Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall v3p1.djvu/405

 the officers and men of the Arachne, and the well-disposed part of the inhabitants, to subdue the flames.

The 14th passed without any other attempts on the part of the enemy; during the day, however, he was seen above Kemmendine, transporting large bodies of troops from the Dalla to the Rangoon side of the river. For many urgent reasons. Sir Archibald Campbell determined to attack him on the following day, rather than wait his pleasure as to time and place of meeting.

Thinking it probable that the enemy’s preparations for fire-rafts might be destroyed, and as he had before sent a force up the Panlang branch of the river, without finding any thing. Captain Chads now resolved to despatch one up the Lyne branch, under Lieutenant Kellett, consisting of the steam-vessel, with forty marines and soldiers for her defence; the Prince of Wales, towed by the Diana; and the pinnaces of the Arachne and Sophie. He thus describes the result of this expedition^ in an official letter to Captain Coe, dated Dec. 16, 1824.

“Before day-light yesterday morning, they proceeded with the first of the flood, and at a short distance above Pagoda Point, saw large numbers of the enemy’s war-boats, at least 200, who retired in good order as they advanced, keeping up a smart Are from their long guns, five boats having them mounted, and taking their distance that the carronades should not reach them; when about seven miles up, a raft was drawn right across the river, and set on fire by them, to prevent the advance of our vessels; but an opening was found, and Lieutenant Kellett, now seeing the river quite clear, with great judgment, decreasing the power of steam, deceived the enemy, and lulled them into security; when, putting on the whole force again, and casting off the Prince of Wales, he was immediately within grape and musketry distance; the enemy, finding themselves in this situation, drew up in a regular line to receive him: this little band was not, however, to be daunted by their show of resistance, but nobly dashed on, although the Prince of Wales was out of sight; the heavy fire from the boats’ carronades, and musketry, threw the enemy into confusion and panic, and they flew in all directions, leaving us in possession of three of their large war-boats; one belonging to the chief, mounting three guns, and pulling 60 oars; the other two, one in their bow, 9 and 6-pounders; with about forty other boats of all descriptions, many of them loaded with ammunition and provisions for their army before Rangoon.

“The securing of thirty of these boats, and destroying the others, took

