# Royal Naval Biography/Naval Operations in Ava - 5

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CHAPTER V.
It was with extreme regret that Sir Archibald Campbell and Mr. Robertson reported, for the information of me Governor-General in Council, that the treaty concluded at Melloone, on the 3d January, 1826, not having been ratified by the King of Ava, and none of the stipulations having, within the prescribed period, been fulfilled, all amicable intercourse with the authorities at that place was necessarily broken off, and war renewed on the morning of the 19th.
On the 18th, the day appointed for the return of the ratified treaty, &c. the commander-in-chief and civil commissioner finding that, instead of a fulfilment of this promise, a further delay of six or seven days was solicited, under such equivocal circumstances as left no doubt that a total want of faith guided the Burman councils, it was definitively declared to the deputies, that their request could not be complied with, and an article proposed to them, in which it was stipulated, (together with the performance of others already agreed to), that they should evacuate Melloone, by sun-rise, on the morning of the 20th. On their positive rejection of this proposition, they were told, that after twelve o’clock, that very night (the 18th), hostilities would re-commence. Deeming it of the utmost importance that no time should be lost in punishing duplicity of so flagrant a character, Sir Archibald Campbell ordered the construction of batteries, and the landing of heavy ordnance from the flotilla, to commence immediately after midnight, and every requisite arrangement to be made for an early attack upon Melloone, “the defences of which place were represented as a ​chef-d’oeuvre of Burman fortification.” By ten o’clock the next morning, 28 pieces of ordnance were in battery, on points presenting a front of more than one mile on the eastern bank of the Irrawaddy, which corresponded with the enemy’s line of defence on the opposite shore. The preceding night had been devoted by the enemy to preparations equally laborious, and the construction of extensive and well planned works, with a view to the resistance on which they had resolved. At 11 a.m., Sir Archibald ordered his batteries and rockets to open their fire, which was warmly kept up, and with such precision of practice as to reflect the highest credit on that branch of the service.
During this period, the troops intended for the assault were embarking in the boats of H.M. ships, and part of the armed flotilla, at a point above the British encampment, under the superintendence and direction of Captain Chads. About 1 p.m., the desired impression having been produced by the cannonade, and every thing reported ready. Sir Archibald directed the above brigade, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel R. H. Sale, to drop down the river, and assault the main face of the enemy’s position, near its south-eastern angle; and Brigadier-General Cotton’s division to cross above Melloone, and, after carrying some outworks, to attack the northern face of the principal work.
Although the whole of the boats, &c. rowed off together from the left bank, the strength of the current, and a strong northerly breeze, carried the gallant Sale’s brigade to the given point of attack, before Brigadier-General Cotton’s division, notwithstanding every exertion, could reach the opposite shore. The Lieutenant-Colonel was unfortunately wounded in his boat; but the troops having landed, and formed with admirable regularity, under the command of Major William Frith, of H.M. 38th regiment, rushed on to the assault with their usual intrepidity, and were, in a short time, complete masters of a work which had been rendered most formidable by ​labour and art, and was such as to afford the enemy a presumptive assurance of security in their possession of it. When Brigadier-General Cotton saw that the enemy’s work was carried by the 13th and 38th regiments, he very judiciously ordered a brigade, under Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Hunter Blair, of the 87th foot, to cut in upon their line of retreat, which was done accordingly, and with much effect.
Thus was accomplished, in the course of a few hours from the renewal of hostilities, forced upon the British by perfidy and duplicity, a chastisement as exemplary as it was merited. Specie to the amount of 30,000 rupees was found in Prince Memia-boo’s house; and a very ample magazine of grain, 76 guns, 90 jingals, 1700 muskets, 2000 spears, 18,000 round shot, a quantity of quilted and loose grape, 100,000 musket-balls, more than twenty tons of gunpowder, an immense quantity of refined salt-petre and sulphur, upwards of a ton of unwrought iron, three gilt and fifteen common war-boats (all in good condition), eight large accommodation boats, forty-nine store-boats, from 200 to 300 canoes, and small boats of various descriptions, with about seventy horses, fell into the hands of the victors; whose total loss did not exceed nine, including four Lascars, killed, and thirty-four, among whom were Major Frith, Lieutenant William Dickson, of the Bengal engineers, five men belonging to the Alligator, and nine Lascars, wounded. “To Captain Chads, of the royal navy, and every officer and seaman of H.M. ships” Sir Archibald Campbell again publicly acknowledged himself “deeply indebted for the able and judicious manner in which the troops were transported to the points of attack;” and they were once more requested by him “to accept the unfeigned impression of his thankfulness.”
The men-of-war boats employed in the above attack were, the Boadicea’s launch, commanded by Lieutenant William Smith; her pinnace, by Lieutenant Joseph Grote; her barge, by Mr. Clarke, gunner; and her cutter, by Mr. Sydenham Wilde, midshipman: the Alligator’s pinnace, by acting Lieutenant Valentine Pickey ; barge, by Mr. William ​Hayhurst Hall; and her two cutters, by Messrs. George Sumner Hand and George Wyke, midshipmen: lastly, the Arachne’s pinnace, under Mr. Stephen Joshua Lett, with whom was associated Mr. William Coyde, midshipman.
In a letter to Sir James Brisbane, dated Jan. 20, 1826, Captain Chads says:–
“I have the pleasure of assuring you, that the gallant good conduct of every individual, both of H.M. navy and the H.C. service, fully equalled that which you have yourself so lately witnessed and highly commended.”
On the 23rd January, a combined force, under Brigadier Armstrong and Captain Chads, destroyed an evacuated stockade several miles above Melloone; and next morning, these officers were joined by nearly 300 family canoes with merchandize, which, taking advantage of a fog, had escaped from the Burmese warriors, in the general confusion occasioned by their late defeat. In less than three weeks after the capture of Melloone, the operations of the British, by land and water, had released from the tyranny of the enemy above 25,000 wretched inhabitants of the lower provinces, and not less than 4000 canoes, &c. which had been detained, and driven before the retiring army and flotilla, many of them ever since the commencement of the war. On the morning of the 24th, Captain Chads saw the remains of six poor creatures who had been crucified on the banks of the river, for attempting to escape from their oppressors.
The laborious duty of collecting and destroying the captured stores and iron artillery, together with a heavy fall of rain, prevented Sir Archibald Campbell leaving Melloone before the 25th January; at which period the navy had lost seven men, and forty-four were sick in the boats. On the 29th, Mr. William M‘Auley, the only remaining medical gentleman attached to this arm of the service, was reported ill and delirious. On the 30th, one of the largest gun-boats struck upon a sand and bilged; the remainder passed over a bar with only five feet water. On the 2nd February, Captain Chads anchored the Diana about two miles below ​Zaynan-gheoun (or the “fetid oil brooks”), where Sir Archibald Campbell had already established his head-quarters, in the immediate vicinity of the celebrated Petroleum wells. The light division of boats, under Lieutenant Smith, was then about ten miles in advance, employed in liberating numerous canoes, and in throwing his shot and shells amongst the enemy.
In the mean time, advices of the capture of Melloone reached the capital, and created the utmost consternation. In the uncertainty of the ultimate result of negociations for peace, the military operations were suffered to proceed; but the Court of Ava determined to renew communications of a pacific tendency with the British commissioners. It was, however, no easy matter to find negociators in whom Sir Archibald Campbell and Mr. Robertson could now confide; and the Burman officers of state were very reluctant to be sent upon what they considered a hopeless, if not a dangerous errand. In this dilemma, the Court applied to Doctor Pricey one of the American missionaries then in confinement at Ava, and obtained his consent to be employed as an envoy to the British camp. In order, also, to amend the chance of success, Dr. R. Sandford, surgeon of the royals (who had been taken prisoner on his way down to Rangoon), was associated in the negociation, upon his parole of honor to return again to Ava. The commander of the Hon. Company’s gun-vessel Phaeton and three British soldiers were, at the same time, restored to their liberty, as a compliment from the Court. The deputies reached head-quarters on the 31st of January, and, after conferring with the commissioners, returned to Ava on the following day. The astonishment excited in the capital by the re-appearance of Dr. Sandford is inconceivable The ministers themselves declared that they never expected to ​see him again, and crowds of the inhabitants flocked about him to have a view of such a paragon of honor, exclaiming, “what a man of his word!”
The advance of the army was not retarded by the conference at Zaynan-gheoun, but continued towards the ancient and well-fortified city of Pagahm, where the enemy bad collected an army, at least 16,000 strong, under the command of a savage warrior, styled Nee-Wooh-Breen (or King of Hell) who had pledged himself to achieve some signal success at the expence of the British, whom he designated “the invading army of rebellions subjects.”
The last battle fought by the contending armies was at Pagahm-mew, on the 9th February, 1826, when that city, and its exterior defences, were most gallantly assaulted and carried, by a corps consisting of less than 2000 men, under the personal command of Sir Archibald Campbell. This was the only instance during the whole war, in which the Burmese departed from the cautious system of defence, behind field-works and entrenchments, which forms their usual device of war. Relying on their great numerical superiority, and singular advantages of ground, they ventured on a succession of bold manoeuvres on the flanks and front of the invaders; – but this false confidence was rebuked by a reverse – severe, signal, and disastrous. They left behind them many killed and wounded; hundreds jumping into the river, to escape their assailants, perished in the water; and, with the exception of from 2000 to 3000 men, the whole host dispersed upon the spot.
Strange as it may appear, the British had only two men killed and missing, and one officer, fifteen men, and two horses wounded. the flotilla, from the great difficulties of the navigation, which daily increased, and the rapid movements of Sir Archibald Campbell, was not up to share in his success this day, and consequently sustained no loss, except what arose from the effects of climate, exposure, and fatigue.
On the evening of the 12th February, Dr. Price was again despatched to the British camp, to signify the consent of the Burman Court to the terms of peace which had been ​stipulated in the treaty of Melloone; to offer the immediate release of all the prisoners then at Ava, and the payment, in seven days time, of six lacs of rupees, as part of the indemnification money demanded; and to promise the delivery of nineteen lacs more (the remainder of the first instalment) on the return of the invaders to Prome. He was also instructed to solicit, that the army should not approach nearer to the capital than Pagahm-mew. Dr. Sandford, now set wholly at liberty, was allowed to accompany the envoy, and arrived in camp with him, at sunset on the following day.
Captain Chads, from his official situation, was requested by Sir Archibald Campbell to attend the ensuing conference, when it was unanimously resolved, that not less than twenty-five lacs of rupees, on the spot, should be accepted, and that the advance of the army should be continued until the ratification of the treaty, the prisoners, and the money, were brought to head-quarters. On the morning of the 14th, Dr. Price took his leave of the Commissioners, stating the certainty of his coming back in a day or two, accompanied by some of the Burman ministers, for the purpose of making a final and satisfactory settlement; adding, that, as an ambassador, he had only done his duty in endeavouring to prevail upon them to accept of the smaller sum. In the British camp and flotilla, it was generally considered and hoped, that the advance of the combined force, which was resumed on the 16th, would conduct it to the Burman capital.
Previous to the departure of the flotilla from Pagahm-mew, Captain Chads was under the necessity of despatching a gunboat, commanded by Lieutenant Rouband, to Rangoon, with Messrs. Hall, Wyke, and Coyde; Mr. Michael Nugent, assistant-surgeon; and eight seamen, all extremely ill. On the 17th Feb. he anchored, in the Diana, off Keeozie, and was there joined by Dr. Price with six war-boats, containing six lacs of rupees, and having on board Dr. Judson, (the other American missionary, sent from Ava as a mediator); twenty Burmans of rank; Lieutenant Richard Bennett, of H.M. Royal regiment; Mr. Henry Gouger, a British merchant; and ​thirty-five other prisoners. On the 18th, the missionaries and war-boats returned to the capital, after making an ineffectual attempt to induce Sir Archibald Campbell and his colleagues, then at Yebbang, to receive the money they had brought, and to wait ten days longer for the payment of the remainder. On the 22d, they again made their appearance at Yandaboo, only forty-five miles from the capital, bringing with them twenty-five lacs in gold and silver bullion, and an assurance that two ministers of state would speedily follow, in order to ratify the treaty. Captain Chads was now officially requested to act as one of the Commissioners for the affairs of Ava and Pegu. On the 25th, he issued the following general memorandum to the officers and men under his command:–
“I feel the highest gratification in announcing to the flotilla, that the unwearied exertions, gallantry, and zeal of the officers and every individual composing it, have been crowned by an honorable peace; and on resigning the command of it, I beg to express my unfeigned thankfulness for the alacrity and cheerfulness with which this arduous service has been performed, and the personal attention which I have at all times experienced will ever be remembered by me with most pleasing and grateful feelings. The flotilla is now to be at the disposal of Major Jackson, Deputy-Quarter-Master-General, and the officers will report to him.”
In a letter of the same date, addressed to Sir Archibald Campbell, Captain Chads strongly recommended Lieutenant George Laughton, of the Bombay marine, to the favorable notice of the Supreme Government; “his conduct and ability on all occasions, from the very commencement of the war, having met with the constant approbation of his superiors, and the esteem of all others.” Among the officers of the flotilla, at this period, was Lieutenant Keele, who, although in an admiral’s barge, with extra rowers, and notwithstanding every exertion and the greatest perseverance, had been no less than twenty-four days on his passage from Rangoon to Yandaboo – so great are the difficulties of ascending the Irrawaddy.
​By the treaty of peace, signed at 4 p.m. on the 24th Feb. 1826, the Honorable East India Company have obtained a large accession of most valuable territory, nearly equal to one-third of the whole Burman empire, affording an inexhaustible supply of the finest teak timber for naval purposes, and all the other productions of the East. They have also derived from this treaty the still greater benefit of a state of security infinitely less likely to be disturbed than in former times, by the formidable barriers interposed between them and the kingdom of Ava; and thus, not only is the probability of future annoyance greatly diminished, but the chance of any successful irruption almost entirely removed. Besides renouncing all claims, and engaging to abstain from all future interference with the principality of Assam, and its dependencies, and also with the contiguous petty states of Cachar and Jynteea; to recognize Ghumbeer Singh as Rajah of Munnipoore (should he desire to return to that country); to cede in perpetuity the provinces of Arracan, recently conquered by the British, including the four divisions of Arracan, Ramree, Cheduba, and Sandoway, (as divided from Ava by the Unnoupectowmien mountains), and also the provinces of Yeh, Tavoy, Mergui, and Tenasserim, with the islands and dependencies thereunto appertaining, (taking the Saluoen, or Martaban river, as the line of demarcation on that frontier); to receive a British resident at Ava, and to depute a Burman minister to reside at Calcutta; to abolish all exactions upon British ships or vessels in Burman ports, that are not required from Burman ships or vessels in British ports; and to enter into a commercial treaty upon principles of reciprocal advantage; the King of Ava, “in proof of the sincere disposition of the Burman government to maintain the relations of peace and amity between the ​nations, and as part indemnification to the British government for the expenses of the war,” agreed to pay the sum of one crore of rupees, equal to about 1,000,000l, sterling, (valuing the rupee at two shillings, the then rate of exchange), of which contribution the first instalment, amounting to 2,508,199 sicca rupees, was embarked at Yandaboo, brought down the Irrawaddy, (a distance of 600 miles), and ultimately conveyed by Captain Chads to Calcutta, where it was landed from the Alligator, April 10th, 1826, it should here be remarked, that nothing but the dread and certainty of the capture of their capital, and, with it, a large amount of treasure, would have induced the Burman government to accede to these terms; – this, indeed, clearly appears evident, from the long protracted war, and their refusing to fulfil the treaty of Melloone.
It was not till the 8th of March, that the army commenced its retrograde movement on Rangoon, at which place Captain Samuel Thornton, of the Slaney sloop of war, had been left by Captain Chads to carry on the naval duties. A sufficient number of boats were provided by the Burmese to convey thither the greatest part of the European troops, escorted by the men-of-war boats, under the command of Captain Studdert. The remainder of the British accompanied the native troops by land as far as Prome. By the early part of May, the whole force had returned to Rangoon, and some of the regiments immediately sailed for Calcutta and Madras. On the 11th April, 1826, the Governor-General in Council issued a proclamation and general order, of which latter, the following are extracts:–
“The relations of friendship between the British Government and the State of Ava, having been happily re-established by the conclusion of a definitive treaty of peace, the Governor-General in Council performs a most gratifying act of duty, in offering publicly his cordial acknowledgments and thanks to Major-General Sir Archibald Campbell and the army in Ava, by whose gallant and persevering exertions the recent contest with the Burmese empire has been brought to an honorable and successful termination.
“In reviewing the events of the late war, the Governor-General in Council is bound to declare his conviction, that the achievements of the ​British army in Ava have nobly sustained our military reputation, and have produced substantial benefit to the national interests.
“During a period of two years, from the first declaration of hostilities against the Government of Ava, every disadvantage of carrying on war in a distant and most difficult country, has been overcome, and the collective force of the Burman empire, formidable from their numbers, the strength of their fortified positions, and the shelter afforded by the nature of their country, have been repeatedly assailed and defeated. The persevering and obstinate efforts of the enemy, to oppose our advance^ having failed of success, and his resources and means of further resistance having been exhausted, the King of Ava has, at length, been compelled to accept of those terms of peace, which the near approach of our army to the gates of his capital enabled us to dictate. Every object, the Governor-General in Council is happy to proclaim, for which the war was undertaken, has been finally and most satisfactorily accomplished. * * * * * *
“To the consummate military talents, energy, and decision manifested by Major-General Sir Archibald Campbell, to the ardour and devotion to the public service, which his example infused into all ranks, and to the confidence inspired by the success of every military operation which he planned and executed in person, the Governor-General in Council primarily ascribes, under Providence, the brilliant result that has crowned the gallant and unwearied exertions of the British troops in Ava. Impressed with sentiments of high admiration for those eminent qualities so conspicusly and successfully displayed by Major-General Sir Archibald Campbell, his Lordship in Council rejoices in the opportunity of expressing to that distinguished soldier, in the most public manner, the acknowledgments and thanks of the Supreme Government, for the important service was rendered to the Honorable East India Company, and to the British nation. The thanks of Government are also eminently due to the senior officers, who have so ably and zealously seconded Major-General Sir Archibald Campbell in his career of victory. * * * * * *
“Amongst those zealous and gallant officers, some have been more fortunate than others in enjoying opportunities of performing special services. The ability with which Lieutenant-Colonel Godwin, of H.M. 41st, achieved the conquest of the fortified town of Martaban, and its dependencies, appears to confer on that officer a just claim to the separate and distinct acknowledgments of the Governor-General in Council. In like manner, Lieutenant-Colonel Miles and Brigadier-General M‘Creagh have entitled themselves to the special thanks of Government for their services » the former, in the capture of Tavoy and Mergui; and the latter, in that of the island of Cheduba.
“The limits of a General Order necessarily preclude the Governor-General in Council from indulging the satisfaction of recording the names of all those officers whose services and exploits at this moment crowd upon ​the grateful recollection of the Government, by whom they were duly appreciated and acknowledged at the time of their occurrence. His Lordship in Council requests that those officers will, collectively and individually, accept this renewed assurance, that their meritorious exertions will ever be cordially remembered. * * * * *
“The conduct of that portion of the naval branch of the expedition which belong to the East India Company has been exemplary, and conspicuous for gallantry and indefatigable exertion; and it has fully shared in all the honorable toils and well-earned triumphs of the land force. * * *
The Governor-General in Council has not overlooked the spirit and bravery, characteristic of British seamen, manifested by several of the masters and officers of transports and armed vessels, in various actions with the Burmese in the vicinity of Rangoon.
“It belongs to a higher authority than the Government of India to notice, in adequate and appropriate terms, the services of His Majesty’s squadron, which has co-operated with His Majesty’s and the Honorable East India Company’s land forces, in the late hostilities with the government of Ava. The Governor-General in (council, however, gladly seizes this opportunity of expressing the deep sense of obligation with which the Supreme Government acknowledges the important and essential aid afforded by his Excellency Commodore Sir James Brisbane, in person, as well as by the officers, non-commissioned officers, seamen, and marines of H.M. ships, who have been employed in the Irrawaddy. Inspired by the most ardent zeal for the honor and interest of the nation and the East India Company, his Excellency, the naval commander-in-chief, lost no time in proceeding, with the boats of the Boadicea, to the head-quarters of the British army at Prome, and directing, in person, the operations of the river force, rendered the most essential service in the various decisive and memorable actions which, in the month of December last, compelled the Burmese to sue for peace.”
On the 12th April, 1826, the following letter was addressed to Captain Chads, then in Diamond harbour:
“Sir,– The Commissioners in Ava having reported the considerations which induced them to propose to you to be associated with them in settling with the Burmese Commissioners the treaty of peace, I am directed by the Right Honorable the Governor-General in Council to express to you the acknowledgments of Government for the readiness with which you complied with their wishes.
“The Governor-General in Council proposes to take an early opportunity of conveying to his Excellency the naval commander-in-chief the sense of obligation entertained by the Supreme Government for the essential aid rendered to the Honorable East India Company by the ships of His Majesty’s navy serving in Ava; but, on the occasion of your arrival at this presidency, his Lordship in Council cannot deny himself the ​gratification of expressing to you the sentiments with which he is impressed towards yourself individually, as well with advertence to your services gencrally, as to the special one alluded to at the beginning of this letter. I have the honor to be, &c.
(Signed)“Geo. Swinton, Secretary to Government.”
At a subsequent period, Joseph Dart, Esq. Secretary to the Honorable East India Company, conveyed to Captain Chads “an expression of the high sense which the Court of Directors entertained of his exertions in the Burman war, both when senior officer, and when charged with several of the most difficult enterprises:” Mr. Dart added, “that the Court had not failed to communicate to the Government of Bengal their cordial concurrence in the sentiments of approbation with which his services were noticed by that authority.” On the 24th November, 1826, it was “resolved unanimously, that the thanks of this Court be given to Commodore Sir James Brisbane, C.B., and the Captains and Officers of His Majesty’s and the Company’s ships and boats, who cooperated with the army in the Burmese war, for their cordial, zealous, and most useful exertions; and to the crews of His Majesty’s and the Company’s ships and boats employed in that service, for their spirited and intrepid conduct on all occasions; and that the commander of His Majesty’s squadron on the India station be requested to communicate the thanks of this Court to the officers and men under his command.” A similar resolution was passed by the Court of Proprietors in the course of the ensuing month. On the 27th January, 1827, the following letter was addressed to Commodore Sir James Brisbane, and a copy thereof sent to Captain Chads, whose ship, the Alligator, had recently been put out of commission:
“Admiralty Office, Jan. 27th, 1827.
“Sir,– I received and laid before my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty your letter of the 21st May last, containing an account of the conclusion of the Burmese war; and I am commanded by their Lordships to express their approbation of the zealous and gallant conduct displayed by yourself. Captain Chads, and the other officers and men, during the long and arduous service on which they were employed. And I am to ​signify their Lordships’ direction to you to communicate the same to the several officers and men employed on the service in question. I am, &c.
(Signed)“John Barrow.”
It was not in words only that the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty were pleased to express their approbation, but in the most gratifying manner, by a liberal and extensive promotion of those officers who had most distinguished themselves. Not only were Captains Chads, Marryat, and Ryves, advanced to the rank of Companions of the Most Honorable Military Order of the Bath, but every lieutenant and passed midshipman who remained on the service, belonging to the Alligator, Arachne, and Larne, besides others of the Liffey, Boadicea, and Sophie, were promoted. The thanks of both Houses of Parliament were subsequently voted to Sir James Brisbane, and the captains, officers, seamen, and marines under his command, for their “cordial co-operation” with the land forces, and “their skilful, gallant, and meritorious exertions, which greatly contributed to the successful issue of the war.”
* ↑ Snodgrass, 245.
* ↑ The Petroleum wells are scattered over an area of about sixteen square miles. Some of them are from 37 to 53 fathoms in depth, and said to yield at an average daily from 130 to 185 gallons of the earth oil.
* ↑ See p. 42.
* ↑ A narrative of the captivity of Lieutenant (now Captain) Bennett, was published in the United Service Journal, Nos. vi. vii ix. and xii.
* ↑ The harbour of Kheauk-pheo, at the north end of the island of Rainree, is described as sufficiently large to accommodate the whole navy of Great Britain. The anchorage is from 8 to 15 fathoms throughout; and being land-locked on three sides, the west, east, and south, the harbour is completely secured against the S.W. monsoon.