gun-boats, under the command of Brigadier William Smelt and Lieutenant Dobson, for the purpose of dislodging the enemy, who were employed in finishing a large field work, intended to command the river, and protect the surrounding country. Captain Marryat also went up, with two boats from the Lame, to superintend the debarkation, and to render every assistance in his power.
Upon approaching the landing place, which led to the pagoda of Syriam, they observed the remains of the old Portuguese fort, situated upon a commanding height, at the mouth of the Pegu river, a little above its junction with that of Rangoon, and which had long been concealed from view by trees and overgrown brush-wood, cleared, and scarped where the old wall had fallen down, and from fifteen to twenty feet high. Upon this the enemy had raised a parapet, and suspended huge logs of wood on the outside, intended to be cut away during the assault, and to carry the assailants before them in their descent.
The troops landed under the fire of the Jessey, and of a sloop named the Powerful, fitted as a mortar-vessel, and the advance-party moved on towards the fort until stopped by a deep, unfordable nullah, the bridge over which had been destroyed, purposely to check the progress of the invaders. This difficulty, however, was speedily removed, “and a very tolerable bridge constructed by Captain Marryat and his people[1],” exposed to a galling fire, both of great guns and musketry. This service being effected (“with,” as Major Snodgrass observes, “the characteristic coolness and activity of British seamen”), the advance was sounded, and the enemy abandoned the place with the utmost precipitation, leaving behind them eight pieces of good artillery, and a considerable quantity of ammunition. In this affair three of the Larne’s crew were wounded: the good conduct of Messrs. Duffill and Winsor was particularly noticed and reported by Captain Marryat.
Sir Archibald Campbell next directed Lieutenant-Colonel Hastings M. Kelly, of the Madras European regiment, to pro-
- ↑ Official despatch.
