The Sun.
London, England, 1842-11-28 00:00:00

locking chain, 6 trace chains, 2 pole or trace chains,
1 priming wire, 5 bullock yokes, 7 unserviceable
bullock yokes, 1 fuze holder, 1 carpenter's two-feet
rule, 1 adze, 2 gimblets of sorts.
N.B. No tangent scales or elevating screws to either
of the above pieces of ordnance.
H. DELAFOSSE, Major, Commanding A rtillery.

COPY OF A LETTER FROM LIEUTENANT-COLONEL TAY•
LOR, COMMANDING HER MAJESTY'S 9TH REGIMENT
OF FOOT, TO CAPTAIN PONSONBY, ASSISTANT ADJU-

TANT- GENERAL.

Camp, Khoord Caubul, Sept. 13.
have to report, for the information of Major-
General Pollock, C. 8., commanding the troops in Aff-
ghatiistan, that, agreeably to his orders, I proceeded at
half-past five o'clock yesterday evening with 250 men of
her Majesty's 9th, to the support of the guards in charge
of the public cattle feeding on the left of the camp in the
Tezeen valley, which were much pressed by the enemy.
On clearing the left picket I was joined by Major Huish
with a small party of the 26th Native Infantry. I
throw forward a strong body of skirmishers, who quickly
+drove back those of the enemy on the plain, pursuing
them to a range of low hills, where they made a stand
till dislodged by our advance ; further on I found the
enemy, in force from 500 to 600, had taken post along
the crest and on the top of a range of steep hills, running
near a mile from the northward into the Tezeen valley ;
those towards the north were assailed by Captain Lush-
ington, her Majesty's 9th Foot, with the left support and
skirmishers, whilst I directed the attack against their
front and left flank, which being turned, I ascended the
heights between two ridges which concealed my ap-
proach till close to the summit and within 20 yards of
their main body, consisting of over 300 men. Collecting
30 to 40 men, with Lieutenants Elmherzt, Lister, and
Vigors, I ordered bayonets to be fixed, and the enemy
tq be charged, which was done with such resolution and
effect, that the whole mass, taken by surprise, was
pushed headlong down the hills, nor did they rally till
out of musket shot. Their loss must have been very
severe, as I observed numbers lagging behind to carry
off their killed and wounded. As it was getting dark,
I deemed it imprudent to pursue the enemy further,
ordered the halt to be sound, and after remaining in
possession of their position for half an hour, retired
without molestation. It affords me great gratification to
bear testimony to the spirit and gallantry displayed
by officers and men on this occasion, especially Major
Huish, 26th Regiment Native Infantry ; Captain Lush-
ington, and those concerned in the charge on the enemy.
I beg to transmit a return of the killed and wounded.
I have, &c.
A. B. TAYLOR, Lieutenant-Colonel, 9th Foot.

COPY OF A LETTER FROM MAJOR SKINNER, HER MA-
JESTY'S 31ST FOOT, TO CAPTAIN PONSONBYi ASSIST-
ANT-ADJUTANT-GENERAL.

Bootkhak, Sept. 14.

Sir,—l have the honour to report, for the information
of the Major-General commanding the army in Aff-
ghanistan, that I ascended the heights above the Tezeen
valley, in front of our camp, with the following de-
tachment :—One company of her Majesty's 9th Foot,
one company of her Majesty's 13th Light Infantry, one
company of her Majesty's 31st Foot, one company of
26th Native Infantry, one company of 35th Native Light
Infantry, one company of 33d Native Infantry, 50 Br9ad-
foot's Sappers--on the afternoon of the 12th inst.,
and occupied the ridge till daylight next morning. From
a communication with Major-General Sir R. Sale,
G.C.B , I learned that I was to take the high peaks to
the right of my position, and, having driven the enemy
from them, continue to operate among the lower hills to
the head of the Huft Kotul, on the right flank of the
advanced guard of the army. These peaks were occu-
pied in some force by the enemy, will was, however,
easily driven from them and cleared away to the higher
hills on my right. I ascended the first peak, which,
although the way was steep, was not very difficult, in
two small columns ; the first, the companies of her Ma-
jesty's 9th and 26th Native Infantry udder Captain Bor-
ton, of the 9th Foot ; tne second under Lieutenant
Sayers, of the 31st, composed of the two companies of
her Majesty's 31st Foot and 33d Native Infantry, covered
by the Sappers and Jezailchees under Lieutenant
Orr. I detached Lieutenant Sinclair, of the 13th
Light Infantry, with the company of his regiment and
one of the 35th Native Infantry, to the higher peak on
the right hand, and supported him by Lieutenant Orr
and the Sappers (after I had possession of the first
height), who ascended by a steep ridge that connected
them. Lieutenant Sinclair attained the summit of the
hill without loss, driving the enemy away, and held it
until the main column of advance came in sight, when
he led his column on my right over the hills at the base
of the higher mountains. The height I gained descends
to the high road by a succession of small peaks, each
connected by a narrow ridge ; the enemy occupied with
small parties each of these peaks, and was driven in suc-
cession from them. Captain Borton, at the head of a
party of the 9th Foot, made a gallant charge upon a
strongly posted party of the enemy, and drove them
away ; he showed a great deal of boldness, however,
and made repeated attempts to recover his ground, tak-
ing advantage of the necessarily slow advance of the
supporting parties from the steep and difficult nature of
the hills. After I gained all the peaks, and the enemy
had fallen back, I continued parallel to the main column
over the hills to some distance beyond the -top of the
Hurt Kotul. Considering the great number that at one
time opposed me until the appearance of the main column
drew them off, my loss was not great, while the enemy
suffered considerably. I beg leave to bring to the no-
tice of the Major-General the very good conduct of tte
officers and men who were under my command.
I have, &c., THOMAS SKINNER,
COPY OF A LETTER FROM LIEUT.-COLONEL RICHMOND,
COMMANDING THE 33D NATIVE INFANTRY, TO CAPT.
PONSONEY, ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL.
Camp, Bootkhak, Sept. 14.

Sir,—Major-General Pollock, C. 8., commanding the
troops, having intrusted me especially 'with the com-
mand of the tvvt-guard of the army from Tezcen
through the Hutt Kotul Pass. on the 13th instant, ar.d
staying placed at my disposal the troops detailed as
follows :

Her Majesty's 4th Light Dragoons
lst.Regiment of Light Cavalry 295
Detached 3d Irregular Cavalry
Sikh Cavalry 2OO

Tctal sabres 750
Two 9-ponnderi, No. 6, light field battery.
Pickets of her Majesty's 9th and 31st Foot
4th Company of the 26th Regt. of Native Infantry 310
Right wing of the 33d Native Infantry 129
35th Native Light Infantry
Pickets of the 60th Regiment of Native Infantry 124
Sikh Infantry

Total bayonets
I have now the honour to report the operations of the
day for the Major-General's information. Having made
the necessary disposition of my force to protect the
bap;:ago in the valley of Tezeen, and to secure the gorge
of the pass, the different pickets were gradually with-
drawn to strengthen the latter. Soon after I observed
a large body of the enemy collecting near the Fort of
Tezeen, south-ectst of my position, and directed Lieu-
tenant Douglas, whose guns had been previously posted
on a commanding point, to open on them. but the dis-
tance proving too great for shells the fire was discon-
- 'firmed. The enemy, I suppose encouraged by this, formed
his cavalry in the valley to the number of about 600
men, with the evident intention of moving towards my
post. • I instantly decided on anticipating him, and as
Captain Ah'xanler's (Horse Artillery) three guns were
still on the ground, I availed myself of his services, by
sending forward his guns within range of the enemy,
supported by the front squadron of her Msjesty's 3d
Light Dragoons, under Captain Unett, one squadron of
the Ist Light Cavalry under Brevet-Major Scott, and
the detachment of 3d Irregular Cavalry under Captain
Tait, with orders to charge the enemy if the ground
proved favourable, and an opportunity offered. This
soon occurred, the guns having made good impression,
and the instant I observed the cavalry advance, the other
squadron of Dragoons was hurried forward under Major
Lockwood, as a support ; thus insuring the success
achieved by the spirited and gallant charge of their com-
rades in front, Which completely dispersed the enemy
who left about 50 men on the field, and a standard, the
latter taken by the Ist Light Cavalry, the bearer of
which was cut'down by Brevet-Captain Goad.
Having accomplished all I wished, the troops returned
to their original position in excellent order, covered by
The very effective fire of the guns directed by Captain
Alexander, and by a company of the 35th Regiment of
Light Infantry, the latter ordered forward for the pur-
pose..

- As the enemy showed no disposition to molest us fur-
Mier, and the whole of the baggage having entered the
'Niels, the Horse Artillery and Dragoons were permitted
to commence their march, but before the latter had filed
eff, the enemy brought two guns to bear upon our posi-
tion, which obliged me to place the remainder of the
eavalry under cover of the high ground in the vicinity.
These,guns fortunately did no harm, and were soon after
either withdrawn by the evenly or silenced by the fire of
round shot from Lieutenant Douglas's 9-pounder, ably
directed by that officer and by Captain Lawrence, poli-
tical agent, commanding the Sikh contingent, who hand-
somely volunteered his services on the occasion.
After allowing the main column and baggage to get
well forward in the pass, I directed the remainder of the
cavalry to enter, and followed with the infantry, the dif-
ferent parties of which gradually retired on the posts I
had previously occupied, the enemy's infantry- closing in
and opening a heavy fire, which continued till we reaced
the top of the pass, a distance of three miles ; and,
although I was compelled to hold my ground near the
top 'of the pass for a long time, to admit of the guns and
baggage passing over, I am happy to say that the enemy,
though he pressed our several posts very warmly, (lid
not then, or at any other time, obtain the slightest ad-
vantage, and at length desisted from molesting us, which
enabled me to re-form the troops and continue my march
towards my camp, where I arrived about 8 o'zlock P.M.,
with all the stores and baggage, except a few bads of
grain ; also some camels and bullocks, unable to proceed,
which were destroyed on the road, agreeably to orders.
My best thanks are due to the officers and men en-
gaged, both European and native, for their cheerful en-
durance of fatigue under an intensely hot sun, and
for their gallant bearing when in contact with the
enemy ; the whole seeming animated with one and the
same spirit, which enabled them to overcome difficulties
of no ordinary nature, highly creditable to British sol-
diers and especially so to the Bengal Sepoys. I feel it
saso just to notice the useful assistance afforded by the
men of the Sikh contingent, under Captain Lawrence,
who wok their full share of duty in the valley of Tezcen,
mid in defending the different posts in the pass.
I have the honour to forward a return
Aocotapallying
the killed and wounded, which I rejoice to observe is
Viso
• he4tvy its might have been expected from the na-
Intstpf thuperations. I have, &c.,
A; F. RICHMOND, Lieutenant-Colonel,
" -33 d Regiment of Native Infantry,
Commanding the Roar Guard. i '