'History of the Indian Navy. (1613-1863).' [‎454] (473/622)

454
HISTORY OF THE INDIAN NAVY.
possessed in an eminent degree by Lieutenant Davies, that he
was enabled to render efficient, and maintain discipline among,
a body of men whom he himself describes as recruited from
among the desperate characters and loafers of Calcutta. By
their timely arrival, the Detachment, which had four 12-pounder
howitzers, were doubtless instrumental in saving the lives and
property of the Assam Tea Company, as, at a later period, the
mutineers from Dacca succeeded in penetrating the Goalpara
district, when they plundered Bugwah and the bazaar at the
Kurribarree Thannah.^
Some of the plotters of the Assam Light Infantry, for they did
not break out into open mutiny, were tried and sentenced to death;
but the sentence was commuted to transportation to the Andaman
Islands. Before the close of the year, the want of European
troops in Upper Assam became very pressing, as, owing to the
inroads of flying columns of mutineers. Lieutenant Davies'
Detachment was totally inadequate to maintain order at all the
out-stations in such a vast and inaccessible territory; accord-
an appeal being made to Government by Colonel
Hannay and the Chairman of the Assam Tea Company, on the
last day of the year, a second Detachment of one hundred sea
men was despatched from Calcutta, whose presence restored
confidence among the planters throughout the province. But
before the arrival of this party, the gallant First-Lieutenant of
the 6 Zenobia' had undertaken an Expedition against the Abors.
On Lieutenant Davies being relieved of the custody of his
prisoners, by their despatch to the Andaman Islands, he marched
against a tribe of these hillmen, who had come down from their
fastnesses and ravaged a village, distant about three hours'
journey from Dibrooghur, killing many of the inhabitants. The
force consisted of a party of seamen, under Lieutenant Davies,
and 115 Goorkhas of the Assam Infantry, under the com
mand of Captain Lowther, and was too small to attain the
desired object. Nevertheless, Lieutenant Davies embarked the
force in canoes and went up the rapids of the Dehony River, a
distance of twenty miles, when he landed and attacked a Boor-
maun village, which was burnt after a stout resistance, the enemy
women's parts are taken by hn^e, strapping, broad-shouldered he-fellows, with
anything but feminine voices. However, in the jungle one is not disposed to be
over fastidious. We have no ballet as yet, but I do not despair of our attaining
even that last touch of civilization."
# The peril must at this time have been imminent, for when, on the restora
tion of tranquillity, the tea-planters of Upper Assam presented to Captain
Holroyd, Assistant-Commissioner at Seebsaugor, a testimonial of silver plate,
the inscription on the salver recorded that to his zeal and courage was due " the
unravelling of the plot of the mutineers to massacre all the Europeans in the
province." The gratitude of these planters did not, however, extend to the pre
sentation of any testimonial or vote of thanks to the gallant officer whose oppor
tune arrival saved their lives and property, and who freely fought and bled for
them.