'History of the Indian Navy. (1613-1863).' [‎173] (192/622)

HISTORY OF THE INDIAN NAYY.
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of H.M.'s 22nd Regiment, under Captain Conway, forming the
escort of the Resident, Major (the late Sir) James Outram.
This small force, assisted by the fire of the 6 Planet,' kept the
enemy at bay for four hours, and killed ninety of them; but, at
length, their ammunition being expended, they retired in the
best possible order to the 'Planet' and 'Satellite,' which
had fortunately arrived, and joined Sir Charles Napier at
Hala.
Major Outram gives the following account of this affair in a
despatch to Sir Charles Napier, dated "On board the 'Planet'
steamer, fifteen miles above Hyderabad, six p.m., February the
17th, 1843 :—At nine a.m. this morning, a dense body of
cavalry and infantry took post on three sides of the Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent.
compound, (the fourth being defended by the 'Planet' steamer
about five hundred yards distant) in the gardens and houses
which immediately commanded the enclosure, and which it was
impossible to hold with our limited numbers. A hot fire was
opened by the enemy, and continued incessantly for four hours ;
but all their attempts to enter the Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. enclosure, although
merely surrounded by a wall, varying from four to five feet
high, were frustrated by Captain Conway's able distribution of
his small band, and the admirable conduct of every individual
soldier composing it under the gallant example of their com
manding officer, and his subalterns. Lieutenant Harding and
Ensign Pennefather, of H.M.'s 22nd Regiment, also Captain
Green, of the 21st Regiment Native Infantry, and Wells of the
15th Regiment, who volunteered their services, to each of whom
was assigned the charge of a separate quarter, also to your
aide-de-camp. Captain Brown, Bengal Engineers, who carried
my orders to the steamer, and assisted in working her guns and
directing her flanking fire. Our ammunition being limited to
forty rounds per man, the officers directed their whole attention
to reserving their fire, and keeping their men close under cover,
never showing themselves or returning a shot, except when
the enemy attempted to rush, or showed themselves in great
numbers; consequently great execution was done with trifling
expenditure of ammunition and with little loss. Our hope of
receiving a reinforcement and a supply of ammunition by the
' Satellite' steamer (hourly expected) being disappointed, on
the arrival of that vessel without either, shortly after the com
mencement of the attack, it was decided at twelve a.m., after
being three hours under fire, to retire to the steamer while still
we had sufficient ammunition left to fight the vessel up the
river. Accordingly, I requested Captain Conway to keep the
enemy at bay one hour, while the property was removed, for
which that time was ample, could the camp followers be
induced to exert themselves. After delivering their first loads
on board, however, they were so terrified at the enemy's cross