the flotilla up the river, and the valuable service he at all times received from him.”
During the whole of November, the troops at Rangoon enjoyed a state of comparative repose; and this interval, together with the gradual approach of a more healthy season, and improved supplies, contributed materially to diminish the number of sick, and to preserve the health of those who had hitherto escaped. The army was therefore gathering vigour, for the renewal of active operations. Nor were the Burmese idle. The successive capture of their strongest stockades, the defeat of their most celebrated chieftains, the capture of their maritime provinces, and the prolonged occupation of Rangoon, had produced no pacific disposition on the part of the King of Ava; he, on the contrary, had turned his eyes to Maha Bandoola, a most distinguished warrior and statesman, who had previously been ordered to sack Calcutta, and lead the Governor-General in golden fetters to Umerapoora, at that time the capital of the empire. Maha Bandoola was recalled from Arracan to the Irrawaddy, with instructions to concentrate his veteran legions at Donoobew. No pains nor expence were spared to equip this favourite general for the field; and by the approach of the season for active operations, at least 50,000 men, well-armed, with a numerous artillery, and a body of Cassay horse, were ready to advance upon Rangoon.
On the 30th November, the enemy’s war-boats, &c. were seen by the Teignmouth (then stationed at the advanced post above Kemmendine), coming down in great numbers, loaded with men. The same evening they came forward with fire-rafts, which induced Captain Goodridge (who had succeeded Captain Hardy in the command of that cruiser) to slip and go below the point, to avoid them. This unfortunately left the post exposed to a most furious attack both by land and water; but it was nobly defended by the garrison under Major Charles W. Yates, consisting of the 26th Madras native infantry and a mere handful of Europeans, supported on the river by a small naval force.
