The rapidity and success of the first movements of the British in Burmah
paralysed the Burmese authorities; but their subsequent inactivity again
gave heart to the Government at Ava, and encouraged the idea that it was
possible to drive them back to the sea.
In consequence of the absence of all local government, robbers sprang up
in every direction, and, being allowed to organise themselves,
devastated and almost ruined the country. Among the most noted of these
robber chieftains was Mya Toon. He burned down Donabew, Zaloon, and
many other villages. His stronghold was about twenty-five miles inland
from Rangoon. In consequence of the depredations he was committing,
Brigadier Dickenson, the commandant at Rangoon, and Commodore Lambert
resolved to send a combined naval and military force to dislodge him.
The military force consisted of 300 men of the 67th Regiment Bengal
Native Infantry, who, together with a body of marines and bluejackets
from HM ships _Fox_, _Winchester_, and _Sphinx_, were placed under the
command of Captain Granville Loch. There were 185 seamen, 62 marines,
and 25 officers; but of these, 42 seamen and 5 officers were left in
charge of the boats. This force was conveyed from Rangoon to Donabew on
the 2nd July, in the _Phlegethon_ and ships' boats. They landed at
Donabew without opposition, and, having procured some natives to act as
guides and to aid in drawing the two three-pound field-guns belonging to
the _Phlegethon_, they proceeded to march on the following day towards
the position the enemy was supposed to occupy.
The whole of the 3rd of February they marched along a pathway which lay
through a jungle of forest trees and brushwood. Encamping in a deserted
valley, about fifteen miles from Donabew, they were disturbed
occasionally by the distant shots and noises of the marauders. Early on
the following morning, the column moved on about five miles farther
along the same path, until it abruptly terminated on the side of a broad
nullah or creek, the opposite side of which was high enough to command
the approach, and the whole well entrenched and armed, after the manner
of the native fortifications of Burmah. The road at this point had been
narrowed by an abattis of sharp-pointed bamboos, which rendered it
impossible to deploy the whole strength of the column; indeed, the
advance-guard, consisting of seamen and marines, marched with difficulty
two or three abreast, and the field-guns were in the rear. At this
moment a heavy and murderous fire was opened by the enemy upon the
British troops, the Burmese being wholly concealed by the breastworks,
and the British, on the contrary, entirely exposed.
Almost every man who approached the edge of that fatal creek was mowed
down. Lieutenant Kennedy, of the _Fox_, and Captain Price, of the 67th
Bengal Infantry, were killed on the spot. Captain Loch, with the daring
which had always distinguished him, led on his gallant followers to the
attack. For ten minutes he seemed, to use the expression of one of his
companions, "to bear a charmed life," for he stood unhurt in the midst
of that terrible fire. Twice he made an unsuccessful attempt to lead
his men across the nullah, to storm the fort hand to hand, but each time
he was driven back. As he again rallied the seamen and marines for a
third attack, a ball fired by a man in a tree struck him on the left
side, on his watch, and with such force that it drove the watch itself
into his body. He instantly felt that he was mortally wounded, but had
still strength and self-possession to fall back about fifteen paces to
the rear.
The command of the naval force, which had hitherto sustained the brunt
of the action, devolved by the death and wounds of the senior officers
on Commander Lambert, the son of the commodore. Twice with his brave
companions he made determined but vain attempts to get across to the
enemy, when many more lives were lost. He himself received four balls
through his clothes, though he fortunately escaped unhurt; but a large
proportion of officers and men were already wounded. It therefore
became absolutely necessary to provide without delay for the retreat of
the party by the only road left open to them, the one by which they had
advanced, the jungle being impervious in every other direction. The
fire of the enemy was still very severe, and each instant more of the
British were falling.
Most of the native dooly-bearers and guides had in a cowardly and
treacherous manner decamped; and it was therefore necessary to employ
every man in carrying the wounded. As, under these circumstances, it
was impossible to carry off the guns, they were spiked, and the
carriages destroyed. The party were compelled even to leave their dead
on the field. The enemy kept up a distant fire, but never ventured to
approach within fighting distance of the rear, which was manfully
covered by the grenadier company of the 67th.
For twelve hours of a most fatiguing march did the dejected and mourning
party retreat towards Donabew, displaying in adversity the same courage,
discipline, and goodwill they had so often exhibited in success.
Lieutenants Glover and Bushnell, and also Messrs. Hinde and Wilson,
mates, though themselves suffering from their own wounds, successfully
exerted themselves in keeping up the spirits of their men, who, under a
burning sun, without water, had to carry the heavy burden of their
wounded leader for nearly twenty-four miles. At Donabew, the seamen and
marines embarked in their boats, and the troops were conveyed in the
_Phlegethon_ to Rangoon. The gallant Captain Loch was removed to the
_Phlegethon_, where he expired on the morning of the 6th February, about
forty hours after he had received his wound. He was buried near the
great pagoda at Rangoon, amid the general grief of all who served under
him or knew him.
It was not till some time after this that Mya Toon was dislodged from
his stronghold, by a strong force under Sir John Cheape, when several
officers and men were killed and wounded.
The war itself was soon afterwards brought to a successful conclusion.