'History of the Indian Navy. (1613-1863).' [‎479] (498/622)

HISTORY OP THE INDIAN NAVY.
479
In January, 1859, Acting-Lieutenant Burnes proceeded to
Chota Nagpore from Calcutta, with one hundred men (increased
by some volunteers from No. 9 Detachment, which proceeded to
Calcutta in July) and Acting-Masters Gladwin and Furrier-
this force, known as No. 14 Detachment, was divided into two
parties, stationed at Chuckaderpore and under canvas at
Dorakala, distant twenty-two miles. The men were in a good
state of discipline, and of their efficiency Lieutenant Burnes
writes:—" I have never come across a better set of men." In
May, Lieutenant W. H. Davies, who was suffering greatly from
the severe wound in the chest he had received in Assam,
arrived at Chuckaderpore from Calcutta, and assumed command
of the Detachment. He writes" From Raneegunge to Chy-
abassa is one hundred miles and a bad road. On my arrival I
found Lieutenant Burnes in a bad state with fever and liver,
but I am glad to say he is much better. Lieutenant Yates is
waiting for the elephants from Baneegunge; when they arrive
1 will give them three days' rest and pack him and his Brigade
off as soon as possible, and march this Brigade to Chyabassa,
where they will have better quarters. The men seem to be an
orderly set." No. 14 Detachment suffered severely from sick
ness during the monsoon, and the health of many of the officers
and men was permanently affected. On the 2ud of August
Lieutenant Davies writes:—" Mr. Furrier has been very ill
since his arrival, with fever and spleen, and is now hardly able
to put one leg before the other. Burnes gets fever now and
then. We have had lots of sickness during the last month, ten
in hospital daily. The men are getting on very well and give
very little trouble. Captain Birch said to me the other day,
they were so quiet he hardly knew they Avere in the station.
We take a long march every morning, if fine, and parade in the
evening." In October, Lieutenant Davies's wound became very
have also displayed a steadiness unusual in a corps so recently raised. Lieutenant
Birch has favourably noticed Mr. Williams and the men of the Naval Brigade
who were with him. I beg to add my testimony to the general good conduct of
the men of the Naval Brigade forming other Detachments, and to record that I
am under acknowledgments to Lieutenant Yates for his willing co-operation with
me in protecting wayfarers and unoffending villages from outrages, and in putting
a stop to the marauding expeditions of the insurgents. In reply, the Secretary
to the Q-overnment of Bengal writes, under date the 28th of February, 1859:—
" I am directed to state that the admirable arrangements by which the ex-Rajah
of Porahat was induced to surrender, and the promptitude and zeal with which
they were carried out, reflect the highest credit upon all parties concerned. To
yourself as Commissioner, the Lieutenant-Governor offers his cordial acknow
ledgments for the judgment and unremitting energy which have characterised
this, in common with the whole of your proceedings, for the pacification of the
Singbhoom district, which may now be considered as complete. You are re
quested to intimate to Lieutenants Birch and E-eeves, and to Mr. Williams, and
the men of the Indian Naval Brigade, the high approval with which the Lieu
tenant-Governor regards the excellent service rendered by them on the present
occasion."