Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall v3p1.djvu/363

  support, presenting difficulties apparently not to be overcome without a great sacrifice of lives, ''I therefore resolved to try the effect of shelling, and consulted with Captain Marryat upon the employment of such armed vessels as he might select to breach, in the event of our mortar practice not succeeding. The shells were thrown at too great distance to produce the desired effect, and the swampy state of the country would not admit of any advance. The armed vessels, viz. the Satellite, Teignmouth, Thetis, and Jessey, the whole under the command of Lieutenant Fraser, of H.M.S. Larne, now took their stations according to a disposition made by Captain Marryat, and opened a fire, which soon silenced that of 14 pieces of artillery, besides swivels and musketry from the stockades, and in one hour the preconcerted signal of ‘breach practicable,’ was displayed at the main-mast head.'' The troops, as previously arranged, entered their boats on the signal being hoisted. The assault was made in the best order and handsomest style: Major Wahab, with the native infantry, landed, and immediately attacked the breach, while Lieutenant-Colonel (Henry) Godwin, almost at the same instant, pushed ashore a little higher up, and entered the work by escalade: the enemy kept up a sharp, but ill-directed fire, while the troops were landing, but, as usual, fled on our making a lodgment in the place. I now ordered Lieutenant-Colonel Godwin to re-embark with the detachment of the 41st regiment, and attack the second stockade, which was immediately carried in the same style. The third stockade was evacuated by the enemy.

“The cool and gallant conduct of all the troops on this occasion was, to me, a most gratifying sight. To the officers and men of the breaching vessels every praise is due; and I much regret that severe indisposition prevented Captain Marryat from being present to witness the result of his arrangements.

“The inundated state of the country did not admit of any communication with Brigadier-General Macbean from the shipping, nor did I know the result of the operations of his column, until I returned to Rangoon in the evening. Nothing could be more brilliant and successful! He took, by assault, seven strong stockades in the most rapid succession, throwing the enemy into the utmost consternation; and he had also the good fortune to fall in with a large body flying from a stockade attacked by the shipping, of whom a great number were killed.”

Ten stockades were thus taken from the enemy in one day, and upwards of 800 of his best troops were left dead