Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall v3p1.djvu/361

 Campbell, and who was then employed in surveying the river above Kemmendine.

On receiving intelligence of the occupation of Rangoon, by the British armament, the Court of Ava was far from feeling any apprehension or alarm: on the contrary, the news was welcomed as peculiarly propitious; the destruction of the invaders was regarded as certain; and the only anxiety entertained was, lest they should effect a retreat before they were punished for their presumption. Notwithstanding the unseasonable period of the year, therefore, orders were sent to collect as large a force as possible to surround and capture the British, and Sykia Wongee (third minister of state) was despatched to assume the chief command. The result of these arrangements was little calculated to inspire the Court with confidence either in its officers or men.

On the morning of the 1st July, the Burman force was discovered in motion: the main body drew up upon the left of the British lines in front of the Kemmendine stockades and the Shwe-da-gon pagoda; but they were screened from observation by the intervening thicket, and their disposition and strength could not be ascertained. Three columns, estimated at 1000 men each, moved across to tht right of the line, where they came in contact with the piquets of the 7th and 22nd regiments of Madras native infantry, which steadily maintained their ground against these superior numbers. The enemy then penetrated between the piquets, and occupied a hill, whence they commenced an ineffective fire, but were speedily dislodged by three companies of the above regiments with a gun and howitzer, under the personal command of Sir Archibald Campbell, who had the satisfaction of seeing them fly in every direction towards their favorite haunt, and only place of safety, the jungle; leaving at least 100 dead on the field.

“Major Snodgrass seems to have forgotten the part which the navy bore in repulsing this large force; and that, when, to distract our operations and destroy the shipping, not fewer than fifty-three of their huge fire-rafts, protected by gun-boats, were sent down the river towards the fleet at