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NARRATIVE
OF THE
OPERATIONS OF A DETACHMENT
IN AN
EXPEDITION TO CANDY,
IN
THE ISLAND OF CEYLON,
IN THE YEAR 1804.
WITH SOME OBSERVATIONS ON THE PREVIOUS CAMPAIGN, AND ON THE NATURE OFCANDIAN WARFARE, ETC., ETC., ETC.
BY MAJOR JOHNSTON.
Of the Third Ceylon Regiment, then Captain Commandant of the Detachment.
DUBLIN
JAMES McGLASHAN, 50 UPPER SACKVILLE-STREET.
WM. S. ORR AND CO., PATERNOSTER-ROW, LONDON.
MDCCCLIV.
Dublin: Printed by George Drought, 6, Bachelor's-walk.
TO
HIS EXCELLENCY
SIR DAVID DUNDAS, K.B.,
General and Commander-in-Chief, &c.
Sir,
The operations of any part of the British troops, and the means by whichthey may be rendered more effectual, cannot be a matter of indifferenceto the Commander-in-Chief. Whatever contributes to the improvement ofmilitary knowledge will, I am persuaded, be favourably received by yourExcellency, to whom the service is already so much indebted for itspresent proficiency in military tactics. It is the object of thisnarrative to relate and explain a species of warfare in which theBritish troops have been little engaged, and are, consequently, lessexperienced than in European tactics. If I succeed in benefiting thepublic service, by showing in what manner the difficulties which pressedso severely on the detachment I had the honour to command may, in anyfuture operations, be either removed or lessened, I shall feel myselfamply repaid for the trouble I have taken; and shall, I trust, standexculpated from the apparent presumption of having obtruded myself onyour Excellency's attention.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient humble servant,
A. JOHNSTON,
Major, Third Ceylon Regiment.
PREFACE.
As it appears generally incumbent on those who offer information to thepublic, to explain the sources from whence they have derived theirknowledge, it may not be improper to state the circumstances underwhich my e