Page images
PDF
EPUB

fine one, amounting to about 25,000 men. It is divided and brigaded as follows:Division of Cavalry, under Brig. Gen. Sleigh, C. B.-1st brigade, H. M.'s 16th Lancers, the 6th, 8th, and 9th regts. L. C. Brigadier G. Murray, C. B. to command. -2d brigade, H. M.'s 11th Dragoons, the 3d, 4th, and 10th L. C., Brigadier M. Childers to command.-Brigade of irregular Cavalry under Col. Skinner, 1st and 8th local horse. First Division of Infantry, under Major Gen. T. Reynell, C.B., consisting of the 1st, 4th, and 5th brigades:-1st brigade, H. M.'s 14th Foot, the 23d and 63d N. I, Brig. Gen. J. McCoombe.-4th brigade, the 32d, 41st, and 58th N. I., Brig. T. Whitehead.-5th brigade, the 6th, 18th, and 60th N.I. Brig. R. Patton, C.B. Second Division of In fantry, under Major Gen. J. Nicholls, C.B., consisting of 2d, 3d, and 6th briades. 2d brigade, H. M.'s 59th Foot, the 11th and 31st N. I., Brig. G. McGregor.*-3d brigade, the 33d, 36th, and 37th N. I., Brig. Gen. J. W. Adams, C. B.6th brigade, the 15th, 21st, and 35th N.I., Brig. Gen. W. T. Edwards. Artillery, under Brig. A. M'Leod, C.B. Bottering Train, under Brig. Hetzler, C.B. Horse Artillery and Field Batteries, under Brig. C. Brown. Engineers, under Brig. Anbury, C. B. The field of Artillery occupied a line of march of fourteen or fifteen miles in extent.

The rejection of the propositions made by Sir Thomas Metcalfe, for the reinstatement of the rightful Rajah of Bhurtpore, Bulwunt Singh, cousin of the usurper, Doorjun Sal (son of Lackmun Singh, the brother of the deceased Rajah, Buldeo Singh) rendered hostilities unavoidable. It is found, moreover, desirable to strike a decisive blow, in order to repress the returning turbulence of the chiefs of Rajpootana. Doorjun Sal has a large force, 24,000 of which are cavalry.

The Commander in Chief (Lord Combermere) reached Agra on the 1st December, and Muttra on the 5th. His Lordship arrived under the walls of Bhurtpore on the 10th of December, and the division under Major Gen. Nicholls occupied the position formerly held by Lord Lake. The bund or enbankment of the Jheel (or lake) was taken posession of without opposition. The garrison had cut the bund during the early part of the preceding night; but it was effectually repaired by our engineers in the course of the day; the quantity of water obtained from the outer ditch of the town is very inconsiderable. During the operation of securing the bund, the guns of the fort kept up a pretty constant fire, and a few shells were thrown, with very little effect.

This officer has broken his leg by a fall; if too unwell to take the command, it will be assumed by Col. Faithful.

On the 11th an attack was made on a party of Bhurtpore cavalry (killing about ninety and driving the rest into an outwork), and a body of Durjunt Sal's troops were dislodged from a village, and several of his cavalry cut up, by Lieut. Col. Becher.

Several reconnoissances have been made, upon which occasions the guns of the fortress opened briskly upon the troops. The enemy appear unwilling to leave their walls. Their powder is good, and their practice tolerable. The walls are about five miles round; the town wall appears to rise about twenty feet, with bastions of a large size, mounted with artillery, but the parapets are weak. The point of attack is expected to be the north-east angle.

The Dewan (or minister) had been sent out by Durjunt Sal to negociate for peace, but as a cannonade was subsequently heard at Agra, it is to be presumed that he failed of success. No doubt is entertained of the reduction of this strong fortress.

HOSPITALS AT ARRACAN,

An inquiry has been instituted at Arracan into certain charges brought by Dr. Tytler, the medical officer attached to the 54th regiment, against the Hospital branch of the Commissariat department of the south-eastern army. Many of the documents have been published in the Calcutta papers, by, or on behalf of, Dr. Tytler, whose exertions seem from these documents to have been very praiseworthy. They are too voluminous to admit of our inserting them; but we subjoin an outline of the case. It appears, that Dr. Tytler stated to the late Dr. Grant, the superintending surgeon of the division, in writing, the bad condition of the hospitals belonging to the army, the inefficiency of the servants, the defective system of employing mercenary sircars, instead of active purveyors, and the inattention to the accommodations, and above all, the diet of the sick. He stated that poultry, and even sago and sugar, were with difficulty procured; and eggs, though abundant in the bazaar, were not furnished even to order.

Dr. Grant laid this representation before Brig. Gen. Morrison, who promptly directed a Court of Inquiry, consisting of Brig. Richards, Col. Lindsay, and the late Major Carter, to investigate the subject.

The minutes of evidence are not published, but the newspapers contain Dr. Tytler's "Summary of the Evidence submitted to the Court," from whence, as the only accessible source, we collect the following particulars.

The chief facts which Dr. Tytler conceived himself bound to establish were: That the food issued from the Company's stores, for the use of the soldiers of the 54th, was unwholesome, and calculated to

prove injurious to the health of the men; that the soldiers thus injured in their health were crowded into narrow wards, exposed to all the horrors of disease, aggravated by the absolute privation, not only of those comforts which the sick require, but also of the necessaries of life; an hospital through the roof of which the rain poured on the unfortunate patients; the almost total absence of bedding and clothing for the soldiers; a great deficiency in the quantity of the food required, and the noxious quality of farinaceous rations, supplied by the commissariat; the neglect of the important duties required from the steward of the hospital, through the incompetency of the person into whose hands that charge had been confided; the inattention of the gomastahs or sircars; and the exhaustion of the medical stores, and want of a proper establishment of subordinate medical servants.

In support of these allegations the Doctor called the following persons: Colonel Walker, commanding officer of the 54th, who, he states, found that tea, sugar, and sago were not supplied when indented for; that reports had been made to him of deficiencies of articles indispensable to the comfort and relief of the patients, and also of the badness of the meat and bread; that he had observed the patients crowded so much that the floor was covered with those lying down, and noticed that their clothes were wet owing to the roof admitting the rain.

Captain Greenley of the same regiment stated (according to Dr. T.) that he had frequently complained respecting the hospital; that perpetual complaints were made for want of fowls, notwithstanding great quantities were in the bazaars; that many of the patients had no beds; that the mats they lay on were wet, and that the stench was intolerable. This witness had sat as president of a committee by which the flour and bread issued to the hospital had been condemned.

Captain Mandelion spoke to the hardness and toughness of the beef, the acidity and coarseness of the bread, the want of warm clothing for the patients, and the filthy state of their blankets.

Captain Welsh corroborated the testimony of the former witnesses.

Lieut. Kelly spoke to the badness of the rice issued to the soldiers.

[Dr. Tytler here interposes some remarks tending to shew that the use of rice, or of particular kinds and qualities of rice, is calculated to engender disease in the human system.]

Captain Leslie testified that uneatable articles of diet were shown to him by the patients.

A patient named Pitts, detailed the bad effect produced in his bowels from eating the unwholesome bread delivered to the sick. Asiatic Journ. VOL. XXI. No. 125.

Mr. Paton, mag'strate of Arracan, declared that the flour-cakes served out to the patients in the hospital were unwhole

some.

Three succeeding witnesses stated that the deleterious food used by the patients engendered disgusting worms within the stomach and bowels.

In succession, says Dr. Tytler, follow the testimonies of various patients, who detail their complaints relative to the sufferings they endured from want of food, the badness of that to which they are obliged to resort in order to satisfy the cravings of nature, the neglect of the hospital servants, the insufficiency of their clothing, and the loss of their clothes through the culpability of the hospital washermen. One of the unfortunate men, from whose entrails the horrid reptiles already described had been ejected, now requested to appear in court with a living worm which had ascended from his stomach a few minutes before, and crawled from his mouth. This unfortunate man since then has fallen a victim to this terrible disease.

A variety of witnesses, of inferior rank, deposed to the badness of the meat, the rottenness of the salt provisions, and the unwholesomeness of the biscuit. Some fresh fish was once ordered for a patient, and that bought by the sircar was putrid.

Several persons testified the inefficiency and misconduct of the native servants; and the hospital gomastah, Loll Chund himself, acknowledged before the court, that the figures of the indents were altered at his pleasure.

[blocks in formation]

Yesterday morning Captain Johnston was honoured by a visit from the Governor-General. The Enterprize went down the river as far as Melancholy Point, and returned in the afternoon. Lord Amherst was accompanied by Lady Amherst, the Hon. Miss Amherst, and his suite; the Lord Bishop and Mrs. Heber, Mr. and Mrs. Harington, Sr C. Grey, Sir A. Buller, the Hon. Mr. Elliot, and several other ladies and gentlemen. The company partook of an excellent collation, and expressed themselves highly gratified with the powers of the vessel and her general arrangements.

The Enterprize is purchased, and taken possession of by the government. The purchase money is said to be £40,000. Capt. Johnston continues in command of her.-Beng. Hurk. Dec. 27.

ADDITIONAL REGIMENTS.

It is rumoured in Calcutta that the raising of twelve new regiments, is under the consideration of the local government.

CONGREVE ROCKETS.

The following statements appear in the India Gazette, relative to this weapon.

Meerut, 6th Nov. 1825.-" It was fortunate that the trial of the rockets was ordered to be made before the troops marched from this station, as it has been ascertained by trial of 44 rockets taken from different boxes, and of different natures, that in all probability not one of the 4 or 5,000 in store is serviceable; and General Reynell has in consequence ordered the men of the half Rocket Troop now here to take 4 12-pounders with them on service, and has declined taking a single rocket.

"So much for the services Sir William has done the Hon. Company by sending us his weapon! and if the whole of the rockets in store prove as bad as those tried, of which there is every probability, the loss to the hon. Company will be no small sum, considering besides the price of the rockets, the equipment which has been kept up for them. The circumstances of the failure are as follows. The Rocket Troop was ordered out one morning with its cars; advanced, came to the left about, prepared for action, but no action took place except amongst the men of the troop and the lookers-on; every Rocket burst in succession, destroying the tubes, and slightly wounding two men.

"Since this we have had three trials of them from the battery, three of each nature, not one rocket went ten yards, most of them burst the instant they were ignited, and the General, who was present at the last three trials, was not a little annoyed as well as the officers and men of the Rocket Troop, who were as anxious as

[blocks in formation]

"Every one of these rockets burst, except two, 1 24 pounder and 1 18-pounder, which were laid in water for three hours before they were fired and thoroughly soaked with wet, and with elevation of 20° they went about 700 yards.

"All the rockets fired on the evening of the 5th were soaked in water in the same way, but the two above mentioned are the only ones which went forward.

"The 12-pounder tubes and a portion of the tubes of the 6-pounder volley car were totally destroyed.

"I am informed also that at Donabew, on the morning of the 25th of March, General Campbell ordered some rockets to be thrown into the stockade. All the rockets that were fired burst, and the rocket car and nearly all the tubes were destroyed by the accident.

"It is proper that these circumstances should be known to our honourable masters in Leadenhall-street, that no more of their money may be wasted in sending out such unserviceable, and even worse than unserviceable ammunition."

METEOR.

A remarkable meteor was visible on Friday night S. W. of the comet, and near it. It appeared in shape at first like a ball of fire, which assumed the form of a vividly brilliant comet. This continued beautifully and powerfully luminous for some minutes, but gradually waxed fainter and fainter, until at length it totally disappeared.-India Gazette Dec. 5.

GAITIES.

Boitahconnah Theatre.-The amateurs of the Boitabconnah Theatre have of late attempted some sterling comedies; and the success which has crowned their exertions evidently shews that their talents are by no means inadequate to the task :-a proof of which the representation of the "Poor" Gentleman" on Thursday night last afforded to all those who were present. The

character

character of Lieutenant Worthington, the hero of the piece, was sustained with great credit; the dignity, the honourable feelings, and the passive firmness of a true gentle. man, even under the influence of chill penury, were well pourtayed. Sir Charles Cropland, who evidently never strutted his hour on the stage before, made a respectable attempt to imitate the levity, the follies, and fopperies of an extravagant young gentlemen of the nineteenth century. Cor. poral Foss was personified very respectably, and was, without exception, one of the best performances of its representative. Sir Robert Bramble (a very thorny subject) was maintained in a manner that proved its representative to have had a good conception of his character. Frederick did very well, but would have done better had he laid aside his green patch: it would besides have saved him from a great many gangrene observations which were made by the audience. One person in particular swore he must have come in contact with some pugilistic son of Mars. Stephen Harrowby as usual excited the risible faculties of the audience with his drolleries. Ollapod played very well, very well indeed. Humphrey Dobbins and Farmer Harrowby did every justice to their respective parts.

Of the female performers, Emily Worthington deserves particular mention. Mrs. Cohen has made considerable improvement lately, and will very soon rival some of those who have already fixed their fame. Lucretia Mc Tabb was played to the life, and was one of Mrs. Francis's most successful representations. Dame Harrowby, by the representative of Doctor Ollapod, was a surprising piece of performance and afforded great satisfaction. Mary, toujours propice Mary, last not least, was as usual played in an elegant style; indeed any thing that this lady undertakes is always executed in a superior manner.

The ballet of the "Spanish Wedding " went off with great éclat; and the dance afforded universal satisfaction.-Bengal Hurk. Nov. 8.

The Turf.-Calcutta December Meeting, 1825.—The races yesterday morning were more numerously attended than we have seen them for many years, and afforded excellent sport. The shew of country-bred and Arab horses was very good, and we have no doubt if this interesting and manly sport is supported as it deserves to be by the public, that we shall have as fine Arabs imported into Bengal as to any other part of India. We congratulate our country breeders on the very fine display of young cattle made yesterday morning, and cannot but express our conviction of their great superiority over the Arabs, or Cape-bred horses.

The Riddlesworth stakes were won in good style by a very fine colt, bred by a

distinguished sportsman whose absence we all regret, in 2. 2. beating the favourite.

The race for the Maiden Arab Sweepstakes afforded excellent sport, and a good deal of speculation. Captain Rock and Moses-seemed to be the favourites as far as could be ascertained in the absence of all betting-Tom Jones and Saladin were both driven-Ribbs took the lead closely followed by Whiskey and Tony Lumpkin; Moses came next, and Captain Rock brought up the rear-hard held-they ran in this form to the Calcutta corner, when Moses thought it was high time to look after the purse, and began to make up to the leading horses; Whiskey now began to reel, and Tony Lumpkin, who did not seem to relish the company he was in, soon joined his friends Captain Rock and Whiskey in the rear. The struggle between Moses and Ribbs was interesting to the last, and won by about two lengths in 4m. 18s.

The two years old stakes were won by Plunder in pretty style and good time; we have no doubt this thief will pick many a pocket yet.

The race between Emigrant and Jilt did not afford much sport, the horse being beat very easily.

The two ponies we understand had neither of them ever been beaten. Reefer comes from Madras, and as usual got well beat by the Bengalee.

We were glad to observe a mat spread in the upper room of the race-stand for the accommodation of the ladies, and to see so many of our fair country women take an interest in the sport; the fine cool morning air added freshness to beauty, and rendered the scene altogether lovely and interesting.-Beng. Hurk. Dec. 14.

STAGING BUNGALOWS..

It is said that the Post Master General has been authorized to direct the construction of six more new staging bungalows between Sherghatty and Patna, via Gya, and we hope to hear that government will in due course extend the great convenience thus liberally afforded, as far as Cawnpore, a long stretch of above 200 miles. A party of ladies and gentlemen are about to stage it up to Cawnpore and Meerut, being by far the most pleasant and the most economical, as well as the most expeditious mode of travelling.-Cal. Gov. Gaz. Dec. 5.

MISREPRESENTATION.

We have deemed it to be our duty to insert occasionally in this Journal, such exposures of misrepresentations in the Oriental Herald as appeared in the papers of India, where alone many of them could be detected. But we find this office becoming onerous. From the last file of papers from Calcutta, we perceive that editors of 4 M 2 all

all parties concur in stigmatizing the work referred to as a vehicle of gross misrepresentation. The John Bull of Nov. 3d, says:" In every number of the Herald which reaches us, there is found so goodly a portion of the false and the distorted, as to fill us with disgust and indignation at those in this country, who fill its pages, and at those at home, who scruple not, on such authority, to deal out abuse and calumny against the Government of India. The studied attempts of the Editor of the Herald to bring events, occurring in the ordinary course of Indian administration, into connection with the enmity which, according to him, is borne towards a free press in India, is often truly ridiculous ; and one palpable instance of this cannot but call down the reprobation of every honest and candid person-we mean the connecting the suspension of a civil servant from his office, for conduct in his official situation, with the circumstance of his father having been opposed to Government in his views, as to the meaning and construction of an act of parliament, and with the most barefaced effrontery describing what has overtaken the son, to have originated out of revenge for his father's judicial procedure ! single instance of misrepresentation so gross, and conduct so totally disingenuous ought, we think, to stamp the character of the Oriental Herald with all honest and candid men-and has unquestionably done more, than any other of its numerous sins, and transgressions of the truth, to sink it in the estimation of the Indian public."

A

The same paper of December 14, commenting upon the contents of a succeeding number of the Herald, speaks of it in the most unmeasured terms, accusing it of "calumny and malevolence the most despicable ;-abominable falsehoods, &c." Some deduction might appear necessary here, in consideration of old hostility; but the Bengal Hurkaru of Dec. 15, one of the liberal papers, and heretofore an encomiast of the Herald, confesses that, "in this instance, the censure of the John · Bull is well founded:" adding, "The Oriental Herald is becoming a vehicle for private pique, rather than for the exposure of public grievances; and if it continues its present course, will fall into contempt in India, where its accuracy can be readily estimated. The Editor's local knowledge is unquestionable; therefore the admission of statements, which, to say the least, he must know to be erroneous, is inexcusable."-In a succeeding number the same paper designates the Herald as a work "prostituted to the vilest of party purposes, the gratification of private malice."

This refers, we presume, to Sir F.Macnaghten. Ed. A. J.

Even the Columbian Press Gazette (Dec. 16), in an article written to defend the Herald from the animadversions of the John Bull, acknowledges that it contains "misrepresentations against those whom the Editor never saw, and by whom he was never injured;" and expresses a belief, that he is "practised upon by secret calumniators in India."

INDEPENDENCE OF PEGUE.

It appears from the Govt. Gazette, that some of the descendants of the old Pegue dynasty are said to be with Rown Rown, the Talien General, who has announced his approach to Martaban, at the head of 10,000 men, to take an active part against the Burmese. It is added that "the Siamese Government would not be averse to see the kingdom of Pegue under a friendly power, instead of reverting to their inveterate enemies the Burmese." From all this we are prepared to find, that the report, which we noticed some time ago, that measures were in progress for establishing the independence of Pegue may be found correct.-John Bull,

Dec. 30.

SHIPPING.

Arrivals in the River.

Nov. 11. H. C. S. Berwick, Eilbeck, from London.-12. Lord Hungerford, Talbert, from London.-15. Bussorah Merchant, Stewart, from London.-16. Mellish, Cole, from London.-17. Victory, Farquharson, from London.-22. Kingston, Bowen, from London.-23. Cæsar, Watt, and Maria, Thomson, both from London.-24. Sir Edward Paget, Geary, from London.-27. Perseverance, Brown, from Liverpool.-Dec. 9. Enterprize (steamvessel), Johnston, from London.-19. Lady Nugent, Coppin, from London.-26. George Home, Hippins, from London.

Departures from Calcutta.

Nov. 17. Lady Flora, Pearl, to complete her lading at Saugor.-19. Thalia, Biden, for Rangoon, and Mary, Jefferson, for Liverpool.-30. Lady Campbell, Betham, for London.-Dec. 1. Africa, Skelton, for Mauritius and London.-3. Sir Charles Forbes, Foulerton, for London.-7. Mediterranean, Gibson, for Batavia.-11. Woodford, Chapman, for London.-17. Royal George, Reynolds, for London, and John Taylor, Atkinson, for Liverpool.-18. Albion, Weller, for London.-20. Mellish, Cole, for London.

BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, AND DEATHS.

BIRTHS.

Sept. 2. At Cawnpore, the lady of Lieut. Warlow, Bengal engineers, of a daughter.

6. At Hurnee, the lady of the Rev. J. Stevenson, of a daughter.

11. At Ghazeepore, the lady of Capt. Joseph Orchard, 1st Europ. regt., of a son.

19. At Meerut, the lady of Capt. F. Hodgson, 35th N.I., of a daughter.

Oct. 2. At Cawnpore, the lady of Lieut. Cureton, H.M.'s 16th Lancers, of a daughter.

3. At Dinapore, the lady of Lieut. E. Wintle, of

a son.

4. The lady of Lieut. Col. G. H. Gall, commanding at Keitah, of a son.

8. At Cawnpore, the lady of the Rev. J. Torriano, district chaplain, of a daughter,

10. Mrs. Ewin, wife of Mr. W. Ewin, H.C.'s marine, of a son.

12. At Ghazeepore, the lady of R. Barlow, Esq., sen., of a son.

13. At Allipore, the lady of Lieut. Hickey, of

a son.

« PreviousContinue »