Immediately after the capture of the above stockade, Captain Chads sent a division of boats up both branches of the river, under Lieutenants Keele and Kellett, who took and destroyed many of the enemy’s war-boats.
On the morning of the 7th, Lieutenant Keele was again sent with some gun-boats and troops up the Panlang branch, to explore; and Captain Chads, with Lieutenant-Colonel Godwin and the remaining gun-boats, went up the main branch for the same purpose. The former officer proceeded about twenty-two miles with abundance of water, and the river never less than thirty-five yards wide; his commander ascertained that there were no local obstacles to the progress of gun-vessels carrying provisions for the army to Meondaga, formerly an extensive village, on the banks of a rivulet falling into the Lyne river, and about fifty miles distant from Rangoon; but positive directions for the return of the troops by a fixed period prevented him proceeding to the commencement of this branch from the great river, which he had reason to believe he could have accomplished in another tide. Both divisions met with and destroyed hundreds of fire-rafts and canoes similarly prepared, lying on the bank of the river for upwards of fifteen miles, some of which the enemy lighted and launched as the boats approached. This service was effectually performed by acting Lieutenants Goldfinch and Hall.
Never were there a better spirit and mutual good will shewn between the two services than on this occasion; every individual, military and naval, did his duty with the greatest cheerfulness and gallantry. Some of the troops were left to occupy the captured stockade as a military post, and the Prince of Wales was ordered by Captain Chads to remain there, with four gun-boats, for its support. On the 10th Feb. he received a letter from Captain Alexander, of which the following is a copy:–
- ↑ Than-ta-bain.
