'History of the Indian Navy. (1613-1863).' [‎342] (361/622)

342
HISTORY OF THE INDIAN NAVY.
to answer the Governor's queries. This the General did by
sending, together with Commander Jones's letter, a copy of
the Declaration of War issued by Lord Dalhousie on the
1st of November. No answer was received to these communica
tions, and, on the following day, the 4th of December, the
British flag was hoisted at Kharrack, after an interval of
sixteen years, under a Royal salute from the guns of the
4 Ferooz.'
The first operation to be undertaken was the capture of
Bushire, and, on the 6th of December, most of the transports,
which had been scattered by the head-winds, having rejoined
the fleet, dropped down to Hallilah Bay, about twelve miles
south-east of Bushire, which had been selected by Commodore
Ethersey as the best site for the landing of the troops, the coast
between this point and Bushire presenting an unbroken line of
cliff, w T hich, though of no great height, was quite insurmount
able for artillery, while in the bight formed by Hallilah Bay,
the land slopes gently upwards from a fine broad beach. On
the morning of the 7th of December, the sea being smooth and
the weather favourable, the disembarkation commenced under
cover of the fire of a division of eight gunboats, armed with
24-pounder howitzers, under Lieutenant Stradling, and the
guns of the 'Ajdaha,' which had the honour of firing the first
hostile shot in this war, directed on a body of the enemy who
had taken post in a date-grove about two hundred yards to the
left of the beach. This force, which was supported by a larger
column, retired, but not before they had suffered some loss
from the shells, one of which killed a leading Persian chief.
On the yth of December the disembarkation of the troops was
completed without loss or hitch of any kind. General Stalker
does justice to "the officers and seamen for their unwearied
exertions in landing troops, w^hich, owing to the absence of
any other boats than those of the fleet, was a work of^ much
labour, occupying the greater part of three days and two nights.
On Sunday, the 9th, the troops, with three days' provisions in
their havresacks, advanced upon the fort of Reshire, about
four and a half miles below Bushire, a strong work, haying
thick w r alls, a dry ditch forty feet deep, with a redoubt in front
scarped on the sea face. The 6 Assaye' opened fire with admir
able effect, with her 8-inch guns, at a range of 1,700 yards,
being unable to make a nearer approach ; and after the greater
portion of the enemy had retreated, the British troops storme
the position. In this advance, Brigadier Stopford of the 64 ,
and Lieutenant-Colonel Malet of the 3rd Cavalry, were kil e ,
and three officers were wounded, of whom two died. Mean
while Commander Jones had proceeded to Bushire in io
6 Assyria,' bearing a summons to the Governor to surren er,
and offering most favourable conditions; but his flag ot iuc