by John Marshall

“ The ability and judgment with which Lieutenant-Colonel Godwin planned the attack, and the gallantry with which the place was carried by the small force of 220 men, against the numerous and well-armed troops of the enemy, reflects the highest credit on the professional character of the officers in command, and the cool and resolute intrepidity of the handful of men by whom so important and brilliant an exploit has been achieved. ”

“ Immediately after the capture of the Than-ta-bain stockade, Captain Chads sent boats up both branches of the river, under Lieutenants Keele and Kellett, who took and destroyed many of the enemy’s war-boats. On the morning of the 7th Feb., Lieutenant Keele was again sent up the Panlang branch to explore; and Captain Chads, accompanied by Lieutenant-Colonel Godwin, went up the main branch for the same purpose. ”

“ Lieutenant Keele, then commanding a division of gun-vessels and row-boats, assisted at the destruction of eight stockades on the Panlang river [6] . He subsequently commanded the naval part of an expedition sent to reduce and occupy the city of Martaban, situated at the bottom of the gulf of that name, and about 100 miles to the eastward of Rangoon. ”

“ I soon perceived the work all around was easily assailable, and in ten minutes after the signal was made the place was stormed. The resistance within was trifling, although the place was garrisoned by two thousand fighting men. ”

“ In Jan. 1825, shortly after his return from Martaban, Lieutenant Keele, with forty-eight officers and men under his command, accompanied Lieutenant-Colonel Elrington to the attack of a strong hill fort, situated on the left bank of the Pegu river, about eight miles from Rangoon, and the pagoda of Syriam, five miles in the interior. ”

“ Company’s gun-vessel Phaëton was found at this place, with her crew in irons. Her commander had put into Martaban by mistake, and was then a prisoner at Ava.
The loss sustained by the naval detachment was two men killed, one dangerously wounded, and three severely. In concluding his report to Sir A. Campbell, the lieutenant-colonel expresses himself as follows:–
“Where every one contended honorably, it would be difficult to select for your particular notice. ”