25 July 1818:
Private Robert Patterson

"... A few evenings before the date of these letters, a party was sent out by Captain Reed from Dehevina, accompanied by the Gombadde Vidahn and some of the natives settled at that Post, when Nelloodany Mohatalle, a Rebel Chief of power and consequence, was killed. His death was attended with such circumstances of personal bravery in the soldier by whom he fell, that we are induced to relate the particulars. After many prisoners had been made, the Vidahn (who had conducted the party) wished them to divide, in order the better to scour the jungle, when a private of the Light Company 73rd Regiment named Robert Patterson accidentally missed the path, and after going some distance suddenly came upon a hut in which was the Mohattale and five others; finding himself alone amidst such numbers, he judiciously reserved his fire, and seized upon the Mohattale, whom from his superior dress and earrings, he imagined to be of some consequence; the others precipitately fled. Patterson then led the Mohattale by the arm from some distance, when he started from his grasp and attempted to escape, but before he could get into the jungle, Patterson deliberately levelled his firelock and shot him; at this critical moment a Kandyan rushed from the jungle and within a few paces of Patterson, presented his piece which fortunately missed fire, and the fellow calling out to others, Patterson darted across a paddy field, close to which he had the good fortune to fall in with his comrades, and thus effected an extraordinary escape. The party went to the hut, and on their way found the dead body which the guides recognised to be the Mohattale."

Source: Ceylon Government Gazette: Supplement 25 July 1818.

Manuscript Transcripts
Transcript prepared by Robin Walsh
Macquarie University Library, Sydney, Australia. © 2003

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