Royal Naval Biography/Naval Operations in Ava - 2
CHAPTER II.
On the arrival of the Arachne at Madras, July 29, 1824, Captain Chads found that Commodore Grant had given directions to his agents there, to detain all despatches for him which might arrive after the 15th of that month, and intimated his intention to leave Penang on the 1st of August. Under these circumstances, the commander of the Arachne considered, that the surest way to join his commodore was to remain stationary; but at the same time he offered the services of his sloop, should the Madras government deem them necessary for prosecuting the war in Ava. On the 28th August, he received the first intimation of the death of Commodore Grant; and on the 3d September, having embarked on board the Arachne four lacs of rupees, for the use of the invading army, he took his departure for Rangoon, at the especial request of the Governor-in-Council of Fort St. George. On the 15th Sept. he assumed the chief command of the combined naval force attached to Sir Archibald Campbell’s army.
We must here remark, that the Arachne was sent from England to relieve the Sophie; but in consequence of a request from the Supreme Government, contained in a letter signed by Mr. Swinton, and dated Oct. 8, 1824, and seeing the absolute necessity of detaining that sloop, to co-operate in carrying on the war, Captain Chads took upon himself the responsibility of ordering her to remain.
On the 10th Sept., Sir Archibald Campbell directed a movement to be made upon Panlang, where the enemy had established a post, and were busily employed in constructing combustible rafts and boats for the destruction of our shipping. The force employed consisted of about 500 troops, under the command of Brigadier-General Hugh Fraser; the Satellite, manned with 45 British sailors and 60[errata 1] soldiers; the Diana, steam vessel; all the boats of the Arachne and Sophie, and several belonging to the transports, but manned by the former sloop and the Moira; the Powerful and eight[errata 2] gun vessels, and sixteen row-boats.
On the 21st, the troops were embarked, and Captain Chads moved upwards with the flotilla, which was in three divisions. under the command of Lieutenant Charles Keele, first of the Arachne; Lieutenant John Bazely, first of the Sophie; and Mr. Stephen Joshua Lett, master’s-mate of the former sloop.
In the evening, heavy guns were heard, not far distant; and next morning, five stockades were seen, three on the right side and two on the left: the Satellite, towed by the Diana, was far a-head of the flotilla, and soon ran up with the enemy’s works, receiving, as she advanced, a heavy raking fire of great guns, jingals, and musketry; which was not returned, however, till the vessel was placed directly in the centre, when both broadsides were opened on them, and Captain Chads had soon the satisfaction of seeing the enemy fly in all directions. Some troops under Major Sale were immediately landed, with trifling opposition, and the whole of the stockades destroyed. About fifteen guns of various sizes were taken, and the same number of one-pounder swivels. The enemy are supposed to have been about 2000 strong; but they took especial care not to allow our troops to close with them.
The expedition now proceeded about twenty miles higher up the river, and, on the 24th, fell in with three more stockades, which were bombarded for a short time previous to the landing of the troops, who found them all evacuated. About twenty-five war boats, rowing 30 and 40 oars each, were also discovered; but, owing to their superior speed, it was found impossible to overtake them.
On the 25th, the flotilla again advanced, till the river narrowed to eighty yards, when Captain Chads sent Lieutenant Keele about four miles further up, who reported that it was there very deep, but only sixty yards across. The expedition returned to Rangoon on the 27th, when Brigadier-General Fraser addressed a letter to Sir Archibald Campbell, of which the following are extracts:
“I am happy to add, that no casualties occurred amongst the troops during these operations, but I understand 2 or 3 sailors were wounded.
“The ordnance was taken possession of by the naval commander, with the exception of one gun burst, and another sunk in the river.
“My best thanks are due to Captain Chads, of H.M.S. Arachne, for the cordial co-operation I received from him during the whole operations; and I cannot omit to notice the zeal and alacrity with which Lieutenant Keele and Mr. Lett, H.M.S. Arachne, and Lieutenant Hazely and Mr. Winsor, H.M.S. Sophie, performed the different duties assigned to them by Captain Chads.”
We shall here give an extract of a general order issued by Sir Archibald Campbell, on the 27th Sept.
“The commander of the forces begs Brigadier-General Fraser and Captain Chads, R.N. will accept his best thanks for their perseverance in the fatiguing and harassing service in which they have been engaged, and it is with great pleasure he has received a report of the unanimity and good feeling with which the best exertions of the officers and men of both services were brought forward upon this, as on all other occasions where they have been employed together, and which it has so often been his pride to report to the highest authorities.
(Signed)“F. S. Tidy, Lieut. Col., D.A.G.”
Major Snodgrass contents himself with saying, that “the stockades upon the Dalla river, and those upon the Panlang branch, or principal passage into the Irrawaddy, were attacked and carried with few casualties on our part, while the enemy in both instances suffered severely, with the additional loss of many pieces of artillery.” In an official letter to Captain Coe, dated Sept. 28th, Captain Chads expresses himself as follows:–
“A chart drawn by Mr. Winsor, Admiralty midshipman of the Sophie, to whom I feel much indebted for his exertion and ability, he having had the arduous charge of the steam-vessel during the whole of the time, will enable you to judge of our progress; the Satellite was on shore three times, and the Diana once, but without the slightest injury. It now becomes a most pleasing duty for me to express the high satisfaction I feel at the conduct of the officers and seamen I had the pleasure to command; their privations and harassing duties were extreme, under heavy rains, guards by night from fire-rafts, with the enemy’s war-boats constantly watching close to them, and incessant towing of the flotilla by day; their high spirits were unabated; and without the utmost zeal and fatigue in the officers commanding the divisions, it would have been impossible to have advanced, manned as they[1] are, with natives only. Lieutenant Dobson rendered me every assistance, and was of great service; he was severely burnt on the 22d. From the exemplary conduct of these officers and seamen, allow me, Sir, to recommend them to your favorable attention. The casualties, I rejoice to say, have been very few – four seamen of the Arachne wounded.”
“The rains continued during the whole month of September, and sickness had arrived at an alarming height. An epidemic fever, which prevailed all over India, made its appearance among the troops, which, although in few instances of a fatal tendency, left all those whom it attacked in a deplorable state of weakness and debility, accompanied by cramps and pains in the limbs: men discharged from the hospitals were long in regaining their strength; and their too frequent indulgence in pine-apples, limes, and other fruit with which the woods about Rangoon abound, brought on dysentery, which, in their exhausted state, generally terminated in death.”
The situation of the combined force at this time “was, indeed, truly melancholy; even those who still continued to do their duty, emaciated and reduced, could with difficulty crawl about. The hospitals crowded, and with all the care and attention of a numerous and experienced medical staff, the sick for many months continued to increase, until scarcely 3000 duty-soldiers were left to guard the lines. Floating hospitals were established at the mouth of the river; bread was furnished in sufficient quantities, but nothing except change of season, or of climate, seemed likely to restore the sufferers to health.
“Mergui and Tavoy, now in our possession, and represented by the professional men who visited them as possessing every requisite advantage, were accordingly fixed on as convalescent stations. To these places numbers were subsequently sent, and the result fully justified the most sanguine expectations that were formed. Men who had for months remained in a most debilitated state at Rangoon, rapidly recovered on arriving at Mergui, and were soon restored in full health and vigour to their duty[2].”
On the 5th October, a detachment of Madras native infantry and some pioneers, with a few camel howitzers, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Francis Smith, C.B., was sent to attack the enemy’s stockaded position in the neighbourhood of Annauben and the pagoda of Keykloo, fourteen miles from Rangoon; and at the same time another military detachment, under Major Thomas Evans, was embarked in the flotilla, and directed to make a simultaneous movement upon Than-ta-bain, about 30 miles distant from Rangoon, which latter service occupied six days in its successful performance. The result was the destruction of five stockades, seven or eight Mar-boats, and large preparations for fire-vessels and rafts. “The naval part of the expedition,” says Sir Archibald Campbell, “was prepared and led by that zealous and excellent officer Captain Chads, of H.M.S. Arachne, the senior naval officer on the station. How well my orders have been executed, the accompanying detail of operations will shew.”
ENCLOSURE.
“Camp, Rangoon, 11th Oct. 1824.
“Sir,– In obedience to orders I had the honor of receiving from you, to feel the strength and disposition of the enemy upon the Lyne river, and to attack him as often as opportunities might offer of displaying the valour of the troops under my command, I embarked, on the morning of the 6th inst., with 300 men of H.M. 38th regiment, 100 rank and file of the 18th Madras native infantry, and a detachment of Bengal artillery, under Captain Timbrell, on board a flotilla of gun-boats, &c. &c. under the immediate command of Captain Chads. The first day’s tide carried us as high as Pagoda Point, above Kemmendine, at the junction of the Lyne and Panlang rivers. Having been joined by the armed transport and flotilla, at 2 p.m. next day, the whole force proceeded up the Lyne river with a flowing tide. Bodies of the enemy were seen moving up on the right bank, while numerous war-boats hovered in our front, keeping up a continued but distant fire. After the flotilla anchored, the light boats in advance, under Lieutenant Kellett, of H.M.S. Arachne, pursued the enemy’s war-boats; and having closed with one carrying a gun and full complement of men, boarded and took her in the handsomest style, the Burmese jumping overboard to save themselves. On the 7th, after proceeding about four miles, I observed two stockades, which were taken possession of without loss, and we reached, with this tide, within a short distance of the large works and fortified village of Than-ta-bain, having in the course of the day destroyed seven of the newly constructed war-boats. On reconnoitring the village, I found it was defended by three long breast-works, with a very extensive stockade, constructed of large teak-beams; and fourteen war-boats, each mounting a gun, were anchored so as to defend the approach to it.
“Having consulted Captain Chads, we advanced to the assault, the steam-boat, with the Satellite and bomb ketch in tow [3], and the troops in their boats ready to land when ordered. In passing the breast-works, we received a smart running fire from jingals and musketry, which was returned with showers of grape from the Satellite; and observing the enemy evidently in confusion, I directed the troops and scaling ladders to be immediately landed, and in a few minutes every work about the place was in our possession. During this night, some fire-rafts, of a most formidable appearance, were floated down the river; but very fortunately they passed without touching any of the vessels.
“At 6 o’clock next morning, we again moved with the tide, and in passing a narrow neck of land at the junction of two rivers, were received with a brisk discharge of musketry from a long line of breast-works, and a cannonade from a very large stockade on our right. The fire of the latter was soon silenced by the well-pointed guns of the Satellite.
“The troops and pioneers were ordered then to land, and this formidable stockade was carried by assault without a struggle. It is, without exception, the strongest work of the kind I have ever seen – the length of the front and rear faces is 200 yards, and that of the side faces 150. It is built of solid timber, fifteen feet high, with a platform inside all round, five feet broad and eight feet from the ground – upon this platform were a number of wooden guns, and piles of single and double-headed wooden shot, and many jingals; below, we found seven pieces of brass and iron ordnance. In front, the stockade is strengthened by breast-works and regular demi-lunes, and would contain with ease above 2,000 men. In the centre of this strong hold, we found the magnificent bungalow of the Kee Wongee, who, I presume, fled early in the day. I cannot doubt but the enemy’s loss must have been severe, though we only found seventeen dead bodies, which they had not time to carry off.
“The advanced boats having pushed up the river some miles, without seeing any other works, I considered the objects you had in view fully accomplished, and we accordingly began to move back to Rangoon. * * * * * * * * * I cannot adequately acknowledge my obligations to Captain Chads, for his zealous, judicious, and cordial co-operation; and the spirited conduct of Lieutenant Kellett, in command of the advanced boats, attracted the notice of every one. * * * * * * * I need scarcely add, that every officer and man evinced, on all occasions, that cheerful readincss and determined valour you have so often witnessed. * * * * Much powder, and an immense quantity of petroleum oil, and warlike stores, were destroyed at the different stockades.”
(Signed)“T. Evans.”
The naval officers employed in this expedition were Lieutenants William Burdett Dobson, Augustus Henry Kellett, and George Goldfinch; Mr. Lett, master’s-mate, and Messrs. James Ward Tomlinson, (son of Captain, now Rear-Admiral Nicholas Tomlinson), Archibald Reed, George Winsor, Charles Michell, and Murray, Admiralty midshipmen. The following is an extract of a letter from Captain Chads to Captain Coe, dated October 11th:
“Every thing which I had in view having been most fully accomplished,, and our provisions wholly expended, it was necessary to return, and we reached this place yesterday afternoon, having; been six days away, during which time hardly a man had an hour’s rest, whereas the whole were subject to the most harassing duty, with extreme heat and heavy rain; but the same good spirit I had the pleasure on the former occasion to recommend to your favourable attention, still animated the seamen and marines under my command: and I beg particularly to bring to your notice Lieutenant Kellett, who was in command of the light division, with Lieutenant Goldfinch and the other officers, before named. On all occasions they were foremost and led the gun-boats with the troops up to every stockade. From Lieutenant Dobson I received great assistance on board the Satellite; Mr. Winsor, of the Sophie, had again charge of the steam-vessel, and conducted her with the same judgment I before noticed to you; he will now add to the chart I then sent you, made by him, the extent of our last expedition.”
On the 16th October, Sir Archibald Campbell, in general orders, expressed “his satisfaction at the series of uninterrupted success which had marked the progress of the combined forces under Major Evans and Captain Chads,” to whom he gave “his best thanks for their persevering exertions, which cost the enemy eleven pieces of cannon and twenty wall-pieces, as well as all the means of annoyance which he had long been collecting.” The Governor-General also expressed “his high approbation and applause of the brilliant and decisive attack” on Than-ta-bain. “You will be pleased,” says Mr. Swinton, in a letter to Sir Archibald Campbell, “to convey to Major Evans and Captain Chads the sense which the Governor-General in Council entertains of the gallant service performed by them and the officers and men under their command, which has not been surpassed by any of the most distinguished affairs with the enemy since our first occupation of Rangoon.”
During the above successful operations against Than-ta-bain, (of which no notice is taken by Major Snodgrass) the military detachment under Lieutenant-Colonel Smith carried a stockade at Tadaghee, and a succession of breastworks in the vicinity of Keykloo; but was repulsed in an attempt to escalade the entrenchments surrounding the pagoda, and obliged to retreat with the loss of 21 officers and men killed, and 74 wounded. The bodies of 28 sepoys and pioneers were afterwards discovered by Brigadier M‘Creagh, “fastened to the trunks of trees on the road side, mangled and mutilated in every manner that savage cruelty could devise.”
Sir Archibald Campbell now determined to reduce and occupy the city of Martaban, situated at the bottom of the gulf of that name, and about 100 miles to the eastward of Rangoon. The naval part of this expedition was commanded by Lieutenant Charles Keele, whose force consisted of six gun-vessels, one mortar-boat, seven gun-boats, thirty men from the Arachne and Sophie, and an armed transport, having on board 450 troops, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Godwin.
On the 27th October, the above armament entered Martaban river, and the flotilla, led on in most gallant style by the Arachne’s jolly-boat, under the command of Mr. George Bourchier Dewes, a youngster only fourteen years of age, succeeded in destroying about thirty of the enemy’s war-boats, two of them pulling 50 oars each, and the whole armed with muskets, spears, and swivels. “This service,” says Captain Chads, “was performed in a manner to reflect great credit on Lieutenant Keele, and Lieutenant-Colonel Godwin mentions in high terms his gallantry and zeal.”
On the 29th, when closing the town, the transport grounded too far off to make use of her carronades with good effect. The enemy then opened their fire from a stockade, which was returned by all the row-boats, forming a line close alongshore, until after sunset; the mortar-vessel likewise took her position, under Captain Thomas Ynyr B. Kennan, of the Madras artillery, and kept up a well-directed fire the whole night, killing, from report, great numbers of the enemy. The appearance of Martaban is thus described by LieutenantColonel Godwin:
“The place rests at the bottom of a very high hill, washed by a beautiful and extensive sheet of water; on its right a rocky mound, on which was placed a two-gun battery, with a deep nullah under it. This battery communicates with the usual stockade of timber, and behind this a work of masonry, varying from twelve to twenty feet thick, with small embrasures for either cannon or musketry. The stockade runs along the margin of the water for more than three-quarters of a mile, where it joins a large pagoda, which projects into the water in the form of a bastion. The defences then continue a short distance, and end at a nullah, on the other side of which all is thick jungle. The town continues to run in an angle way from the pagoda for at least a mile, and terminates in the house of the Mayoon, close to a stockade up the hill. The whole defence is the water line, with its flanks protected. The rear of the town and work is composed of thick jungle and large trees, and open to the summit.”
Lieutenant-Colonel Godwin was prepared for a determined resistance on the part of the enemy, by seeing a number of armed men crossing, as he went up the river to reconnoitre. “At 5 o’clock in the morning of the 30th,” says he, “the men composing the first division were in their boats – 98 of H.M. 41st regiment, 75 of the 3rd native light infantry, 8 of the Bengal artillery, and 38 seamen of the royal navy; and I was fully aware that these men would have the business to themselves, as I had no where to wait for the remainder of the force, and every boat was already occupied. The advance sounded a little after five, and the boats rowed off, and soon came under a very heavy fire of all arms. On approaching the shore, I perceived there had been a misunderstanding with respect to the spot at which I wished to land, and that we had got on the wrong side of the nullah. As we could not carry the ladders through the mud, I ordered the boats to push off and put in at the place I appointed; at this time, a heavy fire of artillery and musketry was on us, and the Lascars would not face it[4]. Lieutenant Keele, of the Arachne, commanding the naval force with me, pushed on shore, and gallantly went to see if the nullah could be passed: he came back almost directly, and informed me there was a boat in the nullah, over which the men could go, and that the side of the rock to the battery appeared practicable. Trusting to the gallantry of the people with me, I determined to try it; and from the men getting on shore, there was not a halt till we had possession of it. It was stormed under a heavy fire of musketry; the enemy did not leave the fort till we were within a few paces of them, and they even threw stones at us, when we were too much under the fort for their fire to reach us. It is due to Captain Borrowes, of H.M. 41st regiment, and Lieutenant Keefe, R.N., to say they were in first. I now felt secure of the place, and after waiting till the men had recovered from the exertion, and to get them together, they marched down along the works, and cleared all before them. On marching through the town it was, as usual, deserted, except by a great many women. The emptiness of the houses shewed every preparation had been made, if the place was captured, to prevent our getting any property. I enclose a return of the guns taken, as also the ordnance stores; the quantities of the latter immense, kept in a stockade about half a mile up the hill, and a regular manufactory to make the powder. Our loss has been comparatively small – seven killed and fourteen wounded. In this immense place, with so many facilities to escape, I cannot guess what the enemy’s loss may have been; but from the prisoners, of whom we have a great many, and other sources, it must have been great; as allowing that two-thirds of the number reported were within this place at the attack, there must have been between three and four thousand.”
The ordnance and stores captured at Martaban consisted of 16 guns of various calibre, 100 wall-pieces, 500 muskets, 7,000 round shot, 1,500 grape, 100,000 musket-balls, 9,000 lbs. of lead, 20,000 flints, 10,000 musket-cartridges, 6,000 ditto for wall-pieces, 26,500 lbs. of loose gunpowder, 10,000 lbs. of saltpetre, and 5,000 lbs. of sulphur. the Hon. Company’s gun-vessel Phaeton was found at this place, with her crew in irons. Her commander had put into Martaban by mistake, and was then a prisoner at Ava.
The loss sustained by the naval detachment was two men killed, one dangerously wounded, and three severely. In concluding his report to Sir A. Campbell, the Lieutenant-Colonel expresses himself as follows:
“Where every one contended honorably, it would be difficult to select; for your particular notice. * * * * Lieutenant Keele of the Arachne, Lieutenant Bazely, of the Sophie, and their respective crews behaved with their usual gallantry. Lieutenant Keele’s unremitting exertions with this little force, as also the share he has taken in the fall of the place, together with the good understanding kept up between the services, I leave for you. Sir, properly to appreciate.”
At the same period, Lieutenant-Colonel Godwin addressed the following private letter to Lieutenant Keele:
“Martaban, Nov. 1st, 1824.
“My dear Sir,– The events of yesterday, in which you bore so conspicuous a part, call upon me thus early to offer you my warmest acknowledgements of your gallantry and judicious conduct, which tended so much to place this town in our possession, and I shall be most happy to state to Sir Archibald Campbell how much he owes to your bravery and talents on this occasion. Believe me, my dear Sir, ever most faithfully yours,
(Signed)“Hy. Godwin, Lieut.-Col. 41st Regt.”
Lieutenant Keele officially reported to Captain Chads, that “Lieutenant Bazely rendered him every assistance;” and he also spoke “in high praise of the constant good conduct of Mr. Lett.”
Sir Archibald Campbell describes the capture of Martaban as “an achievement no less honorable than beneficial to the British arms, reflecting the highest credit on every individual composing the force employed.” On the 26th Nov., Mr. Secretary Swinton wrote to Sir Archibald as follows:
“The Governor-General in Council commands me to express his fullest concurrence in the tribute of applause which you have bestowed on Lieutenant-Colonel Godwin, and the officers and men under his command, and on Lieutenant Keele and the seamen of the royal navy, composing the expedition fitted out against Martaban.
“The ability and judgment with which Lieutenant-Colonel Godwin planned the attack, and the gallantry with which the place was carried by the small force of 220 men, against the numerous and well-armed troops of the enemy, reflects the highest credit on the professional character of the officers in command, and the cool and resolute intrepidity of the handful of men by whom so important and brilliant an exploit has been achieved.
“His Lordship in Council accordingly desires, that you will be pleased to express to Lieutenant-Colonel Godwin the very high sense which Government entertain of his conduct on this occasion. You will also be pleased to convey to Lieutenants Keete and Bazely, of H.M. sloops Arachne and Sophie, the acknowledgments of the Governor-General in Council for the zealous and gallant exertions of themselves and the British seamen under their command.”
The capture of Martaban, “long considered as a place of some note, both in a political and commercial point of view, as the capital and mart of an extensive province, but more especially as a frontier fortress and depôt of military stores, where the Burmese armies were usually assembled in their frequent wars with the Siamese,” is thus briefly related by Major Snodgrass:
“Owing to light and contrary winds, the expedition did not reach its destination so soon as was expected; and instead of taking the enemy by surprise, they found him fully aware of their approach, and that every preparation had been made for their reception. The governor, Maha Oudinah, a bold and resolute chief, had fortified with skill and labour every commanding eminence about the town, and its distance from the coast, nearly 20 miles, offered many serious obstacles to the approach of our troops. By land, difficult forests, marshes, and extensive plains of rice-grounds, still covered with the inundations of the monsoon, prevented a movement from the coast in that way; while the intricate navigation of a shallow, winding river, presented many impediments to an approach by water. The latter course, however, was at once resolved on, and by toil and perseverance, the vessels were finally anchored nearly a-breast of the town; and the governor evincing no disposition to come to terms, an assault took place, when the enemy was driven with severe loss from every part of his defences.” The destruction of the war-boats, and Lieutenant Keele’s subsequent services, have not been considered worthy the Major’s notice.
After arranging matters at Martaban, Lieutenant-Colonel Godwin despatched a party against Yeh, situated to the eastward, which fell without resistance. By the capture of these places, the previous reduction of Mergui and Tavoy, and the voluntary submission of the whole coast of Tenasserim, the British obtained possession of very large stores of grain, ammunition, and ordnance, together with numerous boats fit for the conveyance of troops, and the command of all the Burman sea-coast from Rangoon to the eastward, a district ultimately ceded by treaty.
In October, the sickness and number of deaths at Rangoon were greater than in any previous month. In the beginning of November, however, a sensible change in the health of the troops was apparent. At this latter period, four of the Arachne’s crew had already fallen victims to the climate, and forty-four were reported unfit for service ; her total complement was only 100 officers, men, and boys.
On the 7th Nov., Lieutenant Greer, of the Bombay marine, then commanding the Thetis cruiser, being on his way from Elephant Point to Rangoon, in a row-gun-boat, with six sepoys as a guard, succeeded in beating off two war-boats, carrying from 30 to 40 men each, which had come out from the intermediate creeks, with twelve other boats of the same description, purposely to intercept him. The bold and determined conduct of Mr. Greer was duly appreciated by Sir Archibald Campbell and Captain Chads, who were well aware, that the capture of even a single boat would have been a source of the highest exultation to the Burmese, and emboldened them to give further annoyance on the river. Unfortunately, the seeds of jealousy, respecting the command of the Honorable Company’s naval force in Ava, had previously been sown at Calcutta; and Mr. Greer’s gallant exploit was followed by a painful correspondence, in the course of which, however. Captain Chads most firmly and successfully supported the dignity of His Majesty’s service.
On the 29th November, Captain Chads, in company with Lieutenant-Colonel John W. Mallet, of H.M. 89th regiment, visited the ancient capital of Pegu, which was found in melancholy ruins, reduced to a mere village, and deserted by all except a few old men and women. During this reconnoissance, which occupied four days, several large fire-rafts were destroyed by a division of light boats, under Lieutenant Kellett. On his return to Rangoon, Lieutenant-Colonel Mullet called the attention of Sir Archibald Campbell “to the zeal and ability shewn by Captain Chads in conducting the flotilla up the river, and the valuable service he at all times received from him.”
During the whole of November, the troops at Rangoon enjoyed a state of comparative repose; and this interval, together with the gradual approach of a more healthy season, and improved supplies, contributed materially to diminish the number of sick, and to preserve the health of those who had hitherto escaped. The army was therefore gathering vigour, for the renewal of active operations. Nor were the Burmese idle. The successive capture of their strongest stockades, the defeat of their most celebrated chieftains, the capture of their maritime provinces, and the prolonged occupation of Rangoon, had produced no pacific disposition on the part of the King of Ava; he, on the contrary, had turned his eyes to Maha Bandoola, a most distinguished warrior and statesman, who had previously been ordered to sack Calcutta, and lead the Governor-General in golden fetters to Umerapoora, at that time the capital of the empire. Maha Bandoola was recalled from Arracan to the Irrawaddy, with instructions to concentrate his veteran legions at Donoobew. No pains nor expence were spared to equip this favourite general for the field; and by the approach of the season for active operations, at least 50,000 men, well-armed, with a numerous artillery, and a body of Cassay horse, were ready to advance upon Rangoon.
On the 30th November, the enemy’s war-boats, &c. were seen by the Teignmouth (then stationed at the advanced post above Kemmendine), coming down in great numbers, loaded with men. The same evening they came forward with fire-rafts, which induced Captain Goodridge (who had succeeded Captain Hardy in the command of that cruiser) to slip and go below the point, to avoid them. This unfortunately left the post exposed to a most furious attack both by land and water; but it was nobly defended by the garrison under Major Charles W. Yates, consisting of the 26th Madras native infantry and a mere handful of Europeans, supported on the river by a small naval force.
On the 1st December, at day-light, numerous and apparently formidable masses of the advancing enemy were discovered issuing from the jungle, and moving at some distance upon both flanks of the British army, for the purpose of surrounding it, which Sir Archibald Campbell allowed them to effect without interruption, leaving his own troops only the narrow channel of the Rangoon river unoccupied in the rear. Observing the right corps of Bandoola’s force cross to the Dalla side, and one division occupy the almost inaccessible ground on the bank of the river, from which a distant fire was soon opened upon the shipping. Captain Ryves (his senior officer not having yet returned from Pegu,) immediately procured from the commander-in-chief a guard of 100 sepoys for the transports; then placed the Arachne in her usual situation, about one mile and a half in advance of the fleet, to enfilade the Madras lines, and ordered Captain Goodridge back to support the post at Kemmendine.
In the afternoon, a detachment under Major Sale, consisting of H.M. 13th regiment, and the 18th Madras native infantry, broke through the entrenchments which the enemy, with their usual dexterity, had already thrown up; and after killing a number of men, and destroying their works, returned loaded with military spoil. In the evening of the same day, two companies of the 38th, under Captain Hugh Piper, drove back a considerable force, which was approaching inconveniently near to the N.E. angle of the Shwe-da-gon pagoda; and, on the following morning, a party was dislodged from a commanding situation in front of the north gate of that stately edifice, by Captain Christopher Wilson, with two companies of the 38th, and a detachment of native infantry. During the night of the 1st December, the Teignmouth was again driven from her station by fire-rafts, and the post at Kemmendine thereby subjected to furious and incessant attacks. In his account of the operations of December 1st, Major Snodgrass at length acknowledges the value of naval co-operation, which his excellent commander-in-chief had long before fully discovered and appreciated. At page 99 of his narrative, the Major says, “the day had scarcely dawned when hostilities commenced with a heavy fire of musketry and cannon at Kemmendine, the reduction of that place being a preliminary to any general attack upon our line. The firing continued long and animated; and from our commanding situation at the Great Pagoda, though nearly two miles distant from the scene of action, we could distinctly hear the yells and shouts of the infuriated assailants, occasionally returned by the hearty cheers of the British seamen, as they poured in their heavy broadsides upon the resolute and persevering masses. The thick forest which separated us from the river, prevented our seeing distinctly what was going forward; and when the firing ceased, we remained for a short time in some anxiety, though in little doubt as to the result of the long and spirited assault. At length, however, the thick canopy of smoke which lowered over the fierce and sanguinary conflict gradually dissolving, we had the pleasure of seeing the masts of our vessels lying at their old station off the fort – a convincing proof that all had ended well on our side.” At page 104 et seq., we find the following passages:–
“During the day, repeated attacks on Kemmendine had been made and repulsed; but it was not until darkness had set in, that the last desperate effort of the day was made, to gain possession of that post. Already the wearied soldiers had lain down to rest, when suddenly the heavens and the whole surrounding country became brilliantly illuminated by the flames of several tremendous fire-rafts, floating down the river towards Rangoon; and scarcely had the blaze appeared, when incessant rolls of musketry and peals of cannon were heard from Kemmendine. The enemy had launched their fire-rafts into the stream with the first of the ebb tide, in the hope of driving the vessels from their stations off the place; and they were followed up by war-boats ready to take advantage of the confusion which might ensue, should any of them be set on fire. The skill and intrepidity of British seamen, however, proved more than a match for the numbers and devices of the enemy: entering their boats, they grappled the flaming rafts, and conducted them past the shipping, or ran them ashore upon the bank. On the land side the enemy were equally unsuccessful, being again repulsed with heavy loss, in the most resolute attempt they had yet made to reach the interior of the fort.
“The fire-rafts were, upon examination, found to be ingeniously contrived, and formidably constructed, made wholly of bamboos firmly wrought together, between every two or three rows of which a line of earthen jars of considerable size, filled with petroleum, or earth-oil and cotton, were secured; other inflammable ingredients were also distributed in different parts of the raft, and the almost unextinguishable fierceness of the flames proceeding from them can scarcely be imagined. Many of them were considerably upwards of a hundred feet in length, and were divided into many pieces attached to each other by means of long hinges, so arranged, that when they caught upon the cable or bow of any ship, the force of the current should carry the ends of the raft completely round her, and envelope her in flames from the deck to the main-top-mast head, with scarcely a possibility of extricating herself from the devouring element. With possession of Kemmendine, the enemy could have launched these rafts into the stream, from a point where they must have reached our shipping in the crowded harbour; but while we retained that post, they were obliged to despatch them from above it, and the setting of the current carried them, after passing the vessels at the station, upon a projecting point of land, where they almost invariably grounded; and this circumstance, no doubt, much increased Bandoola’s anxiety to drive us from so important a position.”
Things were in this state when Captain Chads returned from Pegu, at 8 a.m., on the 2nd December. He immediately sent the Arachne’s pinnace up, under Lieutenant Kellett and Mr. Valentine Pickey, admiralty midshipman, to gain information and reconnoitre; and shortly after, three row-boats, under Mr. William Coyde, midshipman, with a party of seamen to fight their guns. This assistance was most timely, the garrison being pressed in every direction; from which critical situation. Lieutenant Kellett’s highly judicious and determined gallant conduct immediately relieved them, by clearing both their flanks of the enemy, by showers of grape shot. This service performed by the pinnace, with a single carronade, in the face of hundreds of the enemy’s boats, was the admiration of the whole garrison; and Major Yates expressed himself to Captain Chads in terms the most gratifying, “for the able assistance Lieutenant Kellett had afforded him.”
The Teignmouth shortly afterwards resumed her station, and was constantly engaged with the enemy’s war-boats, which had long guns in their bows, and annoyed her a great deal. In the afternoon, finding the Burmese were making every effort to gain possession of Kemmendine, and as that post was of the last importance, both in a military and naval point of view. Captain Chads ordered the Sophie up for its support, with three more gun-boats, and those already there, under Lieutenant Kellett, to remain. Observing, also, that the enemy upon the Dalla side had begun to throw up works, he likewise directed the Satellite, in charge of Lieutenant Dobson, with a party of seamen from the Arachne, to the support of the Good Hope transport, and several small gun-vessels, already for some time stationed there.
Early on the 3rd December, the Sophie took her station off Kemmendine. The enemy again brought fire-rafts down, with their war-boats firing shot over them, to prevent the approach of the British. The Sophie cleared the rafts, but the Teignmouth was touched by them, and on fire for a short time, sustaining however no serious damage. “British seamanship,” says Major Snodgrass, “finally triumphed over every device of the crafty and ingenious enemy.” During this day the Burmese war-boatmen became extremely daring, finding their shot went farther than those of the British; upon which Captain Chads sent Captain Ryves two long 9-pounders, and enabled him to keep them farther off. Still, however, they continued to evince surprising boldness, and it was thought right to endeavour to give them a check. Accordingly, the latter officer placed the whole of his disposable force of Europeans, about 80 in number, (including Lieutenant Goldfinch, Messrs. Pickey, Coyde, Scott, and Murray, midshipmen; Lieutenant Curtis Clarke, of the Bombay marine; Mr. Lindquist, in charge of the row-boats; and Messrs. George Boscawen, midshipman in the Hon. Company’s service,) under the orders of Lieutenant Kellett. This force was put into the Arachne’s pinnace and eight other boats, and, as the moon went down on the morning of the 4th December, they shoved off, and pulling upon the contrary shore to the enemy, by day light came abreast of and boldly made a dash at them: the Burmese were completely taken by surprise, but did not run till the British were within pistol shot, when their confusion was great, and they fled with all haste, keeping up a smart fire. Lieutenant Kellett, in the pinnace, came up with some of the rearmost, which were soon run ashore and deserted; and Lieutenant Goldfinch, passing him whilst taking possession, captured one bearing the flag of the Burman chief, her crew also flying into the jungle. The chase was continued three or four miles, when Lieutenant Kellett judged it prudent to secure his prizes, having an enemy of considerable force in his rear, up another branch of the river. The result of this gallant attack was the capture of seven war-boats, one of which was 96 feet long, 13 feet 6 inches in breadth, and 6 feet deep, pulling 76 oars, and, as did three of the others, mounting a long 9-pounder on the bow. “Lieutenant Kellett’s conduct on this, and on former occasions, speaks for itself, and,” says Captain Chads, “I trust will meet with its due reward. Lieutenant Goldfinch is a valuable officer, and merits every praise; Lieutenant Kellett reports the high gallantry of every individual under his command. On their return, they cut adrift and brought down a large floating stockade from Pagoda Point; and what adds to the value of this service is, that it was performed without the loss of a man.” In Sir A. Campbell’s report to the Supreme Government, of the operations of his army at this period, we find the following passages:-
“During the 3d and 4th, the enemy carried on his labours with indefatigable industry, and but for the inimitable practice of our artillery, commanded by Captain Murray, in the absence, from indisposition, of Lieutenant-Colonel [Charles] Hopkinson, we must have been severely annoyed by the incessant fire from his trenches.
“The attacks upon Kemmendine continued with unabating violence; but the unyielding spirit of Major Yates and his steady troops, although exhausted with fatigue and want of rest, baffled every attempt on shore, while Captain Ryves, with H.M. sloop Sophie, the H.C. cruiser Teignmouth, and some flotilla and row-gun-boats, nobly maintained the long established fame of the British navy, in defending the passage of the river against the most furious assaults of the enemy’s war-boats, advancing under cover of the most tremendous fire rafts, which the unwearied exertions of British sailors could alone have conquered.”
Sir Archibald next proceeds to acquaint the Governor-General in Council, that the “intrepid conduct of Lieutenant Kellett and Goldfinch merits the highest praise; and he then adds:
“The enemy having apparently completed his left wing, with its full complement of artillery and warlike stores, I determined to attack that part of his line early on the morning of the 5th. I requested Captain Chads, the senior naval officer here, to move up to the Puzendown creek during the night, with the gun-flotilla, bomb-ketch, &c. and commence a cannonade on the enemy’s rear at day-light. This service was most judiciously and successfully performed by that officer, who has never yet disappointed me in my most sanguine expectations. The enemy was defeated and dispersed in every direction. The Cassay horse fled, mixed with the retreating infantry, and all their artillery, stores, and reserve depôts, which had cost them so much toil and labour to get up, with a great quantity of small arms, gilt chattahs, standards, and other trophies, fell into our hands. Never was victory more complete or more decided, and never was the triumph of discipline and valour, over the disjointed efforts of irregular courage and infinitely superior numbers, more conspicuous.”
The naval force employed in the Puzendown creek was composed of the steam and mortar-vessels, a few of the gun-flotilla, and several transports’ boats, with about 40 European soldiers to make an appearance. Mr. Archibald Reed, admiralty midshipman, was with Captain Chads, and “rendered him much service.” In the mean time, the Satellite was very closely and warmly engaged, as she had also been during the nights of the 2d, 3rd, and 4th, with the enemy at Dalla, whose shot struck her in every direction, and greatly injured the rigging; but as Lieutenant Dobson had taken the precaution to stockade her all around with bamboo, she fortunately had not a man killed or wounded.
The Burmese left wing thus disposed of, Sir Archibald Campbell patiently waited its effect upon the right, posted in so thick a forest as to render any attack in that quarter in a great measure impracticable. On the same day, he wrote to Captain Chads in the following terms:–
“My dear Sir,– A thousand thanks for the essential diversion you made this morning to the left and rear of the enemy. Their defeat has been, indeed, most complete; the game is, I think, now up with them, and the further conquest of the country easy – thanks to all the good and fine fellows under our command by water and land.”
On the same day. Sir Archibald Campbell had the pleasure of observing that Maha Bandoola had brought up the scattered remnant of his defeated left, to strengthen his right and centre, and continued day and night employed in carrying on his approaches in front of the Shwe-da-gon pagoda. This he was allowed to do with but little molestation, as it was rightly imagined that “he would take system for timidity.” On the morning of the 7th, he had his whole force posted in the immediate front of the British army – his first line entrenched so close, that the men in their barracks could distinctly hear the bravadoes of the Burmese soldiers. Upwards of thirty fire-rafts and large boats, all lashed together, and reaching nearly across the river, were brought down against the shipping; but, although the Sophie was touched by one of them, they were productive of no mischief.
The time had now arrived to undeceive the enemy in their sanguine but ill-founded hopes. Sir Archibald Campbell made his arrangements, and at 11-30 a.m., every thing was in readiness to assault their trenches. A short but heavy cannonade ensued, and at noon the British columns moved forward to their respective points of attack. They were saluted, after a momentary pause, by a very spirited fire, in spite of which they advanced to the works, and quickly put their defenders to the route. The Burmese left many dead behind them, and their main force was completely dispersed. On receiving this information. Captain Chads sent every disposable man from the Arachne, under Mr. James B. Manley, acting master, with twenty sepoys, in the steam-vessel, up to Captain Ryves, to endeavour to intercept their boats and cut off their retreat; they had, however, already deserted the neighbourhood of Kemmendine.
“Thus,” says Captain Chads in his official report, “has this formidable attack ended in the total discomfiture of the enemy; having called forth from the very small force I have the honor to command, in every instance, the greatest gallantry and uniform good conduct, under the utmost exeriiona by day and night, the greatest part of them having been in the boats since the starting of the expedition for Pegu, on the 26th ultimo.
“From Captain Ryves I have received all the aid and counsel that a good and valuable officer could afford his determined perseverance in holding his ground, when the fire-rafts came down, merit the highest commendation; and from his ready and zealous co-operation with the post at Kemmendine, that place was greatly relieved in the arduous contest it was engaged in.
“Of Lieutenant Kellett I cannot speak in terms sufficiently strong to express my admiration of his uniform gallantry.
“Lieutenant Goldfinch’s conduct has also been most conspicuous, together with that of all the midshipmen named in my reports, not one of whom but has shewn individual acts of great bravery.
“Also to Mr. Manley, the master, who has, from necessity, been frequently left in charge of the ship during my absence, I feel much indebted[5].”
In another despatch, addressed to Sir Archibald Campbell, the commander of the Arachne says: –
“It becomes a most pleasing duty to me to recommend to your favorable notice, officers in the Honorable Company’s service, whose good conduct has been conspicuous in the recent attack of the enemy. The first I ought to name is Mr. W. Binny, agent for transports of the Bengal division, in charge of the Good Hope transport – that ship. Sir, with the British crew of the Resource, who handsomely volunteered, did all the duties of a man-of-war, in silencing the enemy’s guns as they mounted them at Dalla. Mr. Hornblow, agent for transports of the Madras diWsion, in charge of the Moira, has also shewn very great zeal in forwarding all the late arduous services; and the British crew of his ship, in charge of the mortar-vessel, have continued their usual good conduct. In the attack on the enemy’s war-boats. Lieutenant Kellett speaks in high terms of the gallantry of Lieutenant Clarke and Mr. Boscawen, of the H.C. cruiser Teignmouth, and Mr. Lindquist, in charge of the row-boats; this latter young officer I have also had much reason to be pleased with.”
On the 8th December, Sir Archibald Campbell reported to the Governor-General in Council, that his “obligations to Captains Chads and Ryves, and the officers and seamen of H.M. navy, were great and numerous. In Captain Chads himself” says the General, “I have always found that ready alacrity to share our toils and dangers, that has ever characterized the profession he belongs to, and the most cordial zeal in assisting and co-operating with me on every occasion.”
On the evening of the same day. Sir Archibald Campbell found that the enemy’s corps of observation on the Dalla side of the river had not been wholly withdrawn, probably from ignorance of what had taken place on the 7th, in front of the Shwe-da-gon pagoda; and as he was well aware they would not remain long after the news of Bandoola’s defeat reached them, he at once determined to assault their works. Detachments from three regiments were immediately ordered under arms, and Captain Chads was requested to make a diversion up the creek upon the enemy’s right flank. After dark, all the boats assembled alongside the Good Hope transport; and, just as the moon arose, they moved across the river; the troops, under Major Charles Ferrior, of the 43rd Madras native infantry, landed to the northward, whilst Captain Chads, accompanied by Lieutenant Kellett and Mr. Reed, proceeded up the creek, and opened his fire; the Satellite doing the same to distract the enemy: the troops then advanced, and jumped, without a moment’s hesitation, into the trenches; many Burmese were slain in the short conflict that ensued; they were driven, at the point of the bayonet, into the jungle in their rear; and several guns, with many small arms, taken. In this affair, the British had two killed, and several, including five of the naval detachment, wounded. Lieutenant Dobson having landed immediately after the troops, was one of the first to enter the enemy’s works.
In a general order, issued at Rangoon, on the 12th December, Sir Archibald Campbell again “acknowledges his highest obligations to Captain Chads,” and “requests that he will communicate to Captain Ryves, who so effectually supported the post of Kemmendine, his warmest thanks.” The passage concludes thus: “the conduct of both officers and men during the whole affair was characteristic of the British navy! What can be said more to their Honour?”
On the evening of the 12th, a deserter from the enemy informed Sir Archibald Campbell, that Maha Bandoola had re-collected his beaten troops, and received considerable reinforcements on his retreat; which latter circumstance had induced the chiefs (to whom he had for the present resigned his command) to determine on one more great effort to retrieve their disgrace. For this purpose, it afterwards appeared, they succeeded in forming a force amounting to between twenty and twenty-five thousand men; with which they returned to Kokeen, distant four miles from the Shwe-da-gon pagoda, and immediately commenced intrenching and stockading with a judgment, in point of position, such as would do credit to the best instructed engineers of the most civilized and warlike nations. The deserter also declared it to be their intention to attack the British lines on the morning of the 14th (pronounced a fortunate day by their soothsayers), determined to sacrifice their lives at the dearest rate, as they had nothing else to expect than to do so ignominiously, by returning to the presence of their monarch, disgraced and defeated as they had been. This information was too circumstantially given to be disregarded, and Sir Archibald Campbell prepared accordingly: the enemy’s movements, next day, left little doubt on his mind of the truth of the deserter’s information. Previously to this, the Sophie had been recalled from Kemmendine, and the Hon. Company’s cruiser Prince of Wales, commanded by Lieutenant William S. CoUinson, ordered to relieve her. On the 13th, the gallant defender of that post addressed two letters to Captain Chads, of which the following are copies:–
“My dear Sir,– Mr. Midshipman Lindquist acquaints me, that I am to be attacked this night. May I beg Kellett and his brig, and his boats, and the Powerful? Alas! the dear Sophie has forsaken me, and no Prince or Potentate ran replace her in my confidence and affection. Prithee keep the Prince of Wales, and cheer my heart again with the presence of Sophie. Believe me ever your obliged and faithful,
(Signed)“C. W. Yates.”
“My dear Sir,– My little band are at their post. The fires of the enemy are all around me. I hope you will excuse my having detained Mr. Lindquist, and his three boats, until I may hear from you. I have 200 natives short of the force I had the other day, and 27 Europeans. If the Prince of Wales comes I can expect no aid, as her commander is junior to the captain of the Teignmouth, which ship, having twice deserted me, I cannot look for aid from.
“Yours ever faithfully,
(Signed)“C. W. Yates.”
In consequence of this pressing request. Captain Chads sent the Sophie back to her former station; and with her, the steam-vessel, the mortar-boat, the Prince of Wales, and a detachment of seamen under Lieutenant Kellett. The commander-in-chief also directed 100 sepoys to proceed thither with Captain Ryves.
In the night of Dec. 13th, the enemy recommenced offensive operations, particularly by annoying the vessels off Kemmendine with immense fire-rafts, one of which consisted of upwards of sixty canoes, besides bamboo rafts, all loaded with oil and combustibles. On the 14th, about 2 30 a.m., their emissaries succeeded in setting fire to Rangoon, in several places at once, by which one-fourth of the town, including the quarters of the Madras commissariat, was destroyed, notwithstanding the utmost efforts of the garrison, the officers and men of the Arachne, and the well-disposed part of the inhabitants, to subdue the flames.
The 14th passed without any other attempts on the part of the enemy; during the day, however, he was seen above Kemmendine, transporting large bodies of troops from the Dalla to the Rangoon side of the river. For many urgent reasons. Sir Archibald Campbell determined to attack him on the following day, rather than wait his pleasure as to time and place of meeting.
Thinking it probable that the enemy’s preparations for fire-rafts might be destroyed, and as he had before sent a force up the Panlang branch of the river, without finding any thing. Captain Chads now resolved to despatch one up the Lyne branch, under Lieutenant Kellett, consisting of the steam-vessel, with forty marines and soldiers for her defence; the Prince of Wales, towed by the Diana; and the pinnaces of the Arachne and Sophie. He thus describes the result of this expedition^ in an official letter to Captain Coe, dated Dec. 16, 1824.
“Before day-light yesterday morning, they proceeded with the first of the flood, and at a short distance above Pagoda Point, saw large numbers of the enemy’s war-boats, at least 200, who retired in good order as they advanced, keeping up a smart Are from their long guns, five boats having them mounted, and taking their distance that the carronades should not reach them; when about seven miles up, a raft was drawn right across the river, and set on fire by them, to prevent the advance of our vessels; but an opening was found, and Lieutenant Kellett, now seeing the river quite clear, with great judgment, decreasing the power of steam, deceived the enemy, and lulled them into security; when, putting on the whole force again, and casting off the Prince of Wales, he was immediately within grape and musketry distance; the enemy, finding themselves in this situation, drew up in a regular line to receive him: this little band was not, however, to be daunted by their show of resistance, but nobly dashed on, although the Prince of Wales was out of sight; the heavy fire from the boats’ carronades, and musketry, threw the enemy into confusion and panic, and they flew in all directions, leaving us in possession of three of their large war-boats; one belonging to the chief, mounting three guns, and pulling 60 oars; the other two, one in their bow, 9 and 6-pounders; with about forty other boats of all descriptions, many of them loaded with ammunition and provisions for their army before Rangoon.
“The securing of thirty of these boats, and destroying the others, took
up the whole of the flood; when Lieutenant Kellett, having most fully accomplished my instructions and wishes, returned, destroying, on his way down, quantities of materials for fire-rafts, and a great many canoes laden with earth-oil. The enemy’s loss in killed and wounded must have been very great; we, I rejoice to say, had not a man hurt, the steam-vessel having been stockaded to secure the people.
“I cannot find words sufficiently strong, in which to recommend Lieutenant Kellett’s uniform gallantry to you; his conduct on this, as well as former occasions, proves him a most valuable officer. Lieutenant Goldfinch, of the Sophie, I have also frequently had occasion to name to you, and, with pleasure, I repeat my former recommendations; he was in the Sophie’s pinnace, with Mr. Murray, midshipman. Mr. Tomlinson, admiralty midshipman, commanded the Arachne’s pinnace; and Mr. Winsor, admiralty midshipman, was in charge of the steam-vessel, and shewed his usual judgment and good conduct.
“Lieutenant Kellett speaks in the highest terms of the determined steady conduct of every man under him, soldiers, sailors, and marines; and feels much indebted to Lieutenant Collinson, commanding the Prince of Wales, for the able assistance that vessel rendered him.”
During these operations, of which Major Snodgrass takes no notice, Sir Archibald Campbell attacked the enemy in the same direction, and gained a most brilliant victory. With only 1300 infantry, he stormed, and carried by assault, the most formidable intrenched and stockaded works which he had ever seen, defended by upwards of 20,000 men, under the command of the Maha Silwah, an officer of high rank and celebrity, late Governor-General of Assam. In the despatch announcing this great achievement. Sir Archibald says, “our gallant friends afloat were determined not to let the auspicious day pass without their share of its operations. Every day’s experience of the zeal and cordiality with which Captain Chads, and every individual composing the naval part of the expedition, co-operates with me in carrying on the combined service, increases my sincere obligations, and merits my warmest thanks.” The loss sustained by the British army, on the 15th December, amounted to 18 killed and 118 wounded.
Previous to the intelligence of Sir Archibald Campbell’s last victory reaching Calcutta, the Supreme Government had issued a general order, of which we shall here give two extracts:–
“The official despatches already published in an Extraordinary Gazette having announced the late brilliant achievements of the British arms at Rangoon, the Right Honorable the Governor-General in Council now proceeds to the discharge of a most gratifying duty, in signifying, in the most public and formal manner, his high admiration of the judgment, skill, and energy, manifested by Brigadier-General Sir Archibald Campbell, in directing the operations of the troops under his command, on that important and arduous occasion. * * * * *
“The Governor-General in Council seizes this opportunity of expressing his warm acknowledgments to Captain ChadSt of H.M.S. Arachne, the senior naval officer at Rangoon, and to Captain Ryves, of H.M.S. Sophie, for their distinguished personal exertions, and requests the former to convey to the officers and crews of H.M. ships, of the H.C. cruisers, as well as the officers and men of the transports who volunteered their services, the sense which Government entertains of their gallant conduct in the several actions with the enemy’s war-boats, when they so conspicuously displayed the irresistible and characteristic valor of British seamen.”
On the 17th December, the following correspondence took place between Captain Chads and the commandant of Kemmendine:–
“My dear Sir,– Considering your post now secure, and the war, as a war against fire, I have deemed it right to recall the Sophie and mortar-boat, as the more vessels the greater risk, and the responsibility is very great and heavy on the shoulders of so junior an officer as myself. Whilst danger threatened you, I was willing to incur all risk, and make any sacrifice, feeling the very welfare of the whole expedition hung on the result of your gallant exertions. The two cruisers remain, and they have my directions now not to be too tenacious in holding on against fire-rafts. Believe me, my dear Sir, yours very faithfully,
(Signed)“W. D. Chads.”
“To Major Yates, &c. &c.”
“My dear Sir,– Believe me, I feel as I ought the depth of obligation I owe to you; and that, while grateful for the aid you have afforded me, I was fully sensible of the extent of responsibility to which your ardour in the cause had induced you to expose yourself. I feel with you the necessity of your present arrangements, and am confident that your own personal exertions, in the active employ of your boats, will impart to those arrangements stability which will secure your ultimate object. I cannot tell you how proud I feel of your approval. Believe me it is infinitely more valued than that received from any other source, by yours, my dear Sir, ever faithfully,
(Signed)“C. W. Yates.”
“To Captain Chads, R.N.”
The character of the war was now completely changed. The enemy no longer dared attempt offensive operations, but restricted themselves to the defence of their positions along the Lyne and Panlang rivers, to harass and detain the British force, which, agreeable to the policy that had been enjoined by the events of the war, prepared to dictate the terms of peace, if necessary, within the walls of the Burmese capital. The retreat of Maha Bandoola, to Donoobew, left the field completely open in front of the invaders’ lines. Not a single armed man remained in their neighbourhood; and “numbers of the people, at length released from military restraint, and convinced of the superiority of the British troops over their countrymen, and of their clemency and kindness to the vanquished, poured daily into Rangoon: the most important result attending the return of the inhabitants to their houses, was the means which they afforded of equipping canoes for the transport of provisions, and of obtaining servants and drivers for the commissariat, with which the force was before very scantily provided, owing to the impossibility of inducing that class of people in Bengal to volunteer their services in Ava[6].”
In the beginning of 1825, Sir Archibald Campbell and Captain Chads prepared to advance upon Ava, to which city the Burmese Court was then about to remove from Umerapoora. The joint crews of the Arachne, Larne, and Sophie, including supernumeraries and the officers and men employed in the flotilla, at this time amounted to no more than 237 persons.
In order to leave no obstruction in his rear. Sir Archibald Campbell, on the 11th January, directed a detachment of 200 troops, under Lieutenant-Colonel R. G. Elrington, of H.M. 47th regiment, to be embarked on board two divisions of gun-boats, commanded by Captain G. T. Finnucane, of H.M. 14th regiment, and Lieutenant Joseph H. Rouband, of the Bombay marine, for the purpose of driving the enemy from the old Portuguese fort and the pagoda of Syriam (the latter doubly stockaded), both which posts they had re-occupied since their last defeat. The naval part of this expedition “was most nobly conducted” by Lieutenant Keele, then just returned from Martaban, who took with him 48 officers and men belonging to H.M. sloops of war.
The detachment landed under the fort, and found the bridge across the nullah removed: to make another, with planks sent for the occasion, gave the navy an opportunity of displaying their usual activity, skill, and steady courage. On this point the enemy kept up a heavy and well-directed fire, by which nearly 30 men were killed and wounded, including among the latter Mr. Atherton, acting purser of the Larne, and five sailors. In a few minutes, however, the bridge was laid, by the blue jackets swimming across with the planks; two of the gun-boats were also brought up the creek. On the soldiers gaining the opposite bank, and rushing upon the works, the enemy instantly fled, although the place was as strong as considerable art and indefatigable labour could render it, and was capable of making a most formidable resistance. Four guns were found in the fort, and upwards of twenty swivels.
At the attack of the Syriam pagoda, next morning, “the sailors assisted in manning the scaling ladders, and Lieutenant Keele was the first person over” the stockade at the foot of the edifice: here ended the military operations, for the enemy made no further resistance, and parties were immediately formed to bum and destroy the works[7].
Lieutenant Keele reported in the highest terms the steady bravery and good conduct of Lieutenants Fraser and Bazely; Messrs. Lett, Coyde, Michell, Cranley, and Scott, midshipmen; Mr. Atherton, and of every man attached to the flotilla. One occurrence we feel it but justice to name, as shewing a truly British spirit. A soldier, in crossing the bridge, fell overboard and would have been drowned, but for the gallantry and humanity of Mr. Scott, who instantly jumped after him, under the enemy’s heavy fire, and was himself exhausted when brought on shore.
On the 15th of January, a letter arrived from Maha Bandoola, addressed to the European merchants who were residing at Rangoon previous to the invasion of Ava. Although of a vague and indefinite character, it evinced a material alteration in the temper of that chieftain, and a disposition, if not to treat for peace, at least to respect his antagonists. The tenor of this letter (which was the first that had ever been received from him), and its being addressed to non-official persons, precluded its being made the basis of a negociation; but an answer was written by Sir Archibald Campbell, pointing out to Bandoola the propriety of addressing the British General direct, if he had any communication to make, to which he was desirous the latter should pay regard, and assuring him that Sir Archibald would ever be accessible to aay correspondence of an amicable purport. No notice of this was taken by the Burmese commander, and even if sincere in his first advance, the re-assembling of his forces at Donoobew probably encouraged him to make another appeal to the chance of war.
On the 22nd January, H.M. ship Alligator arrived at Rangoon, and Captain Chads was succeeded in his extremely arduous command, by Captain Alexander. Up to this period he had been acting solely on his own responsibility, not having met with a senior officer since the Arachne’s arrival in India. On the 24th of the same month, Captain Coe, then at Trincomalee, acknowledged the receipt of his various despatches, and thanked him for his “zeal, activity, and officer-like conduct, evinced in the various successful attacks on the enemy, by the combined naval and military force employed in the river Rangoon.” Captain Coe also requested him to convey to Captain Ryves, the officers, &c. &c. &c. of the Arachne and Sophie, the high opinion he entertained of the bravery and coolness displayed by them, in the many opportunities they had had of distinguishing themselves in action with the enemy. “My warmest acknowledgments,” said he, “are due to Captain Ryves, acting Lieutenant Goldfinch, and Mr. Winsor, with Lieutenant Kellett of the sloop you command, whose name ranks foremost amongst those who have distinguished themselves; and I beg to add, that the services of those officers, as well as all employed, shall be laid before the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty.” In another letter, dated March 29th, Captain Coe says, “I have to acknowledge the receipt of your communications of the 14th and 17th January last, and feel much gratified by the continued and successful exertions of the officers, seamen, and marines under your command, to whom I am again to request you will convey my warmest thanks, more particularly to Lieutenant Charles Keele, of the Arachne, and Mr. Scott, of the Sophie, whose gallant exertions in the cause of humanity, shall be represented to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, to whose attention I have before had the honor of submitting various despatches relative to the gallantry of the squadron employed at Rangoon.”
- ↑ The gun-vessels and row-boats.
- ↑ Snodgrass, 79.
- ↑ One of the gun-vessels fitted with a mortar.
- ↑ At Than-ta-bain their conduct was equally bad. Although cheered on by the European troops in their vessels and boats, not one of them could be got to assist in rendering the fire-rafts harmless.
- ↑ Lieutenant Keele was then at Martaban, where he remained in command of the naval detachment until all the European troops were ordered back to Rangoon, about the end of 1824.
- ↑ Snodgrass, 128–130.
- ↑ Lieutenant-Colonel Elrington’s official letter. Major however, does not make any mention of this expedition.