my’s works, receiving, as she advanced, a heavy raking fire of great guns, jingals, and musketry; which was not returned, however, till the vessel was placed directly in the centre, when both broadsides were opened on them, and Captain Chads had soon the satisfaction of seeing the enemy fly in all directions. Some troops under Major Sale were immediately landed, with trifling opposition, and the whole of the stockades destroyed. About fifteen guns of various sizes were taken, and the same number of one-pounder swivels. The enemy are supposed to have been about 2000 strong; but they took especial care not to allow our troops to close with them.
The expedition now proceeded about twenty miles higher up the river, and, on the 24th, fell in with three more stockades, which were bombarded for a short time previous to the landing of the troops, who found them all evacuated. About twenty-five war boats, rowing 30 and 40 oars each, were also discovered; but, owing to their superior speed, it was found impossible to overtake them.
On the 25th, the flotilla again advanced, till the river narrowed to eighty yards, when Captain Chads sent Lieutenant Keele about four miles further up, who reported that it was there very deep, but only sixty yards across. The expedition returned to Rangoon on the 27th, when Brigadier-General Fraser addressed a letter to Sir Archibald Campbell, of which the following are extracts:
“I am happy to add, that no casualties occurred amongst the troops during these operations, but I understand 2 or 3 sailors were wounded.
“The ordnance was taken possession of by the naval commander, with the exception of one gun burst, and another sunk in the river.
“My best thanks are due to Captain Chads, of H.M.S. Arachne, for the cordial co-operation I received from him during the whole operations; and I cannot omit to notice the zeal and alacrity with which Lieutenant Keele and Mr. Lett, H.M.S. Arachne, and Lieutenant Hazely and Mr. Winsor, H.M.S. Sophie, performed the different duties assigned to them by Captain Chads.”
We shall here give an extract of a general order issued by Sir Archibald Campbell, on the 27th Sept.
