'History of the Indian Navy. (1613-1863).' [‎459] (478/622)

HISTORY OF THE INDIAN NAVY.
459
The following is Lieutenant Carew's despatch to Captain
Campbell, dated 6i Camp, Sasseram, 25th May, 1858," detailing
the part taken by his battery in the action of the 11th of May :
" I have the honour to report to you, for the information of
his Excellency the Commander-in-chief of the Indian Navy,
that the Detachment under ray command, as follows, one lieu
tenant commanding, two midshipmen An experienced sailor, but not a commissioned officer. , one assistant-surgeon,
and ninety-nine men of all ranks, two 9-pounder guns, field-
pieces, and two 5|-inch mortars, moved out from this station on
Sunday, the 9th instant, with the force under the command of
Brigadier Corfield, for the purpose of co-operation with Sir E.
Lugard against Koer Sing in the Jugdespore district. After a
march of forty miles the force encamped at Peeroo on the 11th.
At two p.m. on the same day, heavy firing being heard in the
direction of a thick jungle, we were ordered to advance. We
found the enemy entrenched in front of some villages, and
about two miles in the jungle. I immediately opened fire with
my artillery, and the infantry advanced in skirmishing order,
the nature of the ground not permitting any other formation.
After a continuous fire of four hours, and having with shell
fired the villages in their rear, the entrenchments were stormed,
and the enemy driven into the deep jungle. I advanced the guns
till the burning villages obliged me to halt. I here found my
left flank exposed to the enemy's fire. It was silenced by a
party under Mr. Cotgrave, Midshipman An experienced sailor, but not a commissioned officer. , who, with Midshipman An experienced sailor, but not a commissioned officer.
H. Brownlow, gave me every assistance during the day, and
performed their work well. The force returned to camp at
strong; Indian Naval Brigade, two 9-pounders, one 5^-ineli mortar, and one
hundred and ten men ; Sikh Battalion, sixty men. After advancing about two
miles, and just at the entrance of the jungle, the enemy opened fire upon me,
on which I advanced three companies of infantry in skirmishing order, and opened
fire with my guns. After considerable opposition, I brought up my right shoulder,
driving (he rebels towards my left, in the direction you had proceeded in with
the cavalry and artillery ; all firing on my right then ceased, as I had arranged
with you that I should not advance into the jungle unless I heard long continued
firing in the Juttowra direction. I then halted to watch the outlets of the jungle
on this side; about half-an-hour afterwards the rebels again appeared in force,
moving from our left front towards the position they first occupied. On this I
advanced, and reinforcing the skirmishers, closed round the village and stormed
it. The rebels then retreated into other villages close .at hand. I pursued them
steadily, burning each village as I took it. At sunset I recalled my skirmishers,
and was returning to camp, when the Brigadier-Greneral's message to advance on
Juttowra reached me. I have the honour to enclose a return of my casualties ;
it is impossible to estimate correctly the loss of the rebels, but I have every
reason to believe it must have been heavy, more particularly on my left. I beg
to state that I have every reason to be satisfied with the conduct of the officers
and men engaged both with the infantry under Major Stratton, H.M.'s 6th
Regiment, aud the Indian Naval Brigade, under Lieutenant Carew, who worked
their guns admirably. The small detachment of Sikhs under Lieutenant Earl
behaved with their usual gallantry. The Deputy-Magistrate of Sasseram, Mr. E.
Baker, accompanied me, and was of the greatest assistance, and Lieutenant
Staunton, of the Engineers, who, in the absence of my staff officer, kindly con
sented to officiate as my orderly officer, was of the greatest use to me."