The Sun.
London, England, 1844-12-06 00:00:00

DIVISION OF THE ARMY.

Camp before Samanghur.
Sir,--•In continuation of my report up to the 7th inst.,
I have now the honour to state that working parties
were sent down daily from the Bth to the 12th inst., for
the purpose of dragging up the breaching guns, aided by
elephants and gun-bullocks ; two 18-pounders having
been, by very great exertion, brought-up to the tope in
front of Bheema Temple late in the evening of the 10th,
and kept during the night under cover, were placed in
battery before daylight on the morning of the 11th, it
being considered advisable to knock away the enemy's
defences, flanking the approaches to the proposed
breaches. During these days shelling continued through-
out the day, and occasionally during the night ; at noon
of this day a third 18-pounder was brought up and im-
mediately placed in battery with the others. After
knocking away the defences, the guns commenced breach-
ing the south-western bastion opposite the Bheema Tem-
le. On the 12th the breaching was continued, on the
forenoon of which day the fourth 18-pounder was brought
up and immediately placed in battery.
At three o'clock, P.M., this day, the commanding en-
gineer closely reconnoitred the two breaches, and re-
commended that all the guns should be turned upon the
smaller breach which had been made in a tower to the
right of the south-west' bastion, and at sunset, he having
reported this breach practicable, and the one on the
south-west sufficiently prepared for escalade, immediate
arrangements were made for the storming of the fort at
daylight the following morning.
I directed the troops (1), divided into two columns.
under the command of Major Clemons of the 20th Re-
giment of Native Infantry, to be in readiness at half-
past four o'clock ; the first column under Captain Jones,
to assemble in a tope a little in advance of the Bheema
Temple ; and the second column under Captain Gillan-
ders, at the base of the hill upon which the fort stands,
and immediately fronting the right breach.
The Artillery detachment, under Lieutenant Jones,
100 men of the 20th Regiment Madras Native Infantry,
50 men of the 23d Light Infantry, under Ensign Night-
ingale, the whole under command of Captain Middle-
coat, of the Artillery, was held in reserve at the breach-
ing battery. Orders were sent to Lieutenant Snow,
commanding the detachment in the Pettah, consisting of
32 men of the 2d Bombay European Light Infantry,
one company of the 20th Regiment Madras Native In-
fantry, under Ensign Hutchison, and one company of
the 21st Bombay Native Infantry, to be in readiness a
little before daybreak, and to make a diversion before
the gateway on that side of the fort, with skirmishers in
advance, Similar orders were sent to Capt. Strettle,
commanding the detachment, as per below, at the com-
manding hill, to make a diversion from that side by ad-
vancing in two columns with skirmishers in front. In-
structions were likewise sent to the officer commanding
the post near the gate on the east side of the fort to
place the men in extended order under the natural'cover
afforded near the fort, and to open a fire from that side
as the storming parties were advancing. Orders were
sent to Captain Grmme, to patrol with the, wing of the
sth Light Cavalry round the base of the hill,
from Lieutenant Snow's post in the Pettah
to Captain Strettle's at the commanding hill.
thus completing a chain of troops entirely surrounding
the fort, and calculated to prevent the escape of the
garrison. My expectations in this respect were fully
realised, for I have every reason to believe that not a
man escaped, though many got over the walls, letting
themselves down by their turbans, which were found
suspended in many places round the walls of the fort, to
one end of which sticks or large stones were fastened
and placed cross-ways at the loop-holes, through which

1. Ist column of attack.-80 men of 2d Bombay European
Light Infantry, commanded by Captain Jones. 'The Grena-
dier and Light Company of the 20th Regiment M. N. 1., the
latter by Captain Church, with Lieutenant Coleridge and
Ensign Wallace; the former by Lieutenant Loudon, with
Ensign Robson; Grenadier Company of the 21st B. N. 1.,
commanded by Captain Prior. The Rifle Company, corn-
-minded by Lieutenant Shaw, was sent forward with orders
to place the tnen under the natural cover afforded close to
the fort near our left breach, as circumstances would admit.
2d or Right Column.-70 men of the 2d Bengal European
Regiment Light Infantry, commanded by Lieutenant Savill,
with 150 men of the 23d Light Infantry, commanded by
Captain Tapp, with Lieutenant Dickson and Ensign Night-
ingale. 50 men of the 23d Light Infantry were ordered to
be placed under the natural cover afforded, and as close to
the right breach as circumstances would admit. One com-
pany of the 20th Regiment Madras Native Infantry, under
Ensign Cornwall, one company- of the 21st Bengal Native
Infantry under Ensign Proctor, and a nine-pounder gun
, with a proportion of artillery.

To Captain Grmme, of the sth Madras Cavalry, my
thanks are due for the effectual measures he adopted to
prevent the escape of the garrison during the storm, and
for the prompt movement and energetic attack sub-
sequently made upon a large body of the enemy, assem-
bled about two miles upon a hill in his front. Having
been present and seen the zeal and gallantry displayed
by Captain Grmme and his wing, when charging the
enemy, enables me to express my thanks and acknow-
ledgments to Captain Grmme and his wing for their
conduct on this brilliant occasion, by which a large body
of the enemy were completely broken and dispersed,
leaving between 200 and 300 of their number dead upon
the field, and about 150 prisoners. My thanks are also
due to Captain Middlecoat for the measures he adopted
to knock away the defences and effecting the two
breaches, as also to Lieutenant Margary, the command-
ing engineer, who, together with Lieutenant Campbell,
of the 2d European Light Infantry, first ascended the
breach, closely followed by the storming party.
I cannot conclude without giving expression to the
feelings of pride and gratification I cannot but entertain
when an officer of Lieut.-Col. Outram's high character,
well known gallantry, and established fame, placed his
valuable services at my disposal not only during the
storm of the fort of Samanghur, but during the subse-
quent operations on the same day, of the wing of the
sth Light Cavalry under Captain Grmme, against a large
body of the enemy ; on both these occasions Lieut.-Col.
Outram's services were valuable, and I have requested
Lieut.-Col. Outram, C.B. in this day's order, to accept
my best thanks and grateful acknowledgments.
During the several operations carried on yesterday,
both against the fort of Samanghur and on the plains,
the losses sustained by the enemy in killed may be com-
puted at between 500 and 600, and of prisoners about
the same number, making a total of about 1,100 or 1,200
men, among whom are several chiefs and influential men;
whilst the loss on our side was trifling, which I entirely
attribute to the zeal and ability of the several officers,
and the energetic gallantry of the troops engaged, under
the protection and guidance of a merciful Providence.
I beg to append reports from Major Clemons, Captains
Grmme and Strettel, marked A, B, C, D, and E : the
return of killed and wounded is herewith transmitted.
It is a source of great satisfaction to me that the
Major-General commanding the division was present,
and observed the several operations carried on against
the fort of Samanghur, and the cavalry attack on the
plains.—l have the honour to be, &c.,
(Signed) J. WALLACE, Lieut.-Col.
Commanding Field Detachment.
T. DONNELLY,
Assist. Adjt.-Gen. S. D. A.
Camp, Bheema Temple, before Samanghur,
Oct. 14, 1844.

(True '
copy)

TO THE STAFF OFFICER, FIELD FORCE, CAMP, SAMANGHUR.

Fort Samanghur, Oct. 13, 1844.
Sir,—Agreeably to the orders received from the officer
commanding field force, I have the honour to report I
took command of the storming party this morning, which
was divided into two separate columns ; the first (2) was
commanded by Captain Jones, 2d B. E. Light Infantry,
and the second (3), by' Capt. Gillanders, 2d B. E. Light
Infantry. By daybreak the first party entered and
stormed the breach, closely followed by Captain Gillan-
ders. All opposition was soon overcome, and in half an
hour the storming party under my command had entire
possession of the fort of Samanehur. When all have
behaved with gallantry, it is difficult to particularise, but
I feel much pleasure in bringing to the notice of the
officer commanding the gallant conduct of both Captain
Gillanders and Captain Jones, commanding the two par-
ties, nobly and ably supported by all the officers under
their respective commands. Also the Rifle Company of
the 16th Regiment, under Lieutenant Shaw, which did
good service in covering our advance. My thanks are
due to Lieutenant and Adjutant White, who ably sup-
ported and was present with me when Ensign Robson
planted the British ensign on the breach, and which was
carried there by Havildar Nuraiyin Abidiah.
I must beg to bring to the notice of the officer com-
manding that Lieutenant Margary, Engineers, was pre.
sent with the leading column and ably supported the
attack.

The loss on our side, I am happy to report, is trifling;
one Sepoy Light Company 20th Regiment killed, and four
privates of the Europeans wounded; about 70 of the
enemy were killed, and I coneeive about 150 prisoners
were taken in the fort.

I have assumed command of the fort agreeably to the
orders of Lieutenant-Colonel Wallace, and have made
the necessary arrangements for its protection and the
preservation of order.—l have the honour to be, &c.,
(Signed) C. CLEMONS, Major 20th Regt. M.N.1.,
Commanding Fort of Samanghur.

TO THE ASSISTANT-ADJUTANT-GENERAL, FIELD FORCE

BEFORE SAMANGRIJR.
Sir,—Agreeably to instructions received last evening,
I marched shortly before daybreak for the purpose of
keeping up a chain from the Pettah towards Major Cle-
mons's hill, and preventing the escape of the enemy on
tkat side. I had scarcely time to form different outposts
when the enemy were seen coming over the high ground
within musket shot of my detachments. Each party
immediately advanced to the attack, and I have every
reason to believe that few escaped. At a rough guess,
I should say about 70 or 80 of the enemy were left dead
on the field, and 155 prisoners, all well armed when
taken, are in my camp. I have every reason to be sa-
tisfied with the conduct of every one under my com-
mand, and trust the Major-General commanding will be
so also.—l have the honour to be, &c.,

(Signed) C. GE2EISIE, Captain,
Commanding Wing sth Light Cavalry.
Camp before Samanghur, 13th October, 1844.

TO THE ASSISTANT-ADJUTANT-GENERAL, FIELD FORCE,
CAMP, SAMANGHUR.
Sir,—.l have the honour to report, for the information
of the Major-General commanding the division, that
under instructions conveyed to me by Colonel Outram,
by order of Brigadier Wallace, to keep a large body of
armed men, who had made their appearance immediately
to my front, about one-and-a-half mile distant, in play,
until such time as the infantry could be sent down, I
mounted the wing of the regiment under my command,
which had but just returned from the heavy morning's
work already reported, and proceeded at once towards
them. The enemy seeing me advance, immediately made
off at a slow pace to their right, towards a large village
situated at the foot of the hill on which they had formed.
I kept on at a brisk pace. through wet grain fields,
quagmires, and morasses, and just before my crossing
1 the Hurrikary River the enemy formed up and threw out
to all appearance skirmishers ; seeing, however, that the
river was no impediment to me, they again made off as
soon as they saw the head of my column debouching
from its bed. Here I gave the horses a little breathing,
and then continued the pursuit about two or three miles
from the river ; the main body of the enemy formed up
in line, and I was in hopes they were going to contest
the field with me, but after sounding a trumpet and
beating a drum (both captured), and discharging a few
shots, I replied to them by sounding the charge, and in
less than ten minutes the field was strewed with dead.
Here I was joined by Brigadier Wallace and Lieutenant
Margery, who continued with me during the pursuit.
Such of the enemy as had not here fallen, endeavoured
to escape through the high grain, but were overtaken
and either killed or made prisoners, with the exception
of some fifteen to twenty men, who, taking advantage
of the very bad ground intersected with nullahs almost
impassable, made off in the direction of the hills. These
it was not considered necessary to follow much further,
the pursuit having already extended about ten miles ;
so collecting the prisoners, to the number of 138, I re-
traced my steps to the camp. On a moderate calcula-
tion, I should say not less than 250 of the enemy were
killed and wounded on the field. lam happy to say the
casualties are very trifling ; a return accompanies this
report. I cannot conclude this statement without ex-
pressing my sense of the obligations I feel myself to lie
under to CoL Outran], who accompanied me throughout,
and to whose experience and guidance I attribute much
of the success of the day. Of the conduct of all the officers
(European and native) and men under my command, I
cannot speak in too high terms of praise, and I feel an
inward conviction that every man did his duty most
willingly, and with credit to the service.-1 have the
honour to be, &c.,
(Singned) C. GRIEME; Captain,
Commanding Left Wing sth Light Cay.
Camp before Samanghur, Oct. 13, 1844.

D.
TQ THE ♦SSISTANT.ADJUTANT-f4ENZEAL, FIELD FORCE,