sonable cause; but the evidence he had received was not, in the opinion of the Court, so precise and full as to warrant his making those statements so strongly. Fifth Question.-If so, had Colonel Shirley no means of proving such statements? Answer.-Colonel Shirley had the means, in the opinion of the Court, of obtaining further evidence on the subject; but, under the circumstances of the case, and considering General Beatson's rank, the Court considers that it was advisable that he should not prosecute the inquiry further than he did without instructions from his superior officer. Sixth Question.- Must Colonel Shirley have known those statements to have been untrue? Answer.-No. Seventh Question-Did Colonel Shirley wilfully suppress any evidence which he received? Answer-No. Colonel Shirley framed his report upon the communications made to him verbally by the persons from whom he obtained his information, but did not forward the particular evidence of any of them. Eighth Question.-If so, was that suppressed evidence material to prove that Major-General Beatson was not guilty of the acts which he (Colonel Shirley) alleged against him? Answer. The answer of the Court to the preceding question renders an answer to this one unnecessary. The Court having answered all the questions on the several points laid down in the Adjutant-General's letter of the 9th February, 1857, does further, with reference to the Deputy Judge-Advocate-General's letter of the 25th February, 1857, record their opinion, that there are no grounds whatever to render it necessary to investigate the charges brought by Major-General Beatson against Colonel Shirley by a Court-Martial. (Signed) C. CAMPBELL, Lieut.-Gen. and President. DESPATCHES FROM PERSIA. NOTIFICATION.-POLITICAL DEPARTMENT. THE Right Hon. the Governor in Council has the highest satisfaction in publishing, for general information, the following despatch, received from Lieut.General Sir James Outram, K.C.B., Commanding the Persian Expeditionary Force, dated the 10th of February, announcing a decisive victory, obtained on the 8th of the same month, by the British Forces, over the Persian Army, at Khoosh-ab. The Right Hon. the Governor in Council directs that a Royal salute be fired from the garrison of Bombay at noon this day in honour of this Victory. By order of the Right Hon. the Governor in Council, H. L. ANDERSON, Secretary to Government. Bombay Castle, March 3. From Lieutenant-General Sir James Outram, K.C.B., Commanding Expeditionary Force, to His Excellency Lieut.-General Sir H. Somerset, K.C.B. and K.H., Commander-in-Chief, Bombay.—Camp near Bushire, Feb. 10.— Sir, I have the honour to report for your Excellency's information that the Persian Expeditionary Force obtained a signal victory over the Persian Army commanded by Shooja-ool-Moolk in person on the 8th inst. The enemy's loss in killed and wounded must have been very great. It is impossible to compute the amount, but from the number of bodies which strewed the ground of contest, extending several miles, I should say that full 700 must have fallen. Two brass 9-pounder guns, with their carriages and horses, eight mules, laden with ammunition, and several hundred stand of arms were taken; and the Persian Commander-in-Chief, with the remainder of his army, only escaped annihilation owing to the numerical weakness of our cavalry. The loss on our side is, I am happy to say, comparatively small, attributable, I am inclined to believe, to the rapid advance of our artillery and cavalry, and the well-directed fire of the former, which almost paralysed the Persians from the commencement. I have, however, to regret the loss of Lieutenant Frankland, 2nd European Regiment, who was acting as Brigade-Major of Cavalry, and was killed in the first cavalry charge; Captain Forbes, also, who commanded and most gallantly led the 3rd Cavalry; and Lieutenent Greentree, 64th Foot, were severely wounded. Returns of the killed and wounded, and also of the ordnance stores taken, are annexed. I myself had very little to do with the action, being stunned by my horse falling with me at the commencement of the contest, and recovering only in time to resume my place at the head of the army shortly before the close of this action. To Major-General Stalker and Colonel Lugard, Chief of the Staff, is the credit due for successfully guiding our troops to victory on this occasion. The circumstances preceding this satisfactory termination of a brief but arduous campaign I now proceed to detail for your Excellency's information. On the 27th ult. I landed at Bushire and assumed the command of the army, The vast preparations of the Persian Government for the recovery of Bushire then came to my knowledge. Shooja-ool-Moolk, who commands the Persian troops, had assembled a force, said to amount to 8,500, and subsequently found to be 6,900,* at the town of Burazjoon, 46 miles distant from Bushite, and intrenched his position. This army was well supplied with food and ammunition, of which considerable magazines had been collected. It was intended that this force should form the nucleus of a very large army to be assembled for the recapture of Bushire. The 1st Brigade, 2nd Division which arrived on the 31st ult. and 1st inst. was landed by the 2nd, and on the evening of the 3rd the troops, amounting to 4,653 men and 18 guns,† marched from this camp, without tents or extra clothing of any sort, each man carrying his greatcoat, blanket, and two days' cooked provisions, the commissariat being provided with three days' in addition; the protection of the camp and town of Bushire being duly provided for by a detachment of troops under the command of LieutenantColonel Shephard, reinforced by a party of seamen from all the ships in the harbour, which the senior naval officer was so good as to place at my disposal. After a march of forty-six miles in forty-one hours, during which the troops were exposed to the worst of weather, cold nights, and deluging storms of rain, they reached the enemy's intrenched position on the afternoon of the 5th, and found it abandoned; the enemy, on hearing of our approach, had evacuated his intrenchments the previous night so precipitately that his tents and camp equipage and ordnance magazines were left behind. The former were being rapidly carried off by village plunderers operating for some hours before we • Guards, 900; two Karragoozloo Regiments, 1,500; Shiraz Regiment, 200; four Regiments of Sabriz, 800; Arab Regiment, 900; Khashkai, 800-5,100 ; Sufengchees, 1,000; Cavalry of Shiraz, 300; Eilkanhee, 500-800. Total, 6,960; Guns (said to be), 18. † 3rd Cavalry, 243; Poonah Horse, 176-419 sabres; 64th Foot, 780; 2nd Europeans, 693; 78th Highlanders, 739-2,212 European Infantry; Sappers, 118; 20th N. I., 442; 4th Rifles, 523; 26th N. I. 479; Beloochees, 460-2,022 N. I. Total, 4,653. 3rd Troop Horse Artillery, 6; 3rd Light Field Battery, 6; 5th Light Field Battery, 6-Total, 18 guns. Camp-376 Europeans; 1,466 N. I.; 1 company of European Artillery; and 14 guns. arrived. I er deavoured to intercept the retreat of some of the "Eilkhanee's " Horse, who had held the camp during the night, and were still in sight, and a little skirmishing took place, but eventually they made off. The enemy having succeeded in withdrawing their guns to the strong Passes, where I did not deem it prudent to follow them, and being satisfied with the moral effect of our occupying their position for two days, I decided upon moving the troops back to Bushire. The return march was accordingly commenced on the night of the 7th, first destroying their magazines, found to contain about 40,000lbs. of powder with small-arm ammunition and a vast quantity of shot and shell, and carrying away large stores of flour, rice, and grain, which the Persian Government had been collecting for a long time past for their army, thereby effectually crippling their future operations. Some of their guns are supposed to have been cast into wells, and, as their wheels and axles fell into our hands, it will be impossible they can be used again for the present. At midnigt an attack was made upon the rear-guard by the enemy's horse, and parties threatened the line of march on every side. The troops were halted, and so formed as to protect the baggage, and resist the horsemen in whatever direction they might attempt to charge. Four of the enemy's guns of heavy metal opened their fire upon the column, while the darkness of the night prevented any steps being taken to capture them. I should here state that, on abandoning their position, Shooja-nol-Moolk, with his force, had taken the direct road to Shiraz by the "Mbak" Pass, and the Eilkhanee with his Horse had retired by the one leading to the Huft Moolla," and from information subsequently received, I learn that they had planned a combined attack upon our camp the night we marched! Indeed, the explosion of their magazines gave them the first intimation of our departure, when they hastened after us in the expectation of being able to attack us on the line of march, and possibly create confusion and panic in the dark. At daybreak the Persian Force, amounting to between 6,000 and 7,000 men, with some guns, was discovered on our rear left (north-east of our line of march) in order of battle. Our artillery and cavalry at once moved rapidly to the attack, supported by two lines of infantry, a third protecting the baggage. The firing of the artillery was most excellent, and did great execution; the cavalry brigade twice charged with great gallantry and success; a standard of the Kashkai Regular Infantry Regiment was captured by the Poonah Horse, and the 3rd Light Cavalry charged a square, and killed nearly the whole regiment; indeed, upon the cavalry and artillery fell the whole brunt of the action, as the enemy moved away too rapidly for the infantry to overtake them. By ten o'clock the defeat of the Persians was complete. Two guns were captured, the gun ammunition, laden upon mules, fell into our hands, and at least 700 men lay dead upon the field. The number of wounded could not be ascertained, but it must have been very large. The remainder fled in a disorganised state, generally throwing away their arms, which strewed the field in vast numbers, and nothing but the paucity of our cavalry prevented their total destruction and the capture of the remaining guns. The troops bivouacked for the day close to the battle-field, and at night accomplished a march of twenty miles (by another route) over a country rendered almost impassable by the heavy rain which fell incessantly. After a rest of six hours, the greater portion of the infantry continued their march to Bushire, which they reached before midnight, thus performing another most arduous march of forty-four miles under incessant rain, besides fighting and defeating the enemy during its progress within the short period of fifty hours. The cava.ry and artillery reached camp on March 16th. The result is most satisfactory, and will, I trust, have a very beneficial effect upon our future operations. The greatest praise is due to the troops of all arms for their steadiness and gallantry in the field, their extraordinary exertions on the march, and their cheerful endurance of fatigue and privation under circumstances rendered doubly severe by the inclemency of the weather to which they were exposed without shelter of any kind; and I cannot too strongly express the obligation I feel to all under my command for the almost incredible exertions they have undergone and the gallantry they have displayed on this occasion. To MajorGeneral Stalker and to Colonel Lugard my especial thanks are due. To the heads of the several departments, as well as to every officer belonging to those departments, and to my personal staff (including LieutenantColonel Lord Dunkellm, who volunteered his services as aide-de-camp), I am much indebted. From all I received every possible assistance, and, although I do not now specify by name the department and personal staff and other officers alluded to, I shall hereafter take an opportunity of bringing them individually to your Excellency's notice. Indeed, when all have behaved so nobly, it is difficult to specify individuals. The rapid retreat of the enemy afforded but little opportunity for deeds of special gallantry. I have already alluded to the successful charges made by the 3rd Cavalry and Poonah Horse, under Captain Forbes and Lieutenant-Colonel Tapp, and to the very efficient service performed by the Artillery under Lieut.-Col. Trevelyan. The Brigadiers Commanding the Infantry Brigades-Wilson, Stisted, and Honner, with the several commanding officers of the regiments, and indeed every officer and soldier of the force, earned my warmest approbation. To the medical officers of the force I am under great obligation for their untiring exertions throughout these arduous operations. I cannot conclude without alluding in strong terms to the valuable assistance I have received from Major Taylor, whose services were placed at my disposal by the Hon. C. A. Murray, CB.-I have, &c., J. OUTRAM, Lieut.-General, Commanding Expeditionary Force. Total killed.—Europeans, 3; Natives, 7. Total wounded,-Europeans, 31; Natives, 31. Grand total-Killed, 10; wounded 62-72. Died of wounds, sin ce the action-3 Europeans and 3 Natives. M. STOVELL, Superintending Surgeon, 1st Division Persian Expeditionary Field Force. The following is the return of ordnance captured ou the morning of the 8th inst., at Bivouac Koosh-ab :-One brass gun, Persian Inscription, vent good, 9-pounder, length 6 feet, bore 4.2, of Persian manufacture. One ditto, ditto, spiked, 9-pounder, length 6 feet, bore 4.2, of Persian manufacture. These guns are in good travelling order, mounted on travelling field carriages, each limber fitted with a limber-box to contain about 30 rounds of ammunition. One gun was taken with three horses, harness, &c., complete. The carriages are of block trail constructions; the cheeks of one require to be replaced. Eighteen rounds of ammunitions and some food were in the limber-boxes. Besides the above were 262 rounds of gun ammunition, which I destroyed before leaving the bivouac on Sunday evening. The mules, eight in number, which carried it, I have brought into camp. I have 350 stand of arms, and I think fully treble that number must have been taken by camp followers and others. One gun was spiked by our Horse Artillery, as they had to leave it when following on in pursuit. I have since removed the spike. B. K. FINNIMORE, Capt., Field Commissary of Ordnance, P.E.F.F. The name of the officer killed is Lieutenant A. C. Frankland, of the 2nd European Regt., and Act.-Brgade-Maj. of Cavalry, Field Force. Among the officers wounded were Capt. J. Forbes, 3rd Light Cavalry, ball through right thigh severely; Captain R. Mockler, H.M.'s 64th Reg., contusion of calf of right leg from a round shot; Lieut. J. Greentree, H.M.'s 64th Reg., seriously, by a round shot, which caused loss of left foot; Ens. Woodcock, 2nd European Reg., Light Infantry, slightly, gunshot, left shin; and Assist-Surg. J. M. Barnett, 26th Reg. N.I., slightly, by spent ball, right arm. THE LEGION OF HONOUR AND THE ENGLISH ARMY. The Moniteur publishes the following: "The Emperor, by a decree of the 3rd of April, 1857, on the proposal of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, has promoted the following English officers and soldiers in the Imperial Order of the Legion of Honour : TO THE RANK OF COMMANDER.-General John Edward Dupuis, Royal Artillery. TO THE RANK OF OFFICER.-Colonel Frederick William Hamilton, 1st Regiment of the Guards; Lieutenant-Colonel John Thornton Grant, 19th Regiment; Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Smyth, 68th Regiment; Lieutenant Colonel Collingwood Dickson, R.A. By a decree bearing the same date, the following appointments have been made OFFICERS OF THE LEGION OF HONOUR-Colonel Edward Cooper Hodge, 4th Dragoon Guards, C.B.; Colonel William O'Grady Haly, 17th Regiment; Lieutenant-Colonel James Pattoun Sparks, C.B.; Colonel Henry Frederick Lockyer, C.B., K.H., 97th Regiment; Colonel William S. Ramsay Norcott, C.B.; Colonel Noel Thomas Lake, C.B., R.A. KNIGHTS, (STAFF).-Lieutenant-Colonel T. W. H. Lord Burghersh, C.B. Coldstream Guards; Lieutenant-Colonel the Hon. Percy Fielding, Coldstream Guards; Major George Lord Bingham; Captain the Hon. Henry Walter Campbell; Major Edward Neville, Scots Fusilier Guards; Major Henry D'Oley Torrens, 23rd Regiment; Lieutenant-Colonel E. A. Whitmore, 30th Regiment; Lieutenant-Colonel the Hon. Leicester Curzon; Major the Hon. Somerset John Gough Calthorpe; Major Thomas Henry Clifton; Major James Gubbins; Major Charles Carcur de Morel. Surgeon-Major Dr. Arthur Anderson, M.D.; Surgeon-Major Dr. John Ramsay Brush, M.D.; AssistantMajor John Wyatt, Coldstream; Surgeon-Major John Ashton Bostock, M.D., Scots Fusilier Guards; Surgeon-Major R. F. Valpy de Lisle, 4th Regiment; Surgeon-Major A. P. Lockwood, late 7th Regiment; Surgeon-Major Thomas Longmore, 19th Regiment; Surgeon-Major D. R. Mackinnon, 21st Regiment; Surgeon-Major D. G. Barlow, M.D., 28th Regiment; Surgeon-Major G. M. Muir, M.D., 33rd Regiment; Surgeon-Major John Fraser, M.D.; SurgeonMajor J. B. St. Croix Crosse, 11th Hussars. Veterinary-Surgeon J. G. Gloag, late 11th Hussars. CAVALRY.-Lieutenant-Colonel R. Wardlaw, 1st Dragoons; LieutenantColonel G. A. F. Sulivan, 2nd Dragoons; Major G. J. Brown, 4th Light Dragoons; Lieutenant-Colonel H. D. White, C.B., 6th Dragoons; LieutenantColonel John Douglas, C.B., 11th Hussars; Major W. E. Evans, Baggagetrain; Major E. A. Cooke, 11th Hussars. INFANTRY.-Major A. Tipping, 1st Regiment Guards; Major W. Gordon Cameron, Grenadier Guards; Lieutenant-Colonel J. Halkett, Coldstrean; Lieutenant-Colonel C. Baring, Coldstream; Major G. T. F. Shuckburgh, Scots Fusilier Guards; Colonel George Bell, C.B., late 1st Regiment; Lieut.Colonel the Hon. C. D. Plunkett, 1st Royals; Colonel R. W. Huey, 1st Royals; Colour-Sergeant J seph Hunt, 1st Regiment; Colonel Sir Thomas St. Vincent Hope Cochrane Troubridge, C.B., late 7th Regiment; Colonel Arthur Borton, C.B., 9th Regiment; Lieutenant-Colonel C. Elmhurst, late 9th Regiment; Colonel Maurice Barlow, 14th Regiment; Colonel Philip M'Pherson, 17th Regiment; Lieutenant-Colonel William Gordon, 17th Regiment; Colonel Clement (Alexander Edwards), C.B., 18th Regiment; Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Edward M'Gee, late 19th Regiment; Major Godfrey William Hugh |