by John Marshall

“ The defeat of the Burmese on the east bank of the Irrawaddy was now most complete; but the right corps of their army, under Sudda Woon, still occupied some high ground on the west bank, and measures were immediately taken for dislodging that division. This operation was performed on the morning of the 5th, by the troops under Brigadier-General Cotton, in conjunction with the flotilla, and attended with the most complete success; the enemy left 300 men dead on the field, and dispersed in every direction. Five long guns, one carronade, a number of jingals, and about 350 muskets, were taken. ”

“ The Commodore begs the officers, without distinction, to be assured that he has brought under the notice of their superiors, his opinion of their merit, and the brave men who have served with them, giving as they have the most striking examples of activity and exertions, under the greatest privations in open boats. ”

“ The enemy, after nearly two hours sharp firing, retired in admirable order, carrying off great numbers of dead and wounded. I am happy to add, with the exception of one man slightly grazed in the elbow by a musket-shot, we have not a man either killed or wounded. The guns in the boats were of the greatest assistance in scouring the village with their grape.”
Respecting the defence of Padoung-mew, Major Snodgrass merely says, – “The centre of the Burmese army was now distinctly seen from Prome, stockading and fortifying the heights of Napadee above the river. ”

“ Sir James Brisbane, with the flotilla, commenced a heavy cannonade on the enemy’s centre, and continued for nearly two hours to attract his chief attention to that point, while the troops under Sir Archibald Campbell were marching out for the real attack upon Maha Nemiow. At the same time, the 26th Madras native infantry advanced along the margin of the Irrawaddy, to drive in the Kee Wongee’s advanced posts upon the main body. ”

“ Previous to the assault, Sir James Brisbane cannonaded the heights from the river, and the land artillery also opened upon them with great effect. During the attack by land, the flotilla pushed rapidly past the enemy’s works, and succeeded in capturing nearly 300 boats, with five brass and iron guns, four hundred muskets, about a ton of gunpowder, and large quantities of shot, grain, and military stores, intended for the use of the Burman army. ”

“ Sir James Brisbane was compelled, in consequence of extreme indisposition, to retire to Pulo-Penang; and, we lament to say, that that highly distinguished officer never recovered from the effects of the disease he had contracted on the Irrawaddy. The Boadicea’s boats, however, were not withdrawn from the flotilla, the chief command of which again devolved upon Captain Chads. Sir James Brisbane died at New South Wales, Dec. ”

“ Lieutenant John C. Ranken, of the 43d regiment, subsequently died of his wounds.
The ultimate consequences of this disaster were not unfavorable, as it encouraged the Burman chiefs in the high opinion they were still inclined to entertain of their own power, and induced them to adopt a system of confident warfare, which brought them within the reach of the British commanders. Relying on the manifestation of their purpose to attack him in the position he then occupied. Sir Archibald Campbell determined to await their advance, and Prome was soon surrounded by upwards of 50,000 warriors. ”

“ The termination of a long and arduous contest, by an honorable peace, enables the Commodore to return his unfeigned acknowledgments to Captain Chads, and the officers of all descriptions for their prompt obedience, unwearied exertions, and gallantry, which they have conspicuously displayed throughout the late campaign. ”

“ One of the first acts of Sir James Brisbane, after his arrival at Prome, was to address the following order to Captain Chads, who had accompanied him thither from Rangoon.
“Whereas the important service of co-operating with the army engaged against the dominions of Ava requires the best exertions of all ranks, but more particularly of those who are acquainted with the service of warfare ”

“ Sir Archibald Campbell stationed 200 troops there, supported by a division of the flotilla, under Lieutenant Kellett. This party was repeatedly attacked by the enemy in great force, and the meritorious conduct of the officers and men of both services, obtained for them the high approbation of the commander-in-Chief. ”

“ The British had only one man killed and four wounded. The total loss sustained by the army on the 1st, 2nd, and 5th Dec, was twenty-nine officers and men slain, one hundred and thirty-three wounded, and one private missing. ”

“ The enemy left 300 men dead upon the ground, with the whole of his commissariat and other stores, four guns, twelve jingals, more than four hundred muskets, a very considerable quantity of gunpowder, and upwards of 100 horses. ”