see him again, and crowds of the inhabitants flocked about him to have a view of such a paragon of honor, exclaiming, “what a man of his word!”
The advance of the army was not retarded by the conference at Zaynan-gheoun, but continued towards the ancient and well-fortified city of Pagahm, where the enemy bad collected an army, at least 16,000 strong, under the command of a savage warrior, styled Nee-Wooh-Breen (or King of Hell) who had pledged himself to achieve some signal success at the expence of the British, whom he designated “the invading army of rebellions subjects.”
The last battle fought by the contending armies was at Pagahm-mew, on the 9th February, 1826, when that city, and its exterior defences, were most gallantly assaulted and carried, by a corps consisting of less than 2000 men, under the personal command of Sir Archibald Campbell. This was the only instance during the whole war, in which the Burmese departed from the cautious system of defence, behind field-works and entrenchments, which forms their usual device of war. Relying on their great numerical superiority, and singular advantages of ground, they ventured on a succession of bold manoeuvres on the flanks and front of the invaders; – but this false confidence was rebuked by a reverse – severe, signal, and disastrous. They left behind them many killed and wounded; hundreds jumping into the river, to escape their assailants, perished in the water; and, with the exception of from 2000 to 3000 men, the whole host dispersed upon the spot.
Strange as it may appear, the British had only two men killed and missing, and one officer, fifteen men, and two horses wounded. the flotilla, from the great difficulties of the navigation, which daily increased, and the rapid movements of Sir Archibald Campbell, was not up to share in his success this day, and consequently sustained no loss, except what arose from the effects of climate, exposure, and fatigue.
On the evening of the 12th February, Dr. Price was again despatched to the British camp, to signify the consent of the Burman Court to the terms of peace which had been
