1825	The Burmese War	450

Lieutenant Wilkinson having been despatched from Prome in order to reconnoitre the river, captured on the 1st of May, without any loss, eight war-boats, pulling each fifty oars, and laden with ordnance stores. It is a proof how inefficient the enemy were in regard to warlike operations, as practical gunnery for this service was performed in the face of, and under the fire of 500 musketeers, and yet not a man was hurt. Captain Alexander, in mentioning the gallant behaviour of Lieutenant Wilkinson, remarks, " that the capture of these boats liberated 3000 canoes, with families in them, driven before the retreating force of the Prince of Sarrawaddy."

The months of June, July, and August, were passed by Sir Archibald Campbell at Prome. Captain Chads returned, after the occupation of that place, to Rangoon. Captain Marryat, who was promoted to the command of the Tees, left the Rangoon about the middle of May. Captain Ryves was invalided. Lieutenant Edward Blanckley of the Alligator, was promoted to the Sophie, and departed from the station shortly afterwards, leaving the Alligator and Arachne, the only men-of-war, at Rangoon. Captain Chads desired both ships, during the wet monsoon, to be unrigged and secured by means of bamboos thatched with leaves. " The gun-boats were placed at equal distances, forming," says Mr. Marshall, " a chain of posts between Rangoon and Prome, by which means, provisions were forwarded to form a depot for the ensuing campaign under a safe protection.

The forces under Sir Archibald Campbell, previously to the opening of the campaign, amounted to only 6148 men. From this number he had to garrison Prome ; he therefore ordered 2100 men to be sent from Rangoon and Donoobew, which would swell his effective force to 8248 men. The enemy, who viewed with increased alarm the approach of the English towards their capital, were not inactive spectators of the coming storm ; 40,000 men, under Memia-boo, the half-brother of the king, were collected and stationed at various cities, the principal force being concentrated at Meaday.

Before hostilities commenced, Sir Archibald Campbell addressed a letter to the court of Ava, dated the 5th of August, offering to enter into pacific negotiation ; but, previously to any answer being received, Memia-boo had advanced to Meaday, and it became necessary to check his approach to the British force at Prome. Brigadier-general Cotton was therefore sent in the Diana, with a small force, to reconnoitre. Captain Alexander commanded the gun-boats, and on the 15th of August the object of the expedition was fully answered. The town of Meaday stands on the left bank of the Irrawaddi ; a nullah runs into the river immediately below it. The bank of the river was strongly stockaded, and the place altogether presented a

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