1825	The Burmese War	446

commenced from a position which was instantly carried by the boats' crews of the Alligator. The division now continued its course, destroying some fire-rafts, which were rendered ineffectual from the activity and vigilance of the seamen. On the 19th the outworks of the stockade of Panlang, and shortly afterwards the stockade itself, was carried without much opposition ; the garrison consisted, previously to the assault, of 4000 men, and a vast number of war-boats supported the stockade on the right. The place was afterwards garrisoned by the English ; Captain David Ross, with 25 men, was left in command, and the Satellite was ordered to protect and shelter them.

Sir Archibald Campbell arrived at Meondaga on the evening of the 19th, and then taking the road by Sarrawah, continued his march in the direction of Donoobew. It was at Theeboon that Sir Archibald heard of the success of the second or marine division, and likewise that no delay had occurred, but that the boats had reached the Irrawaddi. On the 6th of March the white pagoda of Donoobew was seen by the flotilla. " Brigadier-general Cotton, and Captain Alexander proceeded to reconnoitre a succession of formidable stockades, commencing at the pagoda, and increasing in strength until completed by the main work, which was lofty, and situated upon a very commanding site ; surrounded by a strong abbatis, with deep ditches, and all the customary defences : the guns appeared to be numerous, and the garrison were seen in crowds upon all the works." * A reconnoissance was made on the left bank of the river, the enemy opening a heavy fire from about 30 pieces of heavy artillery. Bandoola himself was at Donoobew, and refused any kind of surrender which Brigadier-general Cotton thought fit to request by means of a flag of truce. The strength of the place having been ascertained, it was judged advisable not to attack the main work, and the landing was effected below the stockades, the flotilla commanding the river.

The first attack was made on the morning of the 7th, by a division of 500 men, which were divided into two columns, one under Lieutenant-colonel O'Donoghue, and the other under Major James Basden. The boats supported the columns as they advanced to the attack, and although the enemy made a good resistance, and were nearly 3000 in number, they were forced from the pagoda stockade, and according to the best accounts, about 450 were killed. The next attack was upon a second stockade, a few hundred yards from the pagoda, and here, although the British fought with a determination rarely if ever surpassed, they were met by an equal resistance, and after a long struggle, in which Captain Rose of the 89 was killed, and a heavy loss sustained, the attacking column was ordered

* Marshall, vol. v., p. 166.

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