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HISTORY OF THE INDIAN NAVY. 449
which arrogated to itself the title of " Invulnerables," was
animated with a resolve speedily to end the war by driving the
small British force into the sea. Sir Archibald Campbell,
however, calmly awaited his antagonist, and, before the 1st of
December, had constructed redoubts and other defences, in
which his small force was distributed to the best advantage,
while a cohmin w^as held in readiness for moving to the support
of any menaced point or for attacking the enemy. The ad-
vanced post at Kennnendine, some three miles from Rangoon,
which was occupied by the 26th Madras Native Infantry and
a detachment of the Madras European Regiment, under the
command of Major Yates, was supported on the river by the Hon.
Company's cruiser Teignmouth,' Captain (jruodridge, wiiich had
'
thus the post of honour, and some gunboats. " This post,'" says
Major Snodgrass, " was of great importance in preventing the
enemy from attacking Rangoon by water, or launching from a
convenient distance the ninnerous formidable fire-rafts he had
prepared for the destruction of our shipping." Commander
Ryves, the senior naval officer in the temporary absence of
Captain Chads, placed the ' Arachne' about one and a-half
miles in advance of the shipping at Rangoon to enfilade the
Madras lines.
The grand attack of Bundoola's army, which had approached
to the very edge of the jungle within musket-shot of the Great
Pagoda, was delivered on the 1st of December, the first efforts
being directed against the British advanced post at Kennnen-
dine. Major Snodgrass says :
" The day had scarcely dawned when hostilities commenced
with a heavy fire of musketry and cannon at Keramendine, the
reduction of that place being a preliminary to any general
attack upon our line. The fire continued long and animated ;
and from our commanding situation at the Great Pagoda,
though nearly two miles distant from the scene of action, we
could distinctly hear the yells and shouts of the infuriated
assailants, oi;casionally returned by the hearty cheer of the
British seamen, as they poured in their heavy broadsides upon
the resolute and persevering masses. The thick forest which
separated us from the river, prevented our seeing what was
going forward ; and when the firing ceased, we remained for
some time in some anxiety, though in little doubt as to the
result of the long and spirited assault. At length, however.
the thick canopy of smoke which lowered over the lierce and
sanguinary conflict, gradually dissolving, we had the pleasure
of seeing the masts of our vessels lyini'- at their old station off
the fort, a convincing proof that all had ended well on our
side."
The military liistorian then desciihes tlie rdillict that raged
on this eventful day before Rangoon,— the bkill witii which the
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VOL. I.