Star.
London, England, 1825-09-29 00:00:00

TO OSOROE SWINTON, ESQ. SSCRZTART TO

POLITICAL DEPARTMENT.
have the honour, by direction of the Corn.
m4nder-in•Chief, to transmit in original, a dispatch
this day received from Brigadier-General Morrison,
C.B. commanding the South-Eastern Division, dated
April 2, announcing the capture of Arracan, alter a
succession of the most brilliant operations against

the enemy.
His Escelleney regrets that the enclosure No. 2, al-
luded to by the Brigadier-General, viz. copy of Briga-
dier Richards's report of the success of his night attack
on the heights, situated cn the tight of the enemy's pa-
sition, has, by some unaccountable accident, been
omittel to be sew. I have, &c.
(Signed) W. L WATSON.
Dvputy Adjutant-General of the Army.
Adjutant-General's Office, Presidency,
Fort William, April 14, 182.5.

Camp, Arraean, April te, I WS.
SlR—The ALMIWITY has been pleased to permit that
the exertions of the siuth-eastern-divi%ion of the army

should be croa►ned with complete success. Arracin
was yesterday taken, and the 10,000 men that acted
under Atown Monza have, as a military bndy, been
nearly annihilated. The proceedings which have led to
this result, I shalLpow have the honour to detail for the
information of the Commander-in-Chief. _

On the 24th ult. the arrangements for the movement
of the force from the camps on the Oratung were com-
pleted, and the head-quavers of the division were
established with the 2d Brigade in advance at Chabattee
Bboong, within two miles of the enemy's position in the
Padha Hills, the march, of the remainder being directed
as pointei out in enclosure No. 1.
On the 25th ult. boat and pontoon bridges were
thrown across thu Chabattee and Waibraing rivers,
and in Vie evening a reconnaissance was made, in order
to ascertain the situati.m of the passes through the hills,
and the o':stacles to be encountered. The natural
cues were considerable, arising principally from the
steepness of the ascents, and from the course of deep
tide nu'lahs.
On the 26th. the troops then present crossed the
Waibraing by day-break, and were formed into four
columns, as per mareil :
Right column. under Brigadier Grant, C.B. 1 111-posader,
, 2 6-pounders. 'lle ed brigade, 1 company, Sd Light Infantry
battalion; 1 ditto of regular pioneers • centre column Brigsdkr
Richards 12-pouoden, howitzers,Lieutenanvaionel Lind-
say. The Ist brigade, 2 companies, 24 Light Infantry battalion;
1 ditto regular pioneers: left column to act with the gun-boats;
Captain Leslie. llis Majesty's Seth Itegiment;B companies ditto;
2 ditto sad Light Infantry, battalion rifle company, Mug Levy ;
g companies Mug pioneers. Reserve, Lieutenant-Colonel Walker,
do. his Majesty's 54th, 1 12-pounder, S Spounders ; 3 compa-
nies of his Ulesty's 54th Regiment ; 3 ditto 2Gth Regiment Ben-
gal Native Infantry; 2 ditto 49:11; 3 ditto temporary pioneers;
1 ditto Mug ditto; 24 local horse.,
The tight and ce:itte columns then advanced to force
the two passages, M kite the left, with the gun-
boats, under Captain Crawford, Honourable Company's
!tinkle, was to have ascended the river, which appeared
to flow through the hills. The boats, however, having
giotrided on a shoal, Captain Leslie landed his men,
and was then directed to skirt the river, and, if pos-
sible, to pass by the extreme right of re first range
of hills, with a view of attacking the enemy from their
rear. or of intercepting them in their retreat.
The centre column had not proceeded far ere the
tocsin of alarm, and shouts from the hills, gave notice
whore they were occupied, and that the enemy were in
force. The advance, consisting of the Light Infantry
companies of the 26th, 28th, 49th, and 83d Regiments,
under the command of Captain Mason,49th Regiment,
was directed to gain the summit, which was effected in
the most gallant manner. The column then moved to
its left, to the attack of a stockade; while the L;ght In-
fantry companies, keeping nearly parallel to it, drove
the enemy from several entrench Ed positions along the
crest of the hills. Two rounds from the 12-pounder,
caused the bat partly finished stockade to be aban-
doned; the men who retired from it immediately occu-'
pied strong ground on the heights above. Here, the,
left column, from being compelled to diverge from the
river, joined; and a Mart fire was continued, till the
grenadiers of his Majesty's:44th Regiment, and left gre-
nadiers of. the 49:h Regiment Bengal Native Infantry,
began to ascend at two different points ; the enemy then
Bed; on which the centre column retraced its steps, and
defiled tbroagh-the abandoned pass, while the left co-
heals proceeded in furtherance of the orders first given.
The-ground on the north side of the hills proved to be
lan eseensive plain, intersected by several deep tide nul-
labs belted with jungle. In such a country the flying!
foe easilyestaped, as the cavalry was unable to pursue,
till assisted by the labour of the pioneers. The forward'
movement was, however. continued till the three co-
lumns united at the Jeejah river; here it was intended•
to have halted, till the artillery, under the protection;
of the reserve, could be brought up, but a few com-;
panics of the 49th Regiment -Infantry, under Lieute-
nant-Colonel Smith, having been pushed across to as-
certain what was in front, the report was made that thei
enemy were approaching in column, supported by ca-
valry. So desired an opportunity was immediately',
'embraced, the low state of the tide, and the sandy bot-
tom'
of the river, enabling the troops to pass without
impediment. Tile heads of the columns bad, however,
Do sooner debouchtd from the jungle, than the enemy
lied, and reached, with but little loss, their works that
Covered the fords of the Mahattte.
• The troops had now been under arms nine hours, and
were still anxious to proceed, but a consideration fur
their physical stilliigth, with an unwillingness to re-
move still further from the supplies, whose arrival must
be necessarily retarded by the nature of the country
[passed over, caused me to direct, that positions, where
shelter from the sun might be obtained, should be oc-
cupied. The fire of the enemy) while they oppbsed

was nob!, but 111-limped. A further consequence 01
this day's action, beyond the advantage immediately
gained, Wu, that them:my abandoned their stockades
at Kheong Peela (idies.Chamballa).
The troops, with the exception of the reserve, which
d:d not arrive till nearly fa:slight, haring ga ned then
exertions to enable the artillery to join, bivouacked
'by brigades.
On the 27th, when the for" dispersed, the order of
advance was resumed, and Major Caster, his Majesty's
44th Regiment, with three companies of that corps
covered by the light infanay company of his Majesty's
54th Regiment, was directed to carry a small hill in
front of the enemy's works, while the remainder of the-
force moved forward in columns, at quarter distan=,l
with the artillery on the reverse flank.
The enemy's position was well chosen. being situated
on a peninsula, p otected by a broad neer, whose
fords are only passable at nearly low water, and whose
balks are not only steep, but covered with sharp stakes.
Their defences consisted of deep entreachments along
the margin, with epaulements left to protect arena front
an enfilading fire; in the rear, high conical hills, sor•
mounted by pagodas, and sarrounded by en,rench-
ments, served as numerous cita.els, and apse .red to
be occupied.
On the advance of the party under Major Carter,
the enemy that occupied the hill retired across the
river, when a fire from tho-e parts of their `error ks that
commanded it was immediately opened ; four 12-poun-
ders, two 5k inch howitzers, and two 6-poituders, were
I placed in position, while the first brigade was moved to
the right to attack a column that appeared in that
direction, and which I now judge to have been an in
tended reinforcement ; it did nor, however, long re-
main in sight, or reach Mahatte.-. The fire of the
artillery soon silenced the enemy's, and checked the
effective fire of their musketry; and as the fords were
then passable, the 2d brigade took ground to the left, in
order to coss to the right of the enemy's defences.
Tile Ist brigade, and two ressalas of horse, were moved
at Vie same time forward, the reserve (formed as on the
preceding day, with the addition •f three companies
2d Light Infantry battalion, and a rifle company Mug
Levy) following.
On the 2d brigade descending into the river, the
enemy abandoned their post, while -the troops on the
right (the situation of the ford having been ascertained)
crossed, but from the steepness of the bank on the op-
notice side, had great difficulty in entering the works.—
A ressala of horse, with the rifle company Mug Levy,
wen* plashed off still further to our right to gain the
road by which the greasy were retreating,And arrived
in time to do some execution among their rear, and to
prevent destruction of bridges on the road to Arracan.
I have oniitted.to mention, that at the commence-
ment of the action (which lasted about two hours) I
received the pleasing intelligence of the near approach
of Brigadier General M'Bean. with the sth Brigade.
On the 28th, it was necessary to halt to obtain infor-
mation, and allow of a junction being formed of the
troops still in thi rear, and by the flotilla under Com-
modore flays, who was in progress for that purpose; in
the evening this was effected, and the enemy's position
partly reconnoitred.
On the 29th, the division moved forward at day I
light : the advance under Brigattier-General M.Bran
consisted of-1 ressala of horse, two 6-pounders, two
howitzers, sth brigade, -4 companies of his Majesty's
64th Regiment, 24 Light Infantry battalion, rifle com-
pany, Mug Levy, one company of regular Pioneers,
one ditto Mug ditto, 16 sealing ladders. Considerable
delay Was occasioned by fogs and which at first pre-
vented the great strength of the enemy's position from
being discovered. It occupied a range of connected
hills (since ascertained to be from 350 to 451 feet in
height), strong by nature, and rendered r ill more so by
art, escarpment, Abatis, and masonry having been re-
sorted to, where those means could not.be most effica-
ciously employed. One pass alone leads through them
to the capital, and that wet defended by a fire of several
pieces of artillery and about 3,000 muskets: the whole
number of the enemy ranged along the heights may be
estimated at from 8,000 to 9,000 men ; the ground in
front is an extensive valley entirely clear of jungle, but
in depth not altogether out t.f the range of the enemy's.
artillery.
Where the advance halted, it was partly covered by
a tank, and Brigadier-General M'Bean made a disposi-
lion for acquiring • the principal hills in the first range
at the commencement of the pass. Four pieces of atol-
-1 lery were forwarded to cover the attack, and the troops
for the assault consisting of the Light Infantry Com-
pany his Majesty's Mall Regiment, four Companies 2d
Light Infantry Battalion, and the Light Infantry Com-
panies of the 10th and 16th Regiments Madras
Native Infantry, with the Rifle Company Mug Levy,
were placed under Major Ketnru ; a support of six
companies 16th Regiment Madras Native Infantry,
under Captain French of that corps, followed.—
The assault commenced, and in spite of a well-directed
fire, and of the steepness of the ascent, which was occa-
sionally nearly perpendicular, many gained the sum-
mit. Lieutenant Clarke, Aide-de-Camp to Brigadier-
General M'Bean, with several of the Light Infantry
Company of his Majesty's 54th Regiment, got their
hands on the trench ; but even with the assistance such
a hold afforded, were unable to maintain their ground:
large stones were rolled on them, and smaller ones
discharged from bows; the consequence was they
were precipitated to the bottom. In this attempt
the efforts were persevered in till every officer
was wounded.
I cannot here avoid interrupting the detail to make.
known to his Excellency, that •on no occasion could
British gallantry be more conspicuously displayed ; the
conduct of the officers was emulated by the men, ani]
European and native troops vied with each other tor,
equal the example set.
The guns, in the ardour of the moment, had been ad-
rained by Captain Lamb, who commanded them, so
far that on the retreat of the troops they became LOU
exposed to be longer served: and the retiring of them'
at the time was impracticable without the hazard of
sacrificing the men, who would have bezn obliged to
effect it by the drag ropes.
While theauisek was beer" carried on at the pass,
the right of the enemy's position was cannonaded, but

without any apparent effect; the 12-pounders and
heavy howitzers were afterwards moved to play upon
the works at tt e pass. The fire was continued for an
hour, but appearing to be but a useless wa,te of =mu-
lti ion, I caused it to be discontinued, and those guns to
be withdrawn ; a-. the same time an en:arnpment was
marked out, the tents were pitched, and at one o'clock
he troops fell back upon them, with the exception of
the advance, w ich, was continued during the day in
the position they o:cupied In the dusk of the evening
the woanded were brought off, the guns withdrawn, and
the a h )!e retired without further loss, though a heavy
ire hyl been continued by the enemy at intervals dur-
ing We day.
From observations made, the conviction was mats._
fished, that the right of the enemy's defences was the
key of his position. Here the natural obstacles were
the greatest, the approach being protected by a small
lake, the. arupt, and the height
pro e col ' 'erable. These seemed to have given
it
a confi lei ce in its security ; and though the summit
was saris W with a stockade, and part of the way up
thickly ah .M, the number of men to guard it was
not considerahle. This point was therefore selected for
the principal future attack: at the same time, the ton-
's:ruction of a battery for four mortars, two 24-pounders,
four 12 poulders, and two 5i inch howitzers, to play on
the works at the pass, and to draw the enemy's atten-
don entirely to that point, was ordered; the senior
engineer Officer, Lieutenant Thompson, received direc-
tions to that effect, and the day of the 30th was em-
ployed in bringing from Maliattee the necessary mate-
, reel. At halt-past seven that evening ground was
broke ; by three o'clock the battery was finished, and be-
fore day-light completely armed, when the guns opened,
and continued -luring the day a heavy cannonade,
which hid the effect of checking the enemy's fire, though
It was not entirely silenced.
Instructions were given to Brigadier Richards to
make a night attack with the force as per margin ;
Right column.—Major Carter, his Majesty's 44th Re-
giment, 2 companies of his Majesty's 44th ditto, 2 ditto
(Grenadiers) 26th Regiment, 30 troopers (dismounted).
Left column—Two companies of his Majesty's 44th
Regiment, 1 ditto 26th Regiment (Light inf;ntry
Company), 1 ditto 49th Regiment (ditto, ditto),, go
flotilla seamen. Reserve under Captain Sbelton(his
Majesty's 44th Regiment—Two companies of his Ma-
jesty's 44th ditto (Grenadiers), 49th Regiment. 40
pioneers. On the right of the enemy's position, at
half-past eleven, the appointed rocket signal of success
was thrown up, and Lieutenant Wronghton; Surveying
D:partment, in a short time after returned from :be
height, bringing the grateful intelligence, that though
the ire of the enemy had been heavy, the stockade had
been gained .without a man on our side being killed,
and with only a few slightly wounded. A copy of
the Brigadier's report of the affair (No. 2h is here-
with enclosed.
A reinforcement of the remainder of the lit Brigade,
with two six,pounders on elephants, was immediately
dispatched; arrangements had also been made for
storming the works at the pass, on the morning of the
lst, should the fire from the battery have produced
such an effect as would almost ensure the certainty of
success. Brigadier Richards was also directed to com-
mence, at day-light, an attack on the defences of the
intervening hrights.
The difficulty of carrying the guns up the hill
caused a delay, and it was nearly seven o'clock Wore
one was mounted, a few rounds from which silenced
the fire of a 6 pounder that the enemy had planted on
the next samm.t, when the Brigadier advanced to the
assa .It. The enemy did not stand; advantage was
taken of the panic of the moment, the detachment
under Brisadier-General Miran, which consisted as
follows—La subaltern's detachment of artillery, 60
troope:s (di mounted), 2.1 brigade (except four compa-
nies of his Majesty's 54th )regimeot, who were at-
tached to the sth brigade); four companies 2cl L. S.
Battalion, 30 floi'la seamen, detachment of regular
.ioneers ail scaling laiders3—allutted to the attack
of the pass, was directed to move forward. The
enemy were tom seen abandoning all the heights ;
from that moment opposition ceased, and Arracan
was g.a.ned.
It has been my province to lay before his Excellency
a succession of operations, which have accomplished
the first object dlrected' by the instructions emanating
horn the Governor-General in Council ; but to the duty
of doing justice to the merits of the force collectively,
and to individuals separately who had the opportunity
of putting themselves more conspicuously forward,
I own myself iacompeteut ; and I must trust to his
Excellency's discernment to appreciate bow truly a
claim to hi, approbation has been perfected by the di-
vision, m re from his knowledge of what they have bad
to encounter than from any representation I am able
to make. The political:agent, T. C. Robertsonasq,
not only previous to the force quitting ChittagoortOme
to the present period, has hear zealously and indefati-
gably engaged in rendering every assistance that the
civil power could command; his arrangements on all
occasions have tended to the advantage of the whole,
and to the accommodation of individuals; and I truly
rejoice at this opportunity of publicly acknowledge"
that the greatest benefit has been derived from his
presence.
Commodore Hayes has, on all occasions, rendered
an aid the most effectual, and had it not been for the
assistance afforded by the flotilla under his command*
the arrival of the force before Miscall would have
been almost impracticable. Every exertion was made
by him to co-operate; and when insurmountable ob-
stacles prevented the further. approach of the gut boats
to the scene of action, he landed two 94-pounders. and
with the British seamen, dragged them and their sp.
gontenances a distance of five miles, to the enaarap-
meat before Arracan, rendering them available for any
service on which they could be usefully employed.
Brigadier.GetteralM4Bean gave me the benefit disk
judgment and experience, and the effectual aid of his
directing superintendence; to offer a further remark on
the known zeal of one who has so firmly established his
claim to honourable fame, would, 1 fear, in me be but
AU assumption—to his Excellency the claims of Bri.
gadier-General M'Bean are fully known.
The assiduity of Brigadier Grant; C.B. commanding

the Brigade; of Brigadier ftichards, commanding
the Ist 141011,6; of Havadier Eau., commanding the
sth.Beifradellffid'of Lieut.:Col: Lindsay, commanding
the Artillery Division, demand that I should state to his
• Excellency, that their example and their directions ma•
terially contributed to the success of our operations.
Did the limits of a dispatch allow of my mentioning
separately the Officers who commanded corps, I should
feel myself most • particularly bound to name them ;
and proud should I be in being the instrument of more
especially recording their deserts, than, while beating
testimony to the merits of all, in saying that every
Officer, Non-commissioned Officer, and 'nitrate, per-
formed his duty, equally by gallantry in the field, and
by the willing endurance of privations, that the Divi-
sion might move forward.
I may, however, I hope, be pardoned in representing,
that the Deputy-Assistant Adjuvant-General, Lieute-
nant Scott, rendered me the most effectual assistance;
that the Ist Deputy•Asaistant Quartermaster• General,
Captain Drummond, conducted the business of his de-
pairent with judgment, with the greatest .personal
exertion, and with the most indefatigable perseverance.
The 2d Deputy-Assistant Quartet master-Generil Lieu.
tenant Paton, has also established his claim to a par-
ticular notice. The Assistant-Commissary-General,
Captain Bannerman, has had no common difficulties to
encounter in eff ctually arranging, for the continued
supplies for the troops, the means of Conveyance by
land, at his command, never exceeded a week's supply.
The Superintending-Surgeon, Dr. Grant, has on every
occasion provided for the comfort and relief of the sick
' and wounded, and with the other Medical Officers, was
ever forward, while the troops were engaged, to render
immediate: assistance. To Lieutenant Wroughton, of
the Survey Department, I am particularly indebted,
not only for the reconn ,issances he made when we
reared the enemy, but e.pecially for the discovering
the paths by which Brigadier Richards, with the
column under his command, gained the right of the
enemy's position. Lieutenant Thompson, the senior
Engineer Officer, displayed zeal and practical profici-
ency in the performance of his duty; to Captain Wilkie
more especially, and to the other Officers of the Pio-
neers generally, the advance of the division may be
mainly attributed; a road of nearly one hundred and
fifty miles in length has, by the labour of the pioneers,
under their judicious directions, been completed; many
morasses rendered passable, and innumerable nullahs
bridged. I much fear that the continued exposure to
the sun will for some time deprive the division of the
ben-fit of Captain Wilkie's services, who persevered in
doing his duty till success crowned our efforts, though
suffering (torn severe indisposition.
If ever instances of mental energy triumphing over
bodily infirmity were exemplified, they have been dis-
played by Colonel G. of the 2d Local Horse, who, on
each occasion, when there was a probability of the
cavalry being engaged, caused himself to be removed
from his palanquin to be placed on his horse, though so
weakened by long sickness to be unable, for any length
of lime, to prolong the exertion.
This dispatch will be delivered by Lieutenant Bellew,
my Military Secretary ; he has entitled himself to my con-
fidence, and is enabled to afford his Excellency the best
information on many points connected with this country.
For my Aid-de-Camp, Lieut. Hawkins, I beg to
solicit his Excellency's notice, and to strongly recom-
mend him for any mask of approbation ; and I can con-
fidently assert, that both from talent and education, he
pt remises to prove a credit to the profession.
Enclosed ate returns of the casualties that have oc-
curred during the several actions with the enemy since
the division entered Arracan, and also of the ordnance
found in position on the east front of the heights cover-
ing the capital ; the quantity captured is so widely
dispersed, that there has not yet been time to allow its
being ascertained.
Several Sirdars have surrendered themselves, and
prisoners ate hourly being brought to the camp.
Grounding my opinion on the general assertion of the
captives, I may venture to suggest the probability that
not 1,000 of the Burmese, who were serving under
Atown Munja, will reach Ave, but by the permission
of the Governor-General. I have, &c.
(Signed) T. W. MORRISON, Brig.-Gen. Coats. S.E.
Enclosure No. I.
EXTRACT FROM DIVISION ORDERS.

Camp Kaykringding, March 24, 1625.
On the breaking up of the present camp, protection detachments
are to be formed, consisting at Chankring of one company of his
Majesty's 44th Regiment, 2d Light Infantry Battalion, 16th Regi-
ment Madras Native Infantry, 16th ditto.
One company of Kaykringding, one reseals of 24 Local Hone,
his Majesty's 54th Bengal Native Infantry, 424 ditto, 49th ditto.
The senior Officer of the whole to command. Names and dates
of Commissions of Officers to be employed on this important duty,
be immediately dent to the Deputy-Assistant Adjutant-General.
The following are the arrangements for the advance of the force :
—Head-quarters to be established this evening on tie south bank
of the Cbebatta river. To march at day-light to-morrow morning
for the same place—four ressalas of the 2d Local Horse.
. Artillecy division, bead-quartet, with 4 12-pounders, 2 Si inch
howitzers, 2 6-pouuders, Ist brigade native troops, left wing 24
light infantry battalion, rifle company Mug Levy.
To embark at six A. 114. for the same destination, S companies of
his Majesty's 44th Regiment, on board the gun-boats that will be
appropriated to their conveyance, and proceed to the Cbebatta river,
where it will land and join the Ist brigade. Horses and cattle be-
longing to the: officers to be crossed to the camp of Kaykringding,
under the arrangements communicated yesterday, as for to-morrow,
by the Deputy Assistant Quartermaster-General; on Sunday, the
27th instant, four companies of his Majesty's 44th Regiment.
Four companies 2d Light Infantry battalion are to cross to Kayk-
ringdius, under directions that will be issued by Brigadier-General
31611eau, who will be pleased to effect a junction of his column with
the advance column, when the arrival of the commissariat cattle
will permit him to move forward.
The troops, on leaving their present encampment, are to be sup-
plied a icb two days' provisions. (True extract)
(Signed) W. B. SCOTT, Dy. A. Adjutant-General.
Return of Wounded of the South Eastern Division of the Army,
. under the conbnand of Brigadier-General Morrison, C. B. in
action with the enemy of the 26th March, 1825.
2d Local Horse—Wounded, 2 rank and file, and 3 horses; 2
horses missing.
Right Wing of his Majesty's 44th Regiment.—Wounded, 1 ser-
jeanti 4 rank and file, 1 bbeestie, and 1 bullock-man.
• flight Wing of his Majesty's Seth Regiment—Wounded, 1
drummer, and 1 rank and file.
46th Regiment Bengal Native Infantry—Wounded, 2 rank and
file, and I bbeestie.
49th Regiment Bengal Native Infantry—Wounded, 2 rank and
tile. (Signed) W. B. SCOTT, Dy. A. Adj.-Gen.
Return of Killed and Wounded of the South Eastern Division of
• the Army, under the command of Brigadier-General Morrison,
• C. in action with the enemy on the 27th of March. .
_ .

2d Local Horse—Wounded, i hones.
Artillery Division—Wounded-2 rank and Me.
Right Wing his Majesty's 44th Regiment—Wounded, 4 rank
and Le.
Ilia Majesty's 54th Regiment.—Killed, one serjeant ; wounded,
nine rank and Me.

96th Regiment Bengal Native Infantry.—Wounded, one Cap•
tairs..pwo subadars. one .erjeant or nasildar, and 13 rank and file.
424 Regiment Bengal Native Tufantry.—Wounded, one Lieu-
tenant, one Within or braid*, and 10 rank and file.
49th Regiment Bengal Native Infantry.— Wounded, six rank

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