stockades, to push on with all possible expedition to Donoobew[1]. A third division, 780 strong, under Major Sale, accompanied by the Lame and Mercury, was sent up the western branch of the great river, to attack Bassein; after reducing which, it was expected sufficient land-carriage might be obtained in the district, to enable it to push on to Donoobew, and form a junction with the water column, or to Henzedah, where a communication with the land division might be opened; and both places were believed to be within fifty miles of Bassein.[2] The rest of the force at Rangoon (3781 effective men, and 134 fit only for garrison duty) was left there under Brigadier ‘’Creagh, who was to form a reserve column as soon as means of transport could be collected, and to follow the advance of Sir Archibald Campbell. These arrangements completed, the commander-in-chief began his march on the 13th February; the water column moved on the 16th, and the expedition against Bassein .sailed on the 17th of the same month. The charge of the shipping at Rangoon was entrusted to Captain Ryves.
On the latter day, three newly built, but unoccupied stockades, were destroyed at Thesit, by the combined force under Brigadier-General Cotton and Captain Alexander. From thence to Panlang were numerous strong breast-works, and both banks of the river covered with fire-rafts. A few miles above Thesit, the light division of boats, under Lieutenant William Smith, of the Alligator, had two men mortally wounded by musketry from a stockade, which our sailors soon burnt to the ground, the enemy flying as they advanced to storm it. All the other works were found deserted. During the night of the 18th, some formidable fire-rafts were launched by the Burmese; but owing to the activity of Lieutenant Smith, their effect was totally lost. On the 19th, the extensive stockade of Panlang and its outworks were taken, after a feeble resistance, although the enemy’s force was estimated at between 4000 and 5000 men, supported by a number of
