460     APPENDIX TO THE BURMESE WAR

about two miles above us, and considering it possible that at night, during the ebb, they might attack any of the flotilla that remained in advance, when we, from the rapidity of the current, could not render them any assistance, I thought fit to shift the Thetis, at the last of the flood, about a quarter of a mile above the point, directing the flotilla to drop with the ebb below the stockade on the opposite point, which they accordingly did.

At noon on the 11th, observing the signal agreed upon, when the general wanted communication with us to be made, I sent an officer to answer it, who returned with intelligence of the troops having possession of Kemmendine, and with a request from the general, that two of the gun-flotilla and two row-boats might be left at that place; I accordingly directed the flotilla, with the above exceptions, to proceed to Rangoon with the evening's ebb. At 6 p.m. the Thetis weighed, and, with the boats ahead to tow, began to drop down the river.

From the place where we had been at anchor we had seen a great smoke and flame, apparently proceeding from the back of the stockade on the pagoda point ; but which, on our opening the entrance of the creek, we discovered to be a very large fire-raft, composed of a number of country boats fastened together, and rapidly drifting clown with the stream. By endeavouring to avoid the raft, together with the effect of the strong current setting out of the creek, the Thetis unfortunately grounded on the opposite bank of the river, where, in spite of every exertion, she remained until high water next morning.

The raft grounded on the pagoda point, where it remained burning the whole of the night; although occasionally large masses separated from the main body and drifted down the river. The most dangerous of these masses were towed on shore by Mr. [George] Winsor, of the Sophie, in the Larne's gig, who described them to be composed of canoes, filled with tar, matting, bamboos, &c. During the night there were some shot fired at the Thetis from the stockades, but without effect. At daylight on the 12th, having succeeded in getting her afloat, we proceeded down the river and anchored at Rangoon.

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No. 2.

See page 425.

Having observed a disposition to recross part of their force to the Dalla side of the river, I determined, on the 8th instant, to make as general an attack as the very woody and inundated state of the country would possibly admit of. For that purpose, I formed the force to be employed into two columns of attack ; one proceeding by land, under the command of that excellent and indefatigable officer Brigadier-general Macbean, for the purpose of surrounding the enemy on the land side ; while I, with the other, proceeded by water to attack their stockaded position, along the banks of the river in front. To this post the enemy appeared to attach the greatest importance, and the stockades were so constructed as to afford mutual support, presenting difficulties apparently not to be overcome without a great sacrifice of lives. I therefore resolved to try the effect of shelling,