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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

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CO. 882

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

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

Raja Muda was told to tell him if he would lay down his arms he would be admitted A short time elapsed when another messenger came from and an interview allowed. Raja Muda saying he could do nothing with "Toh Sri Lela" and was going to attack him and asking to be supported by some of our troops, and that he had sent some 50 men round to cut off their retreat. I at once warned 50 Goorkhas under a British officer to be held in readiness for immediate service, and Mr. Maxwell with his Malays at once proceeded to Seyong; but before he could arrive Raja Muda had left the village and we heard the fire of musketry near Seyong,

The Goorkhas warned were at once sent across, and after consultation with one of Raja Muda's men who said he knew where the enemy were, Mr. Maxwell with the Goorkhas moved off in pursuit. They were told by the guide that the Raja Muda's people were all well away on their right flank and they proceeded on for some distance when they came upon a large body of Malays in a paddy field a little on their left flank, before the mistake could be discovered I regret to say that a volley was fired, two men were killed and two wounded of the Malays, and it was then found that they were Raja Muda's people. Raja Muda Yusuf who was present, when matters were explained at once acknowledged that it was their own fault; for without sending out scouts to stop our troops or inform them of the change in their line of advance they had moved across our front, and their own guide was unaware of their presence, and moreover they had neglected to show or carry the Union Jack that had been given them to distinguish them from the enemy. They were all immediately sent back to their village and the Goorkhas pushed on, coming almost immediately upon the Kota Lama people who were within some enclosures, and with yells and cries at once opened fire on our troops. This was returned and the Goorkhas pushed on, but the Kota Lama people made off into the jungle, and it being nearly dark our troops returned to camp.

Much as I regret the above unfortunate occurrence, I can in no way attribute blame to our troops, and I am aware that but for the promptness with which Mr. Maxwell acted in rushing forward and explaining affairs to the Seyong people, and the staunchness of Raja Muda, serious results might have followed.

On the morning of the 4th February, at 4 a.m., I commenced crossing Colonel Hill's detachment of 100 men as noted in para. 2; but at the very last moment the guide who was to accompany Colonel Hill and Mr. Maxwell to "Prek" declared that there was no path, and I consequently had to alter my plans as follows:-

Colonel Hill was to pass round to the east of Seyong to push up to the back or east of Kota Lama, destroying any remaining houses he might find, and clearing the back of the village to make for a point given him, the mosque, on the left bank where he would form a junction with Captain Barnett's party, and both were then to push on through "Kledang" to "Enggar."

The blue jackets, as originally arranged, went up the river leaving Qualla Kangsa at 5.30a.m., I, with the column on the right bank, moved off at 6 a.m., and pushed steadily up to Kota Lama. West, at this point I left in a new stockade, an officer and 25 men of the Buffs to watch the river, I then pushed on to Jumnaon and waited there till the Goorkhas on the left bank came opposite me; I then moved on parallel with them until opposite the village of " Enggar."

Immediately that the head of my column showed itself on the right bank and the blue jackets' boats neared the village, the Malays from two or three Lelas opened fire on the boats and the head of my column. The shot, however, fell short of the bank and ricocheted over the gun boat; they also opened an ineffectual musketry fire. The gun boat commanded by Captain Garforth and my artillery with the rockets, at once replied and drove them entirely out of the village. Colonel Hill's column advanced and destroyed the place.

I then sent for Colonel Hill and Mr. Maxwell and directed that they should bivouac at Enggar" for the night, and march the following morning to Prek, attack, and destroy that village.

*

At 2.30 p.m. the gun boats and right bank column returned to Qualla Kangsa.

I annex a report from Colonel Hill of his movement against Prek, together with sketch showing the different routes taken by the columns. There were no casualties beyond the slight wound Colonel Hill received, noted in the medical officer's report attached.

It has since been reported that on the 3rd instant, the Goorkhas killed two of the Kota Lama men, but I am not yet aware that any were killed either on the 4th or 5th instant, though I think it hardly possible all could have escaped.

The object with which these operations were undertaken has been most satisfactorily attained, the Kota Lama people are now entirely dispersed, all their villages destroyed, and I anticipate that the rewards offered for the principal delinquents will ere long result

in their being captured or slain. The Raja Muda is already actively co-operating by sending parties of his own followers to intercept stragglers or small parties who are known to be separating from their former leaders.

(Signed)

I have, &c.

J. ROFB,

Brigadier-General, Commanding Larut Field Force.

COPY of a LETTER, dated Qualla Kangsa, February 6, 1876, from Lieut.-Colonel R. S. HILL, Ist Goorkhas, to Lieutenant-Colonel E. B. CLAY, Commanding 1st Goorkhas.

SIR,

1 Lt-Colonel.

I HAVE the honour to report that, in compliance with orders received from the at Goorkhas. Brigadier-General Commanding, I crossed over to the left bank of the Perak river with a force as per margin at 4 a.m. on the morning of the 4th instant, and after daylights Captains. advanced to the Kota Lama village, which I thoroughly swept with skirmishers, the only Lieutenant. trace of the enemy being a few men seen running away in the distance, and in a northerly 1 Medical direction, out of rifle range.

39

3 Native oficers.

of loer.

150 rank & file.

R.E., and Lieut. Hare, R.K.,

joined

at "Enggar."

2. About 9 a.m. I advanced along the left bank, covered by the gun and rocket boats under Commander Garforth, R.N., and arrived at "Enggar," a village distant about five Leat. North, miles, in two hours. On the way the village of "Kledang " and outlying houses, some 50 in number, were burned. Before arriving at "Enggar we passed through heavy jungle skirting the base of the range of hills trending to the river, after which obstacles were encountered in the shape of felled trees and branches, probably cut down some time ago. I detached parties to the right of these obstacles, and pressed on to the village, where I found the force on the right bank, and gun boats engaged with the enemy, who were being shelled to the north of "Enggar. I burnt the village, con- sisting of about 15 houses, occupying it, my right flank being protected by detached parties. An iron gun was found in one of the houses at " Enggar," which was forwarded to head-quarters.

+

3. Agreeably to instructions received from the Brigadier-General, I bivouacked for the night in the village, being unmolested by the enemy, and at 6.30 a.m. on the 5th instant I started for the village of " Prek" in an easterly direction, leaving 50 rank and file under Captain Mercer at "Enggar." The path wound along paddy fields through an open country; our scout and flanking parties could discover no signs of the enemy until arriving at the point marked in accompanying sketch about one mile from " when fire of about 12 musket shots was suddenly opened on our leading and rear files Enggar," almost simultaneously. The path approaches close to and winds round a densely wooded hill, the fire of the enemy was fortunately ineffectual, and a party of the men under Captain Barnett, who during the day was most forward and "active, charged into the jungle and ascended the hill, the enemy retiring in such haste as to leave their lances behind them, three of which were captured. On turning the hill the village of " Prek " was visible, and as the ground was open I advanced the force in skirmishing order, with parties detached to both flanks of the village; the approach to the village was palisaded ind obstructed with felled trees. A few shots were fired by the enemy, which were replied to by our skirmishers, who pressed on through the village under Captain Barnett and Lieutenant and Adjutant Churchill, and swept through the country beyond for about half a mile. About 15 houses were burned in "Prek," amongst the number the houses of "Sri Lela Paduka" and of "Kader," a Malay leader who was killed on the 4th at Kota Lama.

4. I estimate the number of Malays opposed to us under 20. I regret to say I have no reason to suppose that any of them fell, as, owing to the thickness of the undergrowth and density of the forest and their rapid retreat, it was difficult to see them. The pre- parations for the defence of "Prek" had probably, from the appearance of the felled trees, been made about a week ago. No attempt had been made to remove property from the houses, all of which was burned, as I did not think it advisable to permit any plun- dering. A smelting furnace and apparatus was destroyed in one of the houses. "Prek is distant from " Enggar "about two miles. I arrived there at 7.25 a.m., and was back at " Enggar

" at 9.80 a.m. On the return march some 10 houses pointed out by Mr. Maxwell were burnt.

5. Captain Mercer had been patrolling, but saw no trace of the enemy, as there was nothing further to do on the left bank, and to avoid the risk of the men being fired at in the jungle on the return march I crossed the force over in two boats, and at 12 noom started for Qualla Kangsa, arriving at 3 p.m.

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