The Sun.
London, England, 1857-01-02 00:00:00

A CAMPAIGN IN PERSIA..

The following interesting letter has been ad-
dressed by a British officer to the editor of the
Bengal Burkarn, and is noticed in our summary
of Indian intelligence :
" Sir,—A rupture with Persia appears to be inevitable ;
and as I have had some experience with its army, and am
well acquainted with the face of that country, having
served in two campaigns with Persian troops, and been
four times from Bushire to Tabriz, perhaps the accompany-
ing observations, which are based on experience, will not
prove uninteresting. I therefore proceed to jot down such
suggestions and facts as, if attended to, would, I think,
prove of assistance, should our troops, as proposed, invade

that very interesting country.
" Without further preamble, I would state that through-
out the length and breadth of Persia there is not a wheeled
carriage to be found, goods of every description being carried
either on the backs of mules, yaboos (ponies), or camels—
more generally on those of the two former. It is therefore
abundantly evident that the difficulties awaiting the corn•
missariat department of our army—difficulties greatly en-
hanced by other causes which I will shortly enumerate—
are almost insurmountable ; for mules, ponies, and camels
will have to be collected ere a step in advance can be made,
and as I have found this a hard task even for the accom-
modation of a small body of 30 men, it is palpably mani-
fest the difficulty would be far greater for an invading
army, if not altogether impracticable. When I add that,
en occasions of public emergency, I have invariably noticed
the charwadars (mule owners) have driven, or tried to
drive, their males into the mountain recesses, rather than
employ them on public service, it will bo seen that the
carriage for the regimental stores, rations, &-c., is an object
of the first consideration, and the greatest difficulty we
have to contend against in our onward progress to the land
we are about to invade.

" Unless provisions are carried with our troops they will
starve; for the nature of tho country is such—tho cities or
towns so thinly scattered, the villages so few and far
between,' and such miserable holes when met with—that I
have known it difficult to obtain provisions for a small
kafil a or caravan.

" Assuming, therefore, that an army of 20,000 men landed
at Bushire (a fewer number will not suffice to perform the
work out out for them, for our communication to the rear
must, from the above cause, be kept open, and it becomes
imperative that we conquer and retain possession as we ad-
vance), the first and most important consideration for the
general commanding will be how to secure carriage for
kis stores, ammunition, &c. The capture of Bushire need
give him but little concern, for that may be effected with
a couple of regiments. It is open on all the sea fronts,
but towards the south on that face near the British Resi-
dency there is a wall, part of earth and part of stone, which
could from its ruinous state be entered, when I was there,
at almost any point ; and as the Persians never repair their
buildings, I presume it is now even in a much worse con-
dition, or has probably fallen altogether. There is no
ditch, and the gates on the Ahmidee side have doubtless
long mouldered into dust.' Should, however, the enemy
make a stand here, or assemble in force on the plain
towards Borasgon, the general will have a splendid place of
ground to manoeuvre his men upon, and his irregular
cavalry will very soon settle the matter,
"But how to advance, that is the important question !
He must halt till such time as he is enabled to collect a
sufficient number of mules and ponies to convey the neces-
sary stores. If he can succeed in effecting this, and obtain
the requisite carriage for at least 16 days' stores, and others
to carry magazine stores, &c., the first and sure step for
the subjugation of the whole country will have been made,
and his future progress, making Shiraz the basis of his
operations in the interim, will be easy and without doubt
successful.
" I may observe, en passant, that the inhabitants of
Bushire are chiefly Arabs, or crossbreeds between Arab
fathers and Persian mothers, and are of the Mussulman
sect called Soonies.' There is also a large sprinkling of
Armenians in the town. The population of the interior of
Persia are all Shiahs.' Bushire, therefore, is not parti•
elderly well affected to the Government of the Shah, while
the city being on the sea shore, and the outlet for all the
trade of the southern provinces, the population of it have
necessarily been brought into close intimacy with Euro-
peans through their commerce ; more so, indeed, than the
people of any other portion of the Shah's dominions. A
diversion in our favour might, doubtless, be easily effected
in this quarter, and, if it led to no assistance in men to our
ulterior operations, it would benefit us by securing our firm
and undisturbed footing at this point.
"After reaching Shiraz much may be effected by the
judicious application of a golden key to the lock of the un-
derstanding of men in power. The country was ever the
hotbed of rebellion, and every khan in it has an itching
palm,' thinking himself as much entitled to rule as those
who rule him. This feeling is prominently evinced on the
death of each successive Shah, when, as invariably hap-
pens, the standard of rebellion is unfurled, blood is spilt
like water, property sacrificed or forcibly taken possession
of, and the strongest hand grasps the sceptre of despotism.
The steps to the throne are made over the lifeless bodies of
the innocent as well as the guilty, for, to quote a Persian
expression, 'suspicion often strangles a man.' Much as-
sistance might therefore be obtained by the judicious use
of the yellow metal, and supplies obtained together with
other assistance in the very heart of Persia. The very best
thing to be done would be to proclaim another Shah, seat
him on the throne, and keep him there.
"The march from Bushire to Shiraz will, it is shown, be
the most arduous and difficult part of our proceedings. The
road and country around are barren and desolate, and I
fear impracticable for artillery. But willing hearts and
hands may obviate all obstructions. I once crossed the
mountains of the Kaflankoo, near Tabriz, in the depth of
winter, with a park of artillery, and by dint of persever-
ance and energy we succeeded in doing so without a single
casualty, but it was a work of infinite labour and difficulty
—much less, however, than that chalked out for the artil-
lery of the present expedition in crossing the passes of the
Pnr-i-you, Kootal-i-Dooktah, and the Tang-i-Turkoo, all of
which must be surmounted before the troops can arrive at
the table lands around Shiraz.
"I have an impression, however a very faint one, that
another route will be available for the guns of our force,
which route skirts the Looristan territory. If I am correct
in this opinion (I have never been by the route myself), I
would then recommend chat the troops be dividedinto two
divisions, the artillery proceeding via Looristan, the re-
maining infantry and a portion of the irregulars by the
usual 'mountain roads to Shiraz. A junction could be
effected before reaching that city.

" The daily stages from Bushire to Shiraz by the Kaflah
are as follows :—The passes to be surmounted are noted is
the order as they present themselves to the traveller—

Fursacks.
From Bushire to Ahmidee
From Ahmidee to Daloikee lO 30
_ _

Midway between the above there is the large
village of Borisgan, the inhabitants of it being
celebrated thieves
From Daloikee to Khana Takta 5 15
The Pass of Malhoo occurs between these stages ;
it is very difficult.
From Khans. Takta to Kazeroon
About six miles from Khana Takta, on the road
to Kazeroan, the pass of the Tang-i-Turkoo is
met with ; it is one of the worst roads in the
country.
From Kazeroon to Komaratch
From Komarach to Kootal 5 15
About midway of the above stages the traveller
comes to the Kootal-i-Dooktab, or Daughter's
Pass.' The road is execrable, and at its
widest part is not 15 feet; many places are
nearly perpendicular. Along the whole lino
of the pass large boulders are scattered. The
ascent is probably 2,500 feet.
From Kootal to Khana Zargon C 19
. . .

About 1 fursacks, or 5 miles, on the other side
of Kootal the Kootal-i-Perigan, or `Old Wo-
man's Pass,' has to be ascended. The road-
way is similar to that of the Kootal-i-Dook-
tah, or Daughter's Pass,' and in many places
regular holes have been worn in the face of
the rocky ascent by the feet of the mules.
The guns must be taken off their carriages to
drag them over places of this description,
and I think it would be advisable to prepare
cradles in India for this special purpose ; they
(the guns) might then be dragged by ropes
over the difficulties alluded to. From Khana
Zargon to Shiraz

8 24

" The entire road by this route is a series of steps, formed
by successive ranges of mountains, the passes named lead-
ing from one platform to the other, till the beautiful valley
of Shiraz is attained. Throughout the whole line there
are no places at which supplies could be obtained for an
army such as must be sent, if I except Kazeroon and Da-
loikee, but even there not in sufficient quantities. The
food of the 30 scattered inhabitants is generally cooked
with cowdung, wood, except towards Shiraz, being very
scarce—in some places unobtainable. In 801110 of the
hamlets a few dried twigs may be had, which have been
collected on the i
chumans,' or plains. There is no culti-
vation en route except a patch of wheat here and there
around Kazeroon, or a grove of orange or lime trees. The
rations for the troops must therefore be carried with them
for this portion of their march, and, as before noted, when
Shiraz shall bo reached by the army all further (serious)
difficulty vanishes.
Bushire will be taken possession of with little, or,
more probably, no resistance. One attacking party may
land on the south, another ou the north side of the city,
if it be deemed necessary ; that on the south near the Re-
gsgstaff, on the north adjacent to the Bazaar.
sidency
(The ships cannot go nearer than 2A miles.) On any face
of the city the troops will meet with no obstacle worthy of
the name.
" The plain to the south of the Residency offers a splen-
did encamping ground for the troops. Make Bushire the
depot for Indian stores and supplies of all descriptions, gar-
rison it with 2,500 men, station detachments permanently
at Daloikee, the Tang-i-Turkoo, Kootal-i-Dooktah, and
Kootal-i-Perigan, and a regular and safe communication
might thus be kept up between Bushire and Shiraz.
" At this season of the year snow will be met with on all
the mountains on the other side of Kootal, and the cold felt
severely by our Sepoys. This must be carefully guarded
against, as much sickness will result from the neglect.
After leaving Kazeroon the temperature becomes very con-
siderably lower, and the sudden change, unless our troops
are well provided with warns clothing, will prostrate many
of the finest fellows among them. I have worn Indian

summer clothing at Kazeroon, and felt warm even in that
but at Kootal, a march ahead, broadcloth and furs were
found agreoable, almost necessary, although from constant
exposure tho cold did not much affect me.
" The same provision with regard to food must be made
for the country horses. The Persian horses are all fed on
chopped straw and barley, and this or some substitute
must be taken with the Indian cavalry, for on the line of
march from Bushire to Shiraz there is no fodder obtain-
able ; the little that may perhaps be found at Ilazeroon
or Daloikee will be quite inadequate to the wants of the
animals.

"In 1836 I was with the Persian army of the South
under the command of General Sir Henry Bethune, and
attached to the Affshar battalion. To my certain know-
ledge many men were for seven days supported on a little
parched wheat, and for nearly three I never tasted a mor-
sel of food myself, simply because it was not to be had .
The army numbered about 4,000 or 4,509 sirbaz and irre-
gular cavalry. If, then, this difficulty in obtaining rations
attended an army of such inferior number, composed es•
elusively of Persians, who were well acquainted with the
best mode of foraging, as also the country we were passing
over, it is easy to conceive how this difficulty would in-
crease and magnify itself 'to an army of India of 20,000
men, who would be totally unacquainted with the country
or its resources. The scarcity I here allude to occurred
between Shiraz and Ispahan.

" I have no time:at present to write more, so shall con.
chide this first portion of my remarks on Persia with a
brief description of the country to be passed over by our
troops en route from Bushire to Shiraz.
" From Bushire to Ahmidee—a level plain.
"From Ahmidee to Daloikee—ditto. _

" Daloikee is a large village with immense groyes of date
trees and naphtha springs in abundance. Water bad here.
Stench from the naphtha springs reaches the village.
" From Daloikee to Khana Takta—a continued ascent,
rocky road for the first mile or two, running parallel to a
shallow river, which has to be crossed prior to entering
the Mulhoo Pass. The river has a firm bottom available
for artillery. The inhabitants as far as Daloikee wear the
blue and red striped Arab turban, and the women generally
rings in their noses. Earthquakes at this season of the
year common.

" From Khana Takta to the village of Komoratch—read
tolerably good, running for the most part between gently
rising hills. Near the villade rocksalt scattered plentifully
on the hill. A tower to each house, enclosed by walls loop-
holed, as also is the tower on all its faces. Done to resist
robbers, who used to abound in this part. Small atone
towers occasionally met with on this line of march, contain-
ing a small body of Tofanchees, a species of police, who,
iu my opinion, were themselves thieves.
" Komaratch to Kazeroon—good road for the first five or
six miles, when it becomes rough and hilly. The Tang•i.
Turkoo is a horrible pass. Guns must be dismounted hem.
Lots of work for the Sappers and Miners. Rook bouldecs
in all directions. Mountains on either side commanding
the pass. Strong detachments of skirmishers should be
thrown out over the faces of these hills. Much caution
needed just here to guard against surprise. At Kazeroon
good limes and oranges obtainable at this season.
" Kazeroon to Kootal—Caravanserai. Kootal is a par-
tially ruined caravanserai, perched on a hill in the midst of
lofty bleak mountains. Appearance of the place lonely in
the extreme. Many murders have been committed here by
the hill robbers. To the right and front, as far as the ey e
can reach, mountains tower over mountains till their lofty
crests meet the clouds. The pass of the Kootal has to be
ascended between these two last stages. The greater por-
tion of the road of this pass is the solid face of the rock
worn into holes by the feet of mules that have trod their
way along its dangerous elevation for ages. Horsemen will
have to dismount here. In the ascent the rider's leg will
be frequently hanging over a precipice, perhaps a thousand
feet in depth.

" From Kootal to the Caravanserai of Khans Zargon.—
The caravanserai, like that of the Kootal, is surrounded
on all sides by mountains, but much more cheerful in ap-
pearance. On the routs the Kootal, i-Perigan must be sur-
mounted, after which the road chiefly runs through dwarf
oak forests. The trees are of small height and girth.
Wild pigs abound here, as also porcupines. Here an
attack on our troops might be mado under very favourable
circumstances, and too much caution cannot be used to
guard against it.

" From Khana Zargon to Shiraz the distance is 24 miles.
The road runs through mountains, which are well wooded.
After the first three or four miles of march road winds
along the base of a mountain, a wide and rapid river rnsb-
ing along some 200 feet below. Here an attack might
also be made under very favourable circumstances, as the
greater part of the road is entirely commanded by the
mountains on each side of it, and these, being wooded,
afford every facility for an ambuscade, and its contiguous•
noes to Shiraz makes an attempt of the kind more than
probable. The troops along this route will get good water
and plenty of wood, but no encamping ground before their
near approach to Shiraz. In fact, after leaving Daleikee
there is not in the line of march an available spot for an
encampment. Some thought is, therefore, required to ob-
viate the effects of the sharp cold which the men will ex•
perience, as they will not sleep under canvass.
" I now conclude, and if you consider the foregoing of
interest will shortly communicate with you again.
" Yours obediently, " C. F."

MARKET NEWS.—(This Day. )

CORN EXCHANGE.

The arrivals of English wheat during the present week,
coastwise and by land carriage, having been limited, the
show of samples of that grain here to-day was small, and
the condition of the samples was by no means first-rate.
For most kinds wo had a fair demand, and Monday's prices
were well supported.
The imports of foreign wheat are only 5,720 quarters.
That description of produce was in fair request, at fall
quotations.
Floating cargoes of grain commanded extreme rates.
Very little barley, either English or foreign, was in the
market, and the trade ruled brisk at very full prices.
Malt sold to a fair extent on former terms.
We had a slow inquiry for oats, yet prices were main.
tained.

Beans, peas, and flour realised Monday's currency.
ARRIVALS THIS WEBS.
Wheat. I Barley. I Malt.
English .: 1,530 1 2,140 920
Irish ....
Foreign i i 5,790 3,930 i —.

Oats. F,mr.
510 1,750
1,3 G)
scks.
11,970 brls

METROPOLITAN CATTLE MARKET.

To•day's market was well supplied with beasts, but
their general quality was very middling. All kinds sold
heavily, at a decline in the quotations realised on Monday
of 2d per Sibs. The show of sheep was rather on the in•
crease, and the mutton trade was less active, at about pre-
vious rates. The top figure was 58 6d per 81bs. We had
a very dull inquiry for calves, the supply of which was
moderate, at a decline in value of 6d per Slbs. Pigs moved
off slowly, at barely late rates. Milch cows, though in
short supply, were dull.

Per 81bs to sink the oral'.
s. d. s. d., s. d, s.
C.
Inferior Beasts.... 3 6to 3 S PrimeSonthdown 5 4 5
Second quality.... 3 10 4 2 L•kr,ge crso. calves 3 8 4 8
Prime large oxen 4 4 4 101 Prime small do._ 416 5 2
Prime Scots, &c. 5 0 5 2 Large hogs
Inferior Sheep _4 0 4 4 Small porkers 4 6 5 2
Second quality ...4 6 410 Suckling calves 24 0 30 0
Prime crse.-wiled.s 0 5 2 Quarter old pigs 23 0 29 0
TOTAL SUPPLY.

FOREIGN SUPPLY.
Beasts ............••••.• 1,600 i 8ea515.................. . 120
Sheep I 4,950 Sheep ...... 200
Calves ••• 210 150
Elgs •• •• e• •• •• •• 300 Pigs." •• •••....•....•• • •

NEWGATE AND LEADENHALL.
The supplies of meat were moderate, and tho trade waa
dull, as follows :

Per Blbs by the carcase.
s. d. s. d.
Beef, inferior ...... 3 0 3 4
Do., middling 3 6 4 0
Do. prime large 4 2 4 4
Do., do. small...A 6 4 8
Perk, large 3 8 4 4

~...—...
s. d. I. d.
Mutton, Inferior 3 6 3 10
Do., middling 4 0 4 4
Do., prime 4 6 4 10
Veal 3 6 4 8
Pork, small 4 8 8 4

and there is a bettor
BOROUGH HOP.
Considering the extent of the last growth, the show of
hops in our market is very moderate. Ail new qualities
move off steadily, at full quotations,
feeling in the demand for yearlings.
Mid and East Kent pockets, 3/ bs to bl 15s • Weald
of Rent, 31 5s to 41 14s; Sussex, 31 Os to 3/