mined, without waiting for his Excellency's instructions, to still further reinforce the Sultanpore column, and I accordingly marched from Fyzabad on the 19th instant, with the detail mentioned in the margin.* 7. In many places along the route the track led across cultivation and through marshes, where the gun wheels sunk to the axle. The infantry, toɔ, were obliged to wade through sloughs frequently. 8. I arrived at Sultanpore on the 22nd instant. Brigadier Horsford had taken up a good position, and secured an excellent point for the passage of the river. But no boats could be procured. Three small dinghies were found, and of these Lieutenant Raynsford had constructed a very good raft; he also had platforms for a bridge in a forward state. Three dinghies, which were lying at the Biswee Nuddee, nine miles distant, I had conveyed to the ghat, and three others were found sunk in the river; of these two more rafts were constructed. 9. All the preparations necessary for crossing the force on the rafts, with the exception of the heavy guns and park, were completed on the night of the 24th instant. 10. It being evident that there was no possibility of procuring boats for a bridge until the enemy was driven from the opposite bank, I decided upon crossing without one. 11. The force of the enemy occupied several positions. The main position was at Hassenpore, about four miles from cantonments. In the cantonment there was another large body and eight guns; and two villages in front of the point at which I intended crossing were also occupied. * DETAIL:-Artillery: Heavy Battery Roval Artillery. Cavalry: Head Quarters and Wing, Her Majesty's 7th Hussars. Infantry: Head Quarters and Wing, Her Majesty's 53rd Regiment; Detachment Madras Sappers and Miners. り Besides the above, there were picquets along the bank of the river, and several batteries, and a regiment watched the Dhera Ghat, where it was said there were some boats. 12. On the 22nd instant I received intelligence that Bene Madho had arrived at the rebel camp, bringing a strong reinforcement, but the numbers were variously reported. 13. The heavy guns being in position to cover the operation and keep down the fire of the enemy, the force commenced passing over on the morning of the 25th. By 4 P.M. the Madras Fusiliers, the 5th Punjanb Rifles, two 9-pounder guns and a detachment of Hodson's Horse had crossed, and I ordered this force to advance under the command of LieutenantColonel Galway, and take and occupy the two villages in my front. On the approach of the column the enemy fled, the villages were occupied, and I thus secured an excellent position; the river, which here forms a loop, protecting the flanks of the advanced line. 14. There was much difficulty in swimming the horses across the river, and all the force had not got over till late on the 27th. 15. On the 28th I had my arrangements made for attacking the rebels at the cantonments on the following morning at day-break. On that afternoon the enemy came out in strong force and attacked my position. They were easily repulsed and driven back, but as it was late when this was accomplished I did not think it advisable then to follow them up. The following morning I advanced at four o'clock, but found that the cantonment was deserted. 16. The enemy retreated towards the southwest, but it is not ascertained yet what position they intend taking up. 1859. M 17. This district is now clear of rebels, and, the right bank of the river being free, boats for a bridge will be up in a couple of days. 18. I beg to bring to the notice of his Excellency the Commander-in-Chief the efficient cooperation and support I received from Brigadier Horsford, C.B., commanding the Infantry Brigade; Lieutenant-Colonel Sir W. Russell, Bart., who commanded the cavalry and superintended the outpost duty; and Major Yates, R.H.A., who commanded the Artillery. Officers commanding regiments, troops and detachments :-LieutenantColonel Hill, 2nd battalion Rifle Brigade; Lieutenant-Colonel Galway, 1st Madras Fusiliers ; Lieutenant-Colonel Payn, Her Majesty's 53rd Regiment; Major Horne, 7th Hussars; Major Vaughan, 5th Punjab Rifles; Major Daly, C.B.. Irregular Cavalry; Lieutenant Strange, R. A. ; Lieutenant Lyon, R.H.A., were most attentive in superintending the crossing of their men and horses. The two heavy guns under charge of Lieutenant Warren rendered good service. Brigadier Horsford speaks most favourably of his staff. Major Mollan, Major of Brigade; Surgeon Fraser, 2nd Battalion Rifle Brigade, Senior Surgeon; Lieutenant Ramsbottom, 2nd Battalion Rifle Brigade, Orderly Officer, and Captain Græme, Deputy-Assistant Commissary General, who was very efficient in keeping the troops supplied. I have great satisfaction in bringing to the notice of his Excellency the Commander-in-Chief the zeal and unceasing exertions of Lieutenant Scott, Field Engineer, and Lieutenant Raynsford, commanding the Madras Sappers, in preparing the rafts, and crossing over the troops. Every thing had to be made upon the spot, and the material to be collected from houses in the town. These two officers and the detachment of Madras Sappers (who worked as I never saw native soldiers work before) were employed day and night, with very few hours' interval, during the operation. From the civil officers attached to this column, St. G. Tucker, Esquire, Captain Reid, and W. Forbes, Esquire, I have received every assistance; and Captain Reid used every exertion to procure boats for a bridge, but for the reasons above stated he was unsuccessful. All officers, non-commissioned officers and men of this column have performed their various duties cheerfully and well, and deserve my full approval. I have particularly to notice the great assistance rendered by the Punjab Rifles and Major Daly's corps in swimming across the artillery and 7th Hussars' horses. I beg also to mention my Divisional and Personal Staff, Major Hamilton, Deputy-AssistantAdjutant-General; Captain the Honourable A. Anson, A.D.C.; also Major Wolseley, who, as Deputy-Assistant-Quartermaster-General, had the superintendence of the arrangements for crossing the river, and who performed them to my perfect satisfaction. I have, &c., J. HOPE GRANT, Major-General, No. 48. GENERAL ORDER BY THE GOVERNOR- Military Department, Allahabad, October 5, 1858. No. 450 of 1858. THE Right Honourable the Governor-General is pleased to direct the publication of the following letter from the Adjutant-General of the Army, No. 1007, dated the 24th ultimo, forwarding a despatch from Brigadier-General Sir R. Napier, K.C.B., commanding Gwalior division, reporting the successful operations of a column, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Robertson, 25th Bombay Native Infantry, which was detached from Powree, in pursuit of the rebels under Maun Sing. The Governor-General entirely concurs with the Right Honourable the Commander-in-Chief in the commendation bestowed on LieutenantColonel Robertson and the officers and men under his command. The havildars, whose meritorious conduct has been brought to notice, will be immediately rewarded in the manner proposed. R. J. H. BIRCH, Major-General, Secretary to the Government of India, Military Department, with the Governor-General. No. 49. The Adjutant-General of the Army to the Secretary to the Government of India, Military Department, with the Governor-General. SIR, Head Quarters, Allahabad, ' September 24, 1858. No. 1007. I AM directed by the Commander-in-Chief to transmit the accompanying copy of letter, No. 201, of the 11th instant, and enclosure, received from Brigadier-General Sir R. Napier, K.C.B., commanding Gwalior Division, reporting the proceedings of a column under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel G. H. Robertson, of the 25th Bombay Native Infantry detached from Powree in pursuit of a rebel force under Maun Sing; and to request that, in submitting the papers to the |