On the 25th of September, the flank companies of the regiment again embarked in open boats, and proceeding during the night up the lake, landed on the following day at Mandoor, from whence they marched through thick jungle, thirteen miles up a gradual ascent, exposed to heavy rain, to the Mangalar river. On the 29th they traversed twelve miles of uncultivated ground, fording several streams, to the post of Chinna Kandy, commanded by Lieutenant Robinson, of the Nineteenth Regiment, whose detachment was suffering severely from ague and fever.
Fifteen miles of rugged country, covered with underwood destitute of roads, and infested with wild elephants, were traversed on the 1st of October, to the post of Kataboa, commanded by Captain Ritchie, of the Seventy-third Regiment, who had buried nearly a hundred men of his detachment at this place, and of the seventy Europeans left alive, the captain and assistant surgeon were the only persons free from fever. At this place the Eighty-sixth were joined by seventy rank and file of the Ceylon corps, under Lieutenant Noonan, who was to act as interpreter and guide.
The march was resumed on the 3rd of October, through a wild region, where elephants, buffaloes, hogs, and deer were seen in abundance, also pea and jungle fowl, but no human beings, and on the 6th the two companies arrived at Palwatee, together with Lieutenant Stuart, of the Ceylon corps, and a chieftain and his followers, who had joined on the preceding day.
Having arrived in the districts infested by the insurgent Kandians, parties of the Eighty-sixth, and Ceylon corps, were out day and night scouring the hills, and for three weeks the soldiers were actively employed in the mountains searching for the haunts of the rebel chiefs, and their followers,—pursuing them from place to place,—taking many prisoners,—also making seizures of muskets, bows, arrows, and other military stores. Private Stanton, of the light company, was seized by an elephant, which broke his musket, tore off his belts, and threw him some distance into the jungle, causing his death. During the absence of the parties, the camp was attacked, by a body of Kandians, in the night, but the skilful arrangements of the officers in charge preserved the soldiers from injury, and the fire of a cohorn put the insurgents to flight. Captain A. McLean died from fever, much regretted.
The health of the soldiers suffered from excessive fatigue, bad provisions, constant exposure to the sun, rain, and heavy dews, and their legs and feet were ulcerated with leech-bites,—every pool, stream, bush, and blade of grass being infested with leeches, which obliged the officers and soldiers to march barefoot, with their trousers cut off at the knee, that they might detect the leeches. Sickness increasing rapidly, and all the Coolies,—natives of India who accompanied the troops to carry provision, ammunition, &c.,—being attacked, Captain Creagh marched his men from the low country, to the hilly districts, taking post at Hotpeira, where Lieutenant Goold, with a small detachment, had erected a shed, and collected a supply of grain and cattle.
Lieutenant Goold proceeded with as many sick as means of conveyance could be procured for, to Badula, where the camp was frequently attacked in the night by the wild elephants, the tents, huts, and sheds destroyed, and several natives and followers killed; but the soldiers all escaped unhurt.
Detachments were constantly employed day and night searching out the haunts of the insurgent chiefs, and making many captures, including the crown, jewels, horse, and favourite elephant of the Kandian king.
Overthrown in every rencounter, and chased from place to place with diminished numbers, the Kandians lost all hope of success; the leaders in the insurrection tendered their submission, the lower orders followed their example, and tranquillity was at last restored.
In the mean time the eight battalion companies of the regiment had arrived at the island of Ceylon, but their services not being required, they returned to Madras, leaving one company at Trincomalee.
The services of the flank companies of the Eighty-sixth being no longer required, they were relieved by the Ceylon corps, and marched to Badula, where, in garrison orders, dated the 19th of November, the following order appeared:—“Colonel McDonell performs a pleasing duty in bearing his public testimony of his entire approbation of the good conduct and patience, which, (under so many trying difficulties,) have distinguished the detachment of the Eighty-sixth Regiment. He requests Captain Creagh will be pleased to convey to the officers and men, his unqualified thanks for their services, &c., &c.”