'History of the Indian Navy. (1613-1863).' [‎483] (502/622)

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HISTORY OF THE INDIAN NAVY.
483
the Chowg-ain road. When about four miles out, the rebels were
reported in front, advancing in three large bodies; on reaching:
the end of the enclosures I saw one large body posted in a tope
behind a rising ground, about 400 yards on ray left front -I
had a company of the 84th extended on that flank, and then
advanced the guns which Captain Batt skilfully brought up
On the skirmishers advancing, the enemy began to retire thev
were five or six hundred. Captain Batt then fired three shells
at them, the last of which, set for 1,200 yards, fell amongst a
number of them, killing two and wounding two others: this
sent them all flying. Just as I began to advance on this body
word was brought to me, that a body of seven hundred Sepoys Term used in English to refer to an Indian infantryman. Carries some derogatory connotations as sometimes used as a means of othering and emphasising race, colour, origins, or rank.
and a hundred and fifty sowars, were passing my right flank to'
get round in my rear; I sent Captain Nason with his men to
stop them, which he did eventually, as he did everything en
trusted to him. As soon as I saw the rebels in front clear off I
retired along the road with two companies of the 84th between
me and the enemy when I had got parallel with them ; at Cap
tain Nason s request 1 sent a gun, one company of the 84th
and half the Madras Bifles, to dislodge the rebels from a village
they had seized. On the approach of the gun, &c., they all
fled, throwing away their clothes and shoes. Knowing that a
third body was working round on my flank, I could not venture
yet to let the cavalry pursue; indeed I was told that the body
on the left were getting round to Doomraon. I had sent a
troop of Sikh Cavalry to stop them some time before, and they
were reported to me as having halted, and I afterwards heard
that, on the report of the first gun, they went towards Arrah
plundering Jewninggunge on the way." After this affair Cap
tain Nason, commanding the Cavalry, distinguished himself by
his pursuit of the enemy, whom he cut up handsomely.
During their long stay up-country, the services of No. 3 De-
tachment were frequently called into requisition to act as
Artillery, but the rebels generally managed to elude pursuit.
On the 27th of September, 1858, one of the officers, Acting-
Master George Bell Chicken gained the Victoria Cross for an
act of brilliant gallantry. Before going into action he avowed
his determination to win the " Cross for Valour," or perish in
the attempt, and well he earned it, for with his sword he slew
nve men, when he fell covered with wounds. Captain (,'amp-
nell appointed Mr. Chicken to the Service on the 31st of July,
lo58, and after doing duty at Fort William for eight months,
on the 23rd of March, 1859, he left for Buxar to join No. 3 De
tachment, taking with him a party of seamen' to replace the
sick and dead of No. 7 stationed at Dehree. At this time
brigadier Douglas, C.B., was engaged with his field force
seeping open the communications on the Grand Trunk Boad
to the westward of Dinapore, and Lieutenant-Colonel Turner
II 2
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