The Sun. — 1846-11-06 (London, England)

THE BRITISH AT ADEN. COLONEL MILNER. (From the Maidstone Journal.) The following copy of a letter from a corporal in the 94th Foot, to one of the servants at Preston Hall, Kent, is so creditable to the writer, and bears such undeniable testimony to the amiable character of our kind-hearted neighbour, Colonel Milner, and to the love which is deservedly felt for him in the regiment, that we have much pleasure in publishing it, as a just and pleasing testimony to his character. The letter, too, is in itself highly interesting, and highly characteristic of the feelings IN bleb animate our gallant defenders against whatever odds they may have to contend. " Men, August 18, 1846. " Your letter I received here on the 21st of June, and nothing gives me more pleasure than to hear that all in Preston Hall are well. Now, before Igo any further, I must not keep you long without knowing that before November next you will have the pleasure of seeing the Colonel once more in Preston Hall, as he expects to leave this some time in October next. He has had very bad health here lately, and is fully determined to proceed home—and another reason is, we are on the eve of leaving this place to proceed to Calcutta, and as he will be in England in about twenty days from the time he leaves this place, he considers this a very fitting opportunity to get two years' leave ; but as he is going to remain some time in Gibraltar, he may not, perhaps, be able to get home, as I before said, until about November, and I sincerely hope he may arrive there ail right and well. He has already made application to the Commander-in-Chief of India, for leave of absence for the above period.  " We are now engaged with the enemy ; we are up night and day watching for them. They are a very savage race of people—Arabs as they are ; and the force now against us is considered upwards of 6,000 men, commanded by one of their chiefs, who says he is determined on taking this place. The batteries are manned, and our out-lying pickets on the alert in case of a sudden attack on their side. Every man of ours is under arms from sunset until six the following morning. They attacked our out-lying picket the night before last, in large numbers, but our gallant fellows soon made them retiro in double-quick time, with a parting farewell, letting fly after them nine field-pieces, and a volley from right to left. Our heavy guns continued their fire for upwards of an hour, ,;fire-balls thrown, and tar-bar. rels burning—and you might plainly see the enemy take their dead up as they were cut down by our musketry and artillery, and continued their retreat. This morning a party of horse went outside the wall, and discovered only two of the enemy— one dead and the other wounded mortally. lle is now in the hospital, and seems to say that we will in a short time be attacked by upwards of 15,000, and they are commanded by a religious enthusiast. They make sure of destroying every man of us. They are well armed, but if they wero a hundred times better, Britons stand before them—and I only hope, as the Colonel is on the eve of going, that he may have an opportunity, as he commands the whole force here, of showing a specimen of his military talents, as I know full well nothing is giving him more pleasure at this moment than our expectations of an hourly engagement—and, for my part, I only hope it may be a general one. lam one, these last two nights, that is in charge of the colours, which is counted a very high post. I must not forget letting no deed to say that the Colonel is going, of which I need fyeoruskenanoewtitmhea.t llamamr fwer my own sake, e,avnedryhsaevrerybeienn. hardly tell you all—but again, when I consider, in all he will come out seven years younger—that tpaTnbi3a,bgilrintytifitel ben sie meaefit de good and, as a- s fhroemhii, tntseilt remarked,cfer time will be looked for by all now in our regiment with the greatest anxiety. " I must not forget letting you all know that he was kind enough to make me a pres,ent of his own watch— that he has had in his possession for a number of years; it came from Maidstone, and for his sake will I always keep it as long as I live ; and may I always hear from him during his time in England, let it be short or long. I am sure he will not forget writing to me as usual, wherever he is. You must d scaonfneoclhtuodfm oer—egi,le. conclude—God M. hdt S. a bless letting ,iay you mtphe p ikict,al,ottis•sd prosperous all, v how he gets on with you when he arrives in England. Give my respects to John D., Mr. G., father and sisters —often the Colonel speaks of the old man. Remember manedtso send all friends. r e If Jr willen Corporalßelieve me to remain for ever, yours all sincerely, nd) passage when he does proceed. . S., 'o Aden, Arabia Felix."  SUICIDE or A