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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

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TTICO. 882

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

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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To co-operate with these columns the Naval Brigade were to go up the river, on the left flank of Capt. Barnett's detachment, with their gun and 24-pounder rocket boats. Another column of the Buffs, of 100 men, under Col. Cox, with a detachment Royal Artillery, and one gun and a 9-pounder rocket trough, to push up the right bank of the Perak river parallel to Capt. Barnett.

Some 60 men of Ruja Muda's crossed on the 2nd instant and proceeded as arranged, and 30 or 40 others late in the evening proceeded in three boats up the river. These men poled up as far as Kota Lama, which was destroyed the other day, when they were hailed from the left bank and one boat proceeded in. They were told by these men (Kota Lama men, supposed to be some 70 or 80 in number) that they intended fighting, and if they proceeded they would be fired on. Raja Muda's people in the boats, being unwilling to hasten matters without orders from Mr. Maxwell, accordingly returned to Qualla Kansa the same evening and reported matters; they were ordered to proceed up and if necessary force their way up the following morning; this they did and were not molested, and to give them time I put off till the 4th the movement of the different columns above notified.

;

About 2 p.m. on the 4th a messenger came over from Seyong, from Raja Muda, saying that "Toh Sri Lela," with 40 armed men, had come down to his stockade, de- manded admittance and an interview with Raja Muda, that he was willing to surrender Raja Muda was told to tell him if he would lay down his arms he would be admitted, and an interview allowed. A short time elapsed when another messenger came from 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 Goorkbas moved off in pursuit. They were told by the guide that the Raja Muda's people were all well away on their right flank; 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, 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 Ensuf, who were present when matters weré 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 frcnt, and their own guide was unaware of their presence; 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 withio 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 of February, at 4 a.m., I commenced crossing Col. Hill's detachment of 100 men, as noted in paragraph 2, but at the very last moment the guide who was to accompany Col. Hill and Mr. Maxwell to ** Prek," declared that there was no path, and I consequently had to alter my plans, as follows:

Col. 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, 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."

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The blue jackets, as originally arranged, went up the river, leaving Qualla Kamen at 5.30 a.m., I, with the column on the right bank, moved off at 6 a.m., and pushed steadily up to Kota Lama, W.; 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 Junmson, 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."

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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 the column, the shot however fell short of the bank and ricocheted over the gunboat, they also opened an ineffectual musketry fire. They gunboat com- manded by Captain Garforth, and my artillery, with the rockets, at once replied, and drove them entirely out of the village, Col. Hill's column advanced and destroyed the place.

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I then sent for Col. 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 gunboat and right bank column returned to Qualla Kansa.

I annex a report from Col. 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 Col. Hill received, noted in the medical officer's report attached.

It has since been reported that on 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 with their families from their former leaders.

I have, &c. (Signed) J. Ross, Brigadier-General,

Commanding Larut Field Force.

COPY of LETTER, No. 3876, dated Qualla Kansa, February 7, 1876, from the Principal Medical Officer, Larut Field Force, to the Brigade-Major, Larut Field Force.

SIR,

I HAVE the honour to report for the information of the Brigadier-General Com- manding the following casualty in connexion with the operations of the Larut Field Force, up the River Perak on the 3rd, 4th, and 5th instant.

3/5, Royal Artillery, Nil.

1/3, The Buffa, Nil.

Naval Brigade, Nil.

1st Goorkha Light Infantry, Lieut.-Col. R. S. Hill.

Gun-shot wound of leg (alight) sustained on the morning of the 5th February 1876,

at the attack on the village of Prek."

SIR,

I have, &c.

te

(Signed) G. S. DAVIE, Surgeon Major,

Principal Medical Officer, Larut Field Force.

1 Lient.-Col.

* Captains.

Qualla Kangsah, February 6, 1876. I HAVE the honour to report that, in compliance with orders received from the 1st Goorkkar. Brigadier-General commanding, I crossed 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 daylight advanced to the Koteh Lamah village, which I thoroughly swept with skirmishers, the only trace of the enemy being a few men seen running away in the distance, and in a northerly direction, out of rifle range.

1 Lieatment. 8 Native off-

150 Bank and

ila.

BOTH.

1 Medical

oleer.

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 Enggbar, a village distant about five miles, in two hours. On the way the village of " Kledang " and outlying houses, some 50 Lieutenants in number, were burned. Before arriving at “ Engghar” 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 gunboats engaged with the enemy, who were

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North and Hare, R.E., joined Haggar.

H

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