WAR IN NEPAUL, 1816.
Reading edition
In consequence of the Rajah of Nepaul having refused to ratify the treaty which had been signed by his ambassadors, an army was collected under the command of Major-General Sir David Ochterlony, K.C.B., with a view to coerce this refractory ruler. There were three King’s regiments with this force: the 24th. belonging to the first brigade, the 66th. to the second brigade, and the 87th. Royal Irish Fusiliers to the third brigade. The first brigade, commanded by Colonel Kelly, of the 24th., was to penetrate by Hurryhurpore; the second brigade, under Lieutenant-Colonel Nicol, of the 66th., was to enter the hills at Ramnuggur, and by a circuitous route join Sir David Ochterlony before Muckwanpore. The third brigade, under Lieutenant-Colonel Miller, of the 87th., remained with the fourth brigade (native troops), under Sir David Ochterlony, who marched through the forest at the foot of the Nepaul Hills on the 9th. of February. Great difficulty was experienced in carrying the guns through the forest, which was accomplished by the personal exertions of each individual.
On the 27th. of February, the advance guard arrived at Muckwanpore, and on the following day the brigade was ordered to take possession of the heights of Sierapore; an action ensued, which commenced about noon, and terminated at six o’clock, leaving the British in possession of the heights for a considerable distance from Sierapore, and of one field-piece.
For this affair, Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Miller, of the first battalion of the 87th., and Lieutenant Fenton, who had performed very arduous duties, having been placed in charge of the advanced guard, composed of the light company of his regiment and those of the native infantry, with two guns, received the public thanks of the authorities in India.
Meanwhile Colonel Kelly, with the first brigade, encountered and defeated the Rajah’s troops on the heights of Hurryhurpore, on the 1st. of March.
Convinced of the inutility of further opposition, the Rajah sued for peace, and a treaty was eventually concluded on the 4th. of March, which terminated the war in Nepaul.
37