The Sun.
London, England, 1842-09-06 00:00:00

NOTIFICATION.

Allahabad, June 11.
The Right Hon. the Governor-General of India is
pleased to direct the publication of the annexed copies of
despatches from Major-General Nott, commanding the
British force at Candahar.
By order of the Governor-General,
T. H. MADDOCK,
Secretary to the Goverment, of India, with the Governor-

General.
From Major-General W. Nott, Commanding at Canda.
har, to T. H. Maddock, Esq., Secretary to the Go•
vernment of India, Calcutta.

" Candahar, March 12.

" Sir,—l have the honour to acquaint you, for the in-
formation of the Right Hon. the Governor- General of
India, that during the month of February considerable
numbers of the rebel forces under the command of Prince
Suftar Jung and other Affghan chiefs assembled in the
vicinity of Candahar, plundering the villages, and by
every possible means urging the inhabitants to join in
an attack upon the British troops. In the beginning of
the present month the enemy approached close to the
city of Candahar.
" I made the necessary arrangements for the safety of
the city, and, leaving a garrison of about 2,600 men in
it, I on the 7th instant moved with the remainder of my
force against the enemy. They retired as I advanced ;
they were driven first across the river Turnuk, and then
across the Urghundab. They would not allow our in-
fantry to come in contact with them. On the 9th we
got near enough to open our guns upon them with great
effect; they were soon broken, and fled; my want of
good cavalry saved them from being totally destroyed ;
they were dispersed in every direction.
" During a march of five days, opposed to 12,000 of
the enemy, who had upwards of 6,000 well-mounted
cavalry continually moving round our column, not a
camel was taken or a particle of baggage lost. The
troops marched without tents, both officers and men, and
the conduct of my artillery and infantry was excellent.
" I think this dispersion of the rebel force will have the
best effect, as it will convince the inhabitants that the
chiefs cannot face us in the field with any chance of suc-
cess. lam now doing all in my power to conciliate the
villagers, and to induce them to return to the cultivation
of their lands, and to live in peace under the assurance
of protection.

During my absence a strong detachment of the enemy
made an attempt on the city, and succeeded in burning
one of the gates, but they were repulsed with great loss
by the gallantry of the troops in garrison under com-
mand of Major Lane, of the 2d Regiment of Native In-
fantry, whose report shall be forwarded for the informa-
tion of Government by the first opportunity.--I am, &c.,
" W. NOTT, Major-General,
"Commanding at Candahar."

From Major-General Nott, to T. H. Maddock, Esq.
"Candahar, March 29, 1842.
" Sir,—With reference to the concluding paragraph of
my letter to your address under date the 12th instant, I
have now the honour of forwarding to you Major Lane's
report of an attack made on one of the city gates of
Candahar, which was most gallantly repulsed by the
Bengal Sepoys, small details from her Majesty's 40th
Regiment, and from the 4th company 2d battalion of
artillery. I have, &c.,

" W. NOTT, Major-General
" Commanding at Candahar."

"FROM MAJOR C. R. W. LANE, COMMANDING CANDAHAR
GARRISON, TO CAPTAIN SCOTT. MAJOR OF BRIGADE.
"Candahar, March 12.
" Sir,---('or the information of Major-General Nott,
commanding, I have the honour to report the following
particulars of an attack made upon Candahar on the
night of the 10th instant.
" During the forenoon of the above date, large bodies
of the enemy, horse and foot; were observed assembling
from all quarters, taking up a position near old Canda-
her and the adjoining villages ; and in the course of the
day their numbers rapidly increased, parties from the
main body moving round and establishing themselves in
front of the Shikarpore-gate. As their object was, evi-
dently, to attack the garrison, the Political Agent directed
the inhabitants to' shut their shops and remain slithin
their houses ; and precautions were taken to secure the
gates by piling bags of grain inside.
"About 8 o'clock P.M., a desperate attack was made
upon the Herat gate, and owing to the darkness of the
night, vome combustibles were placed near it and ignited
unperceived, and in a few minutes the gate was in
flames ; I immediately ordered a party of 100 rank and
file from the 2d Regiment and a company from the
Shah's Ist Infantry to support the guard at the gate,
and two guns were also placed in position commanding
the entrance.
" Dense masses of the enemy had now collected at this
point, keeping up an incessantr and heavy fire, which was
returned with great effect from the ramparts, but so
reckless and daring were the assailants, that notwith-
standing the fearful havoc among them, eight or ten men
actually forced their way by tearing down the burning
fragments of the gate, and scrambling over the bags of
grain ; these were instantly shot, and their fate, together
with the galling fire from the walls, dismayed the attack- '
ing party, who retired about midnight, after four hours
resolute fighting.
" Another attack took place at the Shikarpore gate
about nine P.M., and a similar attempt was made to fire
it, which, however, failed, and the assailants were driven
back; a small party also approached the Caubul gate, but
the garrison being everywhere on the alert, the enemy
was compelled to retire about one o'clock A M. of the 11th,
and when the day broke not a soul was visible.
" The guards over the several gates were so completely
sheltered, that not a single casualty occurred, whilst the
well directed and destructive fire which was maintained
for nearly four hours, must have done great execution.
Upwards of 50 dead bodies were found in and near the
Herat gate, and from the determined assault of the
enemy, who came close up to the walls, their loss must
have been immense ; report estimates it at 1,000 killed
and wounded, and I am informed by Major Rawlinsou,
Political Agent, that Prince Suftur Jung, Meerza
Ahmed, and other Sirdars, were present, encouraging
the troops.
" A considerable quantity of grain was unavoidably
destroyed at the Herat gate, but as it presented a strong
barrier, I trust the sacrifice will be considered unim-
portant. This gate has been built up, and the others
have been temporarily barricaded with grain bags.
" Before concluding my
.report, I would beg to ac-
knowledge the valuable assistance rendered me on this
occasion by Major Rawlinson, Political Agent, and
Captain Ripley, Fort Adjutant. The exertions of every
officer and soldier in garrison were unremitting, and it
affords me infinite pleasure to bear testimony to the ad-
mirable conduct of all parties during the attack.
" I have, &c "C.R. W. LANE, Major."