Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall v3p1.djvu/455

 chef-d’oeuvre of Burman fortification .” By ten o’clock the next morning, 28 pieces of ordnance were in battery, on points presenting a front of more than one mile on the eastern bank of the Irrawaddy, which corresponded with the enemy’s line of defence on the opposite shore. The preceding night had been devoted by the enemy to preparations equally laborious, and the construction of extensive and well planned works, with a view to the resistance on which they had resolved. At 11, Sir Archibald ordered his batteries and rockets to open their fire, which was warmly kept up, and with such precision of practice as to reflect the highest credit on that branch of the service.

During this period, the troops intended for the assault were embarking in the boats of H.M. ships, and part of the armed flotilla, at a point above the British encampment, under the superintendence and direction of Captain Chads. About 1, the desired impression having been produced by the cannonade, and every thing reported ready. Sir Archibald directed the above brigade, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel R. H. Sale, to drop down the river, and assault the main face of the enemy’s position, near its south-eastern angle; and Brigadier-General Cotton’s division to cross above Melloone, and, after carrying some outworks, to attack the northern face of the principal work.

Although the whole of the boats, &c. rowed off together from the left bank, the strength of the current, and a strong northerly breeze, carried the gallant Sale’s brigade to the given point of attack, before Brigadier-General Cotton’s division, notwithstanding every exertion, could reach the opposite shore. The Lieutenant-Colonel was unfortunately wounded in his boat; but the troops having landed, and formed with admirable regularity, under the command of Major William Frith, of H.M. 38th regiment, rushed on to the assault with their usual intrepidity, and were, in a short time, complete masters of a work which had been rendered most formidable by 