Page 495 - INDIANNAVYV1

HISTORY OF THE INDIAN NAVY. 463
Tinder a heavy fire for an hour and a-lialt'. l)nt had only six men
wounded ; one of the gun-vessels received a shot between wind
and water, but was run asliore, wiiich she fortunately reached
before she filled. On the 28th, while the working parties were
making approaches towards the place, " the steani-vessel, and
some light boats," says the military historian, "pushing up
the river after the enemy's war-boats, succeeded in capturing
nine of them." The batteries being at length completed and
armed with the heavy ordnance brought from Panlang, on the
1st of April a heavy fire was opened upon the enemy's works
at intervals during the whole day and succeeding night, the
Burmese making but little return.
On the following morning, when the fire was resumed, two
Lascars, who had been taken prisoners, came running out of
the fort with the astounding intelligence that Bundoola had
been killed on the previous day by a rocket, and the whole
garrison had fled or dispersed during the night. The troops
now advanced and occupied the formidable stockade, on
which were found mounted one hundred and thirty-nine brass
and iron guns, mostly of small calibre, and two hundred and
sixtj'-nine jingals. The British loss was eleven killed and
sixty wounded, including two officers. " Since we have been
before Donabew," wrote the General in his despatch, "eleven
of the enemy's large class war-boats have been captured by our
advanced boats under Captain Alexander's innnediate orders,
making, with others evacuated by their crews, thirty-eight first-
rate war-boats now in our possession ; and I have every reason
to think that only five of the large squadron the enemy had
stationed at this place have succeeded in escaping. A vast
number of other boats of an excellent description have also
fallen into our hands."
On the 4th of April Sir Arcliibald Campbell resumed his
march for Prome, and, by the 12tli, had recrossed the Irra-
waddy at Sarrawah, where he was joined by Brigadier
McCreagh with reinforcements. In a letter to the Commander-
in-chief, dated " 9th of April, 18'25, on board the Hon. Com-
pany's steam vessel 'Diana,'" Cajitain Alexander speaks as
follows of the services of the flotilla :^" The conduct of the
Hon. Company's flotilla I have the j)leasure to couniiand. has
been such as to merit my warmest praise; their hardships,
privations, and fatigue for the last six weeks have been borne
Avith cheerfulness, and their conduct against the enemy's
and elevated footing to the defenders. Uj)\viirds of one lumdrod ancl fifty j;uns and
swivels were niuuiited on the works, and tlio garrison was proteeted from the
shells of the hesiegers by numerous well-contrived traverses aiul excavations. A
ditch of considerable magnitude aiul dejitli surrounded tlie defences, the jiassagc
of which was rendered still more diliieult by spikes, nails, holes, and other con-
trivances. Beyond the ditch several rows of strong railings were next interposed,
and in front of all an abattis, 30 yards broad, extended round the place."