19th May.
The next operation in which any of the navy were engaged was the
attack on the city of Bassein, up the river of the same name. On the
17th of May, General Godwin and Commodore Lambert, with 400 men of
H.M. 51st Regiment, 300 men of the 9th M.N.I., 60 sappers and miners,
the royal marines, some seamen of H.M.S. 'Fox,' and a few
artillerymen, embarked at Rangoon on board the steamers 'Tenasserim,'
'Sesostris,' and Moozuffer.' They forthwith proceeded to the
Bassein river, which, after being joined by the 'Pluto,' they
ascended on the 19th. On the afternoon of the same day the squadron
anchored abreast of Bassein without a single accident. There were
large stockades on both sides of the river. The troops were landed
without loss of time. The pagoda was first carried, and after that a
strong mud fort was attacked. Here the Burmese defended themselves
with great obstinacy. At length a detachment of H.M. 51st,
accompanied by Lieut. Rice, R.N., Lieut. Ford, with the sappers and
miners, and Lieut. Ansley, with a detachment of the 9th M.N.I., the
whole under the command of Major Errington, gallantly stormed and
took it. On the opposite bank of the river a stockade was carried by
a party commanded by Captain Campbell, of the 'Sesostris.' In about
50 minutes the British fought their way in, and drove the Burmese out
with great slaughter. The British loss was 3 men killed; 7 officers
and 24 men wounded. Among the officers wounded were Lieut. G. Rice,
R.N., severely, and Lieut. J. Elliot, R. M., slightly.