Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall v3p1.djvu/398

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DURING THE BURMESE WAR.
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came up with some of the rearmost, which were soon run ashore and deserted; and Lieutenant Goldfinch, passing him whilst taking possession, captured one bearing the flag of the Burman chief, her crew also flying into the jungle. The chase was continued three or four miles, when Lieutenant Kellett judged it prudent to secure his prizes, having an enemy of considerable force in his rear, up another branch of the river. The result of this gallant attack was the capture of seven war-boats, one of which was 96 feet long, 13 feet 6 inches in breadth, and 6 feet deep, pulling 76 oars, and, as did three of the others, mounting a long 9-pounder on the bow. “Lieutenant Kellett’s conduct on this, and on former occasions, speaks for itself, and,” says Captain Chads, “I trust will meet with its due reward. Lieutenant Goldfinch is a valuable officer, and merits every praise; Lieutenant Kellett reports the high gallantry of every individual under his command. On their return, they cut adrift and brought down a large floating stockade from Pagoda Point; and what adds to the value of this service is, that it was performed without the loss of a man.” In Sir A. Campbell’s report to the Supreme Government, of the operations of his army at this period, we find the following passages:-

“During the 3d and 4th, the enemy carried on his labours with indefatigable industry, and but for the inimitable practice of our artillery, commanded by Captain Murray, in the absence, from indisposition, of Lieutenant-Colonel [Charles] Hopkinson, we must have been severely annoyed by the incessant fire from his trenches.

“The attacks upon Kemmendine continued with unabating violence; but the unyielding spirit of Major Yates and his steady troops, although exhausted with fatigue and want of rest, baffled every attempt on shore, while Captain Ryves, with H.M. sloop Sophie, the H.C. cruiser Teignmouth, and some flotilla and row-gun-boats, nobly maintained the long established fame of the British navy, in defending the passage of the river against the most furious assaults of the enemy’s war-boats, advancing under cover of the most tremendous fire rafts, which the unwearied exertions of British sailors could alone have conquered.

Sir Archibald next proceeds to acquaint the Governor-General in Council, that the “intrepid conduct of Lieu-