'History of the Indian Navy. (1613-1863).' [‎346] (365/622)

346
HISTORY OF THE INDIAN NAYY.
Bushire, which General Stalker described, in his despatch, as
64 infinitely stronger than I had any reason to believe from the
the island of Kharrack was occupied and formed into a military depot, as reported
in my despatch to Major-General Stalker, under date of the 4th inst. The day
subsequent to the arrival of the first ships, the Grovernor of Bushire wrote to me
officially on the subject of the display before the town ; but, as I was then about
proceeding to meet the General some miles off at sea, an answer to his inquiries
w r as delayed, as shown in the accompanying letters. On the 3rd of December
the Governor-General's Proclamations were sent to him officially, with the
sanction of the Major-General commanding the forces. To these there was no
reply. On the 6th inst. the fleet moved down to Hallilah Bay, which Com
modore Ethersey had pronounced the best suited for the debarkation of the force,
and no spot could have been better selected. Dispositions were made for landing
the force on the following morning, when it was effected in admirable order,
though not unobserved by the enemy, small parties of whom were driven from
their lurking places in the date groves by the fire of the gunboats and well-
directed shot from the steam-frigate 4 Ajdaha,' commanded by Lieutenant
Worsley. Shortly after noon the force was enabled to advance from the beach
and take up an extended front before the enemy, seen at intervals watching our
movements, a few miles in advance. Great difficulties, however, had to be con
tended with in landing the cavalry horses and artillery equipage, from a paucity
of native boats, which I had failed in procuring from the Arab coasts, owing to
the impracticability of dealing with the people in moments of emergency and
need. These difficulties were, however, readily surmounted by the skill and
activity of the Indian Naval officers and men, whose exertions on this occasion
merit the highest praise. These exertions,were fully appreciated by their asso
ciates in arms, not less active in their endeavours to get at the enemy with the
least possible delay. Forty-eight hours sufficed to put the troops in motion
northward, the ships-of-war, led by the Admiral, advancing along the coast to
their support. This was on the morning of the 9th, and by noon the enemy were
observed to be in force in the village of E-eshire. Here, amidst the ruins of old
houses, garden walls, and steep ravines, they occupied a formidable position; but,
notwithstanding their firmness, wall after wall was surmounted, and finally they
were driven from their last defence (the old fort of Reshire), bordering on the
cliffs at the margin of the sea. This was carried at the point of the bayonet, the
enemy then only flying in despair down the cliffs, where many met their death m
their endeavours to escape through the ravines of the south. The nature of the
ground, however, rendered pursuit difficult to the horses, though maiiy were cu
up in a chase of some distance. Details of this spirited affair will be given by e
proper officers ; I shall, therefore, merely observe that the enemy received at nrs
a lesson he will not readily forget, for the tribe families of Dashti and Tunges oon
comprising its ranks are regarded as the most brave as well as the most skilled m
the defence of posts, like Reshire, where regulars cannot work with full e ec .
Brigadier Stopford, C.B., met his death here, and other loss was experience .
The wounded were received into ships the same evening, and provisions were
thrown into the fort from seaward during the night. It had been agreed a
should proceed in person to the town of Bushire, in a small steamer, wi a ag
of truce, bearing the accompanying copy of a summons to surrender, wi e
terms offered to the garrison. While the above was enacting, I proceede on is
errand with the humane object also of receiving such of the mercnan s an
townspeople as might be desirous of shelter in the fleet. This was qui e i
accordance with the wishes of the Government of India in regard o e n
habitants of Bushire ; and the Major-General, the Admiral, and myse w
induced to believe that my presence near them might tend to avert muci 0
shed. In this, however, we w T ere disappointed, for on passing ,
intricate channel leading to the town, two batteries, at a distance o >
opened upon the ' Assyria,' bearing the flag of truce, in defiance oi a u &
war. Deeming it might be a mistake, I caused the vessel to stop, u ^
and third shot passing close to us, I was compelled to retrace mys eps,
then two more guns were discharged. I could scarcely account for ^ ^
having taken some pains to explain the meaning of a flag of truce, m i