that on receiving requisitions from Mr. Wingfield, the Commissioner of Goruckpore, and Lieutenant Pullan, commanding a detachment of 250 Seikhs, 2nd Military Police Battalion, for a detachment of troops to be sent up to Bansee, about thirty-two miles north of Bustee, I immediately despatched on the 5th and 6th instant a detachment of troops as per margin,* under the command of Captain Mulcaster, 6th Madras Cavalry. The detachment arrived at Bansee at 9 A.M. on the 8th September, and the garrison relieved. The rebels retreated as our troops approached. They attacked Bansee on the 3rd September, plundered the town, and burnt the treasury, on the south bank of the river Raptee. Lieutenant Pullan and his Seikhs, from an intrenchment near the Rajah's house on the north bank of the river, gallantly repulsed the assaults of the enemy, killing and wounding about 50. The insurgents made another attack on the night of the 6th September, but not a bold one. 2. A detachment of 100 men of the 27th Regiment Madras Native Infantry, under Captain Condy, were called in from outpost duty at Sakreegunge; arrived here on the 7th, marched again on the 8th, and reached Bansee by noon on the 9th September. 3. Brigadier Fischer, lately commanding the 27th regiment Madras Native Infantry, commanding Madras troops in Bengal, being at Goruckpore, I availed myself of his most readily offered services. The Brigadier marched from Goruckpore on the 7th September, with 50 men 13th Light Infantry, and 150 men 27th Madras Native In * Bengal Yeomanry Cavalry, 40 sabres, under Lieutenant Percival; 6th Madras Cavalry, 40 sabres, under Captain Mulcaster; Pearl's Naval Brigade, 80 men, with two 12pounder mountain-train howitzers, under Captain Grant, R.N.: Her Majesty's 13th Light Infantry, 70 men, under Lieutenant Gillett, fantry, with spare ammunition for the Seikh detachment, and reached Bansee on the 10th September. 4. I beg to inclose copies of reports as per mar gin, detailing the operations at Bausee. The rapid pursuit and attack on a body of about 300 rebels, on the south bank of the river, on the evening of the 9th instant, by a party of the Bengal Yecmanry and 6th Madras Cavalry, under Captain Mulcaster, of the latter regiment, and Lieutenant Percival, Bengal Yeomanry Cavalry, was very gallantly and boldly carried out, 40 of the rebels being killed; our loss being only one trooper of the Bengal Yeomanry Cavalry, slightly wounded, two horses killed, two badly wounded (shot since), and one missing of the same regiment. 5. The troops are reported to have gone through much fatigue, over difficult flooded roads and a swampy country, with great zeal and cheerfulness; and I beg to recommend Brigadier Fischer, the officers and men of all arms, to the most favourable notice of the Commander-inChief. 6. Brigadier Fischer and detachment returned to Camp Bustee on the 17th and 18th instant, and I have reinforced the post at Bansee with the regimental head-quarters, 8 European officers and 230 men, of the 27th Madras Native Infantry, under the command of Captain Howlett. * I have, &c., H. ROWCROFT, Brigadier, Letter dated 9th September, from Captain Mulcaster, 6th Madras Cavalry; letter dated 10th September, from Captain Condy, 27th Madras Native Infantry; letter No. 474, dated 14th September, from Brigadier Fischer, commanding field detachment. No. 69. Captain Mulcaster to Captain Morgan, Brigade SIR, Major. Camp Bansee, North Bank of Raptee River, 9th September, 1858. I HAVE the 'honour to report, for the information of Brigadier Rowcroft, that I received at an early hour this morning intelligence of 200 rebel Sepoys, 100 budmashes, and 50 or 60 Irregular Cavalry, being at the village of Purseeah-kaPokra, about three miles from Bansee, on the south bank of the river, on the Doomreahgunj road, and also that there was a body of rebels, consisting of 700 rebel Sepoys, 50 Irregular Cavalry, and 950 budmashes-total, 1,700 rebels, at the village of Mawa or Burgudwah; the former about four miles, and the latter across a deep and difficult nullah to cross, nine miles north-west from this, on the Etawah road. 2. I immediately despatched two cavalry patrols; one of the Bengal Yeomanry Cavalry, under lancecorporals Hely and Ryves, with directions to proceed on the Etawah road, and ascertain, if possible, the enemy's whereabouts, strength, position; and one of six privates Madras Light Cavalry, under Havildar Baboo Row, with directions to cross the river, and proceed on the Doomreahgunj road; the former patrol returned with intelligence that the enemy, 1700 strong, or thereabouts, were at the village of Burgudwah, nine miles north-west from this, and had taken up a position across the nullah, and were erecting earthworks, and fired several shots on the patrol. Havildar Baboo Row, 6th Madras Cavalry, also returned and reported that a body of rebels about 360 strong was at the village of Purseeah-ka-Pokra, and on the patrol nearing, turned out and formed up. 3. Being of opinion that the rebels on the south bank of the river would endeavour to cut off our communication with Bustee, I considered it advisable to attack them at once, and Captain Grant, R.N., commanding detachment Pearl's Naval Brigade, being of the same opinion as myself, I ordered the detachment as per margin, to cross the river, and expected everything to be across by 4 P.M. or thereabouts, and crossed the Naval Brigade and Her Majesty's 13th Light Infantry the last, so as to expose them as little to the sun as possible.+ 4. I directed the detachment as per margin,‡ under Lieutenant Gillett, Her Majesty's 13th Light Infantry, to remain for the protection of the rajah's kote, on the north bank of the Raptee river. 5. At about 12 A.M. my advanced guard had cressed, or was crossing, when Captain Condy, 27th Regiment Madras Native Infantry, arrived; I informed him of my plans, and handed over the command to him. Captain Condy, being of the same opinion as myself regarding the advisability of attacking the rebels, proceeded with the expedition. 6. The detachment left the south bank of the Raptee river at about 4 P.M., and on nearing the village of Purseeah-ka-Pokra, an advanced patrol of cavalry, which had been sent on under lancecorporals Hely and Ryves, Bengal Yeomanry Cavalry, returned, stating that the rebels were in a tope, and shortly after it was reported they were retreating. Captain Condy immediately ordered 30 sabres Bengal Yeomanry Cavalry; 30 sabres 6th Madras Light Cavalry; 2 guns; 1 rocket. † 30 men Pearl's Naval Brigade; 35 men Her Majesty's 13th Light Infantry; 122 Seikhs. 10 sabres Bengal Yeomanry Cavalry; 10 sabres 6th Madras Light Cavalry; 35 men Her Majesty's 13th Light. Infantry; 25 men Pearl's Naval Brigade; 99 Seikhs me to advance with the cavalry, and endeavour to cut off their retreat. After advancing at the gallop for about four miles from the village of Purseeah-ka-Pokra, I came in sight of the rebels, and advancing, saw them retreating by the road, which at this particular place were in some places three feet deep with water, and full of holes, and the surrounding fields full of water, and almost impassable. I rapidly advanced to the attack, and charged them, and cut up about 40 of the rebels; their dead bodies were lying on the road for about one mile. We had then come about seven miles from Bansee, and horses being much fatigued,. and as it was late in the afternoon and getting dark, Captain Condy ordered me to return. 7. I am much indebted to Lieutenant Percival, Bengal Yeomanry Cavalry, and Jemadar Syed Fuzul Ally, D troop 6th Madras Light Cavalry, and to all officers and men of the cavalry engaged, for their gallantry on this occasion. 8. I am much satisfied with the conduct of lancecorporals Hely and Ryves, of the Bengal Yeomanry Cavalry, and Havildar Baboo Row, 6th Madras Light Cavalry, who proceeded in command of the patrols, whose information turned out to be perfectly correct. 9. I regret to state that trooper Herklotts. Bengal Yeomanry Cavalry, was wounded slightly, two horses were killed, two horses were wounded, and one horse is missing; a return of which I beg to enclose. I have, &c., SIDNEY MULCASTER, Captain, 6th Madras Light Cavalry, Commanding Cavalıy. |