ceed with part of the combined force to the Syriam pagoda, which is five miles in the interior, and was then occupied by about 300 men. The Lieutenant-Colonel, on arriving near it, found the enemy inclined to dispute the possession of their almost impregnable post; but they lost confidence as the British ascended a long flight of steps leading up to the pagoda, and fled in the utmost confusion, leaving behind them four pieces of artillery, and a great quantity of gunpowder.
In his report of these affairs, Sir Archibald Campbell acquainted the Supreme Government, that “from Captain Marryat and the officers of His Majesty’s navy he ever received the most prompt and cordial co-operation.”
The province of Dalla was at this time in a very distracted state, owing to orders having been received for a general levy of every man capable of bearing arms: the order had been most strenuously opposed, and even blood had been shed on the arrival of a person of rank, to enforce obedience to the measures of the Burman government. Sir A. Campbell thought the opportunity favorable for a little interference, to assist the opposition and escape of the discontented, and, therefore, ordered a detachment of 400 men, under Lieutenant-Colonel Kelly, to embark in boats on the morning of the 8th August, and to proceed up the Dalla river, accompanied by Lieutenant Eraser, with directions to act in furtherance of the object alluded to, and to attack any part of the enemy’s cordon they might fall in with. The following is a copy of the Lieutenant-Colonel’s official report:
