CO882-(2-3) — Page 733

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference.

C.O.

882

3

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-'

COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

during the whole of the expedition. energetic and attentive in the performance

304

They were always with me in the front, and wete

of the duties required of them.

I have, &c.

Vice-Admiral Alfred Phillippe Ryder,

Commander-in-Chief, Chinese Station.

(Signed) ALEXANDER BULLER, Captain and Senior Officer, Straits of Malacca.

ŞIB,

Enclosure 2.

Philomel," off Laroot River,

December 13, 1875.

In continuation of my letter of proceedings of the 2nd of December, I have the honour to inform you that on that date I communicated with Captain Buller at Bands Bahru, who ordered me to proceed to Larut, to co-operate with Brigadier-General Ross, commanding the forces of the "Larut River Expedition," by assisting in landing troops, and forming a Naval Brigade.

The Naval Brigade landed here under my command will consist of four officers and 39 men of this ship, three officers and 55 men of the "Modeste," and six men of the

Ringdove," making in all 107 officers and men.

I have been informed by General Ross, that when he has made arrangements for the transport of troops from Qualla Kangsa, at which place the seamen will be most useful in constructing rafts, he will be glad for me to land the Naval Brigade.

On the 11th instant, I received instructions from the Brigadier-General to land the "Modeste's" men; the remainder of the Naval Brigade to follow on the 13th.

I have been requested by General Ross to arrange a postal communication for con- veying despatches between Laroot and Penang, the ships at present available here for this duty being the "Philomel" and the transport-ship " Arabian," the latter vessel being held in readiness to proceed to Penang at any moment.

I have written to the Governor of Penang, asking that all steamers coming from Penang to Perak River, and vice versa, may be ordered to stop and communicate with the senior naval officer off Laroot; and I hope by these means that little or no delay will occur, the General having informed me that he attaches great importance to the establishment of a regular communication between Laroot and Penang; and before landing I shall impress upon Navigating Lieutenant Drake the necessity of paying every attention to the carrying out of this duty.

I am landing here to-day with the remainder of the Naval Brigade, leaving Navi- gating Lieutenant Drake in temporary command of this ship.

Vice-Admiral Alfred P. Ryder, Commander-in-Chief, &c.

I have, &c. (Signed) EDMUND GARFORTH,

Commander. Her Majesty's ship " Philomel," at Larut, December 8, 1875.

A Reruan showing the number of Officers and Men forming the Naval Brigade to be landed at LARUT.

"Modeste."--3 officers, 28 seamen, 18 marines; total 49. "Philomel."—4 officers, 31 seamen, 8 marines; total 43. "Ringdove."-6 marines; total 6.

Totals-7 officers, 59 seamen, 32 marines-98.

(Signed)

EDMUND GARFORTH,

Commander. "Philomel," off Laroot River,

December 13, 1875.

NOMINAL LIST of the Officers landed with the Naval Brigade, and attached to the Larut Field Force.

E. St. John Garforth, Commander, " Philomel." Henry T. Wright, Senior Lieutenant, "Modeste." Robert T. Wood, Senior Lieutenant, "Philomel." Robert W. Williams, Surgeon, "Philomel." Richard Poore, Sub-Lieutenant, "Philomel." James P. Montgomery, Sub-Lieutenant, "Modeste." Thomas P. Walker, Midshipman, " Modeste.”

(Signed)

Edmund GarforTII,

Commander.

SIR,

305

Enclosure 3.

Qualla Kangsa, Head-quarters, Laroot Field Force,

January 5, 1876.

I HAVE the honour of informing you that at daylight on the 4th January, the following forces under Brigadier-General Ross, left Qualla Kangsa, for a village called Kota-lama, on the left bank of the Perak River, distant three miles :-

32 officers and men, Naval Brigade, with 24-pounder rocket, and 7-pounder gun. 100 Buffs.

40 Goorkhas.

12 Royal Artillery with 7-pounder gun.

Kota-lama is the village that the late Mr. Birch was stopped at by an armed force, and for some time has been harbouring the worst characters in this part of the country, and it was the intention to destroy the houses belonging to these men.

A portion of the force was marched up on both banks of the river, two villages being opposite one another, of the same name; the one on the right bank was only to be searched for arms.

Having landed with the Naval Brigade and rocket (leaving sufficient men to guard the boats), I was requested by the Brigadier-General commanding to search some houses for arms, which having accomplished I came up with him and his staff at the house of one of the Chiefs about 11 a.m.

About five minutes after this fifty or sixty armed Malays, who had evidently been hidden in the bush (which was very thick), made a sudden and most determined attack on our party. I bad previous to this formed the blue jackets up as a guard to the Brigadier-General. The enemy immediately came to close quarters, using their fire- arms and spears, the latter with great effect.

The attacking party being nearly double the number, I cannot speak too highly of the conduct displayed on the occasion by both officers and men, each trying to outvie the other in individual acts of gallantry, being at the time unsupported by any of the troops, who had a short time before had skirmishing parties through this part of the bush.

I would wish to bring before your favourable notice for the information of their Lordships the names of Lieutenant Robert T. Wood and Sub-Lieutenant Richard Poore, who were each in charge of a portion of the men, and behaved with gallantry during the attack-the latter officer has been nearly three years a Sub-Lieutenant, and I consider is worthy of some mark of their Lordships' consideration.

There are likewise three blue jackets, who I feel it my duty to inform you of Two-Henry Thompson, A.B., and Harry Bonnet, A.B., saved the life of Dr. Townsend attached to the Buffs, by cutting down the Malays, who were about to spear him after he fell. David Sloper, A.B., for standing by the body of Major Hawkins (Brigade Major) after he had been speared, shooting down two of the enemy and only retreating when obliged to do so.

I beg to enclose Dr. R. W. Williams' report of the killed and wounded.

Vice-Admiral Alfred P. Ryder,

Commander-in-Chief, &c. &c.

I have, &c.

(Signed) EDMUND GARFORTH,

Commander, Commanding Naval Brigade,

attached to Laroot Field Force.

Sub-Enclosure in Enclosure 3.

Naval Brigade, H.M.S" Philomel."

LIST of KILLED and WOUNDED at the ASSAULT on the VILLAGE of Koto-LAMA, William J. Soul, Leading Seaman and Seaman Gunner, spcar wound on the right side

of the spine, transfixing the chest, the aperture of exit being about five inches below the right nipple. Killed.

Jasper Ball, Private Royal Marine Light Infantry, two spear wounds in the epigas- trium. Spear wound of left fore-arm, and several of right hand through grasping the spear. Death in about 18 hours.

(Signed) ROBT. W. WILLIAMK,"

Surgeon, R.N., H.M.S. "Philomel."

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

لستاليا

882

3

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE

BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

18937.

Q q

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

अ ग

ستسلا

Co.

Reference :-

882

3 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-

COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

i