The Sun.
London, England, 1866-03-29 00:00:00

A Brush with the Wahabees.

-
Her Majesty's sloop of war Ilighflyer, 21 guns, Captain
Pasley, left Bombay at the latter end of December for a
cruise up the Persian Gulf. She first touched at Muscat,
where she landed two guns which had been sent up to the
Imaum. Thence she went to Soor on the 2nd of January,
and then on the following day to Elphinstone Inlet, where
she expected to meet Colonel Polly, but, not being able to
find that gentleman, they returned to Soor, where he was
awaiting their arrival. She afterwards left for Bahrein,
and there sent a message to the Chief of El Katif, who was
to have made restitution for certain outrages committed
against British authority. After a short delay it was found
necessary to proceed to Bassadore to coal, after which she
made a run along the pirate coast and destroyed a fort at
Agittina, and then returned back to Elphinstone Inlet.
Some three days' time was given to the chief at El Katif
to satisfy the demand made upon him ; at the expiration
of which, as he had failed to comply with the same, they
opened fire on a fort, which was destroyed, as well as
three " dhows," two of which [were boats. The High-
flyer then proceeded towards Damaun, but in conse-
quence of the shallowness of the water she could not get
within eight miles of the fort. The boats were then
lowered, but the two larger ones could not get within
half a mile of the shore; two smaller ones, however,
approached within about 300 yards, when they ran
aground, upon which about 30 officers and men jumped out
and waded ashore, and made their way towards the fort.
When they got ashore one of the Wahabees came down and
commenced a parley with the party, evidently for the pur-
pose of gaining time, and enablitg the men in the fort to
get theirguns into such a position as to give their assailants
a warm reception. After a few minutes thus spent, one of
the Highflyer's men seized the Arab, whereupon the guns
from the fort opened a sharp fire of grape upon the small
force, when an immediate rush was made at the fort. One
of the leaders of the party managed to clear tho embrasure
and got in, being instantly followed by the men. The fort
is a square one, having an outer wall with guns mounted on
each side. Within this wall is another fort, with towers at
each corner. When the men got within the outer wall they
were ordered to place themselves close under the walls of
the inner fort, so as to be under cover of the fire from the
towers, but in consequence of the impossibility of restrain-
ing their ardour several were wounded by gunshot. The
enemy also threw down upon their heads large stones and
other missiles. The officers found that they had been mis-
informed as to the strength of the besieged, having been
given to understand that there were not above 14 men in

the fort. They were soon undeceived, for they found it
of an:tictibiimefe.nithialov‘ivngbeenreinfo.rced by. the followers
Place being found impossible to take the
with their small force, and not having scaling ladders
Or any other.
the fort the enemy they
appliances at hand, it was determined to re-
tire in the best way
they could reaegatihne
could. As soon as the party left
opened fire upon them, and be-
fore
of the fort and in the
wounded. The
lenses
lair
frontboats several more men were
I retreat to the b3ate amounted three men killed and
three - officers and five men wounded,t
one of the latter
fort died on the next
mortally, from the effects of Which he
On the following day the day.shelled with
the hope of dislodging the enemy, but alvsafna
ascertained without any favourable resultr a,
having
be
effected, though, as many of the shells were obsen
rg7obdeen
to
lodge in the fort, it is reasonable to suppose that its occu-
pants must have suffered to some extent. Several of the
enemy were known to have been killed or wounded by the
storming party, but no accurate estimate could be formed of
their kisses. Subsequently the party returned to Soor, and
as the chief bad not complied with the terms demanded
they captured 14 dhows, and destraed some of those which

were being constructed on shore by setting them on fire,
which communicated with the town and set it cn fire. The
vessel then returned to Muscat and communicated with
Col. Pelly, when it was determined on returning to Bombay
for the purpose of shipping materials and other necessary
appliances to effectually chastise these fellows. The High-
flyer arrived in Bombay on the 18th inst., and is expected
to return to the scene of hostilities shortly, when her crew
will doubtless give a good account of the enemy.—Bombay
Gazette.