1824     THE BURMESE WAR     435

was the capture of seven war-boats, one of which-was 96 feet long, 13 feet 6 inches in breadth, and 6 feet deep, pulling 76 oars, and, as did three of the others, mounting a long 9-pounder on the bow. ' Lieutenant Kellett's conduct on this, and on former occasions, speaks for itself, and,' says Captain Chads, ' I trust will meet with its due reward. Lieutenant Goldfinch is a valuable officer, and merits every praise ; Lieutenant Kellett reports the high gallantry of every individual under his command. On their return, they cut adrift and brought down a large floating stockade from Pagoda point ; and what adds to the value of this service is, that it was performed without the loss of a man. ' In Sir A. Campbell's report to the Supreme Government, of the operations of his army at this period, we find the following passages

" ' During the 3d and 4th the enemy carried on his labours with indefatigable industry, and but for the inimitable practice of our artillery, commanded by Captain Murray, in the absence, from indisposition, of Lieutenant-colonel (Charles) Hopkinson, we must have been severely annoyed by the incessant fire from his trenches.'

" ' The attacks upon Kemmendine continued with unabating violence ; but the unyielding spirit of Major Yates and his steady troops, although exhausted with fatigue and want of rest, baffled every attempt on shore, while Captain Ryves, with his majesty's sloop Sophie, the honourable company's cruiser Teignmouth, and some flotilla and row gun-boats, nobly maintained the long established fame of the British navy, in defending the passage of the river against the most furious assaults of the enemy's war-boats, advancing under cover of the most tremendous fire-rafts, which the unwearied exertions of British sailors could alone have conquered.'

" Sir Archibald next proceeds to acquaint the governor-general in council, that the ' intrepid conduct of Lieutenants Kellett and Goldfinch merits the highest praise ; ' and he then adds

" " The enemy having apparently completed his left wing, with its full complement of artillery and warlike store, I determined to attack that part of his line early on the morning of the 5th. I requested Captain Chads, the senior naval officer here, to move up to the Puzendown creek during the night, with the gun-flotilla, bomb-ketch, &c., and commence a cannonade on the enemy's rear at daylight. This service was most judiciously and successfully performed by that officer, who has never yet disappointed me in my most sanguine expectations. The enemy was defeated and dispersed in every direction. The Cassay horse fled, mixed with the retreating infantry, and all their artillery, stores, and reserve depots, which had cost them so much toil and labour to get up, with a great quantity of small-arms, gilt chattahs, standards, and other trophies, fell into our hands.

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