Page 469 - INDIANNAVYV1

HISTORY OF THE IXDIAX XAVV. 437
Hayes dctcrmiiicJ to proceed into the Arnican river without
loss of time, and, accordingly, entered it tlie same evening with
the vessels above-mentioned. On the 22nd, the Commodore
was joined by a ^loonshee, employed by Captain Drummond to
procure intelligence of the enemy's proceedings, who inlbruied
liim there was a stockade halfway to Arracan, called Chamballa,
or Keinig-peela, erected by tlie Burmese to defend the water
approach to the capital ; that it contained only one thousand
Burmese fighting men, and would easily fall if speedily attacked;
that the principal Mugh chieftains were confined in the stockade,
as pledges for the fidelity and good behaviour of the inhabitants,
and that if liberated, all the country would make cunnnon cause
with the British, thus greatly facilitating military operations.
Believing this niformation to be correct, the Commodore
determined, with the small means at his command, to attempt
the capture of the place, and despatched a messenger to General
Morrison with an intimation to that effect.
Accordingly, on the 23rd, he stootl up the Proine Pura
Khione, or branch leading from the Oratung River to Arracan,
with a squadron* consisting of the 'Research,' commamk-d by
Lieutenant Armstrong, during the absence of Captain Crawlbnl
with the gunboats; 'Vestal,' Lieutenant Guy; ' Asseerghur,'
' Helen,' ' Trusty,' ' Pluto ;' and the gunboats ' Asia,' * Os|irey,
'Thames,' ' Gunga Saugor,' and 'Africa.' There were also
embarked in two transj)()rts, a detachment of the o-lth Regiment,
and details of Native Infantry.
At two p.m. they came in sighl of ihe enemy's works at
Chamballa, which inunedialuiy ojicned a heavy lire U})(in the

* Tho following was tlie military and naval force present in this alfair. of wliich
all were not, iiowever, engaged — Tho Hon. Company's sliip ' Kescarcli,' ten
:
12-pouii(lers, Cominodore llajes, Lieutenant Armstrong, Aeting-Coniinander,
in tlio absence of C'a])tain Crawford. Hon. Company's cruiser ' Vestal,' six 1:J-
pounder earronades, four brass long 18-poundei-s, commanded by Lieutenant J.
W. G-uy. Hon. Company's brigs ' Assecrgliur,' six brass G-pounders, two Im-
pounder carronades, W. Warden commanding ; and ' Helen,' six bni-is G-pounders,
J. W. Higgins commanding; Hon. Com[)any's ketcli, 'Trusts,' six brass
3-j)oundcrs, J. Koycc commanding; Jlon. Company's steam gun vessel ' I'lulo,'
four brass 21i-poun(lcr carronades, two brass long G-poundcrs (not in action), T.
C. Minchall commaniling ; Hon. Company's gun pinnace ' Osprey,' two 12-
pounder carronatles, Mr. Oakshot, gunner, in cliarge ; Hon. Company's gun-
boats ' Gunga Saugor,' one 12-pounder carronade, Charles Montriou, .Master's
Mate of tiio ' Itcscareli,' in charge; 'Thames,' two 2l-i)oundcr carronades,
Richard Kent commandimg ; ' Africa,' one l^-pounder carron.ade, C. K. Ricliurd-
8on, third olllc'cr of tlie ' Research,' in charge ; and '.Asia,' one 12-poimder car-
ronade, Charles .Vvcry, Boatswain's Mate of the ' Kcsc;irch,' in charge. Alsti
the Hon. Company's transjxirts 'Asia Felix,' S. Jellicoc, commander; and
' Isabella,' F. McNeil, commander. The troops consisted of:—Detachment
H.M's. 5 1th Regiment, under Captain Grindlcy, forty; detaohnieiits of llHli
and IGth Madras Native Infantry, Captain Tolson, connnanding, one luindred
and seventy ; Marines in tho llotilla, one humlrcd ; Calcutta Militia, twelve ;
and lltii liombay Native Infantry, eighteen. These, together with the seamen
in the dillercnt vessels, one iiundrcd and forty men, made a total strength of
four hundretl and eighty-eight soldiers and seamen.