was not so strongly embanked as the others. Having prepared some seamen with axes and ropes to accompany the column, I ordered it forward: it moved rapidly to its point, headed by Major Thornhill’s company of H.M. 13th; a few moments sufficed to complete the destruction of the wounded spars, and we were speedily in the stockade, followed by the reserve under Lieutenant-Colonel Hampton, of the 20th native infantry. The Burmese chief in command was killed near the point of attack; they abandoned their interior defences (a trench and breastwork), and fled through their rear-gate, leaving a great number killed.
“Considering that, throughout these little operations, our investment was very close, and the enemy’s fire kept up without any intermission, I am happy to say that our loss has been singularly small[1].
“Where all evinced not only ready obedience, but the utmost zeal, it would be difficult to remark upon individual claims to notice; but I must do myself the pleasure to acknowledge the cordial co-operation that I received from Captain Mitchell, of H.M.S. Slaney, who accompanied me at the disembarkation, and to whose readiness in affording me every assistance his ship could supply, the service was importantly indebted; and the exertions of his seamen, under the immediate command of Lieutenant Mathews, in getting the guns landed, and assisting in the battery, contributed essentially to accelerate the result.”
Having succeeded in capturing the Rajah of Cheduba, and made such arrangements regarding the island as circumstances admitted, Brigadier M‘Creagh re-embarked the European part of his force, and hastened to Rangoon, leaving Cheduba in charge of Lieutenant-Colonel Hampton, and under the protection of the Slaney, which sloop, we believe, was not engaged in any of the subsequent operations against the dominions of Ava. The island of Negrais, a barren desert, covered with an almost impenetrable jungle, and deep inlets of salt-water, was also taken possession of by Major Wahab and Captain Goodridge, who, finding it a place so little calculated for a military post, had already rejoined the commander-in-chief at Rangoon, having previously destroyed a stockade and twenty-eight boats at the mouth of the Bassein river.
After the capture of the Kemmendine stockades, the Bur-
- ↑ The military detachment had two men killed, and three officers and thirty-three men wounded: the Slaney one marine killed, and her first lieutenant (Henry Bathurst Houston Mathews) and four seamen wounded.
