The Sun.
London, England, 1842-09-07 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 Canda,har.

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-
her, to T. H. Maddock, Esq., Secretary to the Go-
vernment of India, Calcutta.
" Candahar, March 14.

" Sir,—l have the honour to acquaint you, for the in-
formation of the Right lion. the Governor-General of
India,
month of February considerable
numbers of the rebel forces under the command of Prince
Sutler Jung and other Affghan chiefs assembled in the
vicinity of Candahar, plundering the villages, and by
every possible moans 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

"FROM MAJOR C. R. W. LANE, COMMANDING CANDAHAR
GARRISON, TO CAPTAIN SCOTT. MAJOR OF BRIGADE.
"Candahar, March 12.
" Sir,—For 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-
har 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 within
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 tha_
night, some 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 incessant 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 exece.:ion.
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, send
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."
FROM MAJOR-GENERAL W. NOTT, TO T. H. MADDOCK, =44.
" Candahar, March 28, 1842.
" Sir,—Having deemed it desirable to detach a brigade
under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Wymer, for
the double purpose of foraging and giving protection to
the numerous villages along the left bank of the Urghun-
dab river, against the marauding system adopted by the
rebel army commanded by Prince Suftur Jung and other
Affghan 'chiefs, I have now the honour to forward to
you, for the information of the Right Hon. the Governor-
General of India, a report from that officer of an attack
made on his detachment, and of the complete defeat of
the enemy. I have ascertained that their loss was great,
and that several of their chiefs were killed and wounded,
while our loss was comparatively trifling.
" On my arrival on the field, I was pleased with the
judicious arrangements made by Lieutenant-Colonel
Wymer; and the cool and determined manner in which
he opposed the enemy and protected his convoy did
credit to our arms; and. I beg leave to bring him under
the favourable notice of Government.
" The enemy were finally driven across the Urghundab
in the greatest confusion, and with very considerable
loss. The Artillery and Infantry distinguished them-
selves. " I have, &c., •
" W. NOTT, Major-General,
" Commanding at Candahar."

FROM LIEUTENANT-COLONEL G. P. WYMER, COMMANDING
DETACHMENT, TO CAPT. SCOTT, MAJOR OF BRIGADE.
" Candahar, Camp, Baba Wullee, March 27, 1842.
" Sir,—l have the honour to report, for the informa-
tion of Major-General Nott, Commanding at Candahar,
that, in obedience to his instructions, I marched from
that place on the:morning of the 25th inst., with one troop
of the Shah's Horse Artillery; half a troop of Hal-
dane's Horse ; half a troop of Leeson's Horse ; 16th Re,
giment of Bengal Native Infantry ; 38th Regiment,
ditto ; 2d Shah's Regiment, with the intention of forag-
ing for the cavalry and cattle at the village of Seikhchu-
lah ; but, on receiving a report from Captain Dallas, that
the country thereabouts had recently been foraged over
and the water turned off by the enemy, he suggested the
advantage to be derived by a move upon Baba Wullee,
which was adopted. On reaching that place I sighted
the rebel camp on the opposite side of the Urghundab,
distant about four miles, and large bodies of cavalry
grazing their horses between it and the river. I con-
tinued my march to the spot selected for my encampment,
and shortly after reaching it at half-past ten or eleven, a
large body of the enemy's cavalry was observed forming
and occupying the pass in my rear ; on which I re-
inforced the rear-guard with two guns and a wing
of the 38th Native 'lnfantry, placing the convoy under
the hills in the rear and protecting its front and
flanks with the force at my disposal, which had hardly
been effected, when finding the force above-mentioned
fast increasing, I deemed it highly necessary to move
hack for thendispersion, taking with me two Horse-
Artillery guns under Lieutenant Turner, 38th Regiment,
and a party of Skinner's Horse, under Lieuteuant Tra-
vers, detaching two companies of the 38th Regiment to
drive the enemy from the tops of some low hills they had
crowned with horsemen on my left; which was speedily
done, and the well-directed tire from Lieutenant Tur-
ner's guns soon drove in the body of the enemy, collected
on the pass, commanded, lam told, by Salloa han, and
Taj Mahomed, who moved round to join the party then
threatening the right flank of the convoy. On this I
retraced my steps and rejoined the convoy, which had
been left under Lieutenant-Colonel Maclaren's charge
during my absence, and who had dislodged a third body
of the enemy from the enclosed gardens and village in
his front with a part ofothe 16th regiment. On my
reaching the convoy I acted Captain Macan, com-
manding the Shah's 2d Regiment, to move his corps,
supported by two guns and the half of Leeson's horse
under Ensign Chamberlain, against the party on the
right flank, which movement had been partly executed
when the force, under the Major-General's personal
command, arrived to my support, at the time when the
party of cavalry under Ensign Chamberlain received a
partial check from an overpowering body of the enemy,
and that officer was severely wounded, and Lieutenant
Travers slightly, who acted in concert with him.
6, inclosed I have the honour to forward a return of
the killed and wbounided on the occasion, and to express
my entire approbmayation
be of the conduct of all officers and
permittedmaetin
General's admirable practice of the artillery
e i e
trustng ag n
under
Inotice
t t ile
told
duwteintah ntTurner'sge_ guidance,
uponidan becet, every shot from
which o
beautiful effect dense masses of
the enemy.

" To Lieutenant Waterford, Adjutant 3Sth Regiment,
who acted as my personal staff en the occasion, lam
much indebted for the very able manner in which he
conducted the various duties assigned to him.—l have, &c.
" G. I'. WYMER, Lieutenant-Colonel,
" Commanding Detachment."

Return of Killed, Wounded, and Missing, of the Detach-
ment under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel
Wymer, in the engagement with the Enemy near
Baba Wullee, March 27, 1842.
Camp Baba Wullee, March 27, 1842.
Horse Artillery S. S. F.-1 syce wounded.
16th Regiment Bengal N. 1.-2 havildars, 3 privates,
wounded.
38th Regiment Bengal N. 1.-1 jemadar, 12 privates,
wounded.
Shah's 2d Regiment of Infantry-1 naick, 3 privates,
wounded.
Detachment Shah's Ist Cavalryl private, 1 horse killed ;
1 ensign, 1 naiek, 6 privates, 7 horses, wounded ; 1
horse missing.
Detachment Ist Irregular Bengal Cavalry-2 privates,
4 .orses, killed ; 1 Lieutenant, 2 naicks, 5 privates, 5
horses, wounded.
Total-3 privates, 5 horses, killed ; 1 lieutenant, 1
ensign, 1 jeinadar, 2 havildars, 4 naicks, 29 privates,
1 syce, 12 horses, wounded ; 1 horse missing.
Grand Total of Killed,Wounded, and Missing-42 officers
and men, 18 horses.
Names of Officers wounded.
Doing Duty with Detachment Ist Irregular Bengal Ca-
valry Lieutenant Travers, 2d Regiment Bengal
N. 1., slightly.
Doing Duty with Detachment Shah's Ist Cavalry—En-
sign N. B. Chamberlain, 16th Regiment Bengal NJ.,
severely.
G. P. WYMER, Lieutenant-Colonel,
Commanding Detachment.
Examined, J. WATERFIELD, Lieutenant, Acting
..__ I ,1 •V•