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

POLITICAL DEPARTMENT.

Bombay Castle, Dec. 19, 1844.
The Hon. the Governor in Council is pleased to publish
for general information copies of two communications from
Lieutenant-Colonel J. 'Wallace, of the 20th Regiment of the
Madras Native Infantry, to the address of the Acting As-
sistant Adjutant-General of the Southern Division of the
Army, dated the 9th and 11th instant, together with an
extract from a letter, dated the 10th instant, reporting the
occupation of the fort of Rangna by the brigade under his
command. _ _

By order of the Hon. the Governor in Council,
J. P. WILLOUGHBY, Chief Secretary,

TO THE AS,SISTANT-ADJUTANT-GENERAL, SOUTHERN DIVI.

SION OF THE ARMY.

Camp before Punnallaghur,

Sir,—l do myself the honour to report, for the information
of the Major-General, that in obedience to instructions, I
marched on the afternoon of the sth inst. with the light field
force placed under my orders, and arrived at the village of
Chicklee, on the bank of the 'unj Gungan, at which place
the force was halted for a few hours, and at three o'clock on
the morning of the 6th marched again, crossed the river, and
arrived at Walwa, whence the force proceeded to Shangaum,
where it arrived on the morning of the 7th ; from Shengaum
the force proceeded on the morning of the Bth to Patgauna,
and formed a junctiou with Captain Prior's detachment.
Having received information from Captain Prior that a
position, strongly stockaded, and about 500 yards from the
fort of Rangna, was held by a large body of the enemy, I
immediately determined to dislodge them, and made my ar-
rangements to effect that object.
The attacking detachment was divided into three columns,
the right under the cotlinignd of Captain Bayley, of the 20th
Regiment of Madras Native Infantry ; the centre under
Captain Gillanders, of the 2d Bombay European Light In-
-141107- ; the lett under Captain Prior, of the 21st Bombay
Native, Infantry, with the troops as per margin, under their
respective commands. The troops of the sth Madras Light
• Cavalry, under Captain Fraser, followed the three attacking
columns; and the reaerve, composed of the remainder of the
troops under command of Major Clemons, of the 20th Regi-
ment of Madras Native Infantry, followed a abort distance in
the rear of the cavalry.
Skirmishers, consisting of twenty rank and file from the
three attacking columns, under the command of Lieutenant
Snow, of the 20th Regiment Madras Native Infantry (with
Lieutenant Elphinstone of the 20th, Lieutenant Campbell of
the 2,1 European Light Infantry, and Ensign Loathes of
the 21st Bombay Native Infantry, under his orders), were
thrown out in front of the three attacking columns, and in
this order the troops advanced to the attack, the whole under
my personal directions, my position being in the centre, be-
tween the skirmishers and the attacking columns, until the
troops arrived near the stockade, when a fire from match-
locks was opened, previous to which the fort fired several
guns, the balls falling among the troops, but fortu-
nately without doing any injury. When nearing the
stockade I perceived a body of the enemy assembled on my
right flank. I directed Captain Bayley to dislodge them by
moving his column towards them; the enemy, perceiving this
movement, immediately retreated. The stockade was then
attacked simultaneously in front and on both flanks, and the
gate, which had been partially barricaded, was broken open
with the spirit and gallantry that has always beenmanifested
by the troops belonging to the Ist Brigade, and which I
hive the honour to command. Immediately the stockade
was carried, the petty beyond it was ordered to be attacked,
which was also carried, and is now retained as my advanced
post, about 250 or 300 yards from the fort, the towers afford-
ing ample shelter and protection to the picket there stationed.
During these operations, I am happy to report that only two
casualties have occurred ; this trifling loss may, under
Providence, be attributed to two circumstances—first, the
prompt and spirited nature of the attack ; and, secondly, the
simultaneous front and flank attacks of the stockaded posi-
tion. .

si oI beg to x
n edofficeerapre ,
andss rma
to
attack and capture of a strong stockaded position and the
Yn
kthanksfile
alle
gtahgeo d tofficers,hism nornoni-ncgominmtihse-
petta, as also to Captain Brockman, my major of brigade,
and to Lieutenant and Adjutant White, who attended me as
staff-officer during the whole affair.
Whilst on my route this morning from Patagaum, a trooper
brought a note from Lieutenant darker, commanding at that
post stating, that a sepoy had been shot by some of the
enemy. I immediately pushed on with the troop of cavalry,
but had not proceeded far when a second trooper brought a
verbal message that Lieutenant Barker was also wounded. I
continued my rapid advance, and on arrival discovered that
some sharp shooters of the enemy had advanced close to the
post, under cover of the jungle. I immediately ordered out
some skirmishers, and had them driven back. Previous to
my arrival a Havildar of the sth Light Cavalry was killed,
Lieutenant Barker most dangerously wounded in the right
arm all
the leg, which has since been
'
and side, and a private of the 21st Bombay Native In-
fantry also severely in
amputated.
This post had been placed b
considering it a most important one
anis*: and,
y Captain Prior some days be-
fcre