re
issued for the various detachments to join Bandoola on his progress, the
British ranks were thinned by the endemic fever of the rainy season, and
a severe dysentery. It was determined to remove the sufferers to Mergui
and Tavoy, two towns on the coast of Tenasserim, where they rapidly
recovered, and were soon restored to their comrades. In the early part
of November, the rains having ceased, and the men again become fit
for action, they anticipated with joy a forward movement. At this time
re-enforcements were received from Calcutta; and a regiment of cavalry,
a troop of horse-artillery, and a rocket corps were ordered to join.
Before, however, the British could advance, they had to dispose of
the whole military force of wa, This force now consisted of 35,000
musketeers, 700 Cassay cavalry, and other troops, amounting in the whole
to 60,000 men. On the 30th of November this great force assembled in the
forest of Rangoon, fronting the great Shoedagon pagoda. On the following
night the low hum of voices proceeding from the encampment suddenly
ceased, and it was succeeded by the distant but gradually increasing
sounds of a multitude moving stealthily through the woods. The British
commander soon became aware that the enemy's masses had approached to
the edge of the jungle, ready to rush from their cover at break of
day. A great number of war-boats had been seen in the morning, by
the "Teignmouth," coming down the river; and in the evening they came
forward with fire-rafts. The post was left open to a furious attack by
land and water; but it was courageously defended by the garrison under
Major Yates, supported on the river by a small naval force. Hostilities
commenced on the morning of the 1st of December with a heavy fire of
musketry and cannon at Kemmendine, where the "Teignmouth" was again
driven from her station by fire-rafts. The yells of the assailants were
distinctly heard by our troops at the great pagoda; but when the firing
ceased, and the smoke dispersed, the masts of our ships were still seen
at their old station off the fort. In the course of the morning, Burmese
columns appeared on the west side of the river, marching in five or six
divisions; and when they reached the bank of the river opposite Rangoon,
they commenced stockades and batteries for the destruction of our
shipping. Later in the day columns were seen issuing ont of the forest,
with flags and banners, about a mile in front of the eastern face of