DESPATCHES FROM COL. DESPARD, TO GOVERNOR FITZROY.

Wellington Independent, Volume I, Issue 38, 9 August 1845, Page 3

DESPATCHES FROM COL. DESPARD, TO GOVERNOR FITZROY.

Camp before Heki's Pah, „ T . 2nd July, 1845. exnres7tW n? T h more re « ret tha " I can S ?n IE! ¥ Ye t0 acquaint y° ur Excellency ™L a , ttempt was yesterday made by the carr? ffi? 8 / ?•£ in tf,e aft "™« carry the fortified position or pah of Heki he v°v U L S . UCC T S r and , W ? Were Cubed wS heavy loss. The particulars shall be forwarded to you with as little delay as possible, of thf»»Hei c T eWlth a Hst of funded. Many dangerous! ' S ° rry t0 Say ' are severe and thp lt iL i ! npoßSibl J et O V* to ° much in Praise of and mnn y T ? nd g °t° d , COnduct of both ana men.—l have the honor to be, xour Excellency's most obt. humble servant, H. Despard, Colonel Commanding the Troops. To his Excellency Governor Fitzroy, &c. &c. & cAuckland. Return of Killed .and Wounded of the Force under command of Colonel Despard, 99th Regt., from the 30th of June to Ist July. 1845— " Her Majesty's Ship Hazard. Lieutenant Phillpotts, killed. 1 seaman killed. 2 seamen wounded. 1 private of the Royal Marines killed. Her Majesty's 58th Regiment. Captain Grant killed. 3 sergeants and 11 rank and file killed. 2 sergeants and 33 rank and file wounded. 2 privates since dead. Her Majesty's 96th Regiment. 8 rank and file killed. 3 rank and file wounded. Her Majesty's 99th Regiment. 1 sergeant and 14 rank and file killed. Bt. Major Macpherson severely wounded. Lieutenant Beatty severely wounded. Lieutenant Johnson slightly wounded. Ensign O'Rielly severely wounded. 1 sergeant and 24 rank and file wounded. 2 privates since dead. Volunteers — (Pioneers). 4 rank and file wounded. Mr. Henry Clarke, Interpreter to the Force, severely wounded.

Camp before Heki's Pah, i July 2, 1845. 1 Sir, —Annexed is a detailed account of the action that took place between the troops under my command, and the rebels, in the early part of the forenoon of yesterday, as also of our assault on the pah, and our repulse which took place in the afternoon afterwards. Finding the guns which I had brought with me from Auckland quite inefficient for breaching, from their very defective carriages, as they frequently upset from their own firing, 1 requested Captain Johnson, of H.M.S. Hazard, to send me one of his heavy guns, which was accordingly brought up to camp, a distance of 15 miles land carriage, over most execrable roads, with greai labor and difficulty, on the 30th; and during that day, a platform was erected on the side of a hill on the right of our position, the top of which was occupied by our ,ally, Waka Nene and his tribe. A sergeant's guard ef the 58th Regiment, was also there, to protect a six-poun-der that had been placed there, with a view of raking the enemy's position. The Hazard's gun opened its fire about 10 o'clock, a.m., and while the attention of everybody was occupied in observing its effects, a sudden attack was made on this position from a very thick wood close in its rear, and Waka's people were driven from it. I was in the battery half way down the hill when this attack was made when I instantly ordered up a party of the 58th Regiment under, Major Bridge, who gallantly charged up the hill so as to turn the enemy's left flank, and regained the position with the loss of only one man. This attack shewed me the necessity of coming to an immediate decision, and I accordingly determined on attacking the pah, by assault, in the afternoon, as soon as the few shot brought up from the Hazard, (26 in number,) were expended ; which I expected would so loosen the stockades, as to enable the men attacking them to cut them down. In pursuance o£ this resolution, a storming party was ordered to parade at 3 o'clock p.m., for this purpose, and I issued instructions for its guidance, as detailed in the accompanying memorandum. The parties for the attack were enabled to advance to within 60 to 100 yards of the point of attack, and there remain unperceived by the enemy, in a raven under cover. When the advance was sounded, they rushed forward in the most gallant and daring manner and every endeavour was made to pull the stockade down. They partially succeeded in opening tbe outer one, but the inward one resisted all their efforts, and being lined with men firing through loop-holes on a level with the ground, and from others half way up, onr men were falling so fast, that notwithstanding the most daring acts of bravery, and the greatest perseverance they were obliged to retire. This could not be effected without additional loss in the endeavour to bring off the wounded men, in which they were generally successful. The retreat was covered by the party under Lieut. Colonel Hulme, of the 96th Regiment, and too much praise cannot be given to that Officer, from the coolness and steadiness with which he conducted it under a heavy fire. I must here remark, that the hatchets and axes, as well as the ropes for pulling down the stockade, and the ladders, were all thrown away or left behind, by those appointed to carry them;

and to this circumstance I attribute the main cause of the failure. I trust that it will not be thought that the character of the British has been tarnished on this occasion. One third of the men actually engaged fell in the attack, and during the eight days that we have been engaged carrying on operations against this place, one fourth of the whole strength of British soldiery under my command, (originally not exceeding 490,) have been either killed or wounded. From Lieutenant Colonel Hulme I have received every assistance during the whole time ot these operations, independent of his gallant conduct in covering the retreat. Major Macpherson of the 99th Regiment, who led the principal attack, and was severely wounded, also deserves every praise for the daring manner in which he led his men to the assault, and though slightly struck on the left breast at the commencement, he gallantly persevered till struck down by a serious wound. Equal praise is also due to Major Bridge of the 58th Regiment, for the coolness and steadiness with which he led ii m j en J.° tbe attack > and his perseverance till called off. Where every individual has behaved equally well, it seems invidious to particularize names,—but I cannot avoid mentioning the ungeared toil, zeal and energy displayed by Lieut. Wilmott of the Royal Artillery, in conducting that department with the most inefficient means. Captain Marlow, Royal Engineers, and his department, gave me every assistance in their power while labouring under the same inefficiency of means as the Artillery. I must not omit either to mention the able assistance and the active zeal that has been displayed by Lieut, and Adjutant Deering, of the 99th Regiment, (acting as Major of Brigade,) whether under fire of the enemy, or in conducting the necessary details. The three Officers with Major Macpherson's party, wercall either killed or wounded, Captain Grant, Lieut. Beatty, (who volunteered the forlorn hope,) and Ensign O'Reilly. The Volunteers from the New Zealand Militia, acting as pioneers, under Lieut. Figg, deserve to be mentioned, and that officer himself has undergone unceasing toil of the most harrassing nature with zeal and energy. Lieut. Wood, and the Militia Volunteers for the Artillery, deserve to be included in this commendation. Captain Johnson, of H.M.S. Hazard, has given me the most unwearied assistance in every possible way, from the commencement of our operations, by sending up supplies of all sorts, even from bis own ship, when our public stores were deficient. The seamen and marines of H. M. Navy have always borne the same character for bravery and intrepidity wherever they have been employed, and the few, 18 in number, that joined this expedition from H.M.S Hazard, have nobly supported the same character. Lieutenant Phillpotts, R.N., fell when endeavouring to force his way through the stockade. I enclose herewith a correct list of killed and wounded. I have the honor to be, Your Excellency's most obedient hum. servant, H. Despard. Lieut. Colonel 99th regt., and Colonel on the Staff in N.Z. To his Excellency, Robert Fitzroy, Governor, &c. &c, Auckland. P.S.—The wounded are doing well under the able care and constant attention bestowed on j them by Dr. Pine of the 58th, and Dr. Galbraith of the 99th regiments. • t H. D.

Camp, Ist July, 1845. The following are the directions, and the distribution of thetroops, for the attack on the pah, at 3 o'clock, this evening. The principal attack will be made on or near the right angle on the front face, (that face being considered the front one that is opposite the camp,) and the whole column for this attack will be formed as follows : 2 sergeants and 20 volunteers from the three corps will form the advance, and proceed with the most perfect silence till they reach the stockade. This party will be followed closely by the assaulting body, under Major Macpherson, composed of 40 grenadiers from the 58th, and 40 grenadiers from the 99th regiments, and will be accompanied by a small party of seamen, and by 30 pioneers from the volunteer Militia. The seamen, and as many pioneers as there are sufficient tools for, will be supplied with axes or hatchets for the purpose of cutting down the stockade. Those pioneers that cannot be supplied with axes or hatchets are to carry the ladders as well as strong ropes, which will be supplied by the Artillery department, for pulling down the stockade. Major Macpherson's party will be closely followed by Major Bridge, of the 58th regiment, having under him the remainder of the grenadiers of the 58th, to be made up to 60 rank and file from the battalion of the same regiment, and 40 rank and file from the Light Company of the 99th regiment—ln all amounting to 100 rank and file. A strong supporting party will be formed un-, der Lieutenant-Colonel Hulme, 96th regiment, consisting of the whole of the detachment of the 96th regiment, completed to 100 rank and file by the battalion men of the 58th regiment. The moment an entrance is made into the pah, this party will instantly follow the preceding parties. The remainder of the force will be under the personal command of Colonel Despard, for the purpose of directing assistance wherever necessary, with the exception of 40 rank and file of the 58th regiment, under command of Capt. Thompson, of that corps, who will occupy tne hill overlooking the pah, and the camp; it being considered necessary to do so, from the attempt made by the natives in the morning to get possession of it. By order, R. B. Deerino, Lieut. 99th Ragiment, Acting Brigade Major.

The names of the Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers, and Privates killed end wounded, as yet known, are as follows : — Her Majesty's Ship Hazard. KH.LEO. • ' Lieutenant—Phillpotts

■" , '- Li ' ' -'■■■' .' " I -HaLUJg; Seaman—One Private Royal Marines—One WOUNDED. Seamen—Two. Her Majesty's 58th Regiment. KILLED. Captain—Grant. Sergeants—Halliday, Morrow, Andrew Wilson. Corporal—William Stewart. Privates—Crofit, Davis, Claxton, Punchett, Goodram, Fisher, Norton, Reynolds, Payne, Sutton, Doherty, Leech, Molloy, Anderson. WOUNDED. Sergeant Major—Moir. Sergeant—George Browne, Sims. Corporal—Watkins. Privates—M'Quin, Day, MacGregor, Brain, Smith, Mitchell, Curran, Eagan, Morris, Carpenter, Byrns, Light Company. Ennis, Fleet, Breeson, Mapleston, Murphy, Lucas, Meens, Moll. Nowlan, Robinson, Creen, Tally, Hodgeskins, White, Later, Hopkins, Tysons, Duffy, Findlay, Delamore, O'Callaghan, Burnett, Mitchell, Armstrong, Nowlan 9, Pearce, M'Kinnon, Grenadiers. H. M. 96th Regiment. KILLED. Privates —William Curie, William Stimpson, James Smith, William Wagstaff. WOUNDED. Corporal—Edward Seymour, Private—John Walsh. H.M. 99th Regiment. KILLED. Grenadiers Sergeant—Thomas Todd, Privates —Martin Moran, John Hill, William Watson, William Pope, John Macgartb, Lt. Company—George Mahar, John Noble, James Hughes, John Eaton, Patrick Hicken, Henry Mosely, James Stocks, Benjamin Heath. WGUNDED. Grenadiers —James Crane, Hugh Dowse, Jacob Edmunds, Michael Fafren, Robert Hughes, Henry Spencer, William Swan, Hector M'Cormic, Lt. Compy. Srgt.—Maley Thomas, Bradley Martin, Privates —William Bridges, Thomas Crawley, David Mark, Thomas Comiers, Andrew Duncan, Patrick Flym, Duncan Murray. Auckland Militia Volunteers. KILLED. Riley. WOUNDED. Morris, Alexander, Sullivan, Beard, Browne, Dent.

The arrival of the Government brig, on Sunday last, with the remainder of the wounded in the action of the Ist instant, brought the satisfactory intelligence of the retreat of Heki and Kawiti. The despatch of Colonel Despard, which we publish below, briefly states, that the Pah was evacuated during the night, after being bombarded by the 82-poun-der on the previous day. From very good authority we can state, that Heki has retreated to another fortified Pah, and likewise that he has been urging his friends at Wangaroa to assist hira by cutting off the supplies for our troops, in their transit from the Keri-Keri to the Waimate, which unless proper precaution be taken to provide sufficient armed escort, can very, easily be effected.

---washing from side to side. Themasterreturned" to the cuddy, and informed the commanding officer it was necessary the pumps should!be; manned; one of the officers scrambled out on deck through the window,, but was almost im-, mediately obliged to return. The night was extremely dark and the decks so lumbered ; up, it was quite impossible to find the pumps, another attempt was made from between decks with better success, the party ascending the hatchway contrived to reach them. After working some time, it was ascertained that the ship was ashore. The wind continued raging, and' the spray to break over her. , The night was so dark, it was ; impossible to ,see a yard before you, except during the flashes of lightning;'when trees could, beclearly discerned close oh board the larboard side. Byl a.m;, the ship was steady, the wind still blowing violently, with much rain, thunder, and lightning. The sympisometerhad risen to 27° 20', and continued to rise rapidly; by 2 a.m., it was up to 27° 60. To describe this awful hurricane, which had lasted for some fifty hours, so as to convey to the reader any thing like an adequate idea of its fearful violence, or the anxiety of our situation, would be impossible. The ship, a perfect wreck, crowded with, upwards of 400 souls, and not a single boat on board!—yet such was our situation, when it pleased God to come to our assistance. From the commencement of the gale, part of a cold fowl and some biscuits, was all we had amongst us. After congratulating each other on our miraculous escape, and inwardly returning thanks to heaven, we took some ale or wine and water, before lying down, and so completely was nature exhausted, that in less than half an hour every soul on board was fast asleep. The next morning at daylight, to our great astonishment, we discovered we had been driven high on shore into the centre of a mangrove swamp, where the ship had made a wayfor herself, and as we looked around and saw our position, a 770 ton ship, in the centre of a wood, we could scarcely believe oursenses. On the shore about a quarter of a mile out side of us, lay the barque we had seen the pievious day. At low tide a party of soldiers were lowered from her poop, and waded over to us; from the officer who accompanied them, we ascertained our companion to be the barque Runnymede, Capt. Doughty, from Gravesend to Calcutta, with detachments of tbe 10th and 50th Regiments, under the command of Captain Stapleton, 50th Regiment, This day, Tuesday the 12th, it rained incessantly: a topsail was spread over the quarter deck for an awning, and the broken pieces of the coppers collected to make a fire place, and after some contriving, we succeeded in getting a kettle of water boiled for breakfast, and part of a broken boiler propped up to cook the meat for the men. About noon, their dinner was served out, which they stood much in need of, as they had tasted nothing, with the -exception of a little biscuit for seventy-two hours. In the evening, Captains Stapleton and Doughty with the troops and the crew left the Runnimede, and came pn board the Briton, it being feared she might go to pieces during tbe night in the surf, the wind still blowing and a heavy sea on. Having now been joined by our comrades of the Runnymede, I am enabled through the kindness of her commander, to introduce here a short account of the dangers she encountered. The barque Runnymede, Capt. Doughty, sailed from Gravesend on the 20th Juiie, 1844, bound to Calcutta, with the following detachments under the command of Captain Stapleton, 50th Regt. 10th Regiment—37 privates, 2 women, and 1 child; 50th Regiment—Ensigns Venables, Dv Vernal, and Purcell, 105 privates, 11 women, and 13 children. Total, 4 officers, 142 privates, 13 women, and 14children. Dr. Bell, surgeon of the vessel, in medical charge. The voyage throughout was more than usually unfortunate. Meeting with nothing but light or contrary winds, the passage was delayed so much beyond the common average, that many of the stores were expended, and the water and others running short, it was deemed advisable to bear up for Penang, at which port the ship came to anchor on the 29th October. Having filled up her water, and taken in the necessary supplies, &c, she stood to sea again on the 3rd November, the weather fine and moderate, which continued until Friday the Bth, when it assumed an unsettled appearance with heavy squalls. Saturday 9th.->- Wind variable and squally; fore-topmast staysail split, bent another; at 230, reefed mainsail, second topmast staysail split, at night heavy squalls. Sunday 10th.— Barometer falling; strorfg gale. and heavy squalls. At 5 a.m. in courses, and close reefed the topsails; courses much shook by the gear giving way. 6 a.m.,—wind S.W., blowing very heavily; in fore-topsail, and brought the ship to the wind, under closed reefed rnaintopsail, and the main trysail. Noon: sun obsure; lat; by long. 11:16 S.W. long, 960 E. Barometer 29, and falling. Fore and i main-top-gallant masts were blown away; the main-trysail was blown to atoms; ship-under bare'poles, laying beautifully to the wind, with helm amidships, the hurricane increasing with much rain. 4 p.m., wind S.E. blowing terrifically,' hatches all battened down, starboard quaiter boat washed away. 6*30, nearly calm; wind backing round to the S.W.: the sea went down. Barometer. 28"45. 8"15, hurricane heavy as before. Larboard quarter-boat was torn from the davits and blown across the poop, carrying away the binnacle and hencoops. The foremast broke in three pieces, ca»rying away with it the jibhoom, starboard cathead, main end mizen topmasts, and main yard, leaving the main and mizen masts alone standing; wind and rain so severe the men could not hold on the poop. Monday, llth. —Hurricane equally severe, wind S.E., Barometer 28.0. The gusts terrific, mixed with drift and rain, that no one could stand on deck; advantage was therefore taken of tlie lulls to work the pumps and clear the wreck. The starboard bow anchor hanging only by the shank painter, and the iron work working into the ship's side, the chain was unshackled, and the anchor cut adrift. Noon, lat. per log. 11/6. Long. 95'20E. The hurricane still raging in gusts, the ship perfectly unmanageable from her crippled state, but riding like a bird over a confused sea, running from every point of the A large barque with loss of

lopmasts and main yard drifted past us, and a brig totolly dismasted was seen to leeward. The front of the poop to leward, cabin door and skylights blown away, and expecting every moment "the poop to be torn off. The severity of the wind is beyond description; there is nothing to compare to it, for unless present, no one icould conceive the destructive power and weight of wind crushing every thing before it, as if it were a metallic body. 6 p.m. No abatement, every one, soldier and sailor, doing all in ; their power to keep the ship free of water; impossible to stand at_ the pumps. Midnight, tbe hurricane raging with equal severity, the gusts most awful, the rudder gone. I'3o a.m. Felt the ship strike, and considered the destruction of our lives as well as ship sealed. But it pleased Almighty God todecree otherwise, for although the ship filled up to her lower beams with water, she was thrown so high on the reef, that the water smoothened and the bilge pieces keeping her upright, she lay comparatively quiet. Not knowing our position, the ship being bilged, and fearful of her beating over the reef into deep water, let go the larboard bower anchor, and the water shortly leaving her, all hands fell asleep. Day break, hurricane breaking- much rain. Barometer rising rapidly until it stood at 2045; we then, thank God, saw the loom of the shore to leeward, the ship being nearly dry aft. With the light, we saw inside of us, up amongst the trees, a large barque, with troops on board; an.officer and twelve men were sent over the stern to communicate with her. 7 a.m. The tide now rising, orders were given to the men to land at next low water; and if possible, to get something cooked; as no fires could be kept in during the hurricane, the crew and troops had merely a biscuit and a glass of grog, since its commencement, at 3*30. The tide being fallen sufficiently to wade on shore, the officer returned on board and reported the vessel inside of us, to be the Briton, from Sydney with troops under the command of Major Bunbury, for Calcutta, and short of everything. All hands, soldiers, women, childern, and, crew, had left the wreck by dusk and were accommodated on board the Briton, where, although in great misery themselves, we were received with every kindness and hospitality. They were much pleased to hear of our fair stock of provisions particularly of biscuit and flour, which, if the weather continued moderate, was to be landed for the benefit of both ships, Major Bunbury taking the command of all. Wednesday 13th. —Fresh breezes with occasional showers; Captain Doughty, with the crew of both ships returned to the Runnymede, to endeavour to save as many stores as possible. Another sail was spread across the fore part of the ship for an awning; the ship very crowded with the addition of the 187 from the Runnymede; two warps from the fore and main mast heads were made fast onshore, and the fore yard got over .the starboard side to shore the vessel up to prevent her falling oven Observation this day, lat. 12° 1' N., long. 930 14. E., which proved us on one of the islands of the Adaman Archipelago. A fatigue party commenced making a causeway through the mangrove swamp to the shore. The commanding officer issued a detachment order, placing the crews of the wrecked vessels on the same footing with the troops, and subjected them to military law. Thursday, 14tA. —Three carpenters went on board the Runnymede to put her long boat (the only boat remaining between the two ships) in a proper state to proceed to the nearest port to report our situation; the carpenter's mate employed cutting a large hole through the larboard side of the main deck, to admit air, and as a means of communication with the shore. Friday, 15th.— The detachments of the 10th and 50th were sent on shore this day, and formed an encampment for themselves on a rising ground facing the beach, it being feared from the over crowded state of the ship that disease might break out. At low tide a fatigue party employed in conveying stores from the Runnymede to the Briton, and in the afternoon the cooks went on shore to erect the coppery saved from the other ship, lest they might set the deck on fire, on occount of having no proper .means of fixing them on board. Saturday, 16th. —All the married soldiers from the Briton were sent on shore to rig tents for themselves and families, and air ports were cut in the 'tween decks to give as much ventilation as possible. Fatigue parties employed in bringing stores from the Runnymede, clearing away the bush around the shore, and in search of water. Some of the officers went on an exploring party along the beach to the northward, found fresh water and an oyster bed, and shot somemore pigeons. Two of the sailors commenced making a canoe out of a log. > Sunday, 17th— Divine service on board the Briton. Monday, l%th —This morning a detachment order appeared, regretting that the natives should have been fired at the previous night from the Runnymede, and directing that every attempt should be made to conciliate them, to i induce them to bring in provisions. --• Tuesday, 19th.— Fatigue and working parties as usual. Wednesday, 20* A parties employed in collecting and drying stores, erecting tents, and clearing away round the encampment; our pioneers' tools found excessively useful, never could have managed without them. Thursday, 21st.— Fatigue and working parties as usual, all the stores collected together, on board the Briton preparatory to being examined by a Board of Survey. Some of our men, while fishing for shell-fish this afternoon; attacked by several natives, and four of.'them wounded with their arrows, one rather seriously; the alarm was sounded, the men stood to their arms, and a party was despatched in pursuit of them, but without success, the black rascals escaping into the jungle. Friday 22nd.— A Board of Survey assembled on board the Briton to examine into the state of the stores saved from tbe wrecks, and to report on the most eligible scale of issue, calculating for forty days, from date. After taking an inventory of the provisions, &c, and ascertaining that 575 full rations, allowing one-half, for children, would be required daily, the Court ■recommended the following scale for alternate days, which was approved of by the Commanding Officer :r-

Ist day— lib. bread, £!& beef, spirits J gil, tea 1-12 ounce, and sugar 1-2 ounce. 2nd Day—l-3 flour, 1-3 pork, 1-4 pint peas, coffee 1-4, sugar 1-2, spirits 1-2 gil. , And even this reduced scale would only last for thirty-six days, till the 27th December. Saturday, 23rd.— The Rtmnymede's long boat' nearly ready for sea; collecting stores for her, and making preparations to send her away. Sunday, 24th.— Divine service on board the Briton. The long boat finished, to be launched to-morrow's flood tide. Monday 25th.— The long boat was launched from the deck of the Runnymede at 12 o'clock this day. A gang employed carrying stores and water off to her. 5 p.m. Captain Hall and Lieutenant Leslie, 80th regiment, (the bearer of the despatches,) the boatswain, and _ five sailors embarked on board ot her, and within an hour afterwards the Hope, an appropriate name for her, got under weigh amidst the cheers of hundreds, and took her departure from the island, accompanied with the best wishes and fervent prayers of all for her safety and success. From Tuesday 26th till Saturday Uth nothing remarkable occurred. Working parties principally employed in making roads and clearing and deepening the wells. Carpenters employed in building a new boat, 23 feet keel. Sunday, 15th.— Divine service as usual: the Hope gone twenty days. The present ration to be reduced from to-morrow one-half, which will be all but starvation, and little or no shell fish to be found within miles of the Camp. About 11 a.m. we had two heavy shocks of earthquake. The Briton shook so violently, all hands ran up from below, fearing she would fall over. The last shock had scarcely subsided when a shout gas heard from the look-out tree on the right of the Camp, where the men of themselves had established a sentry, relieving each other every hour. A sail I a sail! was quickly echoed from one end of the encampment to the other. The Runnymede hoisted her ensign and fired a gun— (a signal for a sail in the offing already agreed upon). The Camp in a regular commotion, shout following shout with little intermission, every one on the look out, asking where, where ? and straining their eyes to get a glimpse of the stranger. Within a quarter of an hour she had rounded the point and was visible to all. At 1 p.m. she came to anchor abreast of the Runnymede in 15 fathoms, the men cheering on shore, while the ship saluted her with 12 guns. The whole Camp like a fair. Running and firing in every direction ; she proved to be a small schooner of 79 or 80 tons, with our long boat, the Hope, towing at her stern. Our canoes went off, and soon returned, bringing on shore an officer of the 17th Madras Native Infantry, the bearer of despatches from Mergui for the Commanding Officer. From Mr. Michael he learnt the welcome news of the arrival of the Hope at the port, and the safety of our comrades. They reached Mergui on the 6th, 11 days alter their leaving this; they appeared to have suffered a good deal from tfie sun and fatigue; the winds being either light or foul, they were obliged to pull the greater part of the distance; having reported our situation, &c. &c, they were supplied with a lighter boat, and proceeded on to Moulmein on the 10th, and the day after their departure the officer commanding at Mergui despatched this vessel, the Hon. Company's schooner George Swinton, Captain Daniels, to our relief, with provisions, which were more than acceptable, and caused great rejoicings. A half pound of biscuit and a glass of spirit as extra was issued to all handstocommemorate her arrival. In the afternoon a soldier of the 80th was unfortunately drowned in the surf while bathing Monday, 16th. —Blowing fresh, with a heavy surf on; no communication with the schooner; full rations were issued this day. Tuesday, 17th.— A Board of survey assembled on board the Briton, to take an account of the stores from the Swinton together with the stores on hand, and to fix upon a fresh scale of issues for fifteen days. The provisions per Swinton found to consist chiefly of rice, ghee, ter, sugar, with a small supply of meat, salt fi3h and yams. The following scale was submitted by the Board and me, with the approval of the commanding officer. Fresh meat % lb. or | of salt meat or fishspirits 1 gill—bread or flour J lb.—rice § lb.— peas ipint—yams J lb. —tea J oz.—sugar IJoz. Peas to be issued with salt beef or pork, yams with fresh meat or salt fish. A very great improvement on our previous scale. Tuesday, 17th.— Weather still blowing and unsettled, too much surf on to attempt to get off to the schooner. Wednesday, llf A.—Weather more moderate, Runnymede cut away her mainmast, to make her ride easier on the surf. The Hope which had been towed back to us by tbe Swinton was brought on shore, and her deck ripped off to land the provisions from the schooner. After landing the provisions the schooner continued with them till the 25th, when she j took her departure for Moulmein; Mr. Michael, 17th Madrass, N. 1., bearing despatches from the Commanding Officer. Saturday 28th.— At day-light a man-of-war brigand two small schooners in sight. The brig stoodnn to the southward, the schooners rounding'the reef came to ah anchor in the Bay. Our long boat went off to them, and returned with an officer of the Honorable Company's Marine. The schooners we found were two of of the flotilla from Moulmein, and th£ brig of war, the Pilot, Captain Jervis. . Mr. White gave us the welcome intelligence of the safe arrival of the rest of the regiment at also that transports from Moulmein were on ; their way to take us of the Island. The Pilot, brig of war, came to anchor on the lee side of > the Island, and sent her cutter round to us with Lieutenant Leslie, (who had gone away in the Hope, with the despatches,) some fresh meat and vegetables. At night lighted. a large fire on the right of the encampment, as a beacon for i the transports should they heave in sight during the night. • Sunday, 29th.— One of the gun boats and the Pilot's cutter proceeded to the northward to join the brig. About noou, the Ayrshire, transport, arrived from Moulmein, and brought up in the bay. '.' • -.■>;■? Monday, 30th.— 1st division of the 80th Regiment commenced embarking on board the Ayri shire* Captain Jervis with his officers returned

to the brig, leaving the pinnace to assist in tv embarkation. The transport Elizabeth Afar arrived from, Moulmein this afternoon 1 came to anchor near the. Runnymede ' an( * Tuesday, 31st.—HM, brig Pilot c ame mi,«j from the northward, and brought up in from % > the encampment; commenced' embarkino-,w heavy stores, &c, on board the Elizabeth Ainlr At 4 p.m., the Ayrshire transport sailed with n?' Ist division of the 80th Regiment. ■ the Wednesday, Ist. Jan.— New Year's Day our 51st on the island: the 2nd division of Iv 80th Regiment embarked in the Elizabeth JL!- 6 Thursday, 2nd.-M daylight, the, ?tt^ te - Elizabeth Ainslie, with the remainder nf P ,°v. rt 80th Regt., sailed for Calcutta. .Natives i lecting in great numbers on both islands Tt. gun boat's gig manned bylascars; while nullin along the reef, was pursued by fi Ve can g The brig of War's cutter went to her assistance when the canoes pulled back to the i- Po f. i made off. The 50th detachment stren Kthe 2 their guard, and placed extra sentries. Friday, 3rd.—The transport^ne*Zce a -riv from Moulmein ; the sick soldiers, women Ha heavy baggage, were embarked in the courS of the day. At night the natives came round the camp in great numbers; fires in eve™ direction; the picquet was sent out to driw them them back. Ihe picquet fired on a nartv moving in rear of the tents, when they d P camped and put out their fires in a most extra" ordinary manner, every trace disappearing t if by magic. The brig of despatched two boats to pull along shore in front of the camn and afterwards sent two shot and a shell fl y i,,» amongst a large body of them collected round a fire. Finding the place too hot for him Mr Blacky decamped. ' ' Saturday 4th.— The remainder of the detachment of the 50th embarked tn the Agnes Lee Sunday, bth.— The last detachment of the wrecked troops, after a sojourn of 55 days on this most inhospitable island, sailed this day for Calcutta in the Agnes Lee. The voyage was prosperous, the several ships reaching thendestination within a few days of each other The detachment of the 10th and 50th proceeded on to Chinsurah by steam, while the 80th landed in Calcutta and took up their quarters in Fort William. Thus happily terminated one of the most trying and disastrous shipwrecks upon record. How apparent throughout are the kind and merciful acts of Providence. Two transports from opposite quarters of the globe, are lost on shore within a mile of each other, each pos« sessed of store, &c, of which the other was deficient, thus mutually affording that assistance which was most required. Had the vessels been separated, wrecked on different islands, how opposite in all probability would have been the result, how fearful the loss of life, had not the hand of God been mercifully extended towards us! Few indeed would have been left to tell the tale of their comrades' fate and sufferings. Six hundred and twenty souls were cast on a most unhealthy island, short of every description of provisions and "comforts, exposed to heavy fatigues, under a tropical sun, constantly wet for the first fortnight, landing stores through the surf from the Runnymede, scantily clothed, badly fed, and pestered and annoyed by savages, yet wonderful to relate, only six adults, three of whom were accidentally drowned, and a few children died during the 55 days they remained on the islandscarcely a common average! What may not indeed be accomplished by British soldiers, and British discipline in times of trial and difficulty, such as these. In that short space a considerable portion of the dense jungle was cleared from around the encampment, wells were sunk, a workshed, sawpit, and forge erected, and a boat completed, capable of carrying twenty-five persons; and those who may hereafter visit the spot, will find a tablet in a rock at the head of the bay, on which is engraved the names of four British soldiers of the detachments of the 50th and 80th, who died on the island, and are buried near this shore, where they were shipwrecked on the 12th November, 1844, erected by their com-ades January 1845. These Islands appear to be but, little known, and very incorrectly surveyed. Holding out no inducement, they are seldom visited by shipping. Fruit and vegetables are not to be found: the water is in general bad, and difficult of access; the soil is remarkably fine, and no doubt, if cultivated, tropical fruits and vegetables might be produced in abundance. The rocks bordering the island are of a soft description of sandstone, while the beach and wash rocks are coral formation. Before taking our departure, we christened it Briton Island, and the anchorage Runnymede Bay. Lat. 12° 4' !»., long, 93° 14' E-, from observation. Calcutta, January 18,1845.