CO882-(2-3) — Page 727

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

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C.O. 882

3 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-

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to Malacca. At the same time Qualla Jumpole, Parit, and Terrachee were occupied by bodies of police, and a road was ordered to be made through the Bukit Putoos Pars.

7. I myself proceed to-morrow to Malacca to ascertain whether these arrangements meet the requirements of the case, and also to see what course should be adopted to Both rivals bring about a more settled condition of affairs in the States about Malacca. for the post of Yam Tuan Besar, viz., Rajah Antar and Rajah Ahmat, have fled, and, as a temporary measure, Colonel Anson placed Datu Sultan, a son of the late Klana of Sungie Ujong, in this office, but as this Datu Sultan appears to have no claim for the position, I do not feel myself at liberty to recognise him as a permanent ruler.

I will acquaint your Lordship on a subsequent occasion with my views on the subject. There appears at present to be so many conflicting parties, and so much confusion and jealousy amongst the Chiefs in these States, that it will doubtless be a matter of some difficulty to arrive at a satisfactory conclusion, but I will give the matter my best consideration.

8. Before closing this Despatch, I beg to bring especially before your Lordship's notice the name of Commander Stirling, R.N., H.M.S." Thistle," who throughout the disturbances, both in Perak and Sungie Ujong, has been particularly distinguished for his gallantry, judgment, ability, and fore-thought. I would beg, if your Lordship deems fit, that the name of this officer be brought to the notice of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty.

To Colonci Anson, who was specially employed by me as Commissioner in Sungie Ujong, as reported in my Despatch, No. 354, of 17th December, and to Captain Murray, the Acting Assistant Resident of Sungie Ujong, my best thanks are due.

The services of Lieutenant-Colonel Clay, 1st Goorkhas, and the officers and men of the force under his command, will no doubt be brought to the notice of the military authorities.

I would also beg to bring to your Lordship's notice Mr. Kynnersley, who performed the duties of interpreter to the force with much ability.

I have, &c.

(Signed) WM. F. DRUMMOND JERVOIS.

The Right Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon,

SIB,

&c.

&c. Colonial Office.

&c.

Enclosure 1. in No. 145.

To HON. COL. A. E. H. ANSON, at Terachee.

Camp Terachee, December 24, 1875.

I HAVE the honour to report that I marched the whole force under my command Lieut.-Col. Clay's column: 1 gun, 1 mortar, under Lient. from Rassa on the 18th instant, having pre- Rigg, B.A., 160 and 79 rounds respectively and 12 tillery men, viously detailed the columns, as per margin, 38 pr. rockets. Lient. North, R.E., with intrenching toola. Lieut. Hinxman and Lieut. Beyton and 41 rank and file, under command of Lieut.-Colonels Clay 10th Foot. Capt. Channer, Lieut. Churchill, detachment lat Goorkhas (200 rounds per man). 70 Arab contingent under Capt. De Fontaine. Liont-Col. Hill's column: 30 smeti, H.M.B. gunboat "Thistle," under_Capt. Stirling, and 1 offores, with 88 24-pr. rockets. Lieut. Henriques, B.A.: 1 gun with 100 rounds and 10 artillery men, detachment let Goorkhes, 200 rounds per man, and Capt. Mereer.

and Hill.

2. Colonel Hill, with his party, marched as far as Datu Klana's house, distant from Rassa three miles, there the road branched off to Pantay. He halted that night and

proceeded the next morning. A copy of his report is annexed.

3. I was detained the whole of that day at Datu Sultan's house (distant from Rassa 34 miles) for want of coolies; and here I may mention that is the only difficulty I have experienced throughout during the whole of those arrangements; although I have been most ably assisted by Captain Murray, Resident, " Rassa," and by Mr. Kynnersley, but I am of opinion that had a properly organised transport corps been formed all would have worked smoothly.

4. On the 20th I marched from Datu Sultan's house to the foot of the Bukit Putus Pass, and the same afternoon I detailed a party of 50 men under Captain Channer as a reconnoitring party, Lieutenant North, R. E., accompanying.

After a delay of three hours Captain Channer wrote back to me "that from the density of the jungle it was impossible to discover the correct position of the stockade.”

• No. 114.

293

I then directed him to proceed as close as possible to the stockade as he could and ascertain as to its whereabout and report if a range could be found for my guns and rockets.

About 5 o'clock I heard some sinart fire opened from where Captain Channer's party should be. I at once ordered the detachment, 10th Regiment, accompanied by Lieutenants Hinxman and Peyton, to fall in, and proceeded myself at their head up the pass to within 40 yards of the stockade, but I found the road so blocked up by felled trees and bamboo brushwood, that it was impenetrable; here I must state the party for a few moments were thrown into confusion by the Arab contingent firing a volley in our rear.

I went back and inquired the cause, and learnt that they had not fired into the 10th, but into a party of Goorkhas, in support of Captain Channer's detachment, and found Captain Captain Chan- Channer and his party had taken one stockade and opened fire on two others a little report below them.

Here I must mention the gallant conduct of Captain Channer. He proceeded cautiously with a party of 25 Goorkhas as if he were on a sporting expedition. He advanced himself to within a few yards of the stockade; the enemy had kept no look out; they were cooking at the time. Captain Channer seized the opportunity and, fol- lowed immediately by two men named", "was the first to jump into the stockade. He found it occupied by 25 or 30 men.

anczed.

• Depoy Bul- bear Ghartie, B. Co., and Sepoy Geet-

B. Co., 1st

The first man Captain Channer shot dead with his revolver, and the two Goorkhas happe each shot his man. They were soon followed by the rest of Captain Channer's party, a having expelled the Malays. Captain Channer opened a smart fire on the other two stockades and soon emptied them. In this affair six were killed in the stockade, and doubtless some were wounded from that and the other stockades, but the Malays always carry off their dead (if they have time) and wounded; but they must have suffered as proved by the track of blood they left behind.

All this was not accomplished without some small loss on our side, and I have to report the death of "Naik Buccit Sing Raie," and sepoy Dalgut Thappa dangerously wounded in the neck, and two sepoys wounded in the foot by native “ ranjows spikes.

or

Of Captain Channer's gallantry, coolness, and intrepidity I cannot sufficiently express my approval, and a separate report will be submitted for the favourable consideration of General Ross, C.B. The conduct of his men was equally good, and I trust the Brigadier- General may be urged to express his approval of their behaviour.

By taking of these stockades most serious obstacles have been overcome and great gaving of life effected.

5. 21st marched to Bandole, distance 4 miles, which was reported to be strongly stockaded. Coming out of the pass I burnt two stockades, evidently just erected, but spared the houses that were not fortified or where no offensive weapons were found.

6. 22nd, Terrachee district, seven miles, crossing a stream several times through rice cultivation and swamp, effected a junction with Colonel Hill's party; all well.

In conclusion, I must record my thanks to all officers and men for the cheerful and willing manner all have worked, being half rationed part of the time and wet through every day. To the 1st Goorkhas especially my thanks are due for having borne the brunt of the hard work. To Colonel Hill and his party, my earnest thanks are due, for although they met with no active opposition still they were not to be deterred and made a flank movement via Pantay under most unfavourable circumstances, meeting with the Muar River, which they crossed 17 times, swamps, and the most dense jungle; there is but little doubt that their march has had a good moral effect.

I forget to mention that Captain Channer took an iron gun, about a 4-pounder, in the stockade which he attacked.

I have, &c.

(Signed)

E. Bertin Clay, Lieutenant-Colonel,

Commanding Malacca Column.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

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