jungle, five died from fatigue and privation, and many others became incapable of service.
On the 26th of March, the Larne weighed and dropped down to Naputtah, a considerable village which had accepted British protection. On the 27th, Captain Marryat received information, that the guns belonging to the deserted stockades were at the town of Thingang, situated up a branch of the river leading to Rangoon; that 150 Naputtah men were detained there, to be forwarded to Donoobew; and that the enemy’s force consisted of 800 men.
On the morning of the 28th, Captain Marryat proceeded against Thingang, at the head of fifty seamen and marines, twelve sepoys, and fifty villagers whom he had prevailed upon to fight against the Burmese, and armed with swords and spears. At 3 p.m., while forming for the attack, a canoe came off, with intelligence that the enemy did not wish to fight, and would submit to his terms: these were, that all arms should be surrendered, the Naputtah men to be provided with canoes to return to their homes, and the Wongee of the town placed at his disposal. This personage being one of Bandoola’s principal chiefs, who had commanded 1000 men at the attack of Rangoon, and been invested with the gold chattah, was brought away as a prisoner.
On the night of the 30th, the same force was sent, under Lieutenant Fraser, to surprise the village of Pumkayi, where the enemy were stated to be 300 strong, and commanded by another gold chattah chief. The attack was successful; the Burmese submitted to the same terms as at Thingang; and the Wongee, who had fled into the jungle, was followed and taken by the Naputtah men, who, in consequence of their former good conduct, were now entrusted with muskets. A party of 100 men, the only force that remained between Negrais and Bassein, subsequently sent in their submission. Previous to their separation, Captain Marryat received Major Sale’s “sincere thanks for his valuable and cordial cooperation.” The conduct of Lieutenant Fraser, Mr. Atherton, and Messrs. Dewes and Norcock, midshipmen, was reported to Captain Alexander in terms of high commendation.
