a few seamen and marines, left Rangoon on the morning of the 11th; and in the course of a few hours, came before the fort, and the bridge over the Nullah leading to it. The landing place having been broken down, some delay was occasioned in repairing it, during which the enemy, from behind the works, kept up a smart and welldirected fire on the head of the column. This caused some loss; but no sooner were the troops able to cross, than they rushed on, and gallantly carried the place by storm. They afterwards went on to the Syriam Pagoda; the enemy who occupied it, when they saw the British troops rush on to the assault, fled, after the discharge of one volley.

At the same time, sir Archibald Campbell, by the observance of the strictest discipline, and the punctuality of his payments for every article which was furnished to the troops, endeavoured to inspire the people with confidence, so as to induce them to return to their homes or not to depart from them. His efforts were not unsuccessful.

The following Proclamation was issued by him:

Inhabitants of the Burman empire! -The English forces have come amongst you to seek redress for the cruel murders and numerous insults your arrogant court had the presumption to inflict upon, and to offer to, the subjects of the British government, in a time of profound peace. A great and generous nation, confident in its own strength, like that of the British empire in India, tried every thing possible, by mild and temperate expostulation, to make your court sensible of the enormity of its conduct, and the inevitable consequences that a perseverance in it would occasion. These remonstrances tended only to increase the insolence of the court of Ava.

Recourse to arms was therefore the only measure left the English in support of their own rights and dignity. What that appeal has already produced, it is unnecessary for me to say; you all know it.

The inhabitants returned to Rangoon in considerable numbers; and hopes were entertained, that the Siamese and the Peguese would avail themselves of the opportunity to free themselves from the Burmese yoke.

On the 6th of February, lieut.colonel Godwin was detached to Tantabain, in order to dislodge the advanced division of the enemy from their defences on the Lyng river. This operation having been performed with complete suc cess, sir Archibald Campbell, about the middle of February, moved forward from Rangoon towards Prome. By the 22nd of February, the land column under his own immediate orders, reached Sorrawah, which was at a distance from Rangoon, by the road, of fifty The bravery of my troops has already deprived the court of Ava of its maritime provinces of Mergui, Tavoy, Yeb, Martaban, and the island of Cheduba. The ancient kingdom of Pegu has become a desert from the rage of war. The most powerful armies possible for your court to get together have been sent against us; we have dispersed them like chaff. strictest discipline, and the puncSince the arrival of my force at Rangoon, in the month of May last, we have at different periods taken from you more than 700 pieces of artillery, and small arms too numerous to be counted, and your loss in lives has been, as you all know, most enormous; and with you, on that account I lament the tears of aged parents, sisters, widows, and innocent children. All this has been endured merely to support the folly and obstinacy of your court, to whom our peaceable desires have been made known. Yet it still abstains from offering any repara tion for the wanton cuelties and unpro-, voked injuries I have already mentioned. It only, therefore, remains for me to carry the victorious English arms, not only to your capital, but to the remotest parts of your kingdom, till your court is brought to a proper sense of that justice, honour, and policy, due from one neighbouring state to another.

Having thus briefly explained the cause of our coming in arms amongst

the rear.

miles, without having met the slightest opposition, although a strong division of the enemy, under Maha Silwah, waited his approach at the old Talian fort at Mophie, until he had actually made his disposition for attack, when it broke and dispersed into a close jungle in The Carian inhabitants of the country, through which we passed, viewed the expulsion of the Burmese with much satisfaction, and received our troops with kindness and friendship, and lent them some assistance in road-making, and in supplying rice and buffaloes. A large force of the enemy had been left in the rear at Donabew, which general Cotton, with the column that was to advance by the Irawuddy, was to attack. Sir Archibald therefore you, you will see and fully understand that to your own king and government alone have you to attribute all the past calamities of the war, and such as may still ensue from its further progress. My most anxious desire is to alleviate those miseries towards the peaceable and innocent inhabitants, to the very utmost of my power. Show yourselves, therefore, deserving of that feeling towards you by keeping, as we advance, yourselves and your families peaceably and quietly in your houses, and you may depend upon the most inviolable protection of your persons and property. Bring to my army such articles of the produce of your farms and industry as you wish to dispose of every thing will be paid for with the most scrupulous fidelity. I ask you not to take up arms, or any part whatever in the war; I have troops sufficient for all the objects I have in view, without any further aid. May the spirit of your forefathers direct your hearts to follow the line of conduct I have laid down for your guidance, which will ensure for you, as I have already promised, my fullest protection, and every respect to your religion and temples, &c.

Given under my hand and seal at Rangoon, the first day of February, 1825. (Signed) A. CAMPBELL, B. G., &c. By order, (Signed)

J. J. SNODGRASS, M. S.

halted for several days at Sarrawah in the hope of receiving intelligence of the fall of Donabew.

On the 16th of February, the water column under general Cotton embarked and proceeded to Pagoda Point. On the 17th, they reached Teesit, where three stockades, destroyed by brigadier-general Fraser some time before, were found rebuilt, but evacuated; they were immediately destroyed. The light division of boats from the navy, under lieutenant Smith of the Alligator, was fired upon some few miles in advance the same evening from the bank, where the enemy had a stockaded breast-work, and lost two men killed and one wounded: the boats pulled, under fire of their carronades, immediately inshore, and destroyed it. On the morning of the 18th, major Basden, commanding the advance, reconnoitred the right bank and burned discerned the evening before; and another stockade which had been the flotilla proceeded up the river. On approaching Panlang, the body of the column anchored; and general Cotton proceeded with captains、 Alexander and Chads, of the Royal navy, and captain Steel, assistant quartermaster-general, to

recon

noitre in the front, directing the advance division to follow in support. On reaching the light division, at dusk, they found themselves in sight of one of the outward stockades of Panlang, on the left, called Youtheet. It was too late to complete a reconnoissance, but the light division were anchored immediately out of gun-shot, supported by the advance, which took a position in their rear. During rafts were launched by the enemy, the night, some formidable firebut the precautionary measures which had been adopted prevented them from producing any effect.

On the following morning it was ascertained, that, opposite to Youtheet stockade, there was another on the right bank, named Mighee; and about a mile further up on the point of land formed by the division of the river, was discovered the very extensive stockade of Panlang. A point of land, about 500 yards distant from the outer works, was immediately occupied, and a battery of four mortars and two six-pounders erected, and was opened within an hour from the time when the order was given; two columns of attack were formed on the right and left banks, the right under lieut.-colonel O'Donaghue, and the left under major Basden, with orders to attack the stockades situated on the respective banks, and then to advance, according to circumstances, after their reduction.

About five o'clock in the evening, the steam-vessel arrived, and anchored in advance between the two stockades, with the boats a little in her rear: the attack was then made. The enemy fired from both their positions, but deserted them the moment the troops landed. The right column and the left, advanced by the respective banks. The Tantabain creek was forded by the column under lieut.colonel O'Donaghue, and the branch of the river leading to Yungunchinyah still interposing, no time was lost in re-embarking the troops and pushing them forwad to attack the main stockade. It, too, was found deserted, the Burmese having left it by both flanks. These operations were effected with the loss of only two men.

On the 25th of February, the flotilla proceeded to Mezlee, about ten miles from Panlang, up the branch of the river leading to Yungunchynah. Information was

that day received, that the light and advance divisions had the evening before taken up a position in the river Irrawuddy, commanding the entrance of the branch leading to Panlang, and that the passage, though extremely intricate, might be made good. The following morning (the 26th), they proceeded to Talynda, a distance estimated to be eighteen miles from the former anchorage. The heavier vessels having grounded there, it was found necessary, on the 27th, to unload the steam-vessel and gun schooners, for which purpose boats were allotted; and the remainder of the flotilla joined the advance division in the Irrawuddy. General Cotton proceeded on the 28th to reconnoitre, and came in contact with the enemy at Youngyoun, about ten miles above our position. They occupied the left bank of the river, as we advanced, and appeared to be an outpost from Donabew, the white pagoda of which was visible on the right bank about ten miles higher

up

the river. The right bank was deserted, except by a few Carrians.

The whole of the flotilla, except the boats employed in assisting the heavy vessels through the shallows and over the bar, were directed to proceed and to occupy the position reconnoitred the day before. When they had advanced about half-way, it was discovered that the enemy had occupied a post on the right bank, and pushed on thirteen war-boats. The latter were driven away by the boats of the light division, while a few soldiers of the 89th regiment were landed, who dispersed the former, at the expense of four men slightly wounded. The flotilla occupied the allotted position, resting the left upon an island which there divides the river; and two six-pounders were placed upon the

point, completely commanding the space between the island and the left bank, which is about one-third of the whole width of the river, and maintaining free intercourse with the right bank.

The last of the vessels having arrived on the evening of the 5th of March, the flotilla got under weigh early on the morning of the 6th, and took up a position about two miles below Donabew. The enemy was protected by a succession of formidable stockades, commencing at the pagoda, and increasing in strength, until completed by the main work, which stood upon a commanding site, surrounded by a deep abatis, with all the customary defences. The guns appeared to be numerous, and the garrison were seen in crowds upon all the works. At half-past one o'clock, there was sent, by a prisoner, a flag of truce, with a summons to surrender the place. A reply arrived at half past three, containing a civil, but decided refusal to accede to the proposed terms. A party of 160 men of his majesty's 89th regiment, covered by the light division, and some row-boats, had been prepared to land on the right bank, to reconnoitre a point opposite the main stockade, which was in possession of some men belonging to war boats, that were lying under cover of the bank of the river. This party was immediately advanced; some of the warboats retired under the guns on the opposite side, where they were unassailable; and the object of the reconnoissance was completely gained. During the time that our boats were advancing, and while they were lying at the point, the enemy kept up an incessant fire from about thirty pieces of cannon, many of heavy calibre; and the precision with which they were

directed, gave a colouring of truth to the report, that the chief, Bundoola, had been for some time practising his artillery.

General Cotton was anxious to have attacked the place on the side which stood furthest up the river: but to have done so, he must have left behind him a force to maintain his communication with Panlang; and his numbers were too small to be separated with safety. The column under his command was originally composed of 750 Europeans, exclusive of the 18th regiment of native infantry, stationed at Panlang. Of these, twenty-five men had been left to guard the armed transport Satellite; about twenty-five more were sick; and guards were required for the different boats; leaving only about 600 bayonets disposable for the attack of a strong place, the garrison of which was estimated by no one at less than 12,000 men, well furnished with artillery and muskets. Under these circumstances general Cotton had no option but that of landing below the works of Donabew, and attacking them in succession, while the flotilla defended the river.

;

Preparations were accordingly made to commence with the pagoda stockade; and at sun-rise, on the 7th of March, 500 men, being disembarked one mile below the pagoda, were formed into two columns of equal strength, under the command of lieutenant-colonel O'Donaghue, and major Basden two six-pounders were also landed, and a small rocket battery was established. Both columns were led on with great steadiness; while, at a proper range, a regular fire was opened from the guns and rocket battery. All were exposed to a heavy fire, which was kept up by the enemy to the last, with

perseverance and spirit. The gorges of this strong work were narrow and completely occupied by the assailants, who were forcing an entrance; and the enemy, amounting to about 3,000 men, had no means of escape except over their own defences. They were overtaken in the last abatis, where they stood to fire, until they were closed upon by the troops who had forced their way, and checked by others who had run round on the outside in search of an entrance to the body of the work.

In obtaining possession of the first line of defence, we had about twenty men killed and wounded: the enemy lost between four and five hundred.

The second defence was about 500 yards from the pagoda stockade, and at the same distance from the main work, from which it was distinct, though commanded by it. For the immediate reduction of this place, two other six-pounders, four five-and-a-half-inch mortars, and a fresh supply of rockets were brought up and placed in position at a house in advance of the captured work. When it was presumed that a sufficient impression had been made from the batteries, 200 men, under the command of captain Rose, of his majesty's 89th regiment, advanced in two parties to the storm: a destructive fire was immediately commenced from all parts of the face of the work, which caused the columns to diverge to the right of the point of attack, and to get into a ditch, filled with spikes, and scarped so as to expose it to the fire of the work. Here all who presented themselves were knocked down; captain Rose, who had already received one wound, fell by a second shot, while persevering in the attack; captain CanVOL. XLVII.

non, also of the 89th, was killed; other officers were wounded, and the loss in men was extremely heavy. The party was at length directed to retire. Two eight-inch mortars, and four light twelvepounders from the gun-boats, were landed, to increase the battery. The enemy strengthened the work, and, towards evening, brought more heavy guns into play. Although general Cotton was confident that he could have carried the second work, it would have been with such a loss as would have prevented him from attacking the main stockade; and he would have been either left in a position exposed to one of superior strength, or forced to relinquish the post after carrying it at a great sacrifice. He therefore determined to re-embark the troops, and to occupy a position untilhe could receive a reinforcement. The guns and stores of every description were re-shipped, and after spiking the enemy's cannon, and destroying the numerous jingals and other arms which had been taken, the troops marched out at two o'clock on the 8th of March, and embarked without opposition. The loss sustained in this affair amounted to 129 in killed, wounded, and missing.

Sir Archibald Campbell, having been deceived by false intelligence, on the 8th of March, of the supposed capture of Donabew, moved from Sarrawah on the 9th, and on the 10th reached U-au-diet, at a distance of 26 miles. There he received information from general Cotton of the failure of the attack of the 7th, and on the night of the 11th he commenced a retrograde march on Donabew. He arrived there on the 25th, and on the 27th opened a communication with the water column. On the 1st of April

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