Page 484 - INDIANNAVYV1

452 HISTORY OF the ixdian navy.

will again bring to your notice officers I have already mentioned
to yon for their good conduct. The result of" this defeat of the
enemy's war-boats has been highly beneficial, not one having
ventured within gun-shot since. The two ships, however, have
had their hands quite full in keeping np a constant fire on the
enemy attacking Kemmendine, and throwing up w^orks against
them, to mount guns in, which were dismounted as soon as got
np, without their having done any material damage."
The Commander-in-chief, having determined to attack the
enemy's left wing on the morning of the 5th of December, re-
quested Captain Chads to move up the Puzzendoun Creek,
during the night, with the flotilla to cannonade their rear as a
diversion to the main attack. Captain Chads, accordingly, pro-
ceeded, on the evening of the 4th, with the whole of his disposable
force, consisting of the ' Diana,' steamer, ' Powerful,' mortar-
vessel, three gunboats, and several merchant boats, with about
forty Europeans, and, dropping down to the mouth of the river,
waited till the last of the flood—about four o'clock—when he
took up his station off the village of Puzzendoun. At six he
opened fire from all his vessels, and made every appearance
of landing, which brought the enemy down in great force, when
their loss from shell fire was very considerable. At seven
clock, by previously concerted signal from the Pagoda, he
ceased firing, and, the troops advancing, the enemy were driven
from every point in the utmost confusion, their guns and
ammunition falling into the hands of the victors.
On this day (the 5th) Captain Chads sent the 'Powerful,'
mortar vessel, to Dalla, and a few shells from her quickly dis-
persed the enemy, who were strengthening their defences in
that quarter. On the following morning, the enemy renewed
his attacks upon Kemmendine, when the mortar-vessel pro-
ceeded there, and, says Captain Chads, " rendered the post very
withstanding their great number and size. They were taken by surprise, but
did not run until our boats were within pistol-sliot, wlieu their confusion was
great, and they fled with all haste keephifi; up a smai't fire ; their large boats
with heavy guns were fixed on by our boats, and from the fire of grape were
soon unmanned and captured. Lieutenant Kellett came up with some of the
first with heavy guns, and Lieutenant Goldfinch, passing him whilst taking pos-
session, captured the boat of the commander of the war-boats, with the flag, her
crew running into the jungle. The chase was continued three or four miles,
when Lieutenant Kellett judged it prudent to secure his prizes, having an enemy
of considerable force in his rear, up another branch of tlie river.
" The result of this gallant exploit was the capture of seven large war-boats,
four of which carried long nines in the bows ; and on their return they cut
adrift and brought down a large floating stockade from Pagoda Point ; and what
adds to the value of the service is, that it was performed without the loss of a
man. Lieutenant Kellett's conduct on this and on former occasions speaks for
itself, and I trust will meet with its due reward. Lieutenant Goldfinch is a
valuable officer, and merits every praise ; and Lieutenant Kellett reports the high
gallantry of Lieutenant Clarke and the midshipmen commanding the boats, and
of every individual under his command. The largest war-canoe was 83 feet long,
12^ feet broad, 5^ feet deep, pulling 52 oars and carrying a 9-pounder."