Royal Naval Biography/Naval Operations in Ava - 4
CHAPTER IV.
One of the first acts of Sir James Brisbane, after his arrival at Prome, was to address the following order to Captain Chads, who had accompanied him thither from Rangoon.
“Whereas the important service of co-operating with the army engaged against the dominions of Ava requires the best exertions of all ranks, but more particularly of those who are acquainted with the service of warfare; and as I have, with this view, made an accession, by the boats of the Boadicea, to the flotilla hitherto employed on the Irrawaddy, with the happiest results, I do hereby avail myself of your zeal, intelligence, and local knowledge, on which the highest eulogiums have been passed by the Supreme Government, in appointing you to command the light division of the said flotilla, under the immediate orders of Captain Alexander, who anticipates from your promptitude and resources the most effectual assistance, especially for maintaining that cordial union between the naval profession and all other departments, which is so essential to the success of the present expedition, and will be highly gratifying to me.
“Given under my hand, at Prome, on the Irrawaddy, this 24th
day of September, 1825.
(Signed)“Jas. Brisbane, Commodore.
“To H. D. Chads, Esq. Commander of H.M.S. Arachne, and
a volunteer on the expedition against the dominions of Ava.”
On the 7th November, Captain Alexander died at Rangoon, and Captain Chads was immediately appointed his successor in the command of the Alligator; but directed to remain with the flotilla in the Irrawaddy. A commission promoting him to the rank of Captain had been signed by the Admiralty on the 25th July preceding, and was conferred upon him in the most flattering and gratifying manner, their Lordships directing that he should not be superseded, but that the Arachne should be sent home. He did not hear of his promotion, however, until after the termination of the Burmese war. The officer appointed by Sir James Brisbane, to succeed Captain Chads in the command of the Arachne, was Lieutenant John Francis Dawson, first of the Boadicea.
On the 15th November, the Burmese having pushed forward a division of troops to the village of Watty-goon, distant from Prome about 18 miles in a N.E. direction, and it appearing desirable that the columns of the British army should not be harassed and delayed at the very commencement of their march, Sir Archibald Campbell directed Lieutenant-Colonel Robert M‘Dowall, of the Madras establishment, to move forward with four regiments of native infantry, and dislodge the enemy from their posts. The result of this attempt was disastrous, owing to the very superior force of the Burmese, and the strength of their, positions. Lieutenant-Colonel M‘Dowall and 53 men were slain; Major R. Lacy Evans, four captains, eight subalterns, and 110 men wounded; and 42 rank and file missing. Lieutenant John C. Ranken, of the 43d regiment, subsequently died of his wounds.
The ultimate consequences of this disaster were not unfavorable, as it encouraged the Burman chiefs in the high opinion they were still inclined to entertain of their own power, and induced them to adopt a system of confident warfare, which brought them within the reach of the British commanders. Relying on the manifestation of their purpose to attack him in the position he then occupied. Sir Archibald Campbell determined to await their advance, and Prome was soon surrounded by upwards of 50,000 warriors. As their numbers enabled them to spread over a considerable tract of country, they detached parties past both flanks of the British position, by which the communication with Rangoon was threatened, and the districts below Prome, on both banks of the river, exposed to the depredation of irregular and marauding bands. About this period, H.M. sloop Champion arrived at Rangoon, and her commander, John Fitz-Gerald Studdert, was entrusted with the charge of keeping the navigation open between that place and Prome.
Deeming it of importance to retain possession of Padoung-mew, on the western bank of the river. Sir Archibald Campbell stationed 200 troops there, supported by a division of the flotilla, under Lieutenant Kellett. This party was repeatedly attacked by the enemy in great force, and the meritorious conduct of the officers and men of both services, obtained for them the high approbation of the commander-in-Chief. On the 25th Nov., Captain Charles Deane, of H.M. 1st regiment of foot, commanding the military detachment at Padoung-mew, reported as follows:
“A little before day-break, we had embarked twenty men of the Royals and thirty sepoys of the 26th Madras native infantry, intended to co-operate with Lieutenant-Colonel Godwin, on the opposite side of the river. They were just in the act of shoving off from the shore, when the enemy, to the amount of five or six thousand, made a rush at our works, howling most horribly, and at the same time setting fire to the village, which they had entered at all points. We had fortunately got an 18-pounder into the battery late yesterday evening, which, added to two twelves, already there, did great execution.
“Lieutenant Kellett, R.N. was at the moment shoving off with the row-boats, but instantly returned to our assistance, with all his men, and kindly undertook the superintendence of the guns, the well-directed fire of which so mainly contributed to our success. The enemy, after nearly two hours sharp firing, retired in admirable order, carrying off great numbers of dead and wounded. I am happy to add, with the exception of one man slightly grazed in the elbow by a musket-shot, we have not a man either killed or wounded. The guns in the boats were of the greatest assistance in scouring the village with their grape.”
Respecting the defence of Padoung-mew, Major Snodgrass merely says, – “The centre of the Burmese army was now distinctly seen from Prome, stockading and fortifying the heights of Napadee above the river. The corps of Sudda Woon was also seen actively employed in a similar duty on the opposite bank, while a strong detachment was pushed forward for the purpose of occupying Padoung-mew, a town situated on the west side of the Irrawaddy, about ten miles below Prome: in this measure, however, they were anticipated by the British general, the place being already in possession of a party of our troops, which subsequently baffled every attempt of the enemy to drive them from it.”
Between this period and the 30th November, Lieutenant Colonel Godwin’s detachment, and the flotilla, cleared the left bank of the river for fifteen miles below Prome. On the 27th, Thomas Campbell Robertson, Esq. Judge of Cawnpore, who had been appointed to the general superintendence of civil affairs in the conquered provinces, and to the conduct, jointly with Sir Archibald Campbell, of political intercourse with the Burman Court, arrived at headquarters. On the 30th, measures were taken for making a general attack upon every accessible part of the enemy’s line, extending, on the east bank of the Irrawaddy, from the commanding heights of Napadee, distant from Prome only five miles, to the village of Simbike, upon the Nawine river, distant eleven miles in a N.E. direction. The Burman army was divided into three corps. The left, commanded by Maha Nemiow, an old and experienced general, who had been sent to introduce a new system of conducting the war, was stockaded in the jungles at Simbike and Hyalay, amounting to 15,000 men, Burmese, Shans, and Cassayers, of which latter force 700 were cavalry. The centre, under the immediate orders of the Kee-Wongee, was strongly entrenched upon the Napadee ridge, inaccessible, except on one side by a narrow pathway, commanded by seven pieces of artillery, while the navigation of the river was commanded by several batteries of heavy ordnance. This corps consisted of 30,000 men, and the space between the left and centre, a thick and extensive forest, was occupied by a line of posts. the enemy’s right, under the orders of Sudda Woon, occupied the west bank of the Irrawaddy, strongly stockaded, and defended by artillery.
On the 1st December, shortly after day-light. Sir James Brisbane, with the flotilla, commenced a heavy cannonade on the enemy’s centre, and continued for nearly two hours to attract his chief attention to that point, while the troops under Sir Archibald Campbell were marching out for the real attack upon Maha Nemiow. At the same time, the 26th Madras native infantry advanced along the margin of the Irrawaddy, to drive in the Kee Wongee’s advanced posts upon the main body.
On reaching the village of Ze-ouke, the attacking force was divided into two columns; the right, under the command of Brigadier-General Cotton, continuing to march along the straight road leading to Simbike, and the other, accompanied by Sir Archibald Campbell, after fording the Nawine river, moving along its bank in a direction nearly parallel with the Brigadier-General’s division. The route followed by the latter officer brought him in front of a succession of stockades, which he at once assaulted and carried. In less than ten minutes the enemy was completely routed; and Sir Archibald had only an opportunity of cannonading his panic-struck masses as they rushed through the openings of the jungle before him, endeavouring to effect their escape. The enemy left 300 men dead upon the ground, with the whole of his commissariat and other stores, four guns, twelve jingals, more than four hundred muskets, a very considerable quantity of gunpowder, and upwards of 100 horses. The body of Maha Nemiow was found among the slain.
The enemy’s left corps thus disposed of, and finding, from the testimony of all the prisoners, that Meaday had been fixed upon as the point at which to re-unite in the event of any disaster. Sir Archibald Campbell immediately determined upon marching back to Ze-ouke, for the purpose of attacking the centre on the following day. At 6 p.m., the whole force was again assembled at Ze-ouke, after a harassing march of about twenty miles, which the troops underwent with the greatest cheerfulness and spirit. During the night, a message was sent to Sir James Brisbane, requesting him to be in readiness to move forward with the flotilla, as soon as the troops were seen debouching from the jungle in front of Napadee. Early in the morning of the 2d, the army was again in motion, and many hours had not elapsed before the numerous stockades and breastworks upon that formidable and almost inaccessible ridge, were successively stormed and carried, the enemy flying from hill to hill, over extremely dangerous precipices, until the whole of the position, nearly three miles in extent, was taken. Previous to the assault, Sir James Brisbane cannonaded the heights from the river, and the land artillery also opened upon them with great effect. During the attack by land, the flotilla pushed rapidly past the enemy’s works, and succeeded in capturing nearly 300 boats, with five brass and iron guns, four hundred muskets, about a ton of gunpowder, and large quantities of shot, grain, and military stores, intended for the use of the Burman army. In a letter to the Admiralty, dated Dec. 3d, 1825, the Commodore says:
“I have much satisfaction in stating, that the whole of the officers and men employed in the flotilla conducted themselves throughout this service in a manner that reflects the highest credit on each individual, composed as this force is of various establishments. The officers of the Honourable Company’s marine vied with those of the royal navy in gallantry and exertion. Captain Chads, of the Alligator, who commanded the light division, displayed the same zeal, judgment, and intrepidity, which have characterised his conduct since the operations in this quarter began. I have, however, the painful duty of announcing the death of Captain Dawson, of the Arachne, whose high professional character had induced me so recently to promote him to the rank of Commander. The gallantry of this much lamented officer was conspicuous on all occasions; inviting, by his example, the exertions of all under his directions, he fell just as success had crowned our efforts.”
On the following day. Sir Archibald Campbell, in a letter to Mr. Secretary Swinton, “solicited the attention of the Governor-General in Council, to the judicious and cordial co-operation afforded him by Commodore Sir James Brisbane, and the boats of H.M. squadron employed on this service.”
The defeat of the Burmese on the east bank of the Irrawaddy was now most complete; but the right corps of their army, under Sudda Woon, still occupied some high ground on the west bank, and measures were immediately taken for dislodging that division. This operation was performed on the morning of the 5th, by the troops under Brigadier-General Cotton, in conjunction with the flotilla, and attended with the most complete success; the enemy left 300 men dead on the field, and dispersed in every direction. Five long guns, one carronade, a number of jingals, and about 350 muskets, were taken. The British had only one man killed and four wounded. The total loss sustained by the army on the 1st, 2nd, and 5th Dec, was twenty-nine officers and men slain, one hundred and thirty-three wounded, and one private missing. Brigadier-General Cotton, in his report of the victory obtained over Sudda Woon, says to Sir Archibald Campbell, “the operations of this day naturally connecting me with his Majesty’s navy and the flotilla, I hope it will not be construed into presumption my venturing to bring to your Excellency’s notice the most cordial co-operation and valuable assistance I derived from his Excellency Commodore Sir James Brisbane, who directed, personally, the whole of the boats which cannonaded and cleared the advance of the troops, from their disembarking above their position to their entering the enemy’s works.”
The beneficial results of this battle were immediately apparent in the disappearance of the enemy’s flanking parties, and the re-establishment of a free communication along the river; but in order to realise all the advantages to which it was calculated to lead. Sir A. Campbell immediately advanced in pursuit of the retreating army. “Aware that the Burmese had been long employed in fortifying the banks of the river from Meaday to Paloh, it became an important consideration to endeavour to turn these positions, naturally strong, and extremely difficult of access. For this purpose,” says Sir Archibald, “I determined to march upon Meaday, with one division by the route of Watty-goon, Seeyangoon, Seindoop, and Tonkindine, turning the positions as high as Bollay, while the column under Brigadier-General Cotton should march by the road of Neoun-benzeik, nearly parallel with the river, and in communication with the flotilla, on board of which I had placed a force consisting of H.M. royal regiment and details, commanded by Brigadier Richard Armstrong, to act in close and constant co-operation with the naval forces under Commodore Sir James Brisbane.”
From the rapidity of the current, and the numerous shifting sand-banks, it became absolutely necessary to track or kedge the heavier boats along the banks of the river, until the flotilla reached Yeondoun, a military post, recently occupied by the “royals.” Proceeding up the Irrawaddy, Sir James Brisbane came in sight of Meong, where, by previous arrangement, the flotilla formed a junction with Brigadier-General Cotton’s division, for the purpose of attacking the enemy in his strong posts of Pettoh and Paloh. Brigadier Armstrong and the Commodore then made a reconnoissance, as a preliminary measure, and found, to their great surprise, that these important positions had been abandoned. In advancing up the river, it was impossible not to be struck with a degree of admiration at the happy choice of situation of the enemy’s posts, aided as they were by the decided natural advantages which the face of the country presented: their extensive and formidable works could have been erected only by the manual labour of the masses of men at the command of a barbarous government. The channel of the river was, in many places, so narrow as to oblige the boats to pass within 200 yards of the banks, on the one side or the other: the destruction which the enemy might have caused, had they been so inclined, is self-evident. “When I consider these advantages,” says the Commodore, in a letter to Sir Archibald Campbell, “I cannot imagine why the enemy should have so hastily relinquished them, unless the recent successes of your force, and the knowledge of your advance, had so far operated on their fears as to leave no hope of their retreat on your turning their positions.”
The total abandonment of the enemy’s works enabled the flotilla to pass this excellent chain of field-defences, and to gain sight of Meaday on the afternoon of the 17th. Captain Chads was then sent to reconnoitre; and he reported to Sir James Brisbane, that that formidable post had been evacuated by the Kee-Wongee, as the advanced guard of the army made its appearance; also that a war-boat, with three guns, had been captured, which, in the hurry of their retreat, the Burmese could not take with them. During this reconnoissance, the boats of the Arachne had two men killed and two wounded.
Certain information of the enemy having rallied at Melloone, A strongly fortified and entrenched city, reached Sir Archibald Campbell shortly after he began his march from Meaday; and it was at the same time stated, that a chief of rank had been sent up to Ava, after the defeats at Prome, for the purpose of representing to “the golden footed monarch,” the hopeless state of his affairs, and the impossibility of the invaders being arrested in their advance upon the capital of the empire, by any military arrangements. On the 26th December, these reports were confirmed by the arrival on board the Diana (which vessel Sir James Brisbane had made his head quarters), of a messenger, under a flag of truce, communicating that Kolein Menghie had arrived at Melloone, deputed by the King of Ava, and with full powers to conclude a treaty of peace. In answer to this message, Sir Archibald Campbell, in concurrence with Mr, Robertson, sent Lieutenant-Colonel Tidy and Lieutenant Smith, R.N., to the Burmese camp, to ascertain what arrangement the envoy proposed making with them. A truce of twenty-five days was requested, and positively refused, the above officers being directed to say, as was afterwards communicated in writing, that nothing beyond twenty-four hours would be given for the first meeting with the Burman deputies, and that the truce was to be considered at an end as soon as the Lieutenant-Colonel and his naval colleague should have left the place. On reaching Melloone, on the morning of the 29th December, Sir Archibald found the place strongly occupied, and the river, on the enemy’s side, covered with boats, which attempted to escape; a few shot, fired over the headmost, shewed the determination of their hostile visitors to prevent it, and the attempt was given up. In the mean time, Sir Archibald Campbell received information that the Diana was seen passing the enemy’s works unmolested, accompanied by two gilt war-boats; and although the Burmese appeared throwing up entrenchments on the opposite shore, and marching and counter-marching, as if making preparations for defence, he accepted their forbearance to the steam-vessel, as a proof of their sincerity and desire to treat. Hostilities here ceased, for the present, and, in the course of the same day, a correspondence commenced, and led to negociations which Sir Archibald hoped would render it unnecessary for him to write another military despatch upon the war in Ava.
On the 3rd January, 1826, a letter, of which the following is a copy, was addressed to Sir James Brisbane, by the Supreme Government:
“Sir,– By the despatches received from Major-General Sir Archibald Campbell, announcing the highly gratifying intelligence of the success which has attended the British arms in the engagements with the enemy on the let, 2d, and 6th ultimo, we are apprised that the boats of H.M. squadron and the Hon. Company’s flotilla, under the personal directions uf your Excellency, bore a distinguished share in the operations of those days, and, acting in conjunction with the land forces, afforded most important aid and support, the value of which is acknowledged by Sir A. Campbell in the warmest terms.
“We desire to avail ourselves of this occasion to express our high sense of that zeal for promotion of the public interests, which has distinguished nil your Excellency’s proceedings, since you first assumed the chief naval command in these seas, and which induced you to repair in person to Prome, with a view to the more effectual direction and superintendence of the river part of the service in the enemy’s country. The beneficial effects of your Excellency’s presence have been strikingly manifested, in the success which has attended the late combined attack on the Burmese positions, as well as in the uniform spirit of harmony, cordiality, and gallant devotion prevailing in both services.
“It is to us a source of high gratification to learn from your communication to Major-General Sir Archibald Campbell, that the conduct of the officers and men of the flotilla belonging to the H.C. has merited and received your approbation.
“Of the zealous and important services which the officers of the royal navy have performed in conjunction with the land forces employed in Ava, we have repeatedly signified our warmest acknowledgments, and we gladly seize this opportunity of renewing the expression of them to your Excellency, as the naval commander-in-chief. We beg also that you will notify, in such manner and at such time as you may deem suitable, the sense which the Supreme Government entertain of their gallant and distinguished exertions in the late conflicts with the enemy.
“We deeply lamented the loss which the service sustained by the untimely death of Captain Alexander, of H.M.S. Alligator, who fell a victim to fever, induced by the exposure in the zealous discharge of his duties; and we have again to deplore the fall of another brave officer, Captain Dawson, of H.M.S. Arachne, killed in action with the enemy on the U1s ultimo. We have the honor to be, &c.
(Signed)“Amherst.
(Signed)“J. H. Harrington.
(Signed)“W. B. Bayley.
(“A true copy)
(Signed)“Geo. Swinton, Secretary to Government.”
On the 6th of the same month. Sir James Brisbane, then at Patanagoh, a town upon the river, directly opposite to Melloone, issued the following general memorandum:–
“The termination of a long and arduous contest, by an honorable peace, enables the Commodore to return his unfeigned acknowledgments to Captain Chads, and the officers of all descriptions for their prompt obedience, unwearied exertions, and gallantry, which they have conspicuously displayed throughout the late campaign.
“The various materials of which the flotilla was composed, brought together for one grand object, might have occasioned frequent collisions between the members of different services, had not a spirit of emulation pervaded all ranks, surmounting all difficulties, and producing a universal feeling of harmony and good will.
“The British Commissioners have most handsomely acknowledged the services rendered by the flotilla in forcing the passage of the river, as tending most materially, by such a display of our power, to impress upon the minds of the enemy, a strong sense of our superiority, and thus convincing them of the hopeless inutility of further prolonging the contest. The Commodore will long remember, with feelings of the highest gratification, the period which he has commanded this branch of the expedition, and the personal acquaintance it has afforded him with individual merit.
"The Commodore begs the officers, without distinction, to be assured that he has brought under the notice of their superiors, his opinion of their merit, and the brave men who have served with them, giving as they have the most striking examples of activity and exertions, under the greatest privations in open boats.
“Although it is not the province of the Commodore to eulogize the enthusiastic gallantry displayed by the military part of the force employed in the late operations, he cannot avoid expressing his admiration of those soldierlike qualities when embarked, which are indispensable in combined operations.
“The selection of Brigadier Armstrong to command the water column, and the well earned character of H.M. Royal regiment, were most eminently calculated to ensure that hearty unanimity which has been fully manifested.
“The good conduct of the native seamen in the H.C. gun and row-boats, engaged as they have been, in an unusual mode of warfare, have merited my warmest approbation.
(Signed)“James Brisbane.”
“To Captain Chads, of H.M.S. Alligator, and the officers of all descriptions employed under the command of Commodore Sir James Brisbane against the Dominions of Ava.”
There were at this time, 56 of the Honorable Company’s gun-vessels and row-boats, forming five divisions, the whole under the immediate controul of Sir James Brisbane. The officers of that service, attached to this flotilla, and particularly recommended by the Commodore, were – Lieutenants Joseph H. Rouband and George Laughton (Bombay marine), Mr. William Lindquist (senior officer of the row-boats), and Messrs. Crawfurd, Ravenscroft, Robson, Power, Leggatt, and Cooper, all of the Bengal Pilot service. Lieutenant Michael Nagle, H.M. 47th regiment, was entrusted with the command of one of the divisions; and Mr. George Winsor “continued to render most essential service,” as conductor of the Diana. At this period, the walls of Ava had been recently erected, and as yet, not the slightest appearance of a rampart, or a support of any kind on the inner side, was visible, without which, in the event of a siege, they possessed no stability.
After affixing his signature to a treaty of peace. Sir James Brisbane was compelled, in consequence of extreme indisposition, to retire to Pulo-Penang; and, we lament to say, that that highly distinguished officer never recovered from the effects of the disease he had contracted on the Irrawaddy. The Boadicea’s boats, however, were not withdrawn from the flotilla, the chief command of which again devolved upon Captain Chads. Sir James Brisbane died at New South Wales, Dec. 19, 1826. He was then about to proceed to the west coast of South America, with his broad pendant on board the Warspite 76, to which ship he had removed it on his being superseded in the East India command, by Rear-Admiral Gage, about the middle of August, 1826.