ded that he was compelled to leave the
force for a time; but he returned to it even before his wounds were
healed. He gained the Victoria Cross for his gallantry on that
occasion.

The next morning the British force marched on Bushire, a town of some
strength, and walled round; but some of the garrison ran away, and were
drowned as they were escaping, and the remainder, 2000 strong, laid down
their arms.

Meantime, a much larger force was organised at Bombay to unite with that
of Brigadier--General Stalker, with Lieutenant-General Sir James Outram
as Commander-in-chief. General Stalker's division was considerably
increased, and was called the first division, while a second division
embarked under the command of Brigadier--General Havelock. Brigadier
Hamilton, 78th Highlanders, commanded one of his brigades, and Brigadier
Hale the other.

These forces arrived at Bushire at the end of January. On the 3rd of
February, the army broke ground from the camp of Bushire, and marched on
the village of Brasjoon, outside of which the enemy were said to be
intrenched, and to have eighteen guns. Such was the case. A wall, with
tower bastions, enclosed the whole, and detached square towers within
overlooked all; while a ditch, fifteen feet deep, ran outside, and
beyond it were gardens, with high thorn and cactus fences: altogether it
was a very formidable position. Shortly before one o'clock on the 5th,
the Persian videttes and reconnoitring parties were made out; but they
very rapidly retreated. A smart brush, however, took place between the
rearguard and a few of the British cavalry, in which Cornet Speers, of
the 3rd Light Cavalry, and two or three troopers were wounded. By two
o'clock the British were in possession of the intrenched camp, in which
were large quantities of grain, camp equipage, and ammunition. The
governor of the place also fell into their hands.

All the stores, guns, and ammunition which could not be carried off
having been destroyed, the army commenced its return march to Bushire on
the 7th, not expecting to encounter an enemy.

After moving a few hundred yards clear of the intrenchment, the troops
were halted to witness the explosion of a large quantity of gunpowder,
stated to be 36,000 pounds. A very magnificent spectacle it occasioned.
The evening was darker than usual, and the rush of one mighty column
into the heavens, with cloud over cloud of bright silvery-looking smoke,
mingled with shel