the enemy made no further resistance, and parties were immediately formed to bum and destroy the works[1].
Lieutenant Keele reported in the highest terms the steady bravery and good conduct of Lieutenants Fraser and Bazely; Messrs. Lett, Coyde, Michell, Cranley, and Scott, midshipmen; Mr. Atherton, and of every man attached to the flotilla. One occurrence we feel it but justice to name, as shewing a truly British spirit. A soldier, in crossing the bridge, fell overboard and would have been drowned, but for the gallantry and humanity of Mr. Scott, who instantly jumped after him, under the enemy’s heavy fire, and was himself exhausted when brought on shore.
On the 15th of January, a letter arrived from Maha Bandoola, addressed to the European merchants who were residing at Rangoon previous to the invasion of Ava. Although of a vague and indefinite character, it evinced a material alteration in the temper of that chieftain, and a disposition, if not to treat for peace, at least to respect his antagonists. The tenor of this letter (which was the first that had ever been received from him), and its being addressed to non-official persons, precluded its being made the basis of a negociation; but an answer was written by Sir Archibald Campbell, pointing out to Bandoola the propriety of addressing the British General direct, if he had any communication to make, to which he was desirous the latter should pay regard, and assuring him that Sir Archibald would ever be accessible to aay correspondence of an amicable purport. No notice of this was taken by the Burmese commander, and even if sincere in his first advance, the re-assembling of his forces at Donoobew probably encouraged him to make another appeal to the chance of war.
On the 22nd January, H.M. ship Alligator arrived at Rangoon, and Captain Chads was succeeded in his extremely arduous command, by Captain Alexander. Up to this period he had been acting solely on his own responsibility, not having
- ↑ Lieutenant-Colonel Elrington’s official letter. Major however, does not make any mention of this expedition.
