under Captain Chapman, and a squadron of the 6th Madras Light Cavalry, the whole under the command of Captain Mulcaster, 6th Madras Light Cavalry, with orders to go across country by a circuitous route of sixteen miles, and cross the river Munowah, at a ford about three miles north of Hurriah, so as to take up a position two miles to the rear of the Nazim's Force, and on my attacking at sunrise, to endeavour to capture the Nazim Mahomed Hossein and his guns and elephants.

*

6. The cavalry, agreeably to my orders, took up a position marked by a tope of trees, equidistant between the roads from Hurriah to Gondah and Amorah. The enemy were in great force in this direction, and held strong positions in topes and villages.

In consequence of my attack on the enemy being about four miles south east from the position taken up by the cavalry, the enemy's attention in this direction was undisturbed.

The enemy were fully prepared for the cavalry attacking their rear, on discovering the position the cavalry had taken up, and for some time kept up a continued fire upon them. Captain Mulcaster with his squadron of the 6th Madras Cavalry, continued to watch the enemy's movements to the north-east, but neither Nazim, guns, or elephants retreated in his direction. Some of the enemy's cavalry, who had taken up a position in front of a village covered by a large body of infantry, were shot by the carabiniers of the Madras Cavalry, whom Captain Mulcaster had thrown out in skirmishing order.

Bengal Yeomanry Cavalry.-7 officers, 140 rank and file, 1 surgeon, 1 veterinary surgeon.

6th Madras Light Cavalry.-2 European officers, 3 native officers, 2 European warrant and non-commissioned officers, 84 rank and file, 5 trumpeters and farriers.

Shortly after, Captain Mulcaster's squadron, in endeavouring to communicate with me, was exposed to a continued and heavy fire from the enemy's rifles and infantry on all sides, who were in strong positions in villages and topes inaccessible for cavalry.

Captain Chapman, with his squadron of Yeomanry Cavalry, leaving Captain Mulcaster in the north-east direction, took a wide sweep to the south-west and up the road from Amorah to Hurriah, and was unable to see amongst the enemy's baggage more than three elephants, which took up a position in a tope covered by their infantry, unassailable by cavalry. Captain Chapman reports, that his advance along the road by which the enemy were retreating, caused a large quantity of their baggage to be abandoned, which was plundered.

During Captain Chapman's advance, his men and horses were under a heavy and continued fire, from men in charge of the baggage, who, from behind walls and trees kept up a steady fire, from which the squadron escaped with one man and four horses wounded.

7. I myself marched from Captaingunge at about 3 A.M., on the morning of the 18th, with the force as per margin,* and marched towards the village of Hurriah, eight miles from Captaingunge, and when about half a mile from the village, some of the enemy, who were secreted in a dry nullah, opened fire upon me, on the left of the road. I immediately directed the greater

* Pearl Naval Brigade.-5 officers, 106 seaman and Marines, two 12-pounder howitzers, one 24-pounder rocket. 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.-82 native officers, 18 rank and file. Bengal Yeomanry Cavalry.-4 officers, 50 rank and file,

portion of Her Majesty's 13th Foot and Sikhs, to advance in skirmishing order, and also ordered the guns to open fire on the rebels. The skirmishers under Lieutenant Wroughton, Her Majesty's 13th Light Infantry, advanced in the most spirited and gallant manner. Captain Sotheby, R.N., and two horsed guns, and the Naval Brigade and Marines, 65 of whom acted as skirmishers, and 50 of the Yeomanry Cavalry followed in support. The enemy retreated across the river, and took refuge in a village; they were, however, quickly expelled from it by the fire of the artillery, and were followed up by the infantry.

8. Finding large bodies of the enemy threatening me, on my front and right, I ordered out a company of Her Majesty's 13th Light Infantry, under Lieutenant Everett, who skirmished to the right in the most gallant manner. I also directed Captain Sotheby, R.N., to bring his guns round and join Lieutenant Welsh, Bengal Artillery, who was in position on the road.

As the skirmishers approached a thick bamboo jungle, the enemy opened fire upon them. I then directed Lieutenant Welsh to shell the enemy out of the jungle the enemy, however, held their ground for a considerable time.

Leaving Lieutenant Welsh, with Captain Van Straubenzee, and a company of Her Majesty's 13th Light Infantry, on the road, to prevent the enemy from attacking my rear, I proceeded on with the Naval Brigade and 2 guns, and the 50 men of the Yeomanry Cavalry, and, on approaching the village of Hurriah, I observed the village full of rebels, and accordingly fired several rounds of shell and turned them out.

After passing through the village, I passed over the bridge on the road unmolested. I here observed the enemy strongly posted in several topes to the north-east, and again opened fire from the

guns on the enemy's position in the topes. The enemy, who were a considerable distance in my front, retreated rapidly, and in good order, and were greatly protected in their retreat by the numerous topes and small villages. I followed the enemy, but finding the Europeans becoming fatigued, and the sun oppressive, I deemed it expedient to recall the troops, and retired to the village of Hurriah, where I encamped for the day.

9. Lieutenant Welsh with the two guns and detachment of Bengal Artillery, under his command. afforded me valuable assistance by his welldirected fire, in driving out the enemy from some heavy bamboo jungle on the right of the road, and contributed to the early dispersion and flight of the enemy.

10. It affords me much pleasure to state to the Brigadier, the active and zealous assistance afforded me by Captain Sotheby, R.N., who, with his two horsed guns, kept up a rapid fire of shells on the enemy, following them in pursuit and shelling them on every opportunity with that active zealous officer, Lieutenant Turnour, R.N., who came out in charge of the Naval Detachment and 2 guns with me from Camp Bustee. Lieutenant Wroughton, Her Majesty's 13th Light Infantry, and Mr. Mate Inglis, R.N., who were skirmishing in front with the 13th Skirmishers and Royal Marines, as they drove the enemy's skirmishers back, and over the river to the left of the road, gallantly dashed in and forded the river, continuing to drive back the enemy.

11. My best thanks are due to Captain Sotheby, R. N., commanding the Naval Brigade; to Captain Van Straubenzee, commanding detachment Her Majesty's 13th Light Infantry; to Captain Mulcaster, 6th Madras Light Cavalry, commanding the cavalry; to Captain Chapman, commanding the Bengal Yeomanry Cavalry; to Lieutenant

Maddock, 3rd Bengal European Regiment, commanding the Seikhs; and to Lieutenant Welsh, commanding Bengal Artillery, for their gallant and spirited conduct in the field; and it affords me great satisfaction in bringing to the notice of the Brigadier the cordial and able support I received from all officers and men engaged.

12. I am also much indebted to Lieutenant Fairlie, 6th Madras Light Cavalry, my Staff Officer, and to Lieutenant Garnault, Bengal Engineers, and to Lieutenant Rowley, Her Majesty's 13th Light Infantry, my orderly officer, for the readiness and alacrity with which they conveyed my orders in the field. The Deputy Magistrate, Mr. Wilson, Bengal Civil Service, accompanied me in the field, and afforded me every assistance.

13. Dr. Gee, attached to Her Majesty's 13th Light Infantry, and Dr. Garden, attached to the Bengal Yeomanry Cavalry, were present in the field, active and ready to afford their assistance.

14. The enemy were evidently very much stronger than reported, and held strong positions in topes, villages, rifle-pits, and nullahs for several miles, and must, at the very least, have numbered 5,000 armed men, the greater portion of whom evidently consisted of troops that have been disciplined.

15. The number of the enemy killed and wounded were about 200, by native and other reports, the enemy carrying off their wounded.

16 I am happy to state that our casualties were light, a list of whom I beg to inclose.

17. I regret that only one small brass gun fell into my hands; but from reports since received, I find that the enemy had removed the greater number of their guns on the 17th instant, and secreted them in a tope eight miles off.

18. Some ammunition and weapons were found on the ground after the rebels had retreated.