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the ebb, they might attack any of the flotilla that remained in advance, when we, from the rapidity of the current, could not render them any assistance, I thought fit to shift the Thetis, at the last of the flood, about a quarter of a mile above the point, directing the flotilla to drop with the ebb below the stockade on the opposite point, which they accordingly did.

“At noon on the 11th, observing the signal agreed upon, when the General wanted communication with us to be made, I sent an officer to answer it, who returned with intelligence of the troops having possession of Kemmendine, and with a request from the General, that two of the gun-flotilla and two row-boats might be left at that place; I accordingly directed the flotilla, with the above exceptions, to proceed to Rangoon with the evening’s ebb. At 6 p.m. the Thetis weighed, and, with the boats a-head to tow, began to drop down the river.

“From the place where we had been at anchor we had seen a great smoke and flame, apparently proceeding from the back of the stockade on the pagoda point; but which, on our opening the entrance of the creek, we discovered to be a very large fire -raft, composed of a number of country boats fastened together, and rapidly drifting down with the stream. By endeavouring to avoid the raft, together with the effect of the strung current setting out of the creek, the Thetis unfortunately grounded on the opposite bank of the river, where, in spite of every exertion, she remained until high water next morning.

“The raft grounded on the pagoda point, where it remained burning the whole of the night; although occasionally large masses separated from the main body and drifted down the river. The most dangerous of these masses were towed on shore by Mr. [George] Winsor, of the Sophie, in the Larne’s gig, who described them to be composed of canoes, filled with tar, matting, bamboos, &c. During the night there were some shot fired at the Thetis from the stockades, but without effect. At day-light on the 12th, having succeeded in getting her afloat, we proceeded down the river and anchored at Rangoon^[1].”

On the 11th June, Brigadier M‘Creagh addressed an official letter to Sir Archibald Campbell, of which the following are extracts:–

“I have the honor to report, that in execution of the service you assigned me, I anchored on the eastern side of the island of Cheduba, with the transport Anna Robertson in company, on the night of the 12th ultimo, and found the other transport, and H.M. ship the Slaney already there. I immediately conferred with Captain Mitchell, and, on the 13th, Lieutenant Mathews, of that ship, made a bold and very intelligent reconnoissance up the small river on which the enemy’s town is situated, and

1. Here again Major Snodgrass is silent respecting the navy.