[1] In mid-December 1839, a force consisting of 150 soldiers of the 1st Grenadiers, and 60 Irregular horses, commanded by Captain George Raitt, was dispatched from Lehri (29°10′56″N 68°12′38″E / 29.18222°N 68.21056°E / 29.18222; 68.21056) to take possession of Kahun, the "capital" of the Marri tribe, who occupied a portion of the mountainous country east of the Bolan Pass.

Despite introducing themselves peacefully, Kahun's chief Dodah later heard of the intention to occupy the fort, and came in person to Riatt to discourage him from this, as the town's people already had shown hostility towards the soldiers.

Captain Riatt left a detachment of 100 men posted within a mile of Kahun, and returned to join Major Billamore.

The command of the troops directed for this service was entrusted to two of the officers who had accompanied expeditions under Major Billamore – Captain Lewis Brown and Lieutenant Walpole Clarke.

The Marris accorded him the honours of war, letting the small remnants of Brown's force to march out in possession of their arms, guns, ammunition, and baggage.