. It ap-
peari that professional " Greeks" contemplated making
a grand campaign this winter. The police have recently
seized a great quantity of marked cards.—Galignani.
A letter from Leipsic states that the catalogue of the
book fair for this year at that place contains 6,764 new
publications. Last year the number was only 50700.

yesterday afternoon, between the hours of three and
half-past five p.m., and lam happy to say without the
loss of a man.
. _
The landing was covered by the fire of the Hon. East
India Company's steamer Medusa, Lieutenant Fraser
commanding, which was so admirable, that to it I attri-
bute our good fortune in being able to ascend a narrow
pathway, winding up the ridge of the hill to the outer
breastwork, every yard of which might have been de-
fended by a handful of men, screened from sight in the
dense underwood growing on either side, against
almost any number of assailants. We found a Bur 4 mese, wounded by a shell from the steamer, lying the entrenchment,; he told me the troops ,were beforei
us, so on we went, and at last were met by a par -
tial fire, which after an immediate and rapid charge
was never renewed, nor could we again see the enemy
through jungle everywhere, as thick as a bramble bush.
The guns were loaded and primed, with the exception
of one which was fired with a volley of musketry and
some jingalls at the Medusa as she approached the cliff,
just before anchoring four of them were iron 9 feet 18
pounders, one an iron 6 feet 9 pounder : having no pow-
der to burst them, I threw them over the_cliff, and
moved the force slowly to the boats, protected by a
rear-guard. When it was embarked, I directed Lieut.
Frazer to anchor the Medusa for the night it-the en-
trance of the creek, facing the cliff, and commanding the
entire front.
I experience great pleasure in having so soon again
to bring before your Excellency's notice the gallant
bearing and good conduct of all the officers and men
engaged.
When they landed, they saw the difficulty and appa-
rent danger, of the pass, and they knew the superiority
in numbers of the enemy, they had no reason to contem-
plate so easy a victory ; yet they formed with as much
steadiness as old soldiers, and with the cheerful alacrity
which always distinguishes British seamen and,marines.
Lieutenant Hillyar, of the Winchester commanded ender
me, and again added to his well known character of an
able, zealous officer.
Lieutenant Lewis, first of the Honourable Rapt India
Company's steamer, Sesostris, formed and led his'marines
and seamen in a masterly manner ; and I gladlyrecom-
mend him to your Excellency's notice.
Mr. Brazier, senior mate of the Medusa, landed with
his men, and attracted my attention by his,zeal. -
To Lieutenant Fraser, commanding the Medusa, much
is due for the able way he handled his vessel in the
strong tides and eddies where he had to anchor, and the
most effective aid he rendered by his fire. He is a most
zealous officer, and has, and is, rendering daily most
valuable service to the naval and military force at
Prome.

I cannot refrain mentioning, that one quarter; of an
hour did not elapse from the time the Medusa anchored,
before my people were formed on the beach, and the
boats safely moored under charge of men to fight their
guns.

- Commodore F. Beauchamp Seymour, a volunteer
serving up this river, landed with me, and was always
to be found in the front.
The capture of these guns has again opened the river
to Prome ; and I rejoice that the information I received
of their having been planted there reached me in time to
secure the safety of the expected steamers from Rangoon
laden with troops.
I shall leave the Winchester barge wader Lieutenant
Hillyar (as the Enterprise is not yet available) to guard
the heights. But I cannot refrain from expressing my
extreme regret they are not occupied by soine of her
Majesty's troops.

I have,
(Signed) GRANVILLE G. LOCH',
Captain and Senior Officer in the
Irrwaddy.
To Excellency Commodore 0-. a R. Lambert,
Commander-in-Chief.

Enclosure No. 4, in No. 81.
Her Majesty's ship Winchester's gig,
Prome, Nov. 10, 1852.
Sir,—l have the honour to inform your Excellency that
having received intelligence from the officer commanding
the gun boat, which I left to watch the heights of
Akoukton, to the effect that the men had reappeared there
in force, armed with jingalls and musketry, with which
they had opened a fire on him, and that he was appre-
hensive during the night they might possibly succeed in
mounting guns there, I decided immediately on pro-
ceeding there with a detachment of seamen and marines
to which Sir John Cheape kindly added a party of 12
sappers under Lieutenant Denison, and I accordingly
quitted Prome yesterday morning in the Medusa
steamer, accompanied by Major Allen, Quartermaster-
General of the Forces in Burmah. On arriving off the
village, situated a little above the slope, leading to the
upper ridge of the heights, I disembarked; and after
ascending them, detached Lieutenant Hillyar, with
thirty men to endeavour by a circuitous route to get into
the enemy's year ; we then continued our march along
the ridge, at three p.m. reached the position,. when we
captured the enemy's guns on the 4th ult. which ap-
peared- much in the same state as we had left it, with the
except
ofion that the enemy partially succeeded in raising
one the guns, which had fallen on a ledge below the
parapet.
At this moment the Bentinck, bearing your Excel-
lency's pendant, was descried beneath us, and at th
same time the party under Lieutenant Hillyar joined us,e having met with a few of the enemy, and captured some
of their muskets.
Having with much difficulty succeeded in getting the
only two guns which had not fallen into the river into a
position where we might burst them, and it being nearly
dark, I re-embarked the men, and next morning sent
them on shore, under Lieutenant Hillyar, who effected
the destruction of the guns, by bursting them.
I have, &c.
(Signed) GRANVILLE G. LOCH., Captain.
To his Excellency Commodore G. R. Lambert,
Commander-in-Chief.