The Express.
London, England, 1852-08-21 00:00:00

THE WAR WITH BURMAH.

THE CAPTURE OF PEGU.
(Prom last WOVE (lesette.)
Tho following despatches have been received at
the Last Indis House :
Lieutenant-General H. Godwin, C.B , commanding the
Forces in Ave, Arraean, and Tenasserim Provinces, to
C. U. Allen, Esq., Secretary to the Government of India.
Head Quarters, Rangoon, June 9, 1852.
I have the honour to report, for the information of go- ,
vernment, that on the morning of the 26th of May„
Martaban w. s attacked by a Burmese force of 1,1100
or 1,200 men, which was gallantly beaten back by the 49th ,
Madras Native Infantry in garrison there, under the com-
mand of Major Hall. fhe operations are reported to me as
follows:—
At about half-past six a.m. of the 26th May, the pickets
at Martaban were fired on in a desultory manner by the
enemy for upwards of an hour, when a strung skirmishing
party led by Captain Stewart sufficed to dislodge them. Our
loss has been very trifling ; I pnvate killed, and 1 subadar,
I nick, and 11 privates wounded.
During the day a party was sent out by the officer com-
manding to scour the country around, hut they met with no '
opposition, and the place had been unmolested up to the
time of the last report. On the opening of the lire of our
guns, the steam.frigate Ferree, which had 200 men of the '
61st Light lufantry on board, landed part of them at Mar-
taban, to aid in the defence of the place, and the remainder
proceeded in boats up the river, and took the enemy in re-
verse and caused them considerable loss.
The troops appear to have behaved very well, and the
exertions of Major Ilall, who commanded the post ; of Cap-
tains Rickards and Stewart, of the 49th Madera Nathve
Infantry, who commanded the party that went to sco'.r the
country; and of Lieutenant Purvie, who commav ,ied the
Artillery, were very meritorious. Captain Lyne`., and the
troops on board the leroze under Captain A•.,der,,,,, were
as usual prompt, and the good judgment ;iisplered by the
former officer tended to the complete confusion of the
enemy.
1 nave had excellent accounts from Bassein, of the 31st
of May, from Captain Darroch, whom 1 left in command of
the place, till the arrival of Major Roberts, of the 9th
Madras Native Infantry. These are highly creditable to
that officer, and to Lieutenant Crater, of the Bengal
Engineers, and show what a few days' well-directed
exertions may do in placing a post in a state of excellent
defence.
Captain Darroch further reports that everything is quiet
around Baseein; the enemy had left the neighbourhood,
and the inhabitants were coming in, in numbers, to seek
protecties under cur rule.
The head-men of 26, villages had come to tender ser-
vices, and to bring provisions of all sorts fur the troop'.
I have also the honour to report, for the information of
the Governor General in Council, the operations of a small
expedition which I despatched against l'egu on the 3rd
inst., under the command of Major Cotton, of the 67th Re-
giment Native Infantry, to co-operate with Captain Tarle•
ton, of her Majesty's frigate Fox, in (hiving out a strong
force, either from Sitang or Baling, who had taken posses-
sion of that city, so lately filled with • friendly population,
and where there was a large granary.
I enclwe Major Cotton's own report of his operations,
which show great promptitude, good judgment, and brave
conduct, in himself and the troops he commanded.
The particulars as to the conduct of the officers and men,
and also the cheerful auistance given by Captain Terleton,
and his naval contingent, I feel assured the Governor-
General in clouncil will appreciate most favourably.
In concluding my despatch, I have only to congratulate
the government on the continued good conduct of its troop.,
on their excellent health, and perfect state of discipline for
any duty they may be called on to perform.
I have, &c.,
11. GoDWIN, Lieutenant-General.
Major 11. Cotton to Captain Mayhew Assistant Adjutant-
General of the Burnish Field Force.
Rangoon, June 9, 18-52.
Sir,—Agreeably to instructions furnished me by Lieute-
nant-Colonel Sturt, commanding 67th Regiment Native
Infantry. I embarked on board the East India Company's
steamer Phlegethon, Captain Neblett, on the morning of
the 3rd instant, in command of a detachment of the strength
mentioned below,* to co-operate with Captain Tarleton,
her Majesty's frigate Fox, in command of the naval portion
of the expedition, in carrying out the instructions detailed
in Lieut.-Colonel Sturt's letter, and I have the honour to
make the following report for the information of Lieute-
nant-General Godwin, C. 8., commanding the Burnish field
force :
We reached the village Peinkecing the tame evening, and
anchored; the next morning, the troops were embarked in
boats, and we proceeded up the l'egu river ; when within a
few miles, heavy firing was beard ahead, and from infor-
mation obtained from the Peguers, I learnt that the enemy
were in force on the right bank of the river opposite the
town. I immediately landed my detachment at half-past 9
' o'clock, cm., to attack them, and Captain Tarleton agreed
to take the naval force, and co-operate on the right. I shall
leave Captain Tarleton to detail to Commodore Lambert
his part of the engagement. I proceeded in skirmishing
order with the detachment along the right bank of the river
for nearly two miles through heavy swamp and jungle, and
drove the enemy completely across the river, in the direction
of the Great l'agoda ; when bearing heavy firing from the
direction of the boat, I returned to render my aid to Captain
Tarleton. 1 found, on crossing the river, he had had a smart
engagement with the enemy, and repelled an attack made
b them on the boat, and I was much gratified to hear from
Captain Tarleton, of the admirable conduct of a section of
the Ride Company 67th Regiment Native infantry, present
at it, under the command of Captain E. W. Hicks. The
men were by this time (one o'clock) much fatigued, and I
resolved to remain for a couple of hours, and then proceed
to attack the Great Pagoda, whither the enemy had been'
seen to retreat, having a ged with Captain Latter that
he should guard the boats with a party of Peguers.
We had not, however, rested very long, when a
report was brought from the picket that the Bur-
mese were coming down upon us in great numbers
from the pagoda. I went down and ascertained
' that such was the case, that they were coining
' down in skirmishing order, I should say at least 1,000 men,
and amongst them 30 or 40 were mounted upon ponies. I
could olainlydiseern their leader from his dress and gold
the Ili I immediately got my party under arms in ex-
tended order, Captains Tarleton and Neblett, the former
with 30 and the latter with 20, seamen, joining. When
the enemy had got well across the plain, in extent about
three.quarters of a mile, consisting of rice fields partially
covered with water, I advanced with the whole detach-
meat, and, after a smart fire, drove them into the jungle
' which surrounds the pagoda. I then formed my detach-
ment into column of sections, and, steadily advancing,
stormed the south gate with the 80th and Sappers, while
the Rifles under C.ptain flicks extended to the left, and
rushed in at the west gate. So sudden was the assault
that the enemy had not time to fire their guns, which were
found loaded, and covering the entrances to the gates. At
the west gate were four guns, two brass and two iron, and
at the south gate two guns and two gingals.
We drove the enemy through the pagoda, and succeeded
in killing and wounding •number of them as they retreated
down the gateway. It was impossible to pursue them, as
the men were much knocked up, having been under arms
since one o'clock in the morning, and all overcome by the
excessive heat and fatigue encountered during the day.
I am happy to say that no so'dicr was killed, and only
two sepoys and one dooley bearer wounded: this small loss
is to be attributed to the fact that the enemy, for the most
part, fired too high.
My detachment occupied the pagoda during our stay, and
I employed the time in carrying out the wishes of the
Lieutenant-General in destroying some parts of the fortifi-
cations surrounding the pagoda; this was done by Lieute-
nant Mayne, Field Engineer, whose report I beg leave to
attach.
In the town, on the river side, there was a great quan-
tity of rice, which 1 permitted the Pegners to carry away
in boats.
Surrounding the pagoda there is also another town, in
which much race was found ; this I caused to be burnt, '
after allowing the inhabitants to carry away as much as
they could.
The co-operation of the naval force under Captain Tarte-
ton, her Majesty's ship Fox, and under Captain Neblett,
East India Company's ship Phlegethon, was most active
and efficient, and I would beg my most sincere thanks and
congratulations for success should be conveyed to thini,
officers and men, through the proper channel. Before con-
cluding this report I hope I may be permitted to mention
my admiration at the gallantry displayed by all comprising
my detachment, including the naval parties, officers and
man. The union, cordiality, and good feeling which
existed are beyond all praise, and not a single complaint
was made against any one during the whole time. I beg to
notice, for the information of the Lieutenant• General, Cap-
tain Ormsby, commanding a company of her Majesty's 80th
and Lieutenants Amiel and Fraser, of the same regiment,
and 11r. .'Kellar, East India Company's serviet, in medical
charge. who, in addition to his other duties, displayed
great humanity in attending to the wounded Burmese;
Lieutenant Mackintosh, 62nd Regiment M. Native Infantry
Second Lieutenant Mayne, assistant field engineer, who
entered the'pagoda with the Sappers and 80th, and Cap-
tain Hicks, commanding Rifts Company, 67th Regi-
ment Native Infantry, Lieutenant Clarke and Ensign
Thompson, of the 67th Regiment, all of whom rendered me
the greatest assistance, and with whose conduct I was much
pleased. I left Pegu at twelve o'clock cm. on Saturday
last, with my detachment in Magmas to Rangoon, and I
have, de. H. Corrine, 67th Regiment.
P.S. I beg to enclose a list of casualties—of guns and
arms raptured—also a plan of operations drawn by Lieu-
tenant Mayne, Madras Engineers, Assistant Field En-
Rer.
turn of Ordnance captured at Pegu, June 4, 18:4.
Small calibre : 2 brass guns, good, carriages destroyed ; 6
iron inms,2 good, 4 very bad, carriages destroyed ; 10 gin-
gals, .1 sunk an the river at l'egu ; 400 to 600 lbs. of powder ;
100110. used in blasting.
List of Casualties in the Detachment under the com-
mando( Major Cotten, 67th Regiment, at the capture of
Pegu, June 4, 1862.—Wounded.--67th Regiment Bengal
Native Infantry 2 rank and file ; I camp follower.
Commodore G. It. Lambert, R.N., her Majesty's ship Fox,
to the Secretary to the Government of India.
Rangoon, June 8, 18.52.
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