Star.
London, England, 1821-05-19 00:00:00

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SUPPLEMENT TO TUESDAY'S GAZETTE.
' ' from The STAs 1 yesterday).

Coakof a Letter irons Captain T. P. Mammon, of the iitth
t Dragoons, to FOAMS WALDO, Chief Secretary
to the Government of Bombay, dated Muscat, the lath of
November, inim.
Stn—l have to communicate the ill success of.the
attempt to co-operate with his Highness the Imaum
of Muscat, against the Arabs of-the tribe of Beni
Bon Ali, after appearances which led to expect a
Offerent result.
In my last letter, I stated that the Messenger, sent
with theeommunicatioas directed by youe letterof
the Bth of *Tune, 1820, had been cut to pieces, and
that six companies of Sepoys, with eight pieces of ar-
tillery had, in consequence, been conveyed to Muscat,
The landing at Alashkarah, at this season of she,
year, as described in the letter of Lieutenant Collin-
aon, of the 29th of September, already transmitted
to Government, and confirmed by other accounts,
appeared to be really impracticable. In addition to
this, it has been stated by Lieatenant Collinsoe,
though not included in his letter above alluded to,
that he saw a force of five or 600 men collected•
behind the sand-hills, from which it was apparent
that the force of the enemy would be nearly the
lame, whether it was encountered at Alashkarah, or
at their residence in the interior. The landing at
'Boor was secure, and the road to the principal resi-
dence of the tribe lay through a line of country in
possession of the Imaum, who had a town within
three miles of the enemy, to which he had already
been transmitting his preparations for an attack.-...
Under these circumstances, the chances appeared to
be more favourable for advancing against the hostile
force from Soar, backed ..by the power of the State
4f Muscat. than for meeting the same force on the
beach at Alashkarah, under the disadvantages of a
precarious disembarkation, without the conjunction
of the humorist and with exceedingly inferior results
in the event of success. •
The detachment sailed' from Muscat on the 22d of
October, and arrived at Soor on the 24th, where it
was disembarked. The Imaum's force had previously
proceeded towards Soor by land.
On the 25th of October, information was received
that the Arabs had abandoned and set fire to Alash-
karah, together with fourteen of their boats, and
bad retired to their principal residence. The crews
of the Imaum's vessels landed, and brought off two
boats and three gulls, and destroyed such foitifica-
tints as were left.
His Highness the Imaum, who had directed his
force towards Soor, for the purpose of marching
against the principal residence of the tribe, in con-
junction with the British detachment, arrived there
on the 26th, bringing with him one thousand fight-
ing men, besides men to draw the guns, six hun-
dred camels for the use of the detachment, and three
hundred other cattle.
On the Ist of November, the whole force titiraited
'from Soor, carrying with it two six-poundera, two
howitzers, and two iron 18-pounders. The remain-
ing two 18-pounders were left at Soor.
After considerable difficulties , in transporting the
guns, the force entered the level Province of Jahlan,
on the sth of November.
On the Bth of November, the whole force arrived
at a town belonging to his Highness, named Balid
Beni Bon Hussan, within three miles of Balad Beni
Bon All, the residence of the hostile tribe, without
any loss, either by sickness or accident.
The evening before arriving at Beni'Bon Hussan,
report had been circulated that the enemy intended'
to attack the camp in the night. On arriving at'
Beni Bon Hussan with the Imam, I directed the
camp to be pitched
'in an entrenthedposition, con-
sisting of a ditch, flanked with towers, which in-
cluded a space sufficient for a camp'between it and
the town, and as the camp had been begun to be
pitched in the open plain-before our arrival, I caused
it to be removed. •
A summons was the same evening conveyed to
the enemy from his Highness, 'demanding the fur-,
render of the persons who had killed the Sheik of
Basal Hadd (the Messenger mentioned in the former
part of this letter), and of the fortifications of the
tribe, with their arms.
His Highness proposed that the summons should
be sent in the name of the Officeecominanding the
British troops, but I represented to him that it was
desirable to avoid the appearance of a double com-
mand, and that his Highness, as a Sovereign, must,
of necessity, take the lead. At the same time I corn.
municated the substance of some points which I was
anxious to cause to be explained in the summons;
and he desired me to give them in writing, and
caused them to be inserted.
What I was thus anxious to insert Was an explana-
tion of the motives which had induced the appearance
of the British troops in conjunction with those of his
Highness. It briefly stated, that the causes of the
war, on the part of the Imaum, were already known.
That the causes of war, on the part of the British,
were the piracies of the tribe by sea, their refusal to
answer when remonstrated with, and their having
killed the Messenger ; that the causes on the part of
the two• Powers were distinct and separate; but that,
each having cause, their forces were united.
The Messenger returned- on the same nighf, and
brought for answer from the hostile Sheiks, that the
first Messenger had been killed without any orders
from themselves, and that they were ready to -give
Up the persons concerned ; that they bad no desire
to be at war with the British ; that they were willing
to surrender their fortifications ; but that they could
not surrender their arms, because the Imaum would,.
'in that case give them up as prisoners to the British.
Under these circumstances, I felt considerable MIL
pectation that the terms I had demanded would be
finally complied with. At the same time it appeared:
that the way to promote this effect would not beby
exhibiting anything like an anxiety to rotate to terms.]
On his Highness, therefore, asking tny opinion,- I-
told him that I thought it would be Mast to proceed,'
Without delay, before the place, with which he en-
tirely coincided, and directions were issued for march-
sag on the following morning..
in concurrence with the opinion of his 'lligheess,
- I directed that the heavy guns should be lift in the
: entrenched camp, which, for the present, was to be
considered as the depot: that such stores only should
be taken forward as the Officers at the beads of de-
partments should judge necessary for present use;
that the tents should be left standing in the ne•

'Arenehed esunp, with the exception of such as might
be desired by the Medical Department, and of a la-
boratory tent for the Artillery ; and that men should
be warned to take with them e tools which they
ined_fOr cutting wood, in addition to such as might
be furnished by the departments, for the purpose of
sheltering themselves from the sun.
The Imaum's forces, and the people of Beni Bon
flussan, were, of" Course, perfectly acquainted with
the position of the enemy's town. The representa-
tion given was, that it was placed with its back to a
deep date grove, which lay between it and Beni Bon
Hussan that it was, consequently, necessary to go
round the town, in order to come at the assailable
front, and that Ilis front was in a sand-plain, and
protected by one or more ditches cut in the sand, to
which the enemy was said to be making additions.
On the evening of our arrival at Beni Bon Has-
san, I communicated to the Officers all the infor-
mation I had received respecting the place ; and I
further stated to them, that it was my wish not to
seek any contest with the enemy till we had arrived
at our position round the town ; that the Artillery
appeared to be the point in which our superiority
was most• decided; and that our object should be to
get it into its position with as little contest as the
enemy would permit.
The Imaum left a portion of his troops in his camp
in the plain on the outside of the entrenched position
of the British. The four light guns were manned
with all the Arabs who had drawn the six, who also
carried their arms. The Imaum's force had accu-
mulated on the road, and the number which marched
that morning has been stated. by his Highness at two
thousand. The number of Sepoys amounted to
three hundred and twenty,. exclusive of the old pic-
quet of sixty, men, which was ordered to follow the
stores for present use, and to bring up the rear. The
number of 'the enemy, from repeated and varied in-
quiries, amounted to 900, and there were said to be
eight guns, of small calibre, in the place.
The Artillery were directed to have their limbers
Completed with ammunition; and I made a point of
ascertaining, by personal inquiry, that a proportion
of case-shot for the howitzers, and of spherical case,
for the six-pounders, made part of the stores con-
veyed from Soor, and were actually present in
the limbers.

On leaving Beni Bon Hnssan, the Light Company
of the Ist Battalion of the 2d Regiment was directed
to take the .lead in extended order. In the event of
meeting an enemy, it was directed to retire, as most
convenient, and to form behind the line in reserve.—
The new picquet, of sixty men, preceded the head of
the column by a short distance, and was directed to
support the Light Company, if required. Two guns
were at the head of the column, after the picquet,
and two followed.

Soon after leaving Balad Beni Bon Hussan, the
Imaum informed me that the report of the morning
was, that the enemy had resolved on attacking the
force, by day, if they could, and if not, by night.—
Information of this was communicated to the detach-
ment, who appeared to consider the appearance of,
the enemy outside his works as a most desirable
mode of bringing the question to a decision.
After proceeding about a mile and a half, the co-
lumn cleared the Junk, and entered on an open
country : with a view, to strengthen the line, the
picquet inadvince was directed to fill in upon the
ead of the column, and act as a company under the
command of its Officer.

On issuing from the jungle, the Imaum% force ap-
peared on the left, and the_lmaum with a few horse
was seen riding forward to reconnoitre. The date-
grove at the back ofThe town at the same time be-
gan to be distinguished on the right.
His Highness soon afterwards returned, and said,
that the road lay further to the left. I requested
him 'to select a guide, and he fixed upon the Sheik
of Hiskem, who accordingly proceeded. The guide
soon afterwards began to turn considerably to his
left, or frp,m the enemy, and was followed by the
column. 'On proceeding further, a small number of
the enemy on horseback became discernible in the
direction of the town. The front towards the plain
also began -to open: some of the enemy on foot
were afterwards observed on a ridge on the outside
of the town, formed (as is usual in this country) of,
earth, thrown out of the date-groves to arrive at a
better soil. The force continued to move in itsl
foi mer direction.

Observing that the date-grove extended in the di-
rection of the camp at Beni Bon Hussan, and afforded
facilities for an advance upon that place, and also
that the old picquet of sixty men had not appeared,
I felt apprehensive that, in case of any event, this
party would be found neither at one place nor at the
other, and therefore dispatChed a written order to
the Officer to remain in camp till further directions,
and if met by the order, to return.
As I was dispatching this order, an Officer rode to
me, and said the enemy were numerous on the ridge.
Conceiving this might be connected with the reported
intention to attack, I directed the column to halt and
form line. • The ImauM 'also drew up his force in
r good order on the left. But no appearance of the
enemy's moving *being observed, the column pro-
ceeded toviards.its original object.
A short time after the column a as in motion, some
Shots froMiheLight Infantry announced a movement
among the enemy, and the Light Infantry were seen
retiring as had been directed. The enemy soon ap-
peared in motion on the top of the ridge, and from
the direction Whith he took, it was evident that his
:design was to turn the right by moving on a point
beyond it.
-; immediately directed the troops to form columns
of sections to the right, and pass as quitkly Possi-
-1 We behind -thelans, the heed of the coluzim inclining
tOwlrdiihe.former reir, so as to make the new front
6 paralletto the intemy's attack, form line, charge bayo.
nits, and advance. The last movement was, nnhap-
pilh-not executed by the troops. Seeing them hesi-
litteOta no time was to be lost, I ordered them to fire;
and the line opened its fire upon the- enemy. The,
;maim with great proinptitud,e moved his 'force to
the right to dose the interval, and a part of his men
moved along the rear of the Sepoys engaged, and-
opened a fire of matchlocks upon such of the enemy
AS were again attempting to come round the right.
The enemy at the same moment detached ti: part of
his force towards the left of the &pays, where they
were met andoigoronsiy encountered-by thelnsannt.
On seeing the diredion of the etitint's ittildr, 1
immediately rode off to lead the right whiClrwas the

'point attacked. The enemy continuing to press fur-
ward, I was unable to leave the extremity of the right
lest the Sepeys should misconstrue my departure and
give way, I therefore continued upon that point en-
couraging the Sepoys to keep up their fire.
On observing the enemy within twenty yards, I
again made an effort to induce the Sepoys to use their
bayonet% but without success; and while I was doing
this, the whole of the Sepoys turned together and threw
themselves on the Imaum's troops, who were behind.
As soon as the Sepoys gave way, I rode round
them, to endeavour to make them turn, and in doing
this, I found myself in the middle of the Imaum s
matchlocks, who were still keeping up their fire to-
wards the right. Finding no effect produced there,
I rode to the place where the. Sepoys appeared to be
the thickest, and endeavoured to make them turn
round. A few of them turned and fired their mus-
kets into the air over the heads of those that fol-
lowed, and immediately resumed their flight. I also
addressed myself to such of the Officers as I met with,
and to some of the Europeans of the Artillery, but
without effect.

On perceiving the Imaum at a distance, I rode to-
, wards him, and found he had just been wounded.—.
' He had endeavoured to rescue a European who vas'
cut down, and one of the enemy fired at him so close,
that the powder entered the wound, and the ball
passed through his right wrist.
After the Sepoys had given way, I saw the Arabs
advancing upon the whole front against the Imaum's
army, and I then saw the Imaum s force turn round
and give way.
On afterwards comparing observations with his
Highness, he said that the enemy who attacked the
right appeared to him to consist of about four hun-
dred and fifty, which agrees with what I observed,
and that the party detached hom these towards the
left consisted of about a hundred and fifty.
The enemy, as far as I observed, advanced only
with the sword till the Sepoys gave way. But as
soon as that happened, his matchlocks were brought
forward with very fatal effect.
The pursuit was continued in the direction of the
camp of Beni Boa Hussan, inclining a little to the
right or towards the hills. Finding all efforts una-
vailing, on approaching the camp, I made the Arabs
who wereoutside throw themselves into the intrenched
camp, and called for the picquets. On finding them
I directed the Officer of the picrpiet and an Officer of
Artillery, who had neither 4.~f them been in the ac.
lion, to make preparations for defence, while I took
out the picquet to the front. I particularly recom-
mended this duty to the lattet Officer, by saying to
him, " you are of the Artillery;" I at the same time
directed Mr. Sub-Assistant-Surgeon Fallon, of the
Honourable Company's cruizer Prince of Wales, to
take the best means in his power for securing the sick.
On proceeding with the sixty men of the picquet,
I found myself on the flank of the pursuit. As soon
as the enemy observed us, he advanced threatening
with the sword, which was the first opportunity given
for distinguishing him, and the picquet opened its
fire. The enemy then ceased to advance on the front
of the picquet, and began moving rapidly round the
two flanks, with a view to cut it off from the town,
which made it necessary to retire. The Jemadar of
the picquet, Jemadar Rutten Sing, of the First Bat-
talion Second Regiment, displayed great courage, and
would willingly have led the party into the middle
of the enemy. It is to be regretted that he had not
an earlier opportunity for exertion.
On returning with the picquet to the camp, I
found that Mr. SubAssistant-Surgeon Fallon had
removed the sick and followers into a fortified house,
distributed ammunition and arms, posted his people
at their stations, and made the best preparations for
slefence. His Highness the Imaum was of opinion
that the town might be maintained till reinforcements
could arrive, as the inhabitants had long been at war
with the Beni Bon Ali without being overpowered.
In this opinion I was anxious to support him. The
Sepoys were distributed at the towers, and the troops
of his Highness kept in readiness to defend the in-
trenchment; and I was exceedingly anxious to get
the remaining guns into some serviceable position,
but was unable to find either olthe Officers formerly
mentioned, or any of the persons belonging to the Ar.
tillery. The enemy advanced upon the front during
the night, and was received by a heavy fire from the
'Sepoys, and by the Imaum's troops behind the in-
trenchment. During this period, Mr. Sub-Assistant-
Surgeon Falloff was exceedingly active in keeping the
Sepoys to their posts, and supplying them with am-
munition. In the morning it was discovered that the
two other Officers, instead of -obeying the directions
given them, had gone off on the preceding evening
to Soor, carrying with them every person belonging to
the Artillery department.
Soon after daylight the Sepoys of the towers re-
ported that the people of the town had evacuated it
during the night, and I found it impossible to keep
them longer at their' osts. It was also represented
that the lmaum's followers were retiring. On inquir-
ing of his Highness, he appeared unwilling to ad-
mit it ; but while I. was with him a communication
was brought froth a body of his followers to say
they were retiring to their homes. He replied,
calmly; o Tell them that those ,who will leave me,
must leave me;" but soon afterwards he communi-
nicated to me, that it would be impracticable for
him to maintain himself in the town: His followers
were diminishing, and the town appeared to be al-
most totally deserted. The Sheik of the town, with
a few attendants, continued to stay with the Imaum,
and to ask his orders. The departure of the Officers
with the Artillerymen, appeared to have removed
the last hope of holding out any prospect of assist-
ance from the detachment, either in maintaining the
place, or contiduing operations against the enemy.
On the Imaum's repeating his opinion that he
could not maintain himself in the place, I asked him
what be intended to do ?—he replied, " If it is the
will of Gon, we shall dice I told him we must do
that when there was nothing else left. He answered
that he would do anything which I should poiat out.
I told hid] we must destroy what could not be re-
moved, and retreat. I asked him what he could re-
move? He said he could remove the aick, and give
a camel for each of the Sepoys; he afterwards added
that be could find camels for some musquet ammu-
nition.—As soon as the Imaum came to a decision,
he appeared to be anxious to put it into execution,
and I felt apprehensive that if it was delayed he
' would be left. without a guard. • He desired ‘ne to
*strop the remaining gun; and the powder. While,

he gave (Elections to his peop!e, an artilicrrmsh
wounded in three places, who had crlmc
the night, fortunately found some spikes ; and 11r.
Fallon, with the assistance of some pioneers, emptied
the powder-barrels into a well. The carriages wood
have been cut in pieces, but the departure of the
artillerymen rendered it impossible to find tools—.
The Imaum proposed setting fire to them ; I objected
to it on the ground that it would be the signal o
dispersion to his followers, and of pursuit to the
enemy. But I prompted the Bedouins to remove
everything which could be carried off; and I a mi..
bend very little was left to the chance of falling -14,
the hands of the enemy.
As soon as the Imaum began to move, the sick
were placed upon Camels, but it was found impossible
to procure them for any other purpose. Aft" pro..
ceeding eight miles, the I maum proposed moving ui.c,n
Muscat, from a belief-that the passes to Soor ocnil,l.
be occupied by the enemy. The march waN con_'.
nued at intervals during the night, and the nett
morning the detachment reached Gliubb. The re-
treat, lying through a line of country beloogin,.
6 to
the Imaum, was not interrupted. His Highness, with
myself and Dr. Fallon, and the remains of the deuch-
ment, arrived at Muscat on the 17th.

During the whole of these circumstances, tic
Imaum displayed an almirable character, and, al.
though wounded, persisted in remaii►ing v.ith tl:e
detachment, and causing it to be supplied with pro.
visions, camels, shoes, and every assistance which hit
country could afford.

His Highness is anxiou's.to return to the amt. k,
if
he can be furnished with the as..istance of a I osly of
European troops. In hopes of facilitati:z this ohject.
I have written to the Officer in command of :he troops
repotted to be in Scind or Cutch, to ask wi..ll.ct an
European and a Native battalion can he s.:ta i!;e
assistance of his Highness. I have also proposed
bringing of four brass tss clue-pounder guns, with am.
munition, which the Imaum is of oph:ion would be
sufficient for the defeLees, and of two howitzers cf
Horse Artillery with harness, for which his
engages to find horses. Against an enemy of the
habits of the ‘Vahabtes, field artil:ery would aprear
to be of very limited utility, unless it is small in num-
ber, and reculiarly provided tsith the means of
motion ; and on the late occasion, the principal ob.
ject in bringing forward the guns was, that they
might be conveyed to their poition against the dc•
fences under convoy of the whole force.

I have dispatched the above letter on the chance
of its producing an advantageous effect, in the evert
of troops with vessels being on the point of leaving
Cinch, and shall proceed to make such preparations
as are in my power at Deristan, for cc-.aerating
with his -Highbess ; at the same time, I shall be
anxious to receive the communications of Govern-
ment upon the subject.
Events have shewn, that the whole line of cpera.
tions, either from Soor or from Muscat, is in pos.
session of til.lmaum, and his town of Beni Bat
Hussan is within three miles of the enemy. The
Imaum is of opinion, that the town-, of Beni Ben Ifui-
san and Hishem w ill be under the necessity of making
a temporary accommodation with the enemy; but
that it will last only till his re-appearance in force.—
As a mark of the feelings of the county, .orne Eu-
ropeans of the Artillery, who escaped from the corn-
bat, were concealed for four days in Beni &mails-
san, and sent down en camels to Soor. No accident or
disappointment occurred throughout, till the troops
gave way Wore the sword. %That occurred whet
they were supported by two thousand of the Imattrifs
troops at Beni Bon Ali, would have occurred wi b-
out the Imaum at Alashkarah ; and the former mole
of advance, as far as there have been opportunitees
for judging, would appear still to be the safest.
A boy came in to the troops at Beni Bon Hums
on the morning of the combat, who says he belongs
to Bombay, and was taken five years ago, with four
other boys, in a vessel with two masts and twenty-
six hands, Nachodah's name Ibrahim, bound to Mus-
cat, with rice; the vessel's name he has forgotten.—
He says, the Arabs dismissed the rest of die crew,
took out the rice, and set the vessel on fire. Three
of the boys, be says, remain at Beni Bon Ali, and
one is gone he knows not whither. Two boys be-
longing to Mangalore have al so come door to •Soor, aid
are on board his Majesty's sloop Curlew. These in-
cidents identify Beni Bon Ali with piratical operations
In concert with the Imaum, I have taken measures
for sending the remains of the .detachment as quickly
as possible to Deristan.
I have determined on sending. to Bombay the two
Officers mentioned in a former part of this letter,
with directions to report their arrival to the Adju-
tant-General of the Army. My sole reason for oft
placing them under arrest without delay, is, that
such a proceeding might involve a necessity for pub-
lishing at the head of every Regiment in India, that
a detachment of Sepoys had been deserted by its Of-
ficers; and I would not do what might confine tie
Government to any specific course. At the sane
time, I shall transmit charges to the Adjutant-Gene-
ral, with lists of evidences, against the event cf its
appearing to be desirable to proceed in that manor.
The loss of the detachment engaged has neces-
sarily been most severe, as must always be the case
' when troops wait to be attacked with the sword, la
then give way. Of the Officers in the action, Lien-
tenant Boswell, Ist Battalion 2d Regiment, ea
myself, are the only ones hitherto known to survive;
Lieutenants Morley and Gidley, and Sub-Assistarit-
Surgeon Fallon, were not in the action of the meta
ing. I beg leave to notice the services of Dr. Fallon,
as having been extensively useful during the defence
made in Beni Don Hassan, and during the march to
Muscat ; and as being the only Officer able to be of
any assistance who staid by me and thedetachmeat.
and arrived with them at Muscat, Lieutenant &Yf
well having been incapable of duty from fatigue and
injuries received. The number of men who returned
with., me to Muscat, or who arrived at Soar after the
action, amounts to 446, of whom one halfare f Mowers
I feel strongly convinced of the necessity for the
permanent residence of at least two European CoP
for Pan tieshe at Deristan,
fano,rt‘ovhch
makeiit tihsedesdetigancehdm—enlt
am, &c.
(Signed) T. P. THOMPSON,
Captain 17th Light DDralgrooDn.s,,ponunissioner and
^
On the 14th hut. at Ware, Ilerts, John Burr, FAT aoed 76.
On the 15th, at Milbrook, mar Southampton, Alezaadd
&08., Esq. late of the 20th Regiment, aged

72=,
DON -.7_ -
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