CO882-(2-3) — Page 728

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

EPER CO. 882

ייייי

3

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-

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| PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

SIB,

1694/76.

294

Enclosure 2. in No. 145.

Copy of LIEUTEnant-Colonel HILL'S Report.

I HAVE the honour to report that, in 123 Goorkhas; 190 rounde ammusition, I 7-pounder stoel gun: 10 Royal Artillery men, 109 rounds: 80 men and marines H.M.B. “Thistle," 86 94-pounder rockets; Goor- kho, Capt. Maser. Party from H.34.8. “Thistle," Capt. Stirling, Mr. Harrison, Mr. Hastha, Royal Artillery, Lieutenant Henrique.

Terrachee, December 22, 1875. accordance with orders received, I started from the "Datoh Klana's" house, near Rassa, on 19th December at 10.30 am., with instructions to make a flank march on Terrachee vil Pantay, with a force as per margin

1. The force reached a small mountain stream called Sungie Ramee (leaving Pantay on the left), the last water on this side of the range, at 2.30 p.m., about seven miles A fair jungle track with several streams to cross, made a clearing in the wood to encamp. Rear guard arriving at 5 p.m. On 20th started at 9 a.m., crossed the dividing range about 1,400 feet above level of the sea, arriving at "Muar River" east at 3 p.m., distance about seven miles very bad jungle track. Rear guard arriving at 6 o'clock."

On 21st started at 7.30 a.m., made five miles, arriving valley Terrachee, crossing and At 10 a.m. found a steep re-crossing Muar River, an almost imperceptible jungle track. hill obstructed with felled trees, the bed of the Muar River being staked with Ranjows," with great difficulty and labour surmounted these difficulties; at noon came across a stockade or " Kubo," skirmished up to it, taking it in rear with the Goorkhas and bringing the 7-pounder gun to bear upon it. A few Malays occupied the place, but evacuated without firing a shot. Entered the Terrachee valley at 3 p.m., several of the enemy retreating eastward towards Sree Manantee, where I am informed there are two stockades, cleared the valley, and force took up position for night. Before doing so, I sent out a force under Captain Stirling, R.N., to reconnoitre towards Bukit Putoos and cut off the enemy, who are said to be retreating, but he was unable to intercept them as they took to the jungle on the hills bounding the valley.

On 22nd formed junction with column under Colonel Clay, marching out at 7 a.m. and returning to position at 10 a.m. I have the honour to state that the conduct of the troops under my command was most excellent under circumstances the most trying any force could have encountered; progressing through an almost impenetrable jungle track over high hills, crossing and re-crossing mountain streams and swampy dense forests under torrents of rain, and having every night to clear dense jungle to enable troops to bivouac. I am indebted to Mr. Daly, Survey Department, for information regarding distances noted by him at the time. The march would have been impossible without the information obtained from Malay scouts by Captain Murray, resident at "Rassa," who accompanied the force, and to this officer's indefatigable exertions with regard to the Chinese coolies, who carried on our transport, and one of our greatest difficulties, are entirely indebted for the success of this harassing march. To Captain Stirling and officers, Royal Navy, Captain Mercer, lat Goorkhas, and Lieutenant Henrique, Royal Artillery, I owe hearty thanks for their assistance and aid rendered to me at all times.

I have, &c. (Signed) R. J. HILL

295

North to cut through the obstructions, I went myself with the left flankers, 25 men, we soon saw the smoke and fires, and working cautiously through the jungle, I saw one of the enemy's log stockades, a palisade enclosed it, and the ground was covered with "ranjowe (crow's feet of sharp bamboos). I jumped over and heard the Malays talking inside, and taking the opportunity of their careless look out I rushed in with two or three men and took the stockade, which was held by 25 or 30 of the Malays, a fire was at once opened on me from a lower stockade 80 yards off, and from one on my right, 160 yards across the pass; getting the men under cover, I kept up a steady fire on both stockades, the enemy after half an hour's firing, evacuated the lower stockade, and shortly afterwards the one on the right. Reinforcements from camp and my rear guard came up at sunset when the lower stockade was occupied. The enemy lost five filled, four in the first stockade taken; of the Goorkhas one Naik was killed, one Sepoy severely wounded, two others alightly with ranjows; it was impossible to ascertain the number of the enemy killed and wounded in the other stockades.

The stockades were strongly built of logs, loop-holed, and the jungle between each

was almost impassable, all three commanded the entrance to pass.

I have to thank Lieutenant North, R.E., for the assistance he afforded throughout; the Goorkhas behaved steadily and well.

I have, &c.

(Signed) G. A. CHANNEL, Captain, 1st Goorkhas.

To the Staff Officer, Malacca Column, Laroot Field Force.

Enclosure 4. in No. 145.

[Sketch of Road over Bukit Putus Pass to Terraches.]

Enclosure 5. in No. 145.

[Sketches of Stockades at Bukit Putus and Sungie Ujong.]

Enclosure 6. in No. 145.

[Sketch of Survey of River Linghy, and of Tracts from Linghy to Rassa, and from Lukut to Rassa, Sungis Ujong.]

Officer Commanding, 1st Goorkhas.

SIB,

| PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference:-

C.O. 882

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Enclosure 3. in No. 145,

CAPTAIN CHAnner's Report.

SIR,

Camp Terrachee, December 22, 1875. I HAVE the honour to report that, agreeably to orders received on 20th December from Officer Commanding, Malacca column, I reconnoitred the grounds towards "Bukit Pass" with a view of ascertaining the practicability of a good position for guns, and the situation of enemy's stockade. I was accompanied by Lieutenant North, R.E., and a company of lat Goorkhas, numbering 50 rank and file. I started from Camp Datu Pandi at 10 s.m., and after proceeding a mile towards the pass turned up to the left and proceeded up a mountain side and along side through dense tree-jungle for three miles, as the guides with me evidently knew nothing of the position of the enemy; after marching a mile along the bed of a torrent, I found the road completely blocked by felled trees; I threw out flanking parties and, leaving a rear guard with Lieutenant

No. 146.

ADMIRALTY to COLONIAL OFFICE.

Admiralty, February 14, 1876.

Wrru reference to former correspondence, I am commanded by my Lorda Com- missioners of the Admiralty to transmit to you herewith, for the information of the Earl of Carnarvon, copies of two letters from Captain Buller of H.M.S. "Modeste," the senior_naval officer of H.M. ships and vessels in the Straits Division (dated 19th and 29th December at Kinta), reporting the proceedings of the expedition up the Perak River.

The Under Secretary of State,

Colonial Office.

SIR,

I am, &rc. (Signed) ROBERT HALL.

LETTER OF PROCEEDINGS.

I HAVE the honour to report that, with reference to a letter received by me from his Excellency the Governor of the Straits Settlements requesting me to proosed to Banda Bahru on the Perak River, within five miles of the scene of the murder of the late