The Sun.
London, England, 1824-11-26 00:00:00

I

INDIA:

SUPPLEMENT to the LONDON GAZETTE, ofTuesday
• the 23d of November, H 324. •
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25.
India Board, Oct. 1824.
Dispatches have been received at the .East India-House, i'rom.
the Governor-Generstin Council, at Fort William, with inclo.
sures, of which the following are copies and extracts
Extract front a Letter from the Governor-General in Council to
the Secret Committee of the• Court of Directors, dated Fort
William, 2lst November 1823, •
On the 28th_ of September, 31r. Warner reported to us by
an express, that a Burmese force of about one thousand men
had actually attacked and-taken the island of. Shapuree, on the
24th; killing three Sepoys, and wounding three others.

Extract from a • Letter from the Govertior.Geneial in Council
to the Secret Committee of the Court of Directors, dated Fort
William, 9111 Jan nary 1824.*
We beg to inform your Honourable Committee, that the de.
tachnient sent by sea from hence to occupy the island of Sha,
puree, at the mouth"of the Naaf River,. and to reinforce the

•
polts on the southent part of the Chittagong district, did not,
Owing to the unseasonoble and -tempestuous state of the wea-
ther, at the head of the bay of Bengal, reach the island until
the 21at of November ; no symptoms of further hostile designs,
or preparations; Were visibleon the part of the Hunnans at the
period of their arrival; and two companies of the detachment
accordingly took possession of Shapuree, without the slightest
opposition being offered:

•
Extract of a Letter from Captain Hay, commanding the Chit-
tagong Battallion, to the Secretary to (lovernnte►,t in,the
Military Department, dated Chittagong, Oct. 1323.
I beg to inform you, that on the evening of the 23d Septem-
ber, the Jemadar's party of this corps, stationed: on the island
of Shupuree, was attacked by a body of Burmese. of Itliout a
thousand, from•:Arraean, and after some struggle, driven ofrtbe
island, witli The loss of three.sepoys killed, and three, more
wounded,ctwo of whom are since dead.

• .
Extract from a Letter from Lidtit.;:Colonel Shapland, to Major
l'atrickson, Deputy' AdjutantA;eneral of the Army, detail
• Shapuree, Nov, 22, 1023. • .
I have the honour to ,acquaint•you, for the information of
flovernment;that 'in ' consequence of the-difficulty which the
• larger vessels' of the detachment under, my command, cape.
rienced in •en'tering the 'Calif River; they did not anchor off*
Tik Naaf,'•witil the forenoon of the 20th instant, *hen three
companies Oftlie 2d battalion 20th regiment, were disembarked
at that place in the patting night two vessels.; the Flora.tind
'Planet, dropped doWn•to•Shapuree, and the two. companies on.
board of them *ere landed on 'the island without delay : an
eligible spot fin the exertion of a stockade was then chosen, and
the Mugs, • with the detachment are now employed in clear.,
log the ground, and making preparations for the. Construction
of one. • • ••• • • • • • •

Ettract from ti• Littelqrom the Governor-Genera/ in Council
to the Secret .Cointriittee. of the Vourt of Directors, dated
Fort William, 23d. February 1824.
On the 36th Jantiary, we learnt that an affair had taken
place between-our party of observation on tlieSylhet frontier,'
cominanded by Major Newton,.• and one of the bodies of in-
vaders coming from Assam; your' Hon. Committee will learn
NM the correspondence which took .place on that occasion that;
• disregarding the,intintation•which they had received of the de-
termination of ,the'British Onvernment to resist the occupation'
of Culla by the threes of.a. foreign 'power, and anxious only
to effect their object of concentrating a large force on our im-
mediate frontier, the parties from the nothward and eastward
hurried tin, in avowed ditiance of our repeated reinonstrances
and Warnings, to the point where the (Jewels proposed to
unite their forces on the 16th Major Newton, finding that a
,body of about 4,48 BurmeSe and ASsamette had crossed into
the plains of Cachar, at the foot of the Berteaka Pass, and were
stodeading themselves at Bikrampore; also that the force to
the eastward had defeated the illunipore Chief, Rajah (lamb-
hur Sing's troops; and that a third division Were crossing into
Jyantry, immediately north of the station of Sylhet, he it-
solved, under circumstances so threatening to hilt force, to
concentrate his detachment at Juttrapore, a Cacher village,
about tive milei beyond the boundary of the Sylhet district,
and move from 'thence due northward againSt the invading
party from Assam, before they couldhaye time to strengthen
their position. • The Burmese poSition was discovered early in
the morning of the 17th of January; and hostilities commenced
by the discharge .of two shots flxtrn their stockade at the British
advanced guard ; an attack wits then made by the British force
under 'Major Newton, in two. divisions which way completely'
successful though a party of Blirmalis in the stockade; various-
ly estimated atfroni 200 to ./.00, made u brave resiatance, and
were not 'overpoWered ' without the loss of six of our sepoys'
killed, and 18 wounded; about 175 of the Burmalt force were
destroyed, the remainder fled towards the hills.

Copy of a Dispatch from Major Newton to the Adjutant-Ge-
neral of the Army, dated Budderpore, 18th January 1324.
Sir—ln consequence of intelligence which I received on the
evening of the 16th instant,, that a body of about 4000 Dm.-
mese and Assamese had crossed into the plains ut the foot of
the lierteaka Pass, and were stockading themselves at the vil-
lage of BickramPore ; also that a force to the eastward had de-
feated Rajah Gambhur Sing's troops, and that a third division
were ertessing the ..3lootagool Pass into Jyntra to the north-
west, I Tcsolved, under circumstances so threatening to my
hum, to concentrate my detachment at Juttrapore, 'and move
from thence with the whole due north, and attack the enemy
before they could have time to strengthen their position ; I ac-,
wittingly ordered Captain Johnston, to join me from Tilayn,
leaving his Coil) standing • at two A. at. of the 17th, wenioved
fa: six. .i.m. juSt beyond an almost impervious ginss and
reed jungle, which we with considerable difficulty passed, we
cahie into a comparatively plain country, where the situation
of the enemy was discovered by the discharge of two' shots' at
Our advanced guard; their position extended along the villages
at the foot of the hills, they were covered by the huts, bushes,.
a&sct.oicnkaadde osoeilanthdedrianCkusltoefouansttreey,pa:,:udlloanh,tlowciernrii)giehdt
byth about
2110 2110 Men ; 'the attack was made in two divisions: the southern
face of the stockade being assaulted by Captain Johnston, with
part of the 23d Native Infantry, and Itungpore Light Infantry;
and the enemy's line in the villages being attacked by Captain
Ilowe,. with part of the 10th Native Infantry, the whole under
my direction ; this last"waa immediately successful, the greater
part of the enemy, supposed to be Assamese; flying to the hills
at the first' fire; Capt. Bowe then wheeled his force at the attack
of the stockade which , was making a.brave 'resistance against
Capt..lohnstOn,' and in a short time it was carricd by assault by
the united exertions of both. parties.
I cannot iu too strong terms bring to your notice, for the fertnatiOn of his'Ekcellency the Commander-in-Chief, the ex-
ertioni of the troops on this occasion, the Officers and men were
equally conspicuous in their zealous endeavours ; I cannot'
therefore particularize individuals, when all who were engaged
claim an equal share of praise ; but in justice to the merit of the
Etriopean Officers, and SliffGeneral arid Medical, I do:myself
the honour to annex a list of their names, and an account of the
killed anti wounded on both sides. •
General Stuff—Lieutenant T. Fisher, D. A. Q. Master-Gene-
. ,
Ist Bat. 10th Regt.—Capt. W. Bowe, Acting Adjutant: En
signs, .1. Buncoinbe and 11. M. Grams; Surgeon .1; Grierson.
2d Bat. 23d N. I.—Capt. J. .iolmatOn; Lieut. Richardson,
Aetg. Adjt.; Lieut. Ellis ; Assistant-Surgeon Forrest.
Rungpore L.l.—Lieutenant A. Fuller.
I have, &c.
• .I.t NEWTON Major, Conig. Detacht.

Statement of the probable loss of the Burmese; in the action of
. . 'the 17th January 1824.
Killed in and about the stockade - - 34
-
Killed in the pursuit arid adjacent country by estimation 150
Prisoner wounded ' . - . . i

183
There were taken one standard, several musquets, and kuk.
revs ; a quantify of grain, ammunition, &c. was destroyed by
the stockade taking fire, at the close of the engagement.
' T. FISHER, Lieutenant,
Deputy Assistant Quarter-Allister-General.

•
Returp of killed and wounded in a Detachment under the
Command of Major Newtini, during operations against the
Buniiesi; 'near liickrampore, on theT7th January, 1824.
lat'ilattalion'lgth. R exiMent Native Infantry.—;-I!opoy killed;
Wouritieo. ' • • , •

• "Itefuieesiniin Airijon.

1 ~

PRICE .SIIVEN'PENCE.

Copy of- a Dispatch from Brigadier-General • Sir Archibald
Cana-Obeli, K.C.H. to George' Swinton, Esq. Secretary to the Bengal Goveinment; dafeli Rangoon; Ist:June; 1824.
. Sta—!Heriwith I have the honour or transmitting you -a re.
Intl{ of the ordnance arptured.at this place on the 11th ult., in,
eluding ten small pieces brought from Negrais. The strength Of the enemy in this arm, to far exceeding any' thing reported,
is noW I- conceive vertnnitilrerippled; as in the different en.z •
counters'we haVe since had, nothing larger thatigingels, or
small pfeces, have been' found with them. • '•-,
I have &c. ' •
. .
• A. CAMPBELL, Brig. Oen.
' • _ .. .

Return of Ordnance captured at and'near Rangoon, Clay 1024
, Iron long Guns; serviceable, mottnted.:...l tweitty-four pounder,
1 twenty ditto, 1 eighteen dito, 2 ten ditto, 3 nine ditto?, i
three ditto, 7 six ditto, 6 five ditto,.l four alLti • half diito, 1-
ditto, 1 two and half ditto, and. 3 two ditto-total 27..
Distnpunted7-2 six pounders, 3 five and half ditto 4 „four
.ditto, 1 three and half ditto, 1 two stnd one • eighth alto-. and 1 one ditto-total 12.
Iron long Ouns, unserviceable, mounted-2 twelve pounders',
1 six ditto, 5 five and a half ditto, 1 four and half dittcy, and
1 two arid half ditto-total 10. Disinounted-1 ten pounde', •
. 8 nine ditto, 2 six ditto, 1 five and half ditto, 4'three ditto, 1
,one and- half ditto, 1 three quarters ditto, and 0 one halt*
. 20.
. ,
.Carronatiee;.• serviceable, mounted-3 eighteen pounders, and I.
tWelve ditto-total 4. Dismounted-3 twenty-foul. pounders, '
4 eighteen ditto, and 6' twelve ditto-total 13.
Carrentule, unserviceable., disniounted-1. •
Iron Swivel, serviceable, mounted-1.
Brass Swivels, serviceable,dismounted -2.
Brass (ons, serviceable, dismounted••-:-S pnepOtinttei,•sti:d
.424
three quarters ditto-total 6.
~..Irort-liingals, unserviceable-9.
Of tbe.above guns, :0 brass and 6. iron were captured at
Negrais.
pounder
,
Ditto, six tlittii
thre&litto
Ditto, three ditto (box)
Ditto, irregular and foreign

276
4I

Total

1257

Clumpowder,-,conipu at lbs. 2,400. .
~
nin
~ W. BURTON, lifSjor,
. Commanding Artillery.
..„

Copy, of a Dispatch from . Brigailier,General Sir Archibald"
Campbell, K 4.11. to George NOinton, Esq. Secretary to the
Bengal Goverrinient, dated Rangoon, Ist June 1821,
Sir-..-Since.l lint had the honour of addressing you, tbede.
tachtneirt sent against Negrais has returned, ter headyquarters.
The reports of the. Officers commanding, relative to the opera-.
Cons against that part of. the the My's coast, I beg herewith to
inclose, and under all the cirtunmtances therein stated I hops
Major Wahab% evacuation of it place so little calculated for ,a
' military post may be approved ot. Indeed, tam ftilly of opi.
Mon that the object which the Right lion. the (governor-Gen::,
sal in Council bad in view has been accomplished, by reports
of the simultaneous attacks upon Rangoon, Negralm, and (r
make no doubt) Chetluba, reaching the Court of Ava at that ~
same time; .and it will appear by Lieutenant .Stedinan'a re-
port, that the enemy again experienced the valour of the Bri-
tish anus. . .
• here little change has taken place in our situation.. Every .
act of the enemy evinces a most markeddetermination of carry. .
ing hostility to the very kilt extremity; approaching our posts, ,
day and night, under cover of an impervious and incombustible
jungle; constructing stockades and.letioubta on every toad
and. path-way, even within musket-shot of our sentries, and
from these hidden fitatnesses carrying on a most barbarous and
harassing warfare, firing upon our sentries at all hours of the
night, and lurking on the outskirts of the jungle, for the put. •
pose of carrying off any unlucky wretch whom chance may
throw in their way. • ~
At one post in particular they have been unusually bold and
troublesome, often appearing in large bodies in front of the
picquet, rind had been constantly heard during the night• fell-
mg timber, and making other preparations for defence.
On the 27th ult. my Aide-de-Camp, „Captain Snodgrass,
having Observed a body of the enemy a short distance in front;
of this post, apparently making their observations on our line,
lie advanced with a small patrole for the purpose of feeling
them, and.aseertaining their strength anti intentions. They
faund sentries and posts regularly established, which having
driven -before them to where the path-way on which they were
advancing joins ti main road, they were suddenly fired upon
from a stockade only forty yards distant, and an entrance be.
ing observed in an angle of the work, which the enemy In his .
hurry had neglected to shut, an immediate charge was ordered,
and this small party, consisting of 18 men of his Majesty's
38th regiment, drove from a strong and well constructed
stockade, at least :'OD men, with the'trifiing loss of three men
wounded. . .
, From the precautions which the enemy, on the preseding
evening, appeared to have adopted for the • defence of the road
above alluded to. I felt convinced it must lead to grounds
which it was intended we should not. approach. I therefore.
On the morning of the 20th, left camp, with four companies of.
Europeans from his Majesty's 13th and 38th regiments 250
irepoys, and one gun and n howitzer from the Bengal artillery. •
On approaching the stockade taken on the preceding evening, ;
we found it re-occupied, but only a few shots were fired front •:
it, wounding one man of the 13th regiment. About a mile
further on, we came 'upon two more stockades, admirably con,-
eructed upon well chosen ground, not quite finished, and. •
abandoned by the enemy, all of which were destroyed. Con.;
tinuing to advance through a thickly wooded country, we ob-
served, at every opening in the mad, parties of the retreating
enemy, beyond the reach of musketry, but some excellent .
practice was made with round shot and shrapnels by the air..
tillery. Atter marching in this manner seven miles. front .-
camp, I found the artillery soldiers quite exhausted with fa- , •
tigue, and was under the necessity of' sending back the guns, •
escorted byahe native infantry. Having determined to ada •
Vance with the font coMpanies of Europeans as far as a gar e
plain; which my guide informed me was then only a mile d la .•
tam, ut length the 'road did debauch from•the jungle into : •
extensive valley 'of Paddy Fields (already some inches linden
water), at the end of which, two miles distant; stands the vibe,
lege of Jauayhyvaug, where immediately I observed aniatitia....
L
ties of amoke, as if arising froth a concourse of people cooking,
hawonYwdet'ccSlinelthelliisli'Lliyibirtieniannclisi.dfri'L'eTinil:nettraeintlie:fniercilsli(nr°totbnireiercertne°tlrtu, ebriultrrinpnutgis''llit;a-tai
monywmitelietnulys
isnnitallileitiaetrty , confident
itl,wiiichiiiattat'eredvictionryys,subwmasild
intends
rmeie
et-
from' seeing their Generals drawing out a long line in -rear of
the village, flanked by impenetrable jungles. Our advance
was- by ecliellon of companies, left flank leading direct.
for the village •Jaunyhyvaug, close to which a . heavy-
fire. was suddenly opened upon us from two stockatiesi.
to well masked as not to be distinguished from a-garden
fence, even at the short distance of sixty yards; not a moment
was to be lost, I ordered Brigadier-General Macbean to keep,
the plain with the light company outflanking the stockades and
village, and keeping the enemy's line in check, while the other
three companies, led by that ,gallant soldier Major Evans, tit*
the 38th Regiment, at the head of the two.tlank .coopanies of -
his Regiment, and Major Dennle, of the 13thlight infattry,an
like manner at the bend of a company of his ,Regiment, were .
destened for the attack ; on the order being•given, they rushed
forivard to the assault, with an intrepidity and gallantry 1.
have never Seen surpassed, and in ;less than ten. minutes,
the 'first stockade was carried and cleared,' of :the enemy,
at the . point of the bayonet, many. escaping into the thick
jtitiiengaltetaierki tohfe
trehear;
secondthe twroodrpka, twhietrihminkthiowevecoaiigki,rioeu,tl,tgbdertmareewdgatuiyipa;ri:yer .
switnesso u t caonndl dsufficientlyobstinatelyd. aeeprepnreeedi
companyst
we
us
car.
rsiehil°ien-hii°tBnlitleaYeskaallanlee4gerallati t sty le ; the •garriao n within, fiah t• n r
Man to was put to, thehtlibiceahyitehetare,tgita:milline.,inywreit,:seS:Clloea: in:ntritt.hg,7l.
jungle ineir rear, but thotiewho lied to the plain met a aim- i:
gar tate their cornradela'svithin,),-frorn
Brigaeeneral Machean, who
i:rtlyttve,7;uhtinabeioritsrla.acidrtittivinitiliapouginilee,thtdbsryisiontindiroent
took omen,nt : • • •• . . y.;
q
deer: it the' heavy fall of ten, and tha !gra ai of- --0--;' -0,---i-
-awfi:l4 Piper annd lEi4 the
f) g 38nh,
tarrying by assault, two fortni.,

!., J., 4
414;
*),,

Battalion 25th Regiment Native Inrantry.—lsepoys kihl d; •• I and Ii sepors'-woiinded: • • • • Ritigpere Light Infantry:—l sepoykilled.; 1 naik, drum.
mer; and 4-sepoys (one of whom is since dead) wounded, I •
elephancwouracti.- •

r

stockades, tlefe,ndedby six or seven times their-force, and
• that in the face of what has been ascertained to be the main'
bOdy of the enemy in this part of the country, amounting :to
about seven thousand men, I need not, I trust, endeavoy to
speak in praise of the gallant band I had that day the hondur
to command. • Indeed I feel that nothing I might say could in
adequate terms do 'them justice. Every man appeared to feel
and act as if the honour of his country, and the success of
the enterprise, depended upon his own personal conduct and
exertions. The enemy left three hundred dead in the stockades
• and adjacent &kis, and I hope the nature of the contest will
not admit of our loss being considered great, although soma
valuable Officers and men have been lost to the service, among
whom I have to regret Lieutenant Alexander Howard, o' the
13th Light Infantry, killed, and Lieutenants Michel. and
• O'Halloran, of his Majesty's 311tli regiment, very severely
wouirded, each having since lost a leg by amputation. After
ear-lying the stockades, -I drew up my small force and remained
,an hour in front of the Burmese army, . which . even then, al-
• though late in the day.and ten miles from Inane; I would have
impletriately attacked, had I seen any prospect of bringing them
into action, but a forward movement on ouryart at once Wis.
fit:El me of their intention to retreat into the jungle had we ap-
proached them.
During the whole. of this day, as on ewry other occasion since
we landed, I received the most" aide assistance from Brigadier-
-11mnd Macbean. To him, my Adjutant. General, Lieut.-
Colonel Tidy, antl.the Officers of my, personal Staff my best
'thanks are clue.

At daY-light next morning, I detached Brigadier-General
Macbean with two regiments and some camel howitzers to en.
deayour to fall in with the enemy on the same ground he had
occupied in the preceding day, .but on arriving there not a man
was to be seen, even some stockades were found evacuated and
abandoned, and from the observations of the Brigadier-General
and others, I have, reason to believe the slaughter of the enemy
on the day preceding must have been even greater than that al-
rettdy stated.

• Diming the night of the 2fith, a picquet posted In front of the
great Dagon Pagoda was repeatedly fired upon from-the jungle
in their post., and from the noise of •toices heard, it was conclud-
td that theLiinemy was there in some force. The light company
-of his Majesty's sfith regiment" was in consequence ordered to
the front at day-light to reconnoitre, and at no great distance
came upon a strong masked stockade. With Captain Piper at
their head, they charged and carried in their usual gallant style,
the enemy leaving 21 men dead on the field ; on our 'part only
five men were wounded.
On the 29th I detached Lieut.-Colonel ,Godwin, of the 41st
regiment, with a small force against Iluain. He found the
place totally deserted, and too insignificant and unimportant to
merit further notice. lie returned here next day.
I have. &c.
• A. CAMPBELL, Brig.-Gen.
P.S. Herewith I have the honour to inclose a return of the
lolled and wounded in the different aiTairs with-the enemy since
the 21st up to the alit inclusive. - A. C.

General Return of Killed, 'Wounded, anti Missing, of the
Troops composing the Expedition under •the Command of
Briglulier.Oeneral Sir A. Campbell, K.C.13., serving against
the. Dominions of the King of A va :
His Majesty's 13th Light Infantry-1' Lieutenant killed; 1
bught-anti 9 rank and file wounded; 1 bugler and 1 private
. since dicd of their wounds.
Ills Majesty's 36th Foot-2 rank and file killed'; 2 Lieutenants,
2 serjeants, and I 5 rank anti file wounded; 2 privates since
died of their wounds • •
Ist itattalion 9th Native Infantry--1 serjean.t or havildar, and
ti rank and file wounded • 1 private since died of his wounds.
Battalion lOth Native Infantry—Vrank and file wounded.
.Ilia :Majesty's 13th Light In fantry--:Nanie of the Officer killed,
Lieut. Alexander Howard:
,fl is Ilfajesty's 33th foot-- Names of Officers wounded, Lieu.
tenants George Michell and Edward O'Halloran; the for-
mer suffered amputation of the right leg end severely wound.
ed in the left ; the latter' suffered amputation of the left leg.
1 seaman of the lion. Company's cruiser Telgnmouth killed,
whilst sounding.

F. 'I'IDY, Lieut.-Col. D. A. 0

' Copy of a Report from Major %rehab ton Brigadier-General
• Sir A. Campbell, K.C.8., datedon board the Heroine, 211th
)fay, 1024.
Sir—ln conformity to the instructions. I had the honour of
receiving from you, the three ships thereby ordered separated
from the fleet on the sth inst., and on the evening of the 11th
anchored off'Pagoda Point near Negrais.
• On the morning of the 12th we again got under weigh, and
with some difficulty got in the river, and at noon anchored off
the middle of the island. Towards four, p.m., boats were seen
snaking from.) the northern part of the island towards the main
jamb I desired Capt. Coodridge to get the ships under weigh
immediately, and I got the troops on board the Heroine ready
• for landing, having previously got the flat bottom boat launch.
ed for that purpose. Accordingly about sunset I landed with
a party of troops, and having gone over the northern extremity
without seeing any one. I returned towards the point where
honied. Two companies having landed by this time, I directed
guards and sentries to .be posted in varmint directions for Its
security and returned to. my ship.
On the following morning at daylight, two parties (pte-
viously warned for this fluty) one under the command of' Capt.
Ogilvie, composed of the troops on hoard the Carron, was di.
rected to explore and licarch the Island from the Southward ;
• the other under Captain Tod, of four companies from the
Heroine, to proceed along the foot of the hill until he met with
•Capt. Ogilvie.
The latter party, after six hours of indiscribable labour
- through an almost impenetable jungle, and up to their middle
in water, returned without being able to see or discover any
thing. The former, after, .searching the, southern side of the
island, came up by its eastern side and joines at sunset; the
atilt of the troops landed at its northern extremity, with the
same success, and without discovering it single spring of fresh
water or habitation of any kind.
Front the above survey it is evident that the island of Negrals
is perfectly barren, and covered with an almost impenetrable
jungle anti deep inlets of salt water, not pi oducing any article
of subsistence fin- troops. The only spot is in the northern
exkremhy of it, where the jungle has been cleared away suffi.
&tidy to build a few fishermen's huts, without any signs of
•:ca:tivation.
Under these circumstances, it became necessary to search for
some place where supplies of provisions might be procured for
the nubsistence of the troops destined to keep possession of the
island. With this view, I crossed over to the main land, with
.a partrof troops, and, accompanied by two or three Officers,
, proceeded in search of some village ; after sailing up near ten
niiles, we came to a village, whence, on seeing us, the inhabi-
•-tants began to fly; but as it was my desire to conciliate them as
• . much as possible, I made them understand by signs (not hay.
. ing any one to interpret), that we should not molest them, and
. directing the Sepoys to keep at a little distance, I proceeded to
. the village with the other Officers. The inhabitants, after a
little, seemed pleased at our visit, and those that fled, began to
return with their families and goods, and we made them un-
derstand by signs, that we wished to have provision, for which
we would pay in money s they appeared satisfied, and as well
as we could understand, said they would bring us provisions of
WI kinds. •
Under as idea that these people would be induced to bring
, supplies of provisions to the troops destined 'to keep possession
.of the island, without which they could not possibly remain
long there, its there was only a few weeks supply on board, I
• directed five companies to be disembarked, with their baggage,
and directed the two ships, that were to return with me, to corn-
. plete their water as quick as possible.
The next evening a number of people . were seen collected at
a point on the main land, opposite to the island, about five
Miles distant, but thinking that they came out of curiosity, I
- took no further notice of them, than ordering a .strict look out
..to hue kept towards them.
The following days were occupied in completing the water
of the two ships ; hat on the morning of the•l7th, observing the
numbers collected on the opposite side to be very considerable,
and continually increasing, and that they were accompanied
by boats of a large description, I considered that their • inten-
tions could be nolonger deemed peaceable, and as I discovered
that a stockade hed been thrown up, I ordered immediately
two companies, under Lieut Stedman, to embark in boats and:
cross over to the main laud, and three other companies, under
Captain Ogilvie, for their support, to embark on the return of
the boats, there being only five capable of conveying troops,
and that not above 250 men at a time. Accordingly they were
emberked about noon, but the wind and current were so much
against them, it being flood tido, that they were earl* away
four miles beyond the point, I intended to land them at, and
were brought close to where the stockade had been constructed ;
fortunately the boats reached the same place nearly at the same
' time, Lieutenant Stedman having colleeted them and formed
them in order, he found there was no tithe to be 10st in wait.
ing for the party under Ceptain Ogilvie,and he determined to
attack them immediately with the party that had already landed,
and on his advance the enemi opened their gluts upon him.
Lieut. Stedman's letter, which, I have the honour to inclose,
will explain the result and success. of his attack.
The leeatly conduct ef die troops, employetton this occasion,
the celerity of their :avarice, and steadiness of their lire, seem
. to have shaken the courage of the enemy • and, on the troops
Innetradng the stockade by en °perks which fOrtunately had
net been completed, thane enemy
leaving every thing tied .0 the .iitmost disorder,
behind them ; the rotit Most complete,
. they lied in the utmeet -cautery • amen in every, direetittn ; tllyy
. must have suffered severely as they were collected in volt nitm-
hns to the innettnt of about eight hundred, within NOWA an
-enclosure..
There were six found dead the followingmOrnitig at a little

distance from the stockade ; our loss considering the exposed
situation of the men was Anal', being one killed and five
wounded, the Jemidar died during the night.
The troops took possession of ten or twelve guns, brass and
iron,iif various calibres ; muskets., spears, and bows, without
number, from forty to fitly boats, some of a -very large descrip-
tion, with a quantity of gunpowder and balls &c.
The guns have been taken on board the cripser Mercury, and
all other articles were egmpletely destroyed.
The island of NegralS is a barren desert covered with an im•
penetrable jungle, and the low part towards the southlard,
seems to be covered with saltwater; at the northern extremity
is a hill, with an oldpagoda upon it, and at the foot of it to the
• westward is a small Hat covered with jungle, where it has been
safficiently cleared only to erect a few fishermen's huts, and
it has no signs of cultivation. It is evident from the desolate
appearance of the island, that it has never been considered by
the Burman Government as a place of any importance, nor can
it he.Macle defensible by them, nor is there a village within ten,
miles of it on the main land.--I have, &c.
.1. WAHAB, Major,
• Commanding the 12th Madras Native Light Infantry.

Copy ot a.Report from Lieutenant Stedman, to. the Officer
conimandiv 2d Battalion 17th Regiment, dated on board the
Heroine, 1 th May, 1824.' •
SIR-I have the honour to report that, agreeable to orders of
yesterday's date, I crossed the river, and landed with the three
companies detailed to accompany me, at about three o'clock,
and within three quarters of a mile of the eucmy, whose ap.
*ranee before teaching the shore, left me little doubt as to
their intention of opposing our approach beyond the spot on
which it was •evident they had strongly stockaded themselves. As
the day was too far advanced to expect any reinforcement under
Captain Ogilvie, and as our situation, from not knowing the
strength of the Birmans, did not ensure success against them, I
determined to detain the boats that brought us, in case it might
be necessary to retreat to the ship, at the same time ordering
the companies (all of whom landed nearly at the same mo-
ment) to follow the advance guard at the distance of fifty
pace. We had proceeded but a short space, when I observed
the guard in advance to halt, and I received intimation that
they were already close under a breast-work of the enemy, sur.
rounded with guns, which the thick jungle along the beach had
prevented my observing, or indeed any of the party in advance
till very close to it. Delay, however, under any circumstances„
wag to he avoided, and us I had made up my mind to return
their tire the instant they commenced it. I pushed on, desiring
the advance to join their companies, and having -loaded, re-
turned their first shot from cannon and small arms, with a vol-
ley,
which was followed up by a charge and an incessant fire'
on them from the rear companies for the space of ten minutes,
when the breastworks, with guns complete, was ours, and all
our attention was directed to the stockade itself, in which, at
this period, at least 700 armed men were observable. Provi-
dentially for us an opening to the right of the stockade from
the breast-work had not been completed, into which we con.
tinued to pour our fire with such success, that the enemy were
observed to decamp with the greatest precipitation, leaving us
their cannon, and indeed every thing they were possessed of; a
list of which, with a return of killed and wounded, will be
found in the margin.* I cannot conclude this report without
expressing my entire approbation of the conduct of all con.
cerned on this occasion, for to all I feel my best acknow-
ledgments are due, though were I to particularize the services
of Lieutenants Lindsay, Haig, and Hutchings, were such as to
entitle them to praise more valuable than mine. Our
loss is so trifling, when I consider the means the enemy had of
annoying us, that it can only be atributed to their fire being
directed too high. I have, Ste.
J. C. STEDIII.AN, Lieut. commanding Detachment,
2d Batt.l7th Reg. of C. L. I.

Copy of a Report from Captain Goodridge commanding the
'cruizer Mercury, to Brigadier-General 'Sir A. Campbell,
K.C.8., dated off Rangoon, May 27, 1124.
Sir—l have the honour to report the arrival at this anchorage,
of the Ilonourable Company's cruizer Mercury, under my
command, to await your further orders, and to acquaint you
in compliance with the instructions received from Commodore
Grant, of his Majesty's Royal Navy, I effected the purpose
on the 12th May, P.m. for which 1 was directed to accompany
Major Wallah, of the .17th Madras Native Infantry, to the
island of Negrais, on which
•a party was landed by Major
and the British flag hoisted without opposition.
On the 16th our attention was called to a collection of men
and boats on the opposite side of the river; a party was sent,
accompanied by the Mercury, which produced a letter from
the •Governor of Bassine.
On the 17th a stockade was, perceived, of some extent and
strength, var. We weighed anchor in company with a party
of troops. dt half Past four anchored off the stockade, the
party having previously landed from all the boats procurable.
At five r.sr. the Binnans opened an indifferent fire on the
troops, when I commenced along range shot, and after tiring
a foe rounds from our long guns, the troops marched into the
stockade without further opposition, on winch occasion I have
to report the capture of twenty-eight boats (all of which were
destroyed), and fourteen pieces of small cannon.
• The island of Negrais is confined to about six miles in cir-
rirnferenee, extending N.E. and S.W. On the S.W. end,
there is a plain of some extent covered with grass, on which I
saw a number of cattle, and enclosures for a very small quan.
tity of rico ; the hills and other parts are quite woody ; no run
of water_ was discovered, but confined to wells they are ca-
pable of producing a great deal with a little attention.
The entrance into Negrais harbour I considered difficult,
and only to be effected with great precaution ; the channel
being extremely narrow, it is quite secure front all winds; the
river beyond that to Bassine is, from my own observations, and
what I have since collected, clear and safe front the island to
Bassine.—l have the honour to be, &c.
R. GOODRIDGE, Captain H. C. C. Mercury.
•
Extract from a Dispatch front Brigadier-General Sir Archibald
Campbell, dated 4th June, 1024.
On the 2d instant I received information that the enemy had
assembled in great force, and were stockading themselves at
Kemmendine, intending to attack our lines, and that the mes-
,aengert who had been sent in, were as I suspected, spies, I
theretbre ordered ' two strong columns of reconnoissance from
the yludras division to move on the following morning upon two
roads leading from the great Dagon Pagoda to the village of
Kemmendine, the right column under the command of Lieut.-
Colonel Hodgson, the other under the command of Lieutenant
Colonel Smith, proceeding myself up the Rangoon River with
two of the Honourable Company's cruizers and three compa-
nies of the 41st Regiment, for the purpose of observing the
enemy's force, and making a diversion in favour of any
attack which might be made by land. In the course of two
hours we were abreast of the enemy's encampment. The troops
landed and burnt every hut to the ground, brought away one
war bout and destroyed another, carried off an 18-pound carro.
nade, all without the least annoyance from the enemy, who
either fled into the jungle or retired into a very large stockade,
which I observed close by, and front which some guns were
fired, killing and wounding a few men.
In the coarse of the morning the two columns, coming down
from the Great Dagon Pagoda, met close to the stockade of
Kemmendine, just alluded to, 'and an effort was made to enter
it, which, I hays no doubt would have succeeded but for the
occurrence of some mistake; and as the attack was never in
any way persevered in, I do not 'much regret the result, as it
will tend to lull our crafty foe into a security that may soon
prove fatal to him. I am anxiously employed in preparing
transport for the future progress of the expedition. We have
already captured 50 or 60 large cargo boats, which are getting
cut down and made more manageable, and are calculated, on
an average, to carry a complement of 60 men each.
The second embarkation from Madras, consisting of his Ma-
jesty's 89th regiment, and two battalions of native infantry, has
arrived in the river.

• List of killed and wounded, with a detachment of the 2d
battalion 17th regiment, or C.L. I. under the command of Lieu-
tenant Stedman.-1 jemidar, 1 sepoy killed ; 2 naigues, 2 se-
pays wounded.
List of stores taken ami destroyed by a detachment of the 2d
battalion 17th regiment, or C.L.I. under the command of Lieu-
tenant Stedman-10 pieces of ordinance, of different calibre ;
between 80 and 60 boats, containing rice and military storm