Stern with a bower anchor, the steam-vessel hanging by her, at about forty yards distant from the enemy’s works, enfilading the whole of their right, and commanding their left abreast of her; in performing which Lieutenant Dobson rendered Captain Chads much assistance”[1].
Everything being now ready for the advance, Sir Archibald Campbell formed such force as he possessed the means of moving, into two columns; one to proceed by land, and the other by water. The marine column, 1169 strong, commanded by Brigadier-General Willoughby Cotton, was directed to pass up the Fanlang river to the Irrawaddy, and driving the enemy from his stockades, to push on with all possible expedition to Donoobew.
On the 16th Feb., the troops having embarked, the flotilla moved on, escorted by the steam-vessel and Satellite, under the immediate command of Captain Thomas Alexander, C.B., then recently arrived at Rangoon. On the 17th, four stockades were destroyed at and near Thesit. During the night of the 18th, some formidable fire-rafts were launched by the enemy; but, owing to the activity of the light division of boats, their effect was totally lost. On the 19th the extensive stockade of Fanlang, and its outworks, were taken, after a feeble resistance; and on the same day, Sir Archibald Campbell, with the land column, arrived at Meondaga. The Satellite having grounded as she was coming up from Thesit, did not assist at the capture of Fanlang; and the exertions required to get her afloat caused some delay to the progress of the water column[2]. On the 23d, Lieutenant Dobson received the following order from Captain Alexander:–
