Page 472 - INDIANNAVYV1

440 HISTORY OF THE INDIAN NAVY,

Excellency's particular notice the very gallant conduct of the
following officers— viz., Mr. Royce, commanding the ' Trusty,'
and Captain Jellicoe, of the Asia Felix ' transport, who remained
'
with their vessels off Chamballa a considerable time. I am
the more indebted to Captain Jellicoe than any other person,
as I had no reasonable pretension to expect such assistance
from him. With regard to Mr. Royce, the case is different. I
expected much able aid from him, in consequence of his
established character for undaunted courage and zeal in the
service. Mr. Kent, commanding the ' Thames,' first-class gun-
boat, greatly distinguished himself, as did Mr. Charles Ramsay
Richardson, of the ' Hastings,' in the ' Africa ;' Mr. Charles
Montriou,* in the Gmiga Saugor;' Charles Avery, of the
'
' Asia,' gunboat, and Mr. Oakshot, in charge of the ' Osprey,'
gun-pinnace; the whole of the crews of vessels just men-
tioned are equally entitled to the most favourable notice of his
Excellency. In consequence of the loss of the second officer
of the flag-ship, I have been enabled to promote Messrs.
Richardson and Montriou to the situations of second and third
officers of the Hon. Company's ship ' Research,' as a just reward
for their gallant conduct on the occasion in question, and trust
such proceeding will meet his Excellency's approbation."
After several routes for the march on Arracan had been dis-
cussed, it was at last determined that the array—except the
portion, including the 54th Regiment, on board the vessels in
the Oratung,—should proceed in the gunboats and other craft
from My 00 Mooa to the plains on the left bank of the Arracan
River. Accordingly, on the 4th of March, the General and Staff
embarked, and, leading the way in the ' Osprey,' pinnace,
crossed the broad waters of the Myoo, and entered the xA.rracan
river near the Oratung Pagoda, a large Buddhist temple, which
occupies the sumuiit of an eminence, and is visible at some
distance from the coast ; on the arrival of the troops it was
tliousand Burmese soldiers opposed to us, besides pressed Mughmen, and that
thej retreated into the stronger fort or stockade. He further observed that the
tliree stockades communicated with each other for such purpose ; by his account
there were five Shoee Tees, or Grolden Chattahs, Nackooada, the Ramoo con-
queror, the Rajah of Arracan's son, and other inferior chiefs. All the Mungdoo
and Loodhong troops were posted therein to retrieve their lost cliaracter, and
tlie Commander of Mungdoo was in triple irons. He earnestly entreated that we
would not leave them to the rage of the barbarous Burmese. I told him we were
not going farther, that in two or tliree days we should return with a suiRcient
force, and take Chamballa ; that I merely came to Oratung for water, &c., for
tlie troops and vessels, wliich was indispensable for our fai-ther proceedings ; that
if the vessels had been supplied, I would not have lost sight of Chamballa for a
moment. We are now only four short reaches from it (none of three miles in
extent), at the most commanding station of the river ; the creek close tons, to
the westward, runs into the Miou, near the General's head-quarters ; we com-
pletely cover the Arracan river, fi'om its entrance to this station, and alike
intercept aU communication to the northward."
* The late Captain Montriou, I.N., the distinguished surveyor.