'Lieut.-General Sir James Outram's Persian campaign in 1857; comprising general orders and despatches relating to the military operations in Persia, from the landing at Bushire to the treaty of peace; also, selections from his correspondence as commander-in-chief and plenipotentiary during the war in Persia.' [‎19] (38/454)

19
assigned them. A second flag of truce had come off begging twenty-
four hours' delay, but this was promptly rejected, and at near eight
o'clock the signal was hoisted to engage. Shot and shell were aimed
at the redoubt south of the town, but with little effect, owing to the
great range, though eventually the enemy, assembled there to oppose
the troops, were dislodged, and beat a retreat with their guns into the
town. The ships, in the meantime, have moved upon the town, and
such was the ardour displayed to get close in to the works, that every
ship was laid aground at the turn of high water, and for four hours
continued to cannonade the defences, which were active in replying
the whole time. Many of their guns, however, were not of sufficient
calibre to reach the ships, but the perseverance of the Persian gunners
in firing from the more heavy pieces was admired by every one.
Their shot told very often on the hulls of the Victoria, Falkland,
Semiramis, and Feroze, which latter vessels, under Captain John
loung and Commander James Rennie (if comparisons are admissible
where all exerted themselves alike), had the posts of honour for the
day. Details of the affair it is unnecessary for me to enter upon.
It will suffice for me to report that some of the guns being silenced,
on the approach of the army under Major General Stalker, C.B., to
breach the wall on the gate side before assault, the Persian flagstaff
was felled in token of submission. This was at noon. The Persian
flag has since been recovered by myself, and presented as a joint
trophy to the chiefs conducting the combined operations in this expe
dition, who, with every officer and man in it, whether soldier or
sailor, have certainly won for themselves an honourable name.
After surrender, some little hesitation was shown on the part of
the Governor and garrison to come out of the town: an assuring note
coupled with the threat of an assault in half an hour, was, however'
srat in by a freed captive; and on the expiration of the time that
officer was seen issuing with his suite from the gate. I moved forward
with a party to receive and conduct him to head-quarters, where, after
tendering his sword, he met with a gracious reception from the Major
General and Rear Admiral commanding the forces. Shortly after
wards the Sirhang, or Lieutenant Colonel and Commandant, sub
mitted, the entire garrison at the same time laying down their arms on
my proceeding into the town with assurances of safety from the Major
eneral Commanding in Chief. The British colours were then hoisted
T ri tvt M 0n the Kesiflenc y fla gstaff by Lieutenant Clarkson, of the
Indian Navy, the troops under orders to garrison the town moving at
sunset into the place.
Since the occupation, I have been engaged with my assistant,
ij-ieutenant Disbrowe, in giving confidence to the townspeople, securing
f magazines, granaries, and other public stores, endeavouring to
w'n PCn • bazars, and in adopting measures for the public safety, as
as 11 ln taking steps for obtaining supplies. Owing to the distrust
' na y prevailing amongst suspicious people quite new to us, and
^ n0rant as . to our usages and institutions, we have some
_ . CU ^ ° contend with. Time, however, will aid to dispel fears, to
o e confidence, and eventually, I hope, secure to us all we require,
must not conceal, however, that our chief local supplies of fresh
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