SIR,
306
Enclosure 4.
Terrachee, December 21, 1875. I HAVE the honour to inform you that the force under Lieutenant-Colonel Hill, of the 1st Goorkhas, to which I was attached, started from a position 14 miles of the Residency at 9 o'clock on the morning of the 19th instant.
The force consisted of 120 men of the 1st Goorkbas, under Captain Mercer, 30 seamen and marines from the "Thistle," under Navigating Sub-Lieutenant M. S. Beatty and Assistant-Paymaster T. F. Harrison, with one 24-pounder rocket tube, and 11 Royal Artillery with a 7-pounder gun, the whole being under the command of Lieutenant- Colonel Hill.
The route lay through much open country for the first six miles, after which we got into forest and jungle, and after marching about nine miles force was halted by a river in the forest, and bivouacked for the night.
Next morning we moved on again, and travelled by a very bad path through the forest all day, and, after marching about 12 miles, again camped for the night in the jungle.
The following day we moved on early over a very rough scrambling path, our diffi- culties being much increased by the enemy having cut down many trees, staked the patha with sharp bamboos, and thrown other obstacles in our way in the most difficult passes; we also had to cross and recross the Moar River 15 or 20 times.
About noon we came on a stockade freshly made, and only just abandoned, and shortly afterwards emerged from the jungle into the Terrachee Valley, and after marching about two miles along it without opposition or seeing any one, all the houses we passed being abandoned, we halted for the night in our present position.
Early this morning we were again under arms, and after leaving a strong guard here, under Mr. T. F. Harrison, marched up the valley towards the Bukit Putas Pass, but after going about three miles met the column under Colonel Clay coming down, and learnt that the stockade in Bukit Putas had been surprised and taken on the night of the 20th instant by Captain Channer and 25 men of the Goorkhas, with a loss of one killed and two wounded; they represent the position and stockade as being one of great strength; the enemy are supposed to have retreated into Datu Moar country.
I desire to bring before your notice the very great zeal and energy displayed by Navi- gating Sub-Lieutenant M. S. Beatty and Mr. T. F. Harrison, Assistant-Paymaster, throughout the whole of the arduous march, and it is to their exertions that the difficulty of carrying the large cases of 24-pounder rockets was surmounted.
Being short of available executive officers in the ship, I have employed Mr. Harrison much inthis capacity, and he has proved himself most efficient.
The seamen and marines have, l'am glad to say, behaved admirably, so much so as to call for the praise of the Lieutenant-Colonel in command.
I am glad to say that, notwithstanding much wet and sleeping in the jungle, there is no sickness.
Pending contrary orders from you, I purpose remaining with this expedition as long as my services are required by Colonel Anson.
I have, &c. (Signed) F. STIRLING,
Commander H,M.S." Thistle," Naval Brigade.
P.S. A tracing of this part of the Malay Peninsula, as surveyed by Mr. Daly, the Colonial Engineer, will be sent as soon as obtainable.
Captain Alexander Buller,
H.M.S." Modeste,"
Senior Officer, Malacca Straits.
907
Clay crossing the bills into Sri Menanti, while that under Lieutenant Colonel Hill to which the Naval Brigade was attached marched into Ulu Moar; the country we passed through was a rich valley with much rice under cultivation, and well stocked with buffalo, goats, and poultry, and evidence of a considerable population, though the houses were all deserted; no opposition was experienced, and we halted for the night at the house of the Datu of Moar.
Next morning we advanced into Sri Menanti, taking a different route to the other columo, passing a well built and recently deserted stockade which was destroyed, and at 1 p.m. joined the rest of the force under Colonel Clay near the residence of the Rajah Autas, or, as he claims to be, the Yam Tuan Besar.
Hearing here that the Chiefs and the fighting men had fled into Jompole, a small force was detached in pursuit of them to Qualla Jompole, but it being evident that no opposi- tion was now intended, Colonel Anson informed me that the services of the Naval Brigade could now be dispensed with, and accordingly the following morning (the 26th) I detached my force from the main body, and taking the road over the Sri Menanti hill passed through Terrachee, and encamped for the night at "Bandole." morning the march was continued over the Bukit Putoos Pass, by Parroci, into Rassa, a distance of 18 miles, were we remained the night.
The next
Finding the following morning that many of the men were unfit to march to Lukut (a distance of 18 miles over a very bad road), I determined to send them down in boats by the Lingey River; and leaving Navigating Sub-Lieutenant Beatty and Mr. Harrison to carry out this, I myself proceeded to Lukut, and getting on board the same evening brought the ship round to the mouth of the Lingey River next day, and the party returned to the ship on the morning of the 30th December.
I beg to bring to your favourable notice the great zeal and energy displayed by Navigating Sub-Lieutenant M. S. Beatty and Mr. T. F. Harrison, Assistant-Paymaster of this ship, throughout the operations, and it is due to their exertions that the Naval Brigade earned the reputation of being always ready.
The conduct of the seamen and marines has also been most praiseworthy during the fortnight they have been landed, though much of the marching was of a most arduous nature, trying even to regular troops, they behaved with the utmost steadiness.
I beg to enclose a sketch of the country of Sunghie Ujong, Sri Menanti, &c., showing the route and position of the stockades, &c.; also the copy of a letter addressed to me
by the Honourable Colonel Anson, Lieutenant-Governor of Penang and Special Political Agent in Sunghie Ujong, with reference to the operations.
On the 31st December I got under weigh for target practice, returning to the same anchorage at noon.
On the 5th the Honourable Colonel Anson returned from Rassa, and requested me to convey bim to Penang, at the same time informing me that he did not consider the presence of a man-of-war to be any longer necessary in that part of the coast. I ac- cordingly got under weigh the same afternoon, communicating with Her Majesty's ship "Modeste" at the Dindings, and the "Philomel" off Larut yesterday, and arrived at
port this morning at 9 a.m.
I have, &c. (Signed) F. STIRLING,
this
Captain Alexander Buller,
SIR,
Her Majesty's ship "Modeste,"
Senior Officer, Malacca Straits.
Sub-Enclosure in Enclosure 5.
Commander.
I
SIR,
Enclosure 5.
Her Majesty's ship " Thistle," Penang, January 7, 1876.
In continuation of my last letter of proceedings, dated Terrachee, December 22nd, I beg to inform you that on the 24th December an advance into the States of Ulu Moar and Sri Menanti having been determined on, the whole force got under arms at 9.30 a.m., and moved as far as Qualla Parit, where the two columns separated, that under Colonel
Her Majesty's ship “ Thistle," January 6, 1876.
I HAVE the honour to express my thanks for the ready and cheerful assistance which, under considerable difficulties, you and the officers and men of Her Majesty's ship "Thistle" who co-operated with the expedition to Songie Ujong have rendered me. have not failed to communicate my appreciation of your services and theirs to the Governor of the Straits Settlements, and to request that he will be good enough to bring them to the notice of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty.
To yourself personally I desire also to express my acknowledgments for the courtesy and consideration which I have received from you.
Commander F. Stirling,
Her Majesty's ship “ Thistle.”
I am, &c. (Signed) A. E. H. ANSON,
Colonel.
1
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
C.O. 882
3
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON |