Notes Prepared for Reference during Curzon’s Tour of the Persian Gulf, and Other Papers on Persia and the Persian Gulf [‎225r] (449/678)

I found that, as soon as the south-west bastion had been silenced by the
guns, the sappers under Lieutenant Corry ran up to blow in the walls, hut find
ing a hole in the wall already made the sappers and covering party made their
way in. Lieutenant Corry was first man in and he was followed by Lieutenant
Grant and also by Lieutenant-Colonel Shower's, who joined the party. When
they got inside they found themselves under fire from a round tower behind
them, in the underground passage of which were men firing on them from one
side, while a mud building in the centre of the fort, the existence of which had
not been known before, gave shelter to others in front Here it was that
Lieutenant Grant was first shot through the shoulder. His men were hanging
back a bit behind, and while urging them to come on a band of men rushed at
them from the building in front. At this moment just as one man was cutting
at him, Lieutenant Grant was shot through the neck from the tower behind,
and fell. Lieutenant Corry was fired at by a man as he was firing his revolver
and the bullet passed through both his wrist and his right shoulder. The man
came on with his sword, and Lieutenant Corry guarded hmself with his sword in
his left hand, with the loss of one of the fingers of his right hand and a cut on
his left shoulder till he drove his sword into the man’s face, and his sapper
havildar Custodian; police sergeant; jail or prison guard. coming up drove his bayonet into him and finished him.
Lieutenant-Colonel Showers disposed of his assailant with his revolver, and
he was tinisbed off with the bayonet also. The men seeing the two British
officers fall drew back, and there was a temporary check. Colonel Showers
walked out alone the last to leave and marvellously to say came out unhurt.
His coolness and courage was the admiration of all. Major Tighe withdrew
the infantry and ordered up the guns to close range. Firing through the walls
they smashed in the mud hut in the centre. It was during this interval that
many of the prisoners taken crept out and gave themselves up. The remainder
in the fort, when the final rush came, begged for mercy which was given them.
This accounts for the small number killed. Had a second charge taken place
at once hardly a man would have been left alive. There was a great rush for
the arms and ammunition. All 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. brought out were collected in a
heap, but in the crowd and confusion many were carried away, notably some
fine silver mounted rifles which, though seen, were never found again.
The total number collected are Martinis 11, Sniders 8, muzzle-loading
rifles 6, smooth-bore carbines 6, double barrel muzzle-loading guns 2, match
locks 17, swords 21.
The total casualties amounted to—
Two British officers severely wounded;
Three men, 3rd Baluchis, killed ;
Three men, 3rd Baluchis, one gunner and one sapper severely
wounded.
Of the enemy, in addition to Muhammad Ali and Murad, the leader’s,
Muhammad Ali’s, brother and cousin Din Muhammad and Bahadur Khan were
among the wounded. One of the wounded men died, and the total number
found and buried is reported by the Nazim to be 14. Four men are missing,
according to the prisoners, and they must either have escaped, which is unlikely,
or else are buried in the debris as is supposed.
Saturday, 21st December 1901. —Nodiz. Halt.—The prisoners have now
been sorted, and it is found that 30 are Persian subjects, residents of Sib and
Dizak in Persian territory. The remainder, it is said, are mostly Makran out
laws, who came from Persia with Muhammad Ali.
I decided that the prisoners should be tried and punished by the Khan,
and the Nazim lost no time in convening a Jirga of the Sardars and Motabars,
in accordance with the custom of the country.
The Jirga have recommended that one man should he hung, and that the
others should be given various terms of imprisonment, varying from 20 years
to 3. The award of the Jirga is to be forwarded to His Highness the Khan for
confirmation.
Sunday, 22nd December 1901. —Turbat, 21 miles.—The troops marched to
Kalatak. Colonel Showers and I going straight through to Turbat. The
wounded are all doing well. Lieutenants Corry and Grant were carried in
1043 F. D.