'History of the Indian Navy. (1613-1863).' [‎176] (195/622)

176
HISTORY OF THE INDIAN NAVY.
to Hyderabad, where Sir Charles Napier formed a fortified camp,
the river side of which was defended by the steamers ' Comet'
and 'Meteor.' On the 20th of February a portion of the
British force, accompanied by a party of seamen, proceeded
into Hyderabad to take formal possession of the city, and, on
that day. Commander Nott hoisted the British flag upon the
citadel. This was accomplished without opposition, when the
force returned to camp.
During the months of February and March, Shere Mahomed
was enabled to collect an army of twenty thousand Belooches,
with which he took up, and strongly entrenched, a position at
Dubba, about four miles from Hyderabad. Intelligence having
been received that as soon as Sir Charles Napier should march
out to give battle, Shere Mahomed intended to attack the en
trenched camp to rescue the six captive Ameers, the protection
of the river face devolved upon the flotilla, and Commander
Nott made the necessary arrangements. The captive princes
were embarked on board the ' Comet,' which was under steam,
prepared to act, under Commander Nott's immediate orders, as
circumstances might require, while other steamers took up
positions to guard the camp.
Sir Charles Napier, who had detached a small force on camels
to Emaum Ghur, which was blown up on the 24th of March,
marched out with five thousand men to attack Shere Mahomed;
and, after a severe action, the Belooch army was defeated and
dispersed, three chiefs were slain, and the Ameer himself fled to
the desert. The British troops took possession of Meerpore a
few days later, as well as the important fortress of Omercote,
which was abandoned. In announcing his victory at Hyder
abad, the General concluded that " not another shot will be
fired in Scinde," and after this he asserted that " Scinde is
now subduedbut in these expectations he was premature.
The flotilla was much employed in conveying troops, and, on
one or two occasions, was actively engaged with the enemy. A
few days after the action at Dubba, one of the steamers,
having embarked a detachment of troops, was employed in
sinking and destroying some boats, and preventing the Beloocnea
from crossing from the western to the eastern bank to join
Shere Mahomed. Again, on the 27th of May, the ' Satellite,
* Shere Mahomed being engaged in further hostile preparations, Sir 0.
disposed his forces, for the purpose of surrounding him ; but the Ameer, g
himself beset by three several bodies, determined to attack the wea as,
Captain Jacob, who, however, on the 14th of June, defeated and ? 1S P^I .
four thousand Belooches, the Ameer with ten followers again taking § ,
the desert. Another of the Ameers, Shah Mahomed, a few days P* J
(the 8th of June), was captured, and his force of two thousand men P . .
by Colonel Roberts, in command of one of the detachments moving § r
Shere Mahomed. In the course of these marches, the troops su eie
from heat, and several men and one European officer were struc
sunstroke.