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HISTORY OF THE INDIAN NAYY. 467

James Brisbane says of the Company's Marine under ]iis
—
orders: "I have much satisfaction in stating, that the whole
of the officers and men employed in the flotilla, conducted
themselves throughout this service in a manner that reflects
the highest credit on each individual, composed, as this force is,
of varied establishments. The officers of the Hon. Company's
Marine vied with those of the Royal Navy in gallantry and
exertion." The same officer, in a letter to the Commander-in-
chief, eulogised " the highly-distinguished conduct of the
officers and men belonging to that branch of the flotilla which
is ill the service of the Hon. Company. It is extremely gratify-
ing to observe, that on this, as on other recent occasions, they
have uniformly vied with the boats of the squadron in zeal,
gallantry, and exertion. Indeed, since my arrival at head-
quarters, I have derived no small satisfaction at the prompti-
tude, good order, and regularity which have been conspicuous in
the details of the flotilla. One common feeling animates the
whole ot the force, which has produced the happiest results.''
The Governor- General in Council, on the receipt of the
despatches of Sir Archibald Campbell and Sir James Brisbane,
writing to the latter of the "distinguished share" in the opera-
tions of the 1st, 2nd, and 5th of December, borne by the Hon.
Com])any's flotilla, and the " imi)ortant aid and support" they
rendered to the Commander-in-chief, expressed to the Commo-
dore his "high gratiflcation that the conduct of the officers and
men of the flotilla had merited and received his approbation."
Sir Archibald Campbell marched on the yth of December,
with one division of the army for Meaday, where it was
supposed the enemy would concentrate his sliattered legions,
by \Valty-goon and Seindoop, while the column under General
Cotton marched three days later by Xeoun-beii-zeik to Meaday,
upon a road running parallel to the river, so that he might keep
up a communication with the flotilla. Owing to the rapidity of
the current, and the numerous shifting sandbanks, it became
necessary to track the heavier boats as far as Yondoun, and at
IMeong Sir James Brisbane formed a junction with (Jeneral
Cotton. The enemy had erected very strong jjosts at IVttoh
and Paloh, where in some jdaces the channel of the river
obliged the flotilla to pass within 200 yards of the banks, but
they abandoned these works without flring a shot. Meaday
was reached on the 17th, but its strong stockades were found
to be evacuated. The army proceeded towards Mellown on the
2lst of December, and, on the 2(ltli, a messenger, with a flag of
truce, was brought in, and stated that a counnissioner, called
Koleiii Menghie, had arrived from Mellown, with full powers
from tli(^ King to treat for peace. On the 2'.Mh, the army arrived
before that city, which was defended Ity a succession of
stockades, extending between one and two miles along the
u II 2