Campbell prepared accordingly: the enemy’s movements, next day, left little doubt on his mind of the truth of the deserter’s information. Previously to this, the Sophie had been recalled from Kemmendine, and the Hon. Company’s cruiser Prince of Wales, commanded by Lieutenant William S. CoUinson, ordered to relieve her. On the 13th, the gallant defender of that post addressed two letters to Captain Chads, of which the following are copies:–
“My dear Sir,– Mr. Midshipman Lindquist acquaints me, that I am to be attacked this night. May I beg Kellett and his brig, and his boats, and the Powerful? Alas! the dear Sophie has forsaken me, and no Prince or Potentate ran replace her in my confidence and affection. Prithee keep the Prince of Wales, and cheer my heart again with the presence of Sophie. Believe me ever your obliged and faithful,
“My dear Sir,– My little band are at their post. The fires of the enemy are all around me. I hope you will excuse my having detained Mr. Lindquist, and his three boats, until I may hear from you. I have 200 natives short of the force I had the other day, and 27 Europeans. If the Prince of Wales comes I can expect no aid, as her commander is junior to the captain of the Teignmouth, which ship, having twice deserted me, I cannot look for aid from.
(Signed)“C. W. Yates.”
In consequence of this pressing request. Captain Chads sent the Sophie back to her former station; and with her, the steam-vessel, the mortar-boat, the Prince of Wales, and a detachment of seamen under Lieutenant Kellett. The commander-in-chief also directed 100 sepoys to proceed thither with Captain Ryves.
In the night of Dec. 13th, the enemy recommenced offensive operations, particularly by annoying the vessels off Kemmendine with immense fire-rafts, one of which consisted of upwards of sixty canoes, besides bamboo rafts, all loaded with oil and combustibles. On the 14th, about 2 30 a.m., their emissaries succeeded in setting fire to Rangoon, in several places at once, by which one-fourth of the town, including the quarters of the Madras commissariat, was destroyed, notwithstanding the utmost efforts of the garrison,
