The Sun.
London, England, 1841-01-11 00:00:00

From Major-General Sir Robert Sale, K. C. B , to Sir
Willoughby Cotton.
Camp, Tootutudiirra, Sept. 29, 1840.
Sir,—At daylight this morning I quitted my encamp-
ment at Rohat, and was joined at Charekar, five miles in
advance, by the detachment under the command of Capt.
Fraser, of the 2d light cavalry.
At Charekar I learned from Sir Alexander Burnes that
no alteration had taken place in his views, with reference
to the expediency of an attack on the forts at the entrance
of the Glion,bund Pass, belonging to Ali Khan, and known
by the name of Tootumdurra. I therefor,: determined to
attempt their capture immediately, and moved forward
from Charekar, at eight A. M. having the cavalry i❑ ad-
vance.

On arriving in front of Tootumdurra I found
the enemy posted in a very strong position, a village
surrounded by garden walls, defended by a small fort,
and several detached towers commanded the undulating
ground below the high and steep hills which bound the
Ghorehund Pass to the south, and a chain of their de-

tackled forts within musket range, respectively, of the
village, and of each other, extends to the eastward of
the village ; one of these forts, a hexagonal structure,
with ioers at the angles, is of considerable strength.
The rear or north of the position was defended by a
deep canal carried along the high ground above the
Gliorebund river ; the vale below is entirely covered with
gardens, beyond which again rise the rocky bills to the
worth of the Pass.

A party of the enemy was drawn up in front of the vil-
lage, protected by a mound, a second occupied the face of
the hill to the west of the village, and the towers and
forts were garrisoned by matchlock men, who opened a
brisk fire on the party of cavalry sent on in advance to re-
connoitre.

The grenadier company of the 37th native infantry, a
party of his Nlajesty's Shah Shuoja's 2d cavalry, and two
of her Majesty's guns, six pounders, under Lieutenant
Warburton, was directed to clear the hill to our left, and
then to take the position of the enemy in flank, and co-
operate with the other parties engaged in clearing the
village.

companies of her Majesty's 13th light infantry, un-
der Lieutenant Holkham, were detached to the right to
take possession of two of the small detached forts, in which
operation they were supported by three nine pounder guns
under Captain Abbot. The fire from these guns was
also, as opportunity offered, directed on tie towers and
other defences of the village, with the view of dislodging
the enemy from their advantageous position, and facili-
tating the advance of the infantry.
These operations were crowned with complete success.
The principal column of attack, consisting of the re-
mainder of her Majesty's 13th light infantry, two com-
panies of the 27th native infantry, and the light company
of the 37th native infantry, was then ordered to advance,
and moved on the village at a rapid pace. Th? enemy
continued their fire till the heads of the companies were
within fifty paces of the walls, when they lied with pre-
cipitation across the river and over ground where they
could be followed by the cavalry.
The garrison of the large fort, seeing the position both
to their right and left thus in the possession of our troops,
and Captain Abbott's guns in battery opposite the gate,
abandoned the post and escaped through a wicket, which,
opening to the south, was covered from the fire of the de-
tachment.

Parties of infantry were vent in pursuit across the valley,
and another small fort on the low ground temporarily oc-
cupied, but finding the enemy completely broken and dis-
persed, these parties were recalled, and I encamped in the
vicinity of the forts, the whole of which were in our pos-
session by 11 A. m.
The accompanying casualty return will show that
this advantage has been attended by little loss, a fact
which I in a great measure attribute to the dread in-
spired by the excellent practice of the artillery, under
the able direction of Captain Abbott, assisted by Lieu.
tenants Maule and Warburton ; but I have to lament the
loss of Captain Edward Conolly, of the 6th light cavalry,
who joined Die in the morning as a volunteer. He was
shot through the heart on our advance against the

It is my gratifying duty to express my entire satisfac.
tion pith the conduct of the troops it has fallen to my
lot on this occasion to command. The rapid flight of the
enemy prevented their sustaining or inflicting much loss,
but the steadiness and gallantry with which the troops
advanced was such as to warrant my entertaining the most
sanguine hopes of success, even had the really formidable
position we attacked been defended to the last.
I am now, at the request of Sir Alexender Burnes (who
accompanied me throughout the operations I have de:
tailed) taking steps for the destruction of the forts that
have fallen into our hands.

To Captain Sanders of the engineers, I was much in-
debted for his judicious and scientific observations both
during, and previous to, the commencement of the ope-
rations.

Captain Wade, of her Majesty's 13:h light infantry, my
Brig‘cle-Major, gave me every assistance in seeing my
orders carried into effect.

Though not in the army, Mr. Wheeler accompanied me
as a volunteer to carry orders, and I had several times oc-
casion to employ him thus.
I have the honour to be, Sir, yonr most obedient servant,
R. SALE, M.G., Comg. Detachment.

Numerical Return of the killed, wounded, and missing
of the Troops, under the command of Major-General
Sir Robert Sale, K. C. 8., at the Storm and Capture
of the Town and Forts of the Tootumdurra, on the
morning of the 29th September, 1840.
Camp, Tootumdurra, September 29, 1840,
2d Light Cavalry-3 horses wounded.
H. M. 13th Light Infantry-2 privates wounded ; 1
mortally.
37th Regt. N. 1.-2 sepoys• wounded.
27th Regt. N. 1.-2 sepoys wounded.
Shales Cavalry-1 horse killed ; 1 horse wounded.
Total-1 horse killed; 2 privates, 4 sepoyi, 5 horses
wounded.
R. SALE, Major-General, Commanding the Forces.
N.B. Two nujeebs killed, not included in the above re-
turn ; one man of the 13th light infantry died since of his
wounds.

From Sir Willoughby Cotton to the Secretary to the Go-
vernment of India.

Affghanistan, Head-Quarters, Camp Cabool,
Oct. 6, 1840.

S r,—l have the honour to forward a copy of despatch
from Major-General Sir Robert Sale, dated the sth inst.,
containing, 1 am grieved to state, an account of his failure
in an attempt to storm the fort of Julgar on the 3d inst.
It appears from the Major-General's despatch that he
thought his artillery had effected a practicable breach, and he
accordingly formed a storming party,which, notwithstanding
the most determined gallantry of their attack, on teaching
the breach, could not effect an entrance, owing to the
causes mentioned in the despatch.

I lament beyond measure the loss sustained by these
brave troops ; but considering all the circumstances it
does not strike me to be so great as might have been ex-
pected.
I regret the mortars were not available for more timely
service.

Although the attack was unfortunately not suc-
cessful, the conduct of the stormiug party, consist-
ing of the detachment of her Majesty's 13th light in-
fantry under Brevet Major Kershaw, and the de-
tachments of the 27th and 37th regiments of native
infantry, under Captain Rind of the latter corps,
the whole under the command of Brevit Lieu-
tenant-Colonel Tronson, of her Majesty's 13th light
infantry, appears to have been characterised by the most
determined bravery and steady courage. I beg to refer
you to the ample details furnished by the letters of Sir
Robert Sale and Lieutenant- Colonel Tronson, and to
recommend the various officers named to the notice and
consideration of the Right HonoArable the Governor-
General.

I much regret to add, that the garrison effected their
escape,

I "nave the honour to be, &c.
WILLOUGHBY COTTON, Major-General,
Commanding the Troops in Affghanistan.

From Sir Robert Sale to Sir Willoughby Cotton.

Camp Julgar, Oct. 5.
Sir,—The Political Agent having informed me that
several of the rebel chieftains had fled to a fort within 16
miles of my camp at Chareekar, I determined on atiempt-
ing to secure them, and with this view directed Captain
Anderson, with two squadrons of his Majesty Shah Shooja's
cavalry, the Janbatizee*, under Lieutenant Dowson, and
about 500 Dooranec horse, who were placed at my dis-
posal by the Shahzada Timour, the whole under the direc-
tion of Captain Sanders, to the Engineers, to proceed to
Julgar, and endeavour to surround the fort before any of
the garrison could effect their escape, till such time as I
cauld bring up the infantry and artillery to attack the place.
This detachment marched before one A. M. on the morn-
ing of yesterday, the 3d inst., and by sunrise succeeded in
completely investing the fort, and placing parties in secure
positions in every direction by which the garrison could
effect their escape. .

I have to express my obligations to the officers and men
of his Majesty Shah Shooja's service by whom this service
was effected. lam particnlarly indebted to Captain An-
derson for the promptness and rapidity with which his corps
took up their position, and I trust his Majesty will be
pleased to make known to his troops the satisfaction I
have expressed at their spirit and good conduct on this oc-
casion.

By 10 a.m. I arrived before the fort with her Majesty's
13th light infantry and the two squadrons of the 2d ca-
valry—before eleven o'clock three nine pounders and a
twenty-four pounder howitzer under Capt. Abbott came
up; about 12, two of his Majesty's six pounders under Lieut.
Warburton also arrived, but the badness of the road unfortu-
nately delayed the mortars till late in the afternoon, and it
was not till four P.M. that one of them was brought in
play. It was desirable to bring our operations in the
attack of this fort to a close as soon as possible, as from
the numerous ravines in its vicinity it would have been ex-
tremely difficult to prevent the escape of the rebels after
nightfall, and a fire from the nine pounders was imme-
diately opened on the south-east tower of the fort, which
by one n. M. was greatly dilapidated, when a cessation of
their fire was rendered necessary, all the ammunition in
the field having been expended.
At two P.M. the fire recommenced, and at three, the
tower and adjacent curtain to the east were breached, and
the breach to all appearance being exceedingly easy, I
resolved on assaulting it without delay.
A storming party, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel
Tronson, her Majesty's lath light infantry, consisting of
five companies of her Majesty's 13th infantry under Brevet
Major Kershaw of that corps, and of detachments of the
27th and 37th regiments of native infantry, commanded by
Lieutenant Rind of the latter regiment, were formed for
the purpose in a ravine near the south-east angle, which
afforded good cover for the troops within one hundred and
fifty yarJs of the fort, and on the signal being given, the
column advanced to the breach with the greatest steadiness
and gallantry. They were met, however, by the enemy on
the crest of the breach with the most determined resist-
ance ; a close fire from a numerous body of matchlock men
was opened on the head of the column from the houses
within the fort, and powder bags were thrown in great