Notes Prepared for Reference during Curzon’s Tour of the Persian Gulf, and Other Papers on Persia and the Persian Gulf [‎224v] (448/678)

had been marching an average of 17 miles a day for the last ten days, without
a single halt, the quick way they came in does them all much credit.
Major Tighe issued his orders for attack at once. I summoned the Nazim
and explained the plan to him with Major Tighe. Briefly it was that the
Nazim was to collect all his men investing the fort into three bodies—on
the north, west, and south—to prevent confusion and permit of them being
recognised as friends by the sepoys Term used in English to refer to an Indian infantryman. Carries some derogatory connotations as sometimes used as a means of othering and emphasising race, colour, origins, or rank. . The Nazim’s mounted men to guard the
country to the north-west and north-east of the fort. The Sind Horse were
sent round to hold the open country by the river bed to the south. A small
party of infantry, under Lieutenant Orton, 26th Baluchistan Regiment, were
told off to keep the fire from the eastern walls of the fort in check. The guns
were moved round by the east to take up a position about 500 yards to the south
east of the fort, whence they were to knock down first the battlements of the
south-west bastion and, secondly, of the redoubt on the west face. Finally they
were to turn their fire on the tower and when they did this the infantry, who
were sent round to the west to take up a position in the nullah at the
south-west angle, would then advance and storm the fort; if necessary, the
sappers blowing in the wall with gun-cotton in advance of them. All moved
off at 10-30 a.m. The first gun was fired at 11-20 a.m.
Lieutenant-Colonel Showers and the Nazim proceeded with Major Tighe to
the west of the fort. I took up a position with my mounted police and levies on
the karez near the Nazim’s main picket to the north. The bullets at first flew
thick here, but we were covered by the karez banks. I left the picket when
the guns moved forward and moved along the east face and round to the south,
passing the cavalry and moving in to join the guns which were then breaching
the fort at close range. On getting up near the fort I first passed the Nazim
(who was busy saying his prayers), and I learned that Colonel Showers had
left him and gone in with the troops. Under some trees close to tbe fort I
found Captain Stewart at work and two British officers and several sepoys Term used in English to refer to an Indian infantryman. Carries some derogatory connotations as sometimes used as a means of othering and emphasising race, colour, origins, or rank.
wounded. Lieutenant Corry, It.E., in right wrist and shoulder and Lieutenant
P. G. Grant, 27th Baluchis, in left shoulder and neck. Pressing on 1 was just
in time to enter the fort with the final rush as the guns ceased firing. Time
about 1-30 p.m. Muhammad Ali, Noushirwani, lay dead in front, and Murad,
Baluch, the owner of Naudiz, who had let Muhammad Ali in, was also dead.
Three or four other bodies lay around, but the killed were mostly buried in the
debris. Fourteen wounded men and 63 prisoners were taken alive.