The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1885-11-25
TIE INVASION OF BURMAH.
King Theebaw Declares War
Against Great Britain.
The Asiatic Ruler t, Lea1 His
Troops in Person.

A dispatch from Rangoon, Burmah, states
that "King Thsebaw has issued a proclama-
ton declaring he will not accept the absurd
proposals of the Indian government, and
therefore declaring war. He promises per-
sonaily to lead his troops, and calls upon his
subjects to fight for the defense of their coun-
try and religion. Europeans are not to be
molested until the invaders cross the frontier,
when all are to be slain. Many Europeans
are leaving Mandalay unhindered"
Advices from Mandalay, the capital of
Burmah. state that the Burmese have de-
tainel the steamer Doowoon, which was sent
to Mandalay to bring away Europeans, and
threaten to burn her if she attempts to leave.
Tho foreigners are not allowed to leave Man
dalay. The British expeditionary force
under General Prendergast is about to cross
the frontier of Burmah.
Tie flotilla comprises forty-five steamers,
flats anI floating batteries, the latter being
fttel out from six of the largest barges.
Each of the floating batteries carries two
sixty-pounder howitzers and is attended by
armed launches. Twelve twenty-five FOUNDER
siege guns are mounted on the steamers. The
force numbers 10, 900 men, 1000 camp follow
ers, 500 mules and two elephant batteries.
1t is stated that the strength Of the Bur-
mese standing army is about 10000 men,
which, however, can be considerably in.
creased by irregular and temporary leyies.
The army is almost altogether lacking
in cavalry and artillery. The con-
s'itution Of the regular force is some
what similar to the linked battalion
system Of the British infantry, two bodies,
each $40 strong, being linked into something
equivalent to a regiment. The battalion is
commanded by a "bogyi," under whom are
GERS are very deficient in military training
When In the field the Burmese army. is rapid
in movement, and quickly forms intrench.
ments, %excavating holes to obtain shelter
both from the enemy'S fire and the
weather. Behind these rudely forme.
earthworkS, and under the i'm.
preston that the position cannot be turned,
the Burmese warrior is decidedly dangerous.
foe in that he provides his own comnlissariat,
carrying a supply OF rice around his waist
and for other provisions depending upon the
resources of the country through which
he passes. The Burmese are regarded as
adopts in river fighting. There are a num-
Der of war-boats on the Irrawaddy, mainly
supplied by towns and villages along the riv-
ers, which are under obligation to provide a
certain number of boats, with their crews of
IOWluS dJu IlSut2lS lLrCA, " LILY w oOf-
enty OF whom are carried by each boat.
In the last Burmese ware great deal of
ANNOYANCE was caused the English by fire.
boats, freighted with highly infammable
material. Comparatively little difficulty if'
dealing with river craft is now anticipated.
Machine and other guns, supplemented with
rockets, will probably make short work Of
the opposition that may be offered on
the river. Commanding positions on
<lo I,-lye hN1ryauor ~ o1roo1u IN
closed by stockades and fortified,
and for use against these a number Of
heavy guns are being carried. Transport
Was provided by the lrrawaddy Flotilla
company, all of whose available steamers
and flats were hired by the British govern
ment. The steamers are paddle-wheel,
spacious craft Of 500 tons burden,
shallow in hull and light in draught,
with high upper decks, on which
structed in parts on the Clyde and put to-
gether at Rangoon. The steamers tow a
couple of flats, one on each side. The latter,
with their corrugated iron awnings, resem-
BILE huge floating sheds and are each capable
of carrying nearly 500 men, with a large
quantity of stores.
The river warns with native craft, and is
n~avigable only by daylight. For nine miles
above T~hayetmayo the river is a mile and a
half broad, with villages houses inning
the banks Of the winding stream. .Minhla,
which contains 5000 inhabitants, completely
commands the river, and until it is taken no
advance beyond the town can be made. Abort
of modern construction and scientific design
occupies a dominating position overbanging
the river, and its we'll formed earthworks
are tolerably we'll mounted with guns of
modern calibre. Above Minhla the river
gradually widens to as much as four miles,
but it is very shallow, and the navigable
channel is known only to experienced pilots.