The defenders of the settlement are soured, and their hearths and homes are at the mercy of the foe! Such is the unhappy state of things arising out of the attempt -on Tuesday of about 160 of the Shavghai Volunteers, aided by 55 of the Royal Marines, to clear the country of a band of marauders (represented by about 220 sailors from H.M.S. Wanderer and Severn). The only consolation for the representatives of law and order is that the enemy must have suffered almost as much as themselves.
The muster of the volunteer infantry was called for 2.15 on the back Bubbling Well Road, near Del Monte, and a short distance beyond Carter Road. Here they were joined by about a dozen Light Horse and the Artillery, numbering 42 of all rauks, with two guns. A move was soon j made in the direction of the Island, but it was not till after three o'clock, when the infantry had been pushed forward, that firing began in real earnest at a spot to the west of Trefancha and about " mile from the road. The enemy was found to be in possession of a small village, from which the blue-jackets kept up s warm fire with their rifles and a couple of light. guns, This was vigorously answered by the volunteer redcoats and marines, and several rounds were fired by the Artillery, but, the fantry pushing further forward, it was deemed advisable tu advance the guns over a-creek. This proved unfortunate. The guns in their new position were sheltered in front, but the enemy, making a flank movement, came round upon the left of the guns, and, pouring in a rapid fire must certainly have decimated the Artillery. They followed this up by a charge, and captured one gun, but in doing so they were exposed toa hot fire and would inly have suffered severely in such ce. The coming to close quarters of course ended the battle, which was all over at twenty minutes to four. The umpire, Capt. Hall, R.N., gave his verdict in favour of the blue jackets, no doubt considering that their capture of the gun was more than an equivalent forthe loss they would have sustained. Both armies, after a brief interval for refreshments, wore marched back to the Settlement and warted after cheering each other heartily.
the creeks, wet and dry, gave considerable trouble to the Artillery, and three times ponies had nasty falls, but the drivers fortunately escaped without injury. The sailors were decidedly excited over their charge, and there was some unnecessary firing and scrimmaging at close quarters, but this, perhaps, was only to be expected. A few prisoners were made on both sides. The forces, which were about equal in number, were respectively commanded by Major Morrison and Gunnery Lieutenant Ewart, of H.M.S. Serer.
Our war correspondent with "our friend, the enemy" trudged out at 1.30 p.m. to find the patties who were supposed to have evil designs on the Seitloments, they having probably heard that the stores were full of good things for the Christmas and new year season. With the aid of a pair of binoculars he discerned a couple of heads above a grave mound and made a bee line for them, but he afterwards discovered that the would-be looters, not liking his appearance in the distance, covered him with their rifles, but as they only saw a single top-booted individual they reserved their fire. Our war correspondent walked boldly up to them and was soon made prisoner, but on giving a satisfactory account of himself he was accepted as a lon camarade and sent on to headquarters and graciously accorded his liberty.. Now that the fight is over and che victory won, there will be no breach of confidence if the proceedings of the would-be troublers of the Settlements are given forth to the public. The enemy consisted of 180 men in command of Lieutenant Ewart, who drew up a plan of the locality where they wereentrenched. This locality was about a mile from the Upper Boat House, with the Soochow Creek on the left. The main body, consisting of 90 men, was stationed inside a hamlet with 'a 9-pounder gun on the left and a 7-pounder on the right. The remainder of the force was disposed of as follows. To the left and right front were half companies of sailors with their supports in command of Lieutenants Holmes and Wake. In front were others in command of Lieut. Wrey, while Lieutenant Tyler had charge of the guns. The grave mounds were utilised to the best advantage, while the main body was completely hidden behind the hedges of the hamlet. Several pickets were also sent out, so that the commander. appears to have chosen his position with much care, At2.25 p.m. a solitary horseman appeared, and was promptly fired at; he turned out, however, to be neutral. Soon after this a Light Horseman was seen in the open in the direction of the Settlement, then a couple of others, upon which the 9-pounder opened fire, with the result that the horsemen retired. A fusillade soon commenced on our side, but for some time the Volunteers did' not fire a shot they were apparently advancing gradually and reserving their ammunition, but their red coats were soon seen in front, and a number of them advanced to the open and made a dash for the 9-pounder, but several of them were captured and the rest annihilated. In the meantime the sailors' right turned the left flank of the Volunteers and then a swoop was made on the Volunteers' guns, this charge ending the battle.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.