The Express.
London, England, 1853-01-31 00:00:00

THE WAR IN =MAIL

We have received our despatches in anticipation
of the Overland Mail. The dates are—Bombay,
Jan. 3- Calcutta, Dec. 22.

Our. Bombay Correspondent writes as follows :
BOMBAY, JAN. 3.

News to the 13th December has been received
from Rangoon. Brigadier M'Neill, who, you will
remember, was struck by the sun during the attack
on Pegu on the 21st November, died on the Bth De-
cember; and Lieut. Cooke, 22nd M.N.1., commis.
sariat officer, who was wounded through the lungs
on the same day, died on the 6th. The command of
the 2nd Madras Brigade has been given to Lieut.-
Colonel Duke, of the Ist Madras Fusiliers, and
the command of that corps has thus fallen
to Major Hill, who has charge of Pegu.
On the night of the 3rd December about
8,000 Burmese made an attack on l'egu, and but for
the gallantry of the little garrison, they might have
succeeded in effecting its re-capture. The pagoda
was first surrounded by the enemy, but meeting there
with a warm reception, they made for the commis-
sariat atoms, but these were found deserted, as all the
stores had the day previous been removed into the
pagoda, intelligence of the intended attack having
reached our troops. (The enemy, on a former occa-
sion, came provided with scaling ladders, which fell
into our hands, and are said to be very good ones in-
deed.) They appear to have been daunted by the
reception given them at the pagoda, and to have re-
tired at once out of reach of danger. News of the
peril of the Pegu garrison reaching Rangoon, 230
men of the Madras Fusiliers, and a party of seamen
under Captain Shedwell, were sent up the river by
steam to their assistance. The Burmese had so ob.
structed the river just below the town of Pegu, that
the boats could not get up, so the troops
landed with the intention of reaching their
destination by the bank of the river. They
were waylaid by some thousands of the
enemy, who opened fire on them, and at one dis-
charge killed five sailors and six artillerymen, and
wounded a very large number of others. The small
party had to retreat to their boats, which was accom-
plished without farther loss. Tidings of this affair
having been sent to Rangoon, a strong force of 1,400
men (600 of the Bengal Fusiliers, 2.50 of the Seikh
corps, 300 of the Madras NJ., and 230 of the Ram-
ghur cavalry) was at once sent off-850 by water
and 550 by land. General Godwin and Captain
Tarlton accompanied the former. Both parties
pushed along with right good will. The land force
fell in with the enemy, whose cavalry charged them;
bat they were speedily routed by the Seikh corps,
who proved themselves brave and faithful soldiers.
The water-borne division having landed, the combined
force proceeded on to Pegu without opposition, the
8,000 brave Burmese having disappeared ! A com-
missariat boat was attacked on the 6th, a few miles
below Pegu. There were a native officer and 20
men sth M.N.I. on board. The guard defended the
boat all night till their ammunition ran out, when
they resolved on landing and making their way to
Pegs. The subedar and two men were killed in the
boat, and six men were taken on shore by the
enemy. The remainder reached Pegu in safety. Oa
being told of what had happened, Major Hill, with
party of the Madras Fusiliers sallied out and fortu-
nately came up with the enemy in time to save the
lives of the sepoys, whom they found bound
for execution. The bodies of Captain GardneraZ
the native sergeant of the 40th Madras Native In-
katry, who fell at Akaktung, had been found on the
drw's bank and buried. Commodore Lambert re-
towed to Rangoon on the 4th December from Prome,
where Sir John Cheape was busily engaged having
the country around the town cleared of the jungle,
which rendered sickness so prevalent, and gave
cover to the cowardly villains who feared to attack
as in open day. A conductor named Quin having
foolishly gone out some distance beyond camp Waite
with a teleseope, to have a sight of a stockade being
erected by the enemy, was surprised by a party of
Burmese, and carried off: he had after wards been
seen alive in their camp. A very large number of
the enemy were congregated near Prome at Etha-
bliew, where they were erecting tremendous stock-
ades, and sharp work was looked for on the day when
they should be attacked—immediately after General
Godwin's arrival. The enemy were digging
deep trench in their front, taking good care
to leave a means of escape in their rear.
An officer of very high rank had joined
them from Ava with 2,000 men, with instruction to
heist lie to the last: in case of defeat, which was
however reckoned an utter improbability, he was
authorised to treat with us. The elephants, on the*
way to Prome, for the transport of guns, &c., were
not looked for at Prome till after New Year's Day,
and every one was becoming heartily disgusted with
the inactivity displayed by the general. Fever wee
very prevalent amongst the troops at Prome, and
several officers had been obliged to leave for Calcutta
for change. The boats of the Moozuffer, under
Captain Hewett, LN., had surprised a large force of
Burmese on the bank of the Irrawaddy, and killed
some scores of them, the chief's son amongst the
number. The troops at Rangoon were in good
health, but provisions at all the places where onr
troops were quartered were scarce and dear. Some
huntheds of poor villagers had gone into Pegu for
protection the day after the attack had been made on
it by the Burmese, and it was found no easy matter
to provide them with food. General Godwin was to
start for Promo on the return of the steamer Pro-
serpine from Moulmein. Mr. J. R. Colvin, of the
Sadder Adawlut, has been deputed from Calcutta on
special duty to the Tenasserim provinces and Ant-
can, and in reference to this the Englishman remarks
as follows : _

The report long in circulation that Mr. Sudder Justice
Colvin was to be appointed Viceroy of the new conquests,
though not confirmed, is partly justified by Wednesday
evening's Gazette, which notifies his trip to the eastern
provinces on special duty. Mr. Colvin's former experience
in Maulmain, and his talent for arrangements, qualify him,
perhaps better than any other available public officer, for
putting the recent conquests in order, and licking the
embryo government into shape. For although official
prudery will not name what has not been formally an-
nounced, nobody will believe that the affairs of Arnim Or
Tenasserim, or both, require the presence of Mr. Colvin;
but all will be satisfied that his services hare been demanded
for the unnamed territories which lie between the two, to
which the Gazette would direct public attention.
Captain Phayre, who is supposed by everybody to
be the commissioner for the new province of Peg;
left Calcutta for Rangoon on the 9th December.". Tho
following is a list of the appointments which are be'
Bored to be in contemplation :—Captain Sark
M.N.1., has been appointed Deputy Commissioner,
and the following gentlemen assistants:—Captain
T.
Latter, 8.N.1., Captain Josiah Smith, M.N.1.; Lien
J. Baird, Madras Artillery ; Lieut. C. Dangerfieldt
,ditto; D. T. Morton, Esq. (if available, if not, Cap•

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