Alum Bagh, this corps has greatly distinguished itself by its gallantry in action, and by its fortitude and endurance under great exposure and fatigue. 4. The Governor-General offers to Major Barrow, who ably commanded the Volunteer Cavalry, and boldly led them in all the operations in which they were engaged, his most cordial acknowledgments for his very valuable services; and to Captain Lynch, and all the officers and men who composed this corps, his Lordship tenders his best thanks for the eminent good conduct and exemplary courage which they displayed during the whole time that the corps was embodied. R. J. H. BIRCH, Colonel, Secretary to the Government of India, No. 2. Allahabad, July 7, 1858. No. 264 of 1858. THE Right Honorable the Governor-General is pleased to direct the publication of the following despatch from Brigadier Rowcroft, commanding Sarun Field Force, No. 350, dated 23rd June, 1858, forwarding a Report from Colonel Byng, of his successful attack on the rebel force under Nazim Mahomed Hossein, at Sirsaie, in the Goruckpore district, on the 18th June last. No. 3. Brigadier F. Rowcroft, Commanding the Sarun Field Force, to Major H. W. Norman, Deputy Adjutant-General of the Army. SIR, Camp, Bustee, June, 23, 1858. I HAVE the honor to forward the enclosed report from Colonel Byng, for submission to his Excellency the Commander-in-chief, reporting his successful attack, with the detachment under his command, on the Nazim Mahomed Hossein and his rebel force, reputed to be about 3,000, of whom 500 were sepoys, with four or five guns, at the village of Sirsaie, about half a mile to the west of the river Munowah, and eight miles from Captaingunge. 2. On the 13th instant, I received a requisition from the Commissioner, Mr. Wingfield, for a detachment to move to Captaingunge, about twelve miles to the west of this, for the protection of the Tuhseelee (then under repair, and to be made more defensible by Lieutenant Garnault, Engineers, sent out with the detachment, for this purpose), and the native civil officers and police, as the Nazim Mahomed Hossein, with his rebel force, had suddenly moved down to Sirsaie, from the north-west, where he had rapidly retreated before Major Cox's detachment at the beginning of the month. The spies reported he was on his way to Belwa and Fyzabad, On the 14th instant, he still remained encamped at Sirsaie. That night I ordered out a strong detachment under Colonel Byng, 6th Madras Light Cavalry. The Commissioner was of opinion, and I was also, from our reports, and the known character and tactics of the Nazim, that, immediately our detachment moved to Captaingunge, he would hastily retreat. 3. I instructed Colonel Byng not to harass the European troops, by attempting to follow the enemy, the weather being, at the time, particularly hot and oppressive, and much sickness among the troops; but, if the Nazim moved forward, leaving the river and bridge in his rear, then to advance and attack him, when there would be little doubt of the result; and should any difficulty arise, or the Nazim get reinforced from Belwa, I would be ready immediately to join him with the Head Quarters of the Field Force. 4. The Nazim on the 16th instant, still continued at Sirsaie, collecting revenue from the villages. I sent orders to Colonel Byng to make arrangements to attack, and drive the enemy out of Sirsaie, and the same evening sent him a reinforcement of another troop of the Bengal Yeomanry Cavalry, 20 Royal Marine Light Infantry, and 50 men of the Naval Brigade; also the 24-pounder rocket tube, under Captain Sotheby, R.Ñ. I sent the men out on our baggage elephants and ekkas (pony carts), to be fresh for any work on arrival. It rained heavily that night, flooding the country and roads, preventing any move on the morning of the 17th instant. Colonel Byng attacked the enemy next morning, the 18th instant, as detailed in his report; the Nazim still remaining at Sirsaie, probably deceived by his information as to the strength of the detachment out, and the troops at Bustee. 5. Captain Mulcaster, with squadron 6th Madras Light Cavalry; and Captain Chapman, with squadron Bengal Yeomanry Cavalry, ably and carefully carried out their long detour and night march, to the rear of the enemy's encampment. The 6. The enemy lost a great quantity of baggage, brass and iron cooking vessels, and some 29 or 30 carts and bullocks; and a small brass gun was found in their encampment, and a few boxes of good musket ammunition, and some arms. defeat and dispersion of the Nazim's rebel force, has had the best effect on the district, agreeably to the several reports brought in, and quite broken them up, at any rate for the present, the rebel sepoys of the 1st Regiment Native Infantry, with 2 guns, 10th and 56th Regiments Native Infantry having left the Nazim and crossed into Qude. On the 20th instant, the Nazim was reported to be a few miles beyond Bungaon, in an old fort, in dense forest jungle, with only 400 matchlock men, 2 guns and 60 so wars, about 20 miles north-west of Captaingunge. 7. I am happy to state, our casualty list was very trifling on the 18th instant; and I have seen Serjeant A. Berris, and Private J. Carson, 13th Light Infantry, dangerously wounded, in the field, and they are now doing well, with every promise of perfect recovery. 8. Colonel Byng very zealously carried out the duty confided to him, and I beg respectfully to recommend to the most favorable notice of his Excellency Sir Colin Campbell, the admirable conduct of the officers and troops of all arms, soldiers and sailors, whatever the weather, whatever the heat, ever eagerly ready for the battle, and I trust his Excellency will honor them by bringing the same to the favorable notice of the Right Honorable the Governor-General. I have, &c. F. ROWCROFT, Brigadier. No. 4. Lieutenant-Colonel J. Byng to Captain Morgan, Brigade Major, Sarun Field Force. SIR, Camp Bustee, 21st June, 1858. I HAVE the honor to report for the information of Brigadier Rowcroft, commanding Sarun Field Force, my arrival at the head-quarters of the Field Force, last night at 10·13 P.M., and beg to report as follows. 2. Agreeably to instructions, I arrived at Captaingunge, fifteen miles west of Bustee, on the morning of the 15th instant, with the force as per margin.* 3. The Nazim Mahomed Hossein was reported to be encamped at Sirsaie, near Hurriah, about eight miles to the west, with about 3000 men and 5 guns. 4. On the night of the 16th instant, I was reinforced by 2 officers and 70 men of the Naval Brigade, under Captain Sotheby, R N., and a troop of the Bengal Yeomanry Cavalry, and on the morning of the 17th instant I had planned an attack on the Nazim, the cavalry to push round into the rear of the enemy's encampment, by a considerable detour to the right, but owing to the most heavy fall of rain, I was obliged to recall the cavalry, who had already started, and gone a short distance, as it was impracticable for them to march across country, or for the guns to proceed by the road, and I feel confident that had I been able to carry out my plans on the 17th instant, I should have taken the enemy completely by surprise, and probably captured all their guns and elephants; but from the facility the enemy have in obtaining intelligence, they must have been fully prepared for my attack and plan of operations on the 18th instant. 5. At 12 P.M. on the 17th instant, I despatched from my camp a squadron of Yeomanry Cavalry, * Pearl Naval Brigade.-2 officers, 28 seamen, two 12-pounder howitzers. Bengal Artillery.-1 officer, 17 European rank and file, 7 gun Lascars, 19 bullock-drivers, 2 guns. Her Majesty's 13th Light Infantry.-6 officers, 160 rank and file. Sikh Detachment.-2 native officers, 81 rank and file. Bengal Yeomanry Cavalry.-7 officers, 140 rank and file, 2 surgeons. 6th Madras Light Cavalry.-4 European officers. 3 native officers, 2 European warrant and non-commissioned officers, 84 rank and file, 6 trumpeters and farriers. |