tance. A number of fire rafts were
destroyed, but the Burmese were too disheartened to offer any
resistance.

To the disappointment of the troops, the general was able to take
with him only a limited force; for the difficulties of carriage
were enormous and, as experience had shown that the country was
likely to be deserted, and devastated, on their approach; it was,
therefore, impossible for the bulk of the army to be taken on, by
land. There were other points, however, where the troops left
behind could be profitably employed. The capture of the important
town of Bassein, on the main branch of the Irrawaddy, would open
the river to the passage of our ships, and put an entire stop to
the trade of Ava.

The force told off for the advance against Donabew was divided into
two columns. The first, 2400 strong--consisting of the 38th, 41st,
and 47th Regiments, three native battalions, the troop of
bodyguard; a battery of Bengal horse artillery, and part of the
rocket company--was to march by land.

The second column, which was to proceed by water, was 1169 strong;
and it consisted of the 89th Regiment, the 10th Madras Europeans,
and 250 of the 18th Native Infantry; a body of dismounted
artillery, and the rest of the rocket company. This force was
commanded by Brigadier General Cotton. It was to be carried in a
flotilla of sixty-two boats, each armed with one or two guns; and
the boats of all the ships of war at Rangoon, under the command of
Captain Alexander, R. N.

Major Sale was, at the same time, to advance against Bassein; with
600 men of the 13th Regiment, and the 12th Madras Native infantry,
with some artillery. After occupying the town, he was to cross the
country lying between the two main arms of the Irrawaddy, and to
join the general's force near Donabew.

The rest of the force--nearly 4000 men, chiefly native regiments
and Europeans who had not, as yet, recovered sufficient strength to
take part in field operations--was to remain at Rangoon, under
Brigadier General M'Creigh; who was to form a reserve column, in
readiness to move as directed, as soon as sufficient transport was
collected.

It was to the water force that the capture of Donabew was
intrusted, as it lay upon the opposite bank of the Irrawaddy; while
the general's force was directed against Tharawa, at the junction
of the two main branches of the river. Here they were to be joined
by General Cotton's force, after the capture of Donabew; then,