Deeming it of importance to retain possession of Padoung-mew, on the western bank of the river. Sir Archibald Campbell stationed 200 troops there, supported by a division of the flotilla, under Lieutenant Kellett. This party was repeatedly attacked by the enemy in great force, and the meritorious conduct of the officers and men of both services, obtained for them the high approbation of the commander-in-Chief. On the 25th Nov., Captain Charles Deane, of H.M. 1st regiment of foot, commanding the military detachment at Padoung-mew, reported as follows:
“A little before day-break, we had embarked twenty men of the Royals and thirty sepoys of the 26th Madras native infantry, intended to co-operate with Lieutenant-Colonel Godwin, on the opposite side of the river. They were just in the act of shoving off from the shore, when the enemy, to the amount of five or six thousand, made a rush at our works, howling most horribly, and at the same time setting fire to the village, which they had entered at all points. We had fortunately got an 18-pounder into the battery late yesterday evening, which, added to two twelves, already there, did great execution.
“Lieutenant Kellett, R.N. was at the moment shoving off with the row-boats, but instantly returned to our assistance, with all his men, and kindly undertook the superintendence of the guns, the well-directed fire of which so mainly contributed to our success. The enemy, after nearly two hours sharp firing, retired in admirable order, carrying off great numbers of dead and wounded. I am happy to add, with the exception of one man slightly grazed in the elbow by a musket-shot, we have not a man either killed or wounded. The guns in the boats were of the greatest assistance in scouring the village with their grape.”
Respecting the defence of Padoung-mew, Major Snodgrass merely says, – “The centre of the Burmese army was now distinctly seen from Prome, stockading and fortifying the heights of Napadee above the river. The corps of Sudda Woon was also seen actively employed in a similar duty on the opposite bank, while a strong detachment was pushed forward for the purpose of occupying Padoung-mew, a town situated on the west side of the Irrawaddy, about ten miles below Prome: in this measure, however, they were anticipated by the British general, the place being already in possession of a party of our troops, which subsequently baffled every attempt of the enemy to drive them from it.”
Between this period and the 30th November, Lieutenant
