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C.O.

882

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250

Before concluding I hope you will not consider I am exceeding my duty in mentioning the gallantry of the European troops and sailors, who were under fire for an hour and three quarters in very trying circunstances. I believe I saw the last of the missing man (private Fay, of the 10th), who was lying wounded on the ground, while we were advancing on the stockade. I gave him my pistol, and took his rifle with some ammu- nition. I did not see him on retiring, and concluded he had been taken to the rear with

the others.

On the evening of the 8th Commander Bruce of the "Fly" arrived, bringing intelli- gence of a reinforcement under Captain Waitls, of the 10th, who arrived during the night.

Next day the body of private Fay floated down the river, and was buried in the evening.

The wounded were sent down the river during the day.

Commander Francis Stirling,

SIB,

Senior Officer, Straits of Malacca.

I have, &c.

(Signed) T. F. ABBOTT, Sub-Lieutenant in charge of seamen from Her Majesty's Ship “Thistle."

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Enclosure 2. in No. 126.

The Residency, Bandar Bahru, Perak River,

November 16, 1875.

In continuation of my letter of proceedings of the 12th instant I beg to inform you that on the following day, a report having been received that the stockade at Passir Sala was likely to be abandoned, and it being considered extremely advisable that a blow should be struck at them before this took place, an immediate attack on their position was determined on; and, after consultation with Major Dunlop, special commissioner in Perak, and Captain Whitla, of the 10th Regiment, in command of the troops, plan of operations was agreed on.

On Sunday morning, the 14th inst., all the available officers and seamen and marines of Her Majesty's Ships "Thistle " and " Fly" were brought up the river and quartered at the Residency, native boats were fitted to receive two 12-pr. howitzer field-pieces, one 7-pr. boat's gun, the two 24-pr. naval rocket tubes, and a cohorn mortar, and with much difficulty 15 other native boats were obtained to transport the troops; and on the same evening, after reconnoitring as far as Qualla Truss, a place of disembarkation was determined on, on the right bank of the river, about a mile below the stockade which was attacked on the 7th inst.

On Monday morning at 5 a.m. the embarkation commenced, and at 6.30 the whole force moved up the river, and at 8.20 disembarked at the place determined on without opposition.

The marines of both ships were placed at the disposal of Captain Whitls, who formed them into the advanced guard, and placed them under the command of the Hon. Mr. Plunkett, Superintendent of the police at Penang, who volunteered his services.

It had been arranged that the boats fitted with the guns and rockets should in ascend- ing the river keep well in advance of the troops, the boats with the reserve ammunition and for wounded keeping well astern.

The naval force was distributed, and ascended the river in the following order. First native boat with 7-pr., under Sub-Lieutenant Abbott and nine men; second native boat, with 12-pr. bowitzer, under Lieutenant Lowe, and eight men; third native boat, with 24-pr. rocket, under Mr. Tyler, boatswain, and eight men from Her Majesty's Ship "Thistle." Fourth native boat, with 12-pr. howitzer, under chief gunner's mate of the "Fly," and eight men; fifth native boat, with cohorn mortar, under Sub- Lieutenant Ross, and eight men; sixth native boat, with 24-pr. rocket tube, under Lieutenant Forsyth, and eight men-under Commander Bruce, Her Majesty's ship "Fly." The troop bouts and boats for wounded were in charge of Dr. Lloyd, surgeon, and Mr. Vosper, boatswain, of Her Majesty's Ship" Fly," and followed in the rear.

The military force consisted of one officer and 20 men of the Royal Artillery, with one gun (a brass 12-pr howitzer), three officers, and 125 men of the 10th Regiment, and 15 marines temporarily attached. Major Dunlop, Royal Artillery, Special Commis sioner, and Mr. Swettenham, Assistant Special Commissioner, accompanied the advanced guard.

The whole force advanced in the prescribed order at about 10 o'clock; I, myself, leading in the steam gig, having with me Mr. Harrison, assistant paymaster of this ship.

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When about 600 yards from the first stockade at Qualla Biah the enemy opened fire on our boats, which was at once replied to, but we were unable to silence them or drive them out of the stockade until our boats were within 300 yards of and enfilading it, and the Artillery had brought their gun into play, when, after having received no reply to our fire for some time, the troops advanced and took possession and found it abandoned Two guns were captured here.

Continuing our way up the river, I directed rockets and abell to be thrown into the jungle at intervals to clear the way for the troops (who burnt the houses on their way as they advanced), and about a mile below Passir Sala (now in view), the enemy again made a stand, and opened fire on us with their rifles, but with no effect, and they were soon dislodged; nearing Pasair Sala to about 1,000 yards, two guns were brought to bear on us, and also a fire of musketry on our flank; the latter was, however, quickly silenced by the advancing troops, while the-boata shelled and rocketted the village of Passir Sala, taking up a position at 600 yards; the practice from the 7-pounder gun and rockets was excellent. After having completely silenced the enemy's fire, we moved the boats up, and, the troops advancing at the same time, we took possession of the stockade and found it abandoned. Three guns were taken, and in the Maharajah Lela's house (inside the was discovered: his two

inner stockade), the greater part of the late Mr. Birch's pronk. It was now 4 o'clock,

boats were also found undamaged, moored alongside the

and after giving the men their dinner, I crossed over the river to Camponj Gaga, at Major Dunlop's request, taking with me Commander Bruce, Sub-Lieutenant Abbott, Mr. Harrison, and a party of seamen, and burnt the Datu Sagor's house. Unfortunately, in executing this Inspector Laggis, of the Police, was severely wounded by a spear thrown by a native. It was now getting dark, and, after burning the stockade and all the houses in the Maharajah's camponj, the troops were embarked, and the whole force descended the river and arrived at the Residency at 8 p.m., having completely effected our object, with but one casualty-that of Inspector Laggis.

It is impossible to estimate the loss sustained by the enemy, as they invariably carry

off their dead and wounded, but I have reason to believe it is considerable.

The next morning the seamen and marines returned to their ships,

I desire to express my thanks to Major Dunlop, Special Commissioner in Perak, for the great assistance he gave me in organizing the naval part of the expedition, and also to Captain Whitla, commanding the troope, for the hearty manner in which he co- operated with me in every particular in an enterprise in which it was above all things necessary we should act in concert, and it is to this that I attribute chiefly the success of the day.

Owing to the extreme shallowness of the river and the rapidity of the current, the work of poling the gunboats was a most arduous one, the men being also exposed all day to a very hot sun; and my thanks are due to Commander Bruce, of Her Majesty's ship" Fly," who was most zealous and energetic in carrying out the duties intrusted to him, and also to the officers and men of both ships, who not only on this occasion, but in the difficult work of transporting stores, &c., from Durian Sabatang to Banda Babru, showed the greatest cheerfulness and alacrity.

Vice-Admiral Alfred P. Ryder,

Commander-in-Chief, China Station.

(No. 370.)

No. 127.

I have, &c. (Signed) F. STIRLING,

Commander and Senior Officer, Straits of Malacca.

GOVERNOR SIR W. JERVOIS, K.C.M.G., C.B., to the EARL of carnaRVON. (Received January 31, 1876.)

MY LORD,

Government House, Penang, December 28, 1878. I HAVE the honour to inform your Lordship that I have this day sent a telegraphic despatch to your Lordship, of which the following is a copy

"December 28th.-After affair on 7th, near Residency, Malays of three States near Malacca took up strong position in mountain pass, Sungie Ujong, and \strongly fortified themselves. This position attacked and taken on 22nd by 450 meù, con- sisting of nearly 300 Goorkhas, with detachments of artillery, 10th regiment, blue jackets, and irregulars. One hundred and seventy Goorkhas, blue-jackets, and artillery started 19th under Colonel Hill, and Commander Sterling made long arduous flank Ii 9

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