The principal towns of the province being in the hands of the
British, it became important to clear the intermediate country of the
enemy, especially the banks of the rivers, where they were of much
annoyance to the provision-boats. In this service the naval forces
were constantly and very actively employed. Several of the
expeditions were under the command of the lamented Capt. Granville
Loch, who displayed in them the same zeal and daring courage for
which he had already made himself conspicuous.
On the 1st of November Capt. Loch embarked on board the Company's
steamer 'Medusa,' from Prome, with Brigadier Sir John Cheape, and the
light company of the Royal Irish, 80 strong, accompanied by the
following flotilla of boats, and proceeded down the river to destroy
some stockades, and to make a reconnaissance about a mile and a half
below Prome, at a place called the White Pagoda:--
'Winchester's' Boats.--Gig, Commander E. B. Seymour, volunteer; Mr.
Gregory, naval cadet; 5 seamen, 3 marines. Barge, Lieut. Hillyar;
Mr. Round, mate; Mr. Slade, assistant-surgeon; 15 men. Pinnace,
Lieut. Pearse; Mr. Bond, mate; 13 men.
'Sesostris's' Boats.--Pinnace, Lieut. Lewis; Mr. Capel, midshipman;
Dr. Walsh, assistant-surgeon; 14 men, 11 marine artillerymen. 1st
cutter, Lieut. Windus; 11 men. 2nd cutter, Mr. Duval, mate; 11 men.
'Medusa's' Cutter.--Mr. Harris, midshipman; 10 men, 6 marine
artillerymen. Total force landed, 74.
Capt. Loch, leaving the boats, anchored off the White Pagoda, where
he observed some stockades in course of erection, went down the river
to give some orders to Capt. Niblett, of the 'Enterprise,' and then
returning, landed the troops and naval brigade. Advancing, they
drove in the enemy's skirmishers, and having sufficiently observed
the country, they then destroyed the stockades, and re-embarked with
one man only wounded belonging to the 'Medusa.'
On the 4th of November Captain Loch led another expedition against
the heights of Akoutou, defended by 350 or 400 men, and 5 guns.