The Sun.
London, England, 1845-02-08 00:00:00

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all ranks, European and i'ative, conlposlug the Barna engaged '
in these operations.
The Hon. the Governor in Council begs particular to,
offer his best thanks to Major-General De amotte, C.. 13 , com-
mending the field force ; to Lieut.• Colonel Wallace, 0: the.'
20th Regiment Madras Native Infantry, commanding MO'
Ist Brigade ; Lieut.-Colonel Brough, of her Majesty's 2d
Regiment, or Queen's Royals, commanding the 2d Brigade,
and who gallantly led the storming party • to Lieut.-
Colonel Harvey, of her Majesty's 14th Light Dragoon;
who on the lamented death of Lieut.-Colonel Hicks, of the
2d, cr Grenadier Regiment of Native Infantry, succeeded
to the command of the 3d Brigade ; to Lieut.-Colonel
Poole, C. 8., commanding her Majesty's 22d Regiment ;
and to Lieut.-Colonel J. Outram, C. 8., of the 234
ment of Bombay Native Infantry, who volunteered his ex-
vice., and was among the foremost who entered the fort of
Punalla.

The thanks of Government are aL3o specially due to Liett-
tenant-Colonel Lloyd, C. 8., who commanded the artillery,
and to Major Peat, C. 8., commanding engineer of the force,
for the skill and judgment with which they conducted their
respective departments.
The lion. the Governor in Council is also pleased to pub-
lish a further dispatch from Major-General Delamotte, C. 8.,
of the 30th ult., with its enclosures, detailing the operations
of a portion of the force under his command in capturing the
petta of Punalla, in the course of which Lieutenant-Colonel
Hicks, of the 2d Grenadier Regiment of Bombay Native
Infantry, fell mortally wounded at the head of the third
brigade.
The Governor in Council deeply regrets the loss of this
highly-respected and meritorious officer, who atter forty years
of faithful and honourable service has thus closed his career
gloriously in the service of his country.
By order of the lion. the Governor in Council,
J. P. WILLOUGHI3Y, Chief Secretary.
Bombay Castle, Dec. 9, 1844.

No. 717.

TO THE ADJUTANT•GENE,RAL OP THE ARMY, BOMBAY.
Sir,—With reference to my letter of yesterday's date T
now do myself the honour to forward the several reports as
noted below, of the operations before the forts of Punalla and
Powanglitir.
The breaching battery having opened on the morning of
the Ist within 350 yards of the walls of Punalla, which in
two hours began to progress rapidly, I was convinced that a
practicable breach would be effected in sufficient time to
carry the place by storm with sufficient daylight to enable
precautionary measures to be taken to prevent the escape or
the insurgents during the night. I therefore ordered the
storming party to be held in readiness under Lieutenant-
Colonel Brough, who had urgently solicited to command it
(200 of his own men composing the assaulting column),
which I readily assented to; about four P.M. the breach was
reported practicable, when I immediately ordered the ade
Vance from the breaching battery ; they were eovered by the
field pieces and mortars most judiciously arranged to keep
down the fire of the enemy, which was most efficiently car-
ried into execution by Lieutenant-Colonel Lloyd, command-
ing the artillery.
The difficulty of reaching the walls was very great, from
the rugged and steep ascent, which led to a ledge or path by
which they were obliged to proceed, flanked by a very heavy
fire from the walls, and large stones hurled down upon them
as they advanced, which they did in a most gallant manner
to the breach. Among the first and foremost I noticsKt
Lieutenant-Colonel Brough, Lieutenant Graham, and the/
gallant Lieutenant-Colonel Outram, C.B. (Major Peat, C. 8.,
when at the head of the storming party, being temporarily
disabled by a stone), Lieutenant blardall and some riflemen,
who I had observed had got close under the walls from the
gateway side, after which I could not discriminate indivi-
duals. About half the storming party had entered the
breach, when the reserve advanced under Lieutenant-Colonel
Wallace, who, seeing the difficulty of the ascent and time
taken by the storming party, inclined to the right by a much
easier route up a road which led to the gateway, whence tho
breach was reached.
In about an hour the place was entirely in our possession,
and every precautionary measure taken to prevent the escape
of any of the insurgents during the night ; but no correct in-
formation could be obtained regarding Babajee Ahirakur, the
leader of the rebels; the following morning the bodies of
Babajee Ahirakur and Appa Mange, the former the chief and
the latter one of the principal leaders of the rebel Seebundies,
were found among the slain. Upwards of 2,000 prisoners
have been taken ; two of the most important are Babajee
Saloonker mid Luximon Naik Jaddow, also the Killadars
(llavildars) of Punalla and Powanghur.
The difficulty of closely investing these two forts has been
very great, from the magnitude and extent of the place ; but
many obstacles were overcome by the storm and taking of
the north petta by the 3d brigade, under the late much-to-
be-lamented Lieutenant-Colonel Hicks, who was killed on
that occasion ; Lieutenant-Colonel Poole, C. 8., her Majesty's
22d Itegitnent ; and subsequently Lieutenant-Colonel Har-
vey, her Majesty's 14th Dragoons, who succeeded to the
command of the 3d brigade ; the vigilance of that brigade
throughout the siege contributed greatly to our success.
I beg now to bring to the favourable notice of his Excel-
lency the Commander-in-Chief Lieutenant-Colonel Lloyd,
C.D., commanding the Artillery, who conducted that branch
of the service with great zeal and ability; who was 11104
ably and zealously assisted by his staff officer Captain Glasse:
scattered as the artillery necessarily were between camP
and the several positions, his duties were difficult, but per-
formed in a manner highly creditable to that officer ; Afajer
Peat, C. 8., commanding the Engineers, whose zeal and inde-
fatigable exertions, scientific skill, and judgment are beyond
all praise ; ably assisted by Lieutenants Graham and Mun-
bee, of the Engineers, and Lieutenant Aitchison, of the 2d
European Light Infantry, acting assistant in that depart-
ment ; Brigadier Brough, of her Majesty's 2d Queen's, com-
manding 2d Brigade, who led the storming party in a most
gallant manner ; Brigadier Wallace, of the 20th Regiment
Madras Native Infantry, who commanded the reserve, and
closely f01107,-zd the storming party ; and Lieutenant-
Colonel Outram, C. 8., who on all and every occasion ten-
dered his services, and from whom I received valuable infor-
mation and suggestions, which I acted on with every con-
fidence.

I followed the track of the storming party and entered
the breach with the reserve, accompanied by the Assistant-
Onphliv, thP Agir;cf:42.lt.ol-4114,r.
master-General, Captain Adams, Captain Threshie, of the
Commissariat Department, and my Aide-de-Camp, Lieute-
nant Delamotte, whose aid and assistance gave me great
satisfaction throughout in restoring order and checking ex-
cesses, which were less than could be possibly expected on
such an occasion.

Where all have nobly performed their duty with a zeal
and gallantry not to be surpassed, and with cordiality and
good feeling, aproof of discipline and devotion to the serric.e.
I must refer his Excellency to the several reports herewith
forwarded, wherein individuals are particularly named for
his Excellency's consideration.

I beg to conclude with a short account of our progreaa
from Bndderghur. From the base of the hill we marched
on the 20th of November, a distance of 47 miles 6 furlongs to
our present position. At daylight on the Ist of December
the guns were in position at 350 yards, and at 4 o'clock rat.
the place was carried by assault,—a place regarding which,
in an extract from a confidential letter from Lieutenant-Co-
lonel Welsh, in 1827, to Lieutenant-Colonel Hardy, the Quar-
termaster-General f the Bombay army, who was well ac-
quainted with the fort of Punalla, the former states, " With
my present knowledge, however, of the only defects, I would
undertake to capture it in two or three months by ex-
cessive, but certain labour ; it is a Gibraltar on the Neil-
gherries."

The important capture of these fortresses will be duly ap-
preciated, I have no doubt, by his Excellency and the Go-
vernment, and will, I trust, be a sufficient proof that every
exertion was made, and the siege carried on in a moat vigo-
rous and judicious manner.
I have the honour to forward the return of killed and
wounded, which, considering the extent of the operations
carried on, it is gratifying to state are few in number, con-
sidering the strength of the garrison and resistance made..
Returns of the ordnance and ordnance stores captured in both
forts are also herewith forwardeel.—l have the honour
to be, &c., P. DELAMOTTE, Major-General.
Commanding Southern Division of the Army,
Head-quarters, Southern Division of the Army.
Camp before Punalla, Dec. 3d, 1844.

TO THE ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL, SOUTHERN

SION OF THE ARMY.

Punalla Fort, Dec. 2, 1844.
Sir,—ln compliance with the desire of the Major-General
commanding, 1 do myself the honour to report that the
storming party which he did me the honour to place under
my command last evening performed their duty with the
utmost gallantry and devotion, but. of this the Major-General
was himself a near observer.

It would be an injustice to the gallant few I had an oppor-
tunity of particularly noticing, if I did not bear testimony to
their conduct by notifying their names to the Major-General.
The man who had the honour of first reaching the summit
of the breach was Lieut. Graham, of the Bombay Engineers;
but an accident prevented his being the first to descend be-
yond it. The heroic Lieut.-Col. Outran], C. 8., was in his
accustomed place, the front rank, and with him my Major of
Brigade, Lieut. Addison, 2d or Queen's Royal Regiment.
Capt. Jeplison, commanding the portion of the Queen's
storming party; Capt. Price, of the same regiment; Captain
Gillanders, commanding the portion of the 2d Bombay Eu-
ropean Light Infantry • and ',lents. Campbell and Saville, of
the same regiment ; itiajor Peat, GB., and Lieut. Munbee, of
the Bombay Engineers, crowded, I might say, on to the
same rank ; I am unable to particularise further.
The individuals amongst the inferior grades whom I had
an opportunity of particularly noticing, were Sergeant Ben-
jamin Dorkings, Private Francis Connor, Peter M'Farlane,
Christopher Mooney, Ilugh M'Anev, Michael M'Cuteheon,
of the 2d or Queen's; and No. 6 Private Nicholson, No. 1
Private Forest, of the 2d Bombay European Light Infantry;
and I know that Corporal John -Jameson, Queen's, was par-
ticularly forward.
It gives me great satisfaction to state that the covering_
party, formed by the ride company of the 16th Madras Native
asjiournGessillanro,d,e
Infantry, vied with the advance of the storming party for
the post of honour.
'll excuse me referring to an officer „new,
I trust the Major-General and Lieutenant-Colonelwhoorthe
moment,
dangerous
in command of the Queen's,
ceasedwl to be under my commwanhdo.
frlomallduadne
from his sick bed to lead his regiment, and was carried up
the steep ascent and the breach by his men.
This circumstance could hardl, have been known to Lieu-
tenant-Colonel Wallace, and Hill, I trust, serve as my excuse
for mentioning the name of this old and gallant officer.
I am at present enable to furnish you with a list of the
casu
Lieutenant-Colonel, tenant-Colonel, 2d (or Queen's)
.t i elsv.
RBloßyh hal
ve,
Regiment,e,G g
Commanding 2d Brigade.
T. DONNELLY, Captain, Assistant-Adjutant-General,
Southern Division of the Army.

TO THE ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL, SOUTHERN DICI.•

SION OF TUE ARMY.
Camp of the 3d Brigade of the Field Force,
Northern-side Fortress of Pavane, Dec. 1, 1844.
Sir,—l have the honour to state to you, for the informa-
tion of Major-General Delamotte, C. 8., that having at half-
past two, r.m.' received your intimation that the storming of .
the fortress of Punalla might probably take place soon after
three o'clock, I immediately carried into effect the arrange-
ment I had previously made, namely, that Lieut.-Colonel
Poole, C. 8., commanding her Majesty's 22d Regiment, and
second in command of the 3d brigade, should march upon the
post at the north-western end of the petta or village, for ,
some days past occupied by Major Conway, C. 8., of her
Majesty's 22d Regiment, with a strong detachment of 300
men. Lieutenant-Colonel Poole was requested to bring with
him, without loss of time, the whole of the available reserve
force of the brigade, consisting of about 200 men of his own ';
regiment, and of less than half that number of the 2d, or
Grenadier Regiment of Bombay Native Infantry. ander Capt. j,
Hogg, in charge of the head-quarters of that regiment.
1 his force, united with the 200 of her 'Majesty's 22d,C?rin.
the 100 grenadiers already in the petta, under
way, I knew was fully sufficient to meet any
i ion we should
enemy could oppose directly to us in thernpol
north.eastern
take up, if he chose to issue in force from the Major nich the
prevent the egress of
gate, and it was my intention thuso m
it)yhethwehroala.r_
tohi
maneyssbgfd33-roaifotrhecoenner,mayy,eb.ypatrhyu:
as necessary in the meantime to',
from the gateway. t cflopsTlyi supported
cover from the bates._
serve, and to have met him, face to Ikee. in the road leading,.
skaneep this advanced part' well under__
t firing of matchlocks, wall pieces, and large pa, to