ets; and Sir Archibald Campbell,
with four companies of Europeans and four hundred native infantry, with
two field-pieces, moved out to reconnoitre. His advanced guard soon
came on the first stockade thrown across the path; but the work
being incomplete its defenders retired after exchanging a few shots.
Continuing its march, after a progress of about five miles, the column
came to a narrow wooden bridge over a morass, where the enemy was
beginning to form. This bridge had just been forced by the fire of the
artillery, when one of those tempests which usher in the south-west
monsoon came on; and as the field-pieces could be dragged no further,
the general left them in charge of the native infantry, and advanced
with his European troops. They moved on by _echellon_ of companies; and
the left flank, which passed close to the jungle, found some villages
defended in front by two stockades, whence proceeded shouts of defiance
from the enemy. These stockades were attacked at the point of the
bayonet; and a fierce and sanguinary conflict took place, in which great
numbers of the enemy were slain. During this attack on the stockades the
Burmese general in the plain made no movement for their defence; but as
soon as the British were seen in possession of the works, a horrid yell
was heard, and the whole line of Burmese troops was seen to advance
towards them. They were checked by a company which had not yet been
engaged, and by the appearance of those troops which had carried the
works, who moved forward to receive these new opponents. An attempt at
negociation was now tried by the enemy; but it was rather to gain time
than to seek peace. They were, in fact, still occupied in erecting
fortifications; and our troops were obliged again to attack the war-boat
station of Kemmendine, as well as other stockades in different parts.
Before the end of June, however, the enemy recovered from their panic;
and, having received large re-enforcements, advanced again, under Sykia
Wongee, third minister of state. The jungles were animated with
living masses, and their tumultuous preparations for battle contrasted
strangely with the stillness and quiet of the British lines. Our troops
at this time had been much diminished by sickness and death; but they
were recruited by the eighty-ninth British regiment from Madras, and the
detachments that had been sent to the capture of Cheduba and Nagrais,
places which soon fell into their hands. Early in July