1824     THE BURMESE WAR     437

his arrangements, and at 11 h. 30 m. a.m. every thing was in readiness to assault their trenches. A short but heavy cannonade ensued, and at noon the British columns moved forward to their respective points of attack. They were saluted, after a momentary pause, by a very spirited fire, in spite of which they advanced to the works, and quickly put their defenders to the route. The Burmese left many dead behind them, and their main force was completely dispersed. On receiving this information, Captain Chads sent every disposable man from the Arachne, under Mr. James B. Manley, acting master, with twenty sepoys, in the steam-vessel, up to Captain Ryves, to endeavour to intercept their boats and cut off their retreat ; they had, however, already deserted the neighbourhood of Kemmendine.

" ` Thus,' says Captain Chads in his official report, ' has this formidable attack ended in the total discomfiture of the enemy; (having called forth from the very small force I have the honour to command, in every instance, the greatest gallantry and uniform good conduct, under the utmost exertions by day and night, the greatest part of them having been in the boats since the starting of the expedition for Pegu, on the 26th ultimo.

" ' From Captain Ryves I have received all the aid and counsel that a good and valuable officer could afford ; his determined perseverance in holding his ground, when the fire-rafts came down, merit the highest commendation ; and from his ready and zealous co-operation with the post at Kemmendine, that place was greatly relieved in the arduous contest it was engaged in.

" ' Of Lieutenant Kellett I cannot speak in terms sufficiently strong to express my admiration of his uniform gallantry.

" ' Lieutenant Goldfinch's conduct has also been most conspicuous, together with that of all the midshipmen named in my reports, not one of whom but has shown individual acts of great bravery.

" ' Also to Mr. Manley, the master, who has, from necessity, been frequently left in charge of the ship during my absence, I feel much indebted. ' *

" In another despatch, addressed to Sir Archibald Campbell, the commander of the Arachne says:

" ' It becomes a most pleasing duty to me to recommend to your favourable notice, officers in the honourable company's service, whose good conduct has been conspicuous in the recent attack of the enemy. The first I ought to name is Mr. W. Binny, agent for transports of the Bengal division, in charge of

* Lieutenant Keele was then at Martaban, where he remained in command of the naval detachment until all the European troops were ordered back to Rangoon, about the end of 1824.

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