236 
The success of Colonel Nicolls 
(and the observation will be sup- 
ported by the brilliant conse- 
quences which have attended si- 
milar exertions on the part of 
Major-general Ochterlony) under 
the complicated difficulties pre- 
sented by-the quality of the coun- 
try, the fortifications by which its 
natural strength was assisted, and 
the obstinate resistance of a cou- 
rageous enemy, should prove the 
superiority conferred by military 
service, and the certainty that a 
strenuous application of its prin- 
ciples must entail honourable dis- 
tinction on a commander. ~ 
Warfare in a mountanious re- 
gion offers embarrassments which, 
when viewed at a distance, appear 
insurmountable, but which dwin- 
dleinto comparative insignificance 
under the grasp of vigour and 
genius. It is only in unusual si- 
tuations, demanding readiness of 
resource and animated efforts, 
that the difference between officer 
and officer can be displayed ; and 
it ought to be always present to 
the mind of every military man, 
that he who in circumstances of 
perplexity tries and fails, has to 
plead those chances from which 
no operation in war can be se- 
cured; his pretensions to the 
character of zeal and energy be- 
ing in the mean time maintained ; 
while he who contents himself 
with urging difficulties as an ex- 
cuse for doing nothing, volunta- 
rily registers his own inefficiency. 
. The Governor-general, in ex- 
pressing his warm approbation of 
the excellent conduct of Colonel 
Nicolls, desires also to record the 
merits of those whose services in 
this enterprise have been indicated 
as possessing peculiar claim to 
notice. 
ANNUAL REGISTER, 1815. 
Colonel Nicolls has earnestly 
represented the admirable ma- 
nagement of Lieut.-Col. Gardner, 
at the head of his irregular corps, 
in forcing the enemy to abandon 
so many strong positions ; and in 
finally establishing himself before 
Almora; the skill and spirited 
decision of Major Paton, com- 
manding the 2nd battalion 5th re- 
giment, in the attack of the de~ 
tached-corps, which he defeated 
on the 23rd of April; the exem- 
plary valour manifested by Capt. 
Faithful, commanding Ist battal- 
ion 4th regiment, in the successive 
assaults of the different works of 
the enemy on the 25th, nobly 
emulated by Lieutenant Wight: 
and the behaviour of Captain Leys, 
marked equally by intrepidity and 
judgement at the head of the flank 
battalion. 
Lieutenants Field and Purvis, 
of 4th regiment, with Lieutenants 
Bell and Wilson, of the artillery, 
are also mentioned in terms of 
strong commendation. 
To all those officers the Gover- 
nor-general offers his sincere ap- 
plause, as likewise to all the other 
officers (native as well as Euro- 
peans ) non-commissioned officers, 
and men, who have so becoming- 
ly supported the character of the 
British army in this laborious 
service; and his Lordship trusts 
that this splendid proof of what a 
just confidence in their own pow- 
ers can achieve, will satisfy our 
native troops of their own infinite 
superiority over the enemy with 
whom they have to cope. 
By command of the Right Ho- 
nourable the Governor-general. 
~ (Signed) is 
J. Apam, Sec. to Gov. 
