CO882-(2-3) — Page 687

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

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Reference:

C.O. 882

3 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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

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the supposed illegal appointment of a Punghulu (head man) by the Datu of Sriminanti. The Resident asked me to give him a small guard, saying he was going on a peaceful errand. On the 26th instant at 5.45 a.m. I paraded 1 serjeant and 19 rank and file in light marching order at the Resident's house. Each man carried 20 rounds of ammu- nition and a portion of his rations. Chinese coolies carried two days' rations, a complete change of clothes, a blanket, waterproof sheet for each man, and cooking utensils. Surgeon J. Hoysted, A.M.D., accompanied the party. At 6.40 a.m. the Resident was ready to start, and we marched off; 30 native police, under a European serjeant, having just previously joined us. After the first mile got into a narrow path, and was obliged to advance in single file for the remainder of the journey.

Reachet Parade, a little native village, consisting of about 10 or 12 houses. At 8.15 a.m. halted for 10 minutes. About four miles beyoud Paraoe entered thick jungle. Up to this the country is, for the Malay Peninsula, tolerably open, but little cultivated. Shortly after entering the jungle the path gradually begins to ascend, becoming very steep after the first two miles, until it reaches a defile which is the pass over the moan- tains. This defile is cut through the rock, and is only 18 inches wide at the bottom, the sides almost perpendicular and 20 feet high. The ground in the vicinity is covered with thick jungle. The pass is called Bukit Putus, and is 1,000 feet above the level of the sea, and is situated to the north of Bukit Anser, 3,000 feet. During the ascent we crossed a number of mountain streams, all apparently flowing towards the north. leaving the defile the path descends, and is along the bed of a rapid stream. The After marching now was rough, owing to the many boulders and slippery stones. The above stream is the source of the River Bandole, a tributary, and one of the sources of the River Moar.

Arrived at the Ulu Bandole at 10.15 a.m., a small hamlet of five houses surrounded by banana treea and sugar canes, and situated about half a mile from the foot of the hill we had descended. Halted for 10 minutes. We now entered a most beautiful valley, about half a mile in width, and bounded on both sides by high hills covered with dense forest. The River Bandole winds through this dale which is cultivated; paddy fields extending as far as the eye can reach. We had to ford the river four or five times. After passing through some magnificent country we arrived at Terrachee at 1 o'clock where we only found five attap houses. The men were served out with a dose of quinine p.. and a ration of rum, ordered to change their clothes and cook their dinners. in a Malay hut for the night. Mr. Daly (surveyor) and I estimated the distance from We put up the Resident's bungalow at 17 miles, and 20 miles from the barracks at Rasan. The men marched splendidly. The day was very cool, and the path the best I have travelled over in this country.

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The direction of route was E. by N. with scarcely any variation.

27th November 1875.

At 9.15 a.m. paraded and inarched off on our return journey.

We had got about a mile and a half on our road when we were stopped by seeing some natives running, shouting, and waving their turbans. I immediately gave the order Right about turn," and when we met the men they informed me that Mr. Daly and escort, who had started from Terrachee to survey the road to Qualla Pila, were aur- rounded by a large body of armed Malays. I hurried on, through some very swampy ground, as fast as possible, and in about half an hour came across Mr. Daly and party standing in some paddy fields. Mr. Daly told me he had been stopped by a large armed force, who had presented their muskets and waved their swords in his face, and said if be advanced they would shoot him.

I consulted with Captain Murray and we decided to try and drive the enemy from their position, which was a very strong one. They had full command of the narrow jungle path leading from Terrachee to Quallo Plla. Their left flank protected by high hilla covered with impenetrable forest, their right flank by about a quarter of a mile of deep paddy fields. Their front defended by a high bank and 300 to 400 yards of deep paddy fields which they had staked with sharp bamboos. I managed to gain a neck of dry ground which afforded good cover. Advanced in skirmishing order, keeping the men well under shelter. Seeing a large cluster of the enemy in a native house I gave the order to close. The Malays now commenced to shout their "war cry" and opened fire. I fired one volley at the house and then extended and commenced independent firing. The enemy replied without doing any damage, their shots either falling short or pasing over our heads. The distance was from 300 to 400 yards. An irregular fire was kept up on both sides for about 20 minutes. I then heard that a body of the enemy were making their way through the jungle to cut off our only line of retreat and

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that 300 men were expected every hour from Moar, and as I found it would be im- possible to dislodge the opposing force with my few men, and they had expended nearly all their ammunition, I consulted Captain Murray and we decided to retire, which we did in good order. We had to cross some paddy fields in the open, and, strange to say, the enemy did not attempt to molest us.

Before retreating the enemy's fire had almost ceased.

Captain Murray wanted to stay the night at Terrachee, but as some of my men had only three rounds left, and the Malays were reported 400 strong and expecting rein- forcements, I considered it prudent to return to Sungie Ujong,

same.

I made the saune halts on the return journey an on the outward, the route being the Arrived in barracks at 6 p.m. having been on the move for eight hours and three quarters. The day was intensely-hot and every one was thoroughly done up.

There were no casualties or stragglers. I beg most respectfully to state that I consider it almost impossible to dislodge Malays from dense jungle without the aid of rockets and an auxiliary force of Arabs who can penetrate the woods as well as the natives. I enclose a rough diagram of our position.

I have, &c. (Signed) H. C. HINXMAN, Lieutenant,

1st Battalion 10 Regiment.

SIR,

Enclosure 7. in No. 114.

MR. DALY to COLONIAL SECRETARY.

Malacca, December 4, 1875.

I HAVE the honour to enclose copy of my report to Major McNair, which will place you in possession of the facts connected with the disturbances at Sunghie Ujong.

Since it was written, it was said that there were 4,000 men assembled at Terrachee, this is no doubt an exaggeration, but it is true that every house in the valley is crammed with people, and that they threaten a descent to Sie Ujong. This is the last news brought by me. I left Sunghie [sic] Ujong on December 1st, and came down the Linghy River, where everything was quiet.

There are many Rambow men among them, but I cannot find out if the Dato Purba has authorised them to join Moar and Sri Monanti and Johole.

There is no doubt about Johole being against Sri Ujong, as a large body of men have come all the way from Gumunchee on the Moar River, a place in Johole, about 36 miles to the eastward of Sri Ujong.

Captain Murray is still living in his house and has a guard of 15 soldiers, this is 21

miles from the barracks.

Lieutenant Hinzman has made a trench and a parapet round his barracks.

He does not feel justified in going to drive the enemy out of the territory, as there are grave suspicions that the Dato Bandar may break out at any time, and if he took his troops out of Rassa it would give the Dato Bandar a good opportunity.

From close investigations and cross-questioning of friendly Malays, and information from apies and police, which I made whilst at Sie Ujong, I am of opinion that the people themselves in Sie Ujong are thoroughly disaffected.

The force at Sunghie Ujong when I left consisted of 45 soldiers, say 40 available for active service, and 68 mata matas, 50 of whom only are armed with rifles.

Since then 23 soldiers under Lieutenant Peyton have gone up, and Mr. Fontaine will be at Sunghie Ujong to-morrow with his Arabs.

A spy brought down the news that as soon as this mob of Malays ran short of rice, they would make a descent on the surrounding villages on the outskirts for plunder, but that they were waiting for a larger force to drive the English out of the country. This and other scraps of information are doubtful.

I leave this evening, per steamship Sharpshooter" for Penang, under orders from Major McNair to report myself to Captain Satterthwaite.

His Excellency did not know of the disturbances at Sie Ujong when he sent for me.

I have, &c. (Signed) D. D. DALT.

The Right Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Strait Settlements.

Dd3

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference

TTTTTC.O. 882

اسيا

3 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-

COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO