by John Marshall

“ On the 6th Oct., the Satellite, with Captain Chads on board, proceeded up the Lyne river, accompanied by the flotilla, and a military detachment under Major Thomas Evans. On the 7th, two stockades were taken possession of without loss, and seven newly constructed war-boats destroyed. On reconnoitring the fortified village of Than-ta-bain, about thirty miles distant from Rangoon, it was found to be defended by three long breast-works, with a very extensive stockade, constructed of large teak-beams; and fourteen war-boats, each mounting a gun, were anchored so as to defend the approach to it. ”

“ Lieutenant Dobson, with some gun-boats under his orders, accompanied a military detachment up the Syriam river, and assisted in driving the enemy from the remains of the old Portuguese fort, situated upon a commanding height, at the mouth of the Pegu river. He was afterwards employed in stripping the Syriam Pagoda of its guns and bells [2] . On the 12th, the Satellite was directed to relieve the Hon. Company’s cruiser Teignmouth, stationed at Pagoda Point. ”

“ On the 16th Feb., the troops having embarked, the flotilla moved on, escorted by the steam-vessel and Satellite, under the immediate command of Captain Thomas Alexander, C.B., then recently arrived at Rangoon. On the 17th, four stockades were destroyed at and near Thesit. During the night of the 18th, some formidable fire-rafts were launched by the enemy; but, owing to the activity of the light division of boats, their effect was totally lost. On the 19th the extensive stockade of Fanlang, and its outworks, were taken, after a feeble resistance ”

“ We chased them till the tide turned and our boats made no progress, when we put about, the enemy following at a distance.”
Lieutenant Dobson’s whole European force in this little expedition was only thirty-six men. On his return to Pagoda Point he received directions to join the expedition destined against Tavoy and Mergui. On the 19th, these orders were countermanded, and the troops embarked on board the Satellite sent to other vessels. ”

“ At six o’clock next morning-, we again moved with the tide, and in passing a narrow neck of land at the junction of two rivers, were received with a brisk discharge of musketry from a long line of breast works, and a cannonade from a very large stockade on our right. ”

“ The young gentlemen, Messrs. Winsor, Tomlinson, and Pickey, have also been sufferers with him. I have the honor to be, &c.
(Signed) ⁠“H. D. Chads.” “To Brigadier-General Sir A. Campbell, K.C.B., &c. &c. &c.”
On the 22d Dec, the Shaw-in-shaw, with a cargo of timber on board, was quite ready for sea; and on the 25th, a petty officer having been ordered to take charge of her, Lieutenant Dobson returned to the Larne. On the 28th, he resumed the command of the Satellite; and on the 30th, was sent back to Pagoda Point, with seven gun-boats under his orders. ”