Mahomed, I had the honour to state in my former letters. I have now the gratification to communicate to your Lordship the result of those move

ments.

On the 13th instant, the Ameer, finding that Lieutenant-Colonel Roberts' column was crossing the river on the north, and that the troops under my command were marching upon him from the south, determined to attack Captain Jacob, whose corps cut him off from the desert, and was the weakest of the three. This resolution he put in execution on the morning of the 14th, and was met by that excellent officer, who overthrew and dispersed his army; the Ameer fled, with ten followers, towards the river. I delayed this dispatch, in hopes of being able to inform your Lordship of his capture; but I fear he has retraced his steps, and, in disguise, escaped to the desert.

I have the honour to enclose to your Lordship, Captain Jacob's dispatch of this very brilliant affair.

The troops have all returned to their cantonments, except Colonel Roberts' column, which I expect in a day or two.

I regret to say, that a sudden change of the weather to extraordinary heat took place just after the troops marched from Hyderabad, towards the north, in consequence of which a number of Europeans were struck down, dying in a few hours. It was not owing to the march, for those in the fortress suffered in equal proportion. The number that have fallen in this manner is as follows:

In the field, one lieutenant, two serjeants, twenty-nine rank and file. In the fort of Hyderabad, three serjeants, one drummer, fourteen rank and file.

This terrible loss fell upon us between the 913th and 17th instant. I am afraid that a great

proportion of these deaths must be attributed, in a great measure, to the rashness of the individuals themselves, in drinking the deleterious spirits of this country, the effects of which spirits become deadly when united to extreme heat.

I have just received a letter from Captain Jacob, informing me that he has taken two more guns, which were abandoned by Shere Mahomed on his march to attack Captain Jacob. One is a brass gun, and the other an iron one.

I have, &c.

C. J. NAPIER.

Captain J. Jacob, Commanding Sinde Irregular Horse, to Sir C. Napier.

SIR,

Camp, Shah Dad Poor,
June 14, 1843.

I HAVE the honour to report, that I yesterday morning arrived at this place, with the force under my command.

During the day I received information that Meer Shere Mahomed had marched from Hula to a fort, by name Oodeyra, some sixteen or seventeen miles south east from that place. I have not as yet been able to communicate with Colonel Roberts, but concluded that this movement of the Meer's to the southward was caused by the approach of the force under the Colonel from the north, and that, in endeavouring to escape from it, he would inevitably fall into the hands of the troops advancing from Hyderabad; wherefore, believing this place to be an excellent position for enabling me to intercept the Meer, should he attempt to escape to the eastward, I determined to halt here.

At about eleven o'clock last night, a Brahmin servant of Shere Mahomed's came to my camp, and informed me that the Meer was coming to attack me with his whole force, amounting, he said, to eight thousand or ten thousand men.

At about three o'clock this morning, my pickets perceived the enemy coming on in considerable force; and, after sending several parties to reconnoitre, finding that the enemy advanced very slowly, I left a troop and company to protect my camp, and went out with the rest of the force under my command to attack him. As I advanced, the Beloochees formed on the bank of a nulla in considerable strength, both horse and foot, with three guns, which immediately opened on us. The ground in front was of the most difficult nature, being rugged in the extreme, and intersected with deep ravines. As soon as I had

formed my line, and our guns commenced firing with some effect, I perceived the Beloochees moving off; and, on my advancing with the Sinde horse, they broke, dispersed, and fled in every direction, leaving their guns and several standards in our hands. From the nature of the country, covered as it is with jungle and sand hillocks, and intersected with canals full of water, effective pursuit was impossible. Five or six of the Beloochees were killed by our artillery fire, and two horses of the Sinde irregular horse by that of the enemy.

We have taken five prisoners, from whom, as well as from the Brahmin above mentioned, I learn that Meer Shere Mahomed has filed with ten horsemen back to the river; and I, therefore (I am happy to say), have succeeded in preventing his flight to the desert, although unsuccessful in the attempt to capture his person.

The undermentioned Sirdars were present with Shere Mahomed's army:

Meer Shere Mahomed; Khan Mahomed; Golam Mahomed Lagaree; Morad Ali (Chang); Meer Mahomed (son of Meer Roostum); Meer Mehrab (Talpooree); Mahomed Sadeek; Mahomed Hussein (brother in law of Meer Nusseer Khan).

The number of Beloochees actually present was about 4000; the remainder of Shere Mahomed's army, and one gun, were left at Oodeyra, or deserted him on the road. The Meer had but four guns in all. The three taken are of brass, and well equipped. The conduct of all officers and men under my command has been most steady and excellent throughout; but in an action, such as that of this morning, there is no room for the display of much military prowess.

My intention is to remain at this place until I can communicate with Colonel Roberts, or until I shall receive other orders from yourself.

I have good information, that Shere Mahomed's family are at a fort called Runnee, in the middle of the hills, about twelve miles from Sehwan, and that the Meer will certainly attempt to cross the river to join them, and not to fly to the desert without them. I have, &c.

J. JACOB, Captain Artillery, Commanding Sinde Irregular Horse.

FROM THE

LONDON GAZETTE of OCTOBER 17,

1843.

IN pursuance of the directions of an Act, passed in the twenty-fourth year of the reign of His Majesty King George the Third, intituled " An "Act to repeal so much of two Acts, made in "the tenth and fifteenth years of the reign of "His present Majesty, as authorizes the Speaker "of the House of Commons to issue his warrant "to the Clerk of the Crown for making out "writs for the election of Members to serve in "Parliament, in the manner therein mentioned, "and for substituting other provisions for the like purposes:"

I do hereby give notice, that the death of George William Wood, Esq. late a Member serving in this present Parliament for the borough of Kendal, hath been certified to me in writing, under the hands of two Members serving in this present Parliament; and that I shall issue my warrant to the Clerk of the Crown to make out a new writ for the electing of a Member to serve in this present Parliament for the said borough, at the end of fourteen days after the insertion of this notice in the London Gazette.

Given under my hand, the 14th day of
October 1843,

CHARLES SHAW LEFEVRE, Speaker.