“Thus,” says Captain Chads in his official report, “has this formidable attack ended in the total discomfiture of the enemy; having called forth from the very small force I have the honor to command, in every instance, the greatest gallantry and uniform good conduct, under the utmost exeriiona by day and night, the greatest part of them having been in the boats since the starting of the expedition for Pegu, on the 26th ultimo.
“From Captain Ryves I have received all the aid and counsel that a good and valuable officer could afford his determined perseverance in holding his ground, when the fire-rafts came down, merit the highest commendation; and from his ready and zealous co-operation with the post at Kemmendine, that place was greatly relieved in the arduous contest it was engaged in.
“Of Lieutenant Kellett I cannot speak in terms sufficiently strong to express my admiration of his uniform gallantry.
“Lieutenant Goldfinch’s conduct has also been most conspicuous, together with that of all the midshipmen named in my reports, not one of whom but has shewn individual acts of great bravery.
“Also to Mr. Manley, the master, who has, from necessity, been frequently left in charge of the ship during my absence, I feel much indebted[1].”
In another despatch, addressed to Sir Archibald Campbell, the commander of the Arachne says: –
“It becomes a most pleasing duty to me to recommend to your favorable notice, officers in the Honorable Company’s service, whose good conduct has been conspicuous in the recent attack of the enemy. The first I ought to name is Mr. W. Binny, agent for transports of the Bengal division, in charge of the Good Hope transport – that ship. Sir, with the British crew of the Resource, who handsomely volunteered, did all the duties of a man-of-war, in silencing the enemy’s guns as they mounted them at Dalla. Mr. Hornblow, agent for transports of the Madras diWsion, in charge of the Moira, has also shewn very great zeal in forwarding all the late arduous services; and the British crew of his ship, in charge of the mortar-vessel, have continued their usual good conduct. In the attack on the enemy’s war-boats. Lieutenant Kellett speaks in high terms of the gallantry of Lieutenant Clarke and Mr. Boscawen, of the H.C. cruiser Teignmouth, and Mr. Lindquist, in charge of the row-boats; this latter young officer I have also had much reason to be pleased with.”
- ↑ Lieutenant Keele was then at Martaban, where he remained in command of the naval detachment until all the European troops were ordered back to Rangoon, about the end of 1824.
