on account of its great natural strength, and being

intersected by deep ravines.

On arriving at Mohoni, we found the enemy in possession of the nullahs, from which they opened fire at our advanced guard. We threw out skirmishers, with the usual supports, and having found a good position for the guns, opened upon the enemy with shrapnel, which soon drove them from their position, and allowed of our advance close up to the town of Mohoni, into which, as my force of infantry is but small and inadequate to the usual loss incurred in street fighting, I directed two or three shells to be thrown, which was done, and had the effect of clearing it thoroughly. We then advanced to the opposite side of the town, facing the fort of Mow, where

the

enemy were observed to be assembled, and had brought a gun to bear upon our approach by the road, and which they opened upon our skirmishers and advance; this gun was soon silenced by ours, and, seeing that the enemy had withdrawn it, and fearing that it might be carried away, I orderd an advance of the whole line, at the same time directing a party of the 3rd Light Cavalry as per margin* to mount.

These men, up to this time, had been dismounted as a support to our guns, to enable me to bring all my infantry into play.

No European cavalry officer being at that moment available, I requested Mr. Veterinary Surgeon Lamb, to accompany and lead it in pursuit of the guns, which he most willingly undertook to do, but Lieutenant and Adjutant Moore, coming up shortly afterwards, I despatched him also with them.

This party soon overtook the enemy, captured 2 European Officers, 3 Native Officers, 50 Rank and File.

their two guns, which were at once turned on their former owners, and cut up about 30 of them, Mr. Lamb being slightly wounded in the pursuit.

Owing to the difficult nature of the ground which gave secure cover to the enemy, their loss in killed and wounded was not so severe as I could have wished, but I estimate it in all at from 80 to a 100; their rout and dispersal was however complete, and the only two guns which they had are now in our possession, with all their ammunition, &c.

I beg to bring prominently to your notice the names of Mr. Veterinary Surgeon Lamb, Lieutenant and Adjutant Moore, and Subadar Soojat Khan, 3rd Light Cavalry, for their gallantry in the capture of the enemy's guns in most difficult ground, and trust that Government may deem their services worthy of recognition.

I must not omit to bring to your notice, the zeal and energy of Serjeant Murphy, of the Bhopal Contingent Artillery, who worked his guns most successfully until knocked down by a sun-stroke.

I am happy to say, that we had no casualties from the enemy's fire; a few of the Europeans were knocked down by the sun, but are now doing well.

Enclosed is a list of our casualties, as also of the Artillery and Stores captured from the enemy.

I have, &c.,

યુ

122

W. ASHBURNER, Captain,
Commanding Field Detachment.

No. 43.

GENERAL ORDER BY THE GOVERNOR-
GENERAL OF INDIA.

Military Department

No. 449 of 1858.

IN publishing for general information the following letter from the Adjutant-General of the Army, No. 888, dated the 7th September, 1858, forwarding one with enclosure from Major-GeneralSir J. Hope Grant, K.C.B., reporting the occupation of Sultanpore by the troops under the command of Brigadier Horsford, C.B., and the passage of the Goomtee, under the Major-General's personal directions, the Right Honourable the Governor-General desires to make known his high appreciation of the military skill displayed by Sir Hope Grant, during the series of operations which occupied six weeks, and ended in the passage across the Goomtee. His Lordship also tenders to Brigadier Horsford, C.B., and to all the other officers and men engaged in these operations his warmest acknowledgments for their gallantry and efficient

service.

R. J. H. BIRCH, Major-General, Secretary to the Government of India, Military Department, with the Governor-General.

No. 44.

Lieutenant-Colonel Mayhew, the Adjutant-General of the Army, to the Secretary to the Government of India, Military Department, with the Goternor-General.

Head Quarters, Allahabad, 7th September, 1858. No. 888.

I HAVE the honour, by desire of the Commander-in-Chief, to inclose in original a letter

dated 30th ultimo, No. 212, with enclosures, from Major-General Sir J. Hope Grant, K.C.B., reporting the occupation of Sultanpore by the troops under Brigadier A. H. Horsford, C.B., and the passage of the Goomtee, under the personal directions of the Major-General.

2. I am directed by his Excellency to beg you will draw the attention of the Right Honourable the Governor-General to the admirable manner in which Sir J. Hope Grant has conducted the operations of the last six weeks; and more particularly those for the passage of the Goomtee, with most imperfect means.

I have, &c.,

W. MAYHEW, Lieutenant-Colonel,
Adjutant-General of the Army.

No. 45.

General Hope Grant to the Adjutant-General of the Army.

SIR,

Head Quarters, Camp Sultanpore Cantonments, 30th August, 1858.

No. 212.

I HAVE the honour to report, for the information of his Excellency the Commander-in-Chief, that under instructions received from the Chief of the Staff, I despatched from Fyzabad the force as per margin, under the command of Brigadier Horsford, C.B., on the 9th instant, towards Sultanpore, to follow up the rebel forces which had been besieging Maun Sing at Shahgung.

*

2. Heavy rain had fallen for some days before this force left Fyzabad, which rendered the track (there is no road) to Sultanpore very heavy and

* DETAIL.—Artillery: Troop Royal Horse Field Artillery. Cavalry: A Wing 7th Hussars; Detachment 7th Hussars. Infantry: 1st Madras Fusiliers; 5th Punjaub Rifles; Detachment Madras Sappers.

deep in places for the guns and the hackeries carrying the Commissariat supplies.

There are two considerable nuddees on this route, but by the exertions of Captain Reid, Deputy Commissioner, they were bridged.

3. Brigadier Horsford's despatch, detailing his operations on the 13th instant, when he drove the enemy to the right bank and occupied Sultanpore, I have already had the honour to forward.

4. It was intended that Brigadier Horsford should cross the Goomtee,* and occupy the Cantomments on the right bank; but the enemy having taken away or destroyed every boat, no bridge could be thrown across the river, and Brigadier Horsford's instructions were not to cross without one. The right bank being in the possession of the enemy for about fifteen miles up and down the river, it was found impracticable to bring boats. from a distance.

5. In consequence of the large increase of the rebel force, amounting to about 20,000 men, with 15 guns, opposing the passage of the river, I received further instructions from the Chief of the Staff to reinforce Brigadier Horsford; and for this purpose I despatched the 2nd battalion of the Rifle Brigade and two 9-pounder guns from Fyzabad, on the 16th instant. By order of the Commander-in-Chief this entailed the following movements of the Oudh force, viz. :-(1st)-The 53rd Regiment from Durriabad to Fyzabad, to replace the Rifles. (2nd)-The 1st Bengal Fusiliers from Nawabgange to Durriabad; and (3rd)-A wing of the 88th Regiment from Lucknow to Nawabgunge, Bara Banke.

6. In consequence of the increasing numbers of the enemy, the determined opposition shown to the passage of the river, and the importance attached to our occupying the right bank, I deter⚫ The river Goomtee is upwards of 400 feet wide.