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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

TELEC.O.

882

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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON |

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO

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November 29.-Same weather. Received news from Captain Dunlop and Lieutenant Jones, reporting safe arrival of force at Sungie Ujong at 10 A.M., after a very trying march of twenty miles.

November 30,--Same weather. No news. His Excellency had an interview with Shik Matali, son-in-law of the Bundar, and signed a Treaty with him.

December 1.-Same weather. Landed with his Excellency. Interview with Rajah Botts. Late in the evening received despatches from front to the following effect:-

"Having rested after the arrival of forces at Sungie Ujong, Captain Dunlop with a mixed party went towards the enemy's stockade at Apanyang, some seven miles distant, to reconnoitre. On approaching they were observed and instantly fired upon. The whole force was then called to the front, but from the distance, &c., it was getting late on arrival. A brisk attack was, however, made at 120 yards, for over half an hour, to which a very steady fire was returned from great guns and rifles. Owing to the high firing of the enemy, no casualties occurred during the engagement. It being now too late to carry the fort by assault, the forces were assembled for retreat, when a spent bullet, passing over the imen of the 10th Regiment, lodged in the back of Robert Chambers, captain main-top of the ship, inflicting a dangerous wound, the spine it is feared being injured. The coolies having all deserted during the firing, the force bad to convey back all their stores them- selves, and this duty, added to the carriage of the wounded man, was not accomplished till 9 P.M., and with great difficulty. As everything was being prepared the next morning for a renewed assault, the Bundar's son arrived with the letter from his Excellency, on reading which it was agreed that the terms granted by his Excellency should be made known to the Bundar, and that twenty-four hours should be given him for their considera- tion. During the afternoon the son returned to say that his father had ran away, and that he knew nothing of the proceedings of Mahmood or his whereabouts. On marching to the fort, it was discovered completely deserted and gutted. Arms, ammunition, dollars (supposed to be 150,000), and tin, all carried off. The mining Chinese were looting the provisions, &c., of which there was a large quantity. The stockade was of great strength, mounting many guns, and containing several houses within its enclosures. A few resolute men might have inflicted heavy loss on an attacking force, and could then have retreated at the rear into the jungle without being discovered. Captain Dunlop arranging for a vigorous pursuit.

December 2.---Same weather. Sent despatches to the front. Weather looking dirty. Heavy rain at intervals, and very heavy rain all night, with squalls from south-west, causing a nasty sea.

December 3.-Same cloudy, squally weather. Communicated with shore. No news. December 4.-Landed with his Excellency, and had an interview with Rajah, &c. No news from front.

December 5.-Fine day. Accompanied his Excellency in steam-launch to the Sappan river, distant some eight miles, but did not proceed far up, as tide was ebbing and river bar being very shallow. As it was, launch grounded twice on coming over at 5 P.M., on our return. Received letter from the front in the evening, stating that "Captain Dunlop, Lieutenant Jones, and Mr. Pickering, with a force of 11 seamen, and 11 of the 10th regiment had gone on through the jungle to a place called Batanag Laboo, in search of the Bundah and Rajah Mahmood. The remainder of the force remained at Sungie Ujong, all well, with exception of wounded seaman, who remained in about same condition."

Squalls from south-west with very heavy rain during the night.

December 6.-His Excellency having decided to return at once to Singapore, left this ship in the "Hart," at 10:30 A.M.; the "Hart" having previously turned over to us all available provisions, &c.

December 7.-Dull and cloudy, Communicated with the shore. No news.

December 8.-Fine day. Went ashore, and received a letter for his Excellency from Captain Tatham, and one for self from Lieutenant Brooke. Captain Dunlop, with Lieutenant Jones and party had not yet returned to head-quarters, but were hourly expected. Fifty troops would then be retained up country, and the remainder would return to Lakut for re-embarkation.

December 9.-Clouds, but fine. Communicated with shore, and received news from policemen that the force would be down next morning.

December 10.-Fine weather. Sent boats in early, and re-embarked Lieutenant Brooke and 7 seamen, and Lieutenant Warton and 32 men of 10th regiment. The remainder of force arrived about 3 P.M., and were sent on board, with the exception of the Marine Guard and wounded man Chambers, who required rest.

"Hart Arrived at

11 r.., with despatches, stores, and provisions.

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December 11-Squally, with rain. Went in at daybreak for remainder of party. Was informed that Chambers had died at midnight. Embarked all except 9 police, who, with Control Officer and Serjeant, remained to look after provisions left for force up country. Having received provisions, &c., from "Hart," proceeded to Singapore, leaving the latter to make final arrangements with Control, and then follow to Singapore.

Having extracted the bullet from the spine, the body of Chambers was at sunset committed to the deep with military honours. His death has been reported to the Secretary of the Admiralty.

December 12.-Arrived at Singapore at noon of this day, and made preparations for coaling, &c., on Monday the 14th, and carrying out sailing orders for Labuan on 15th.

5. I have the honour to forward herewith the letter of proceedings of Commander Royse of "Hart;" and also the report of Lieutenant Jones during the time he was absent from this ship in command of the Naval Brigade, and virtually Senior Officer of the entire expedition.

6. Captain Dunlop, in despatches to the Governor, fully bears out and corroborates the high character given by Lieutenant Jones to the officers and men of Naval Brigade, and I trust that their general conduct throughout a short, though very trying, campaign, will meet with your favonrable consideration. Lieutenant Jones, who is at all times most energetic in his various duties, is a very deserving officer, and I should be only too happy to do anything to further his professional advancement. The other officers employed under his orders deserve all that he has said of them in his report.

I have, &c. (Signed)

W. SMITH,

Captain and Senior Officer, Straits of Malacca. Vice-Admiral Sir Charles F. A. Shadwell, K.C.B., F.R.S., Commander-in-chief, China.

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Inclosure 3 in No. 15.

Sir,

"Charybdis," off Quleut River, December 10, 1874 IN obedience with your orders, I have the honour to report that in conjunction with Captain Dunlop, Acting Commissioner, and Captain Tatham, R.A., commanding the troops (76 rank and file), I landed with detachment of blue jackets and marines. 69 in number, with Acting Lieutenant Brooke, Mr. Bishop Gunner, Mr. Macdonald, Midshipman, Lieutenant Montgomery, in charge of marines (which officer with a corporal and 10 marines was afterwards left in charge of Lukut), and Dr. Gibson in medical charge.

It being too late to proceed that evening, the forces, as you are aware, did not start till daylight next morning. We found the marching very heavy, all jungle and swamp, the men occasionally sinking up to their waists, and were not sorry to pipe to dinner on arrival at Bangdang at 1 P.M.

About a quarter past 2 (the men being much refreshed by the halt) we again fell in and reached Ayer village, where we encamped in a stockade belonging to a headman, friendly to the Vilana. Left here next morning (28th). After a march of about five miles, during which we passed through the burnt and deserted village of Hassa, we arrived at Sungie Ujong at 10 A.M., and joined the forces with those of Lieutenant Palmer of the 10th Regiment, and Mr. Pickering, Chinese Interpreter.

The men had just concluded their dinners when a policeman rushed in, and reported that Captain Dunlop and a party of the 10th who had gone to [sic], in the vicinity of Campo Pymg, had been surrounded, and that all available force was required imme- diately in the front at a fortified village, distant between three and four miles, protected by several very strong earthworks and four stockades.

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On meeting Captain Dunlop we found the report had been much exaggerated, as his force had only been fired upon, and without loss. Directly the advance guard under Lieutenant Brooke showed themselves, they were met by a smart volley of musketry from the stockades, and the firing continued after the main body of the blue jackets arrived. immediately got the rocket into position (outside distance 400 yards), and fired four rockets at the stockades, only one of them, however, taking effect, as the range was 40 short. The blue jackets and marines were then thrown out on the right as skirmishers, and after a smart fusillade of about half an hour, in which the nature of the country gave our men some good cover, the stockade on the right was completely silenced, the other still firing at the troops, though all through they seemed to aim too high, which accounts for our men escaping so well.

About 6 P.M. we had advanced within 100 yards of the stockade when Captain Dunlop

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