'History of the Indian Navy. (1613-1863).' [‎262] (281/622)

262
HISTORY OF THE INDIAN NAVY.
ades, formed in the shape of a horse shoe, with three strono-
lines of abbatis in the front; within they had circular shellt
proof galleries, into which they could retreat, and also use them
for magazines." Captain Loch reported in high terms of the
steadiness of all concerned in these operations.
On the 21st of November, the recapture of Pegu, abandoned
in June, w 7 as effected by General Godwin with eleven hundred
men, and the 'Nerbudda,' 6 Damooda,' and 4 Lord William Ben-
tinck'—three small steamers of the Bengal Marine, which had
arrived at Rangoon on the 1st of October-—the 4 Mahanuddy,'
and boats of the 4 Fox' and 6 Sphinx,' all under Commander
Shadwell. A garrison of four hundred and thirty men, of whom
two hundred belonged to the 1st Madras Fusiliers, with two
24-pounder howitzers, and a detail of artillery and sappers, was
left at Pegu, under the command of Major Hill of the Madras
Fusiliers, and General Godwin returned to Rangoon with the
remainder of the force. No sooner had he departed than the
enemy, to the number of six thousand men, made repeated
and desperate attacks upon Pegu, and Major Hill sent a mes
senger to Rangoon requesting assistance. Learning that a
large flat, with stores for Pegu, had been attacked and burnt
by the Burmese, Commodore Lambert, being anxious to keep
open the communications with the garrison, on the 8th of
December sent on that service Commander Shadwell, with three
boats of the 6 Sphinx,' two of the 4 Fox,' and the two paddle-
box boats of the ' Moozuffer,' having a total of one hundred and
thirty-three officers and men. # On reaching the usual landing
place at Pegu on the 10th, the small flotilla was received by
the enemy with a heavy fire; but, nevertheless, the party landed.
Commander Shadwell, however, found the Burmese in too great
strength to force his way to the beleaguered garrison, and, after
some severe fighting, w 7 as compelled to retreat with a loss of
four seamen and marines killed, and two officers, and twenty-
six men w 7 ounded, most of them severely, of whom three died.f
* H.M.S. ' Sphinx '—Gig, Commander Shadwell, four men : starboard paddle-
box boat, one 24-pounder howitzer, Mr. Cookson, midshipman An experienced sailor, but not a commissioned officer. , fifteen men, six
marines ; port paddle-box boat, one 24-pounder howitzer, Mr. Murphy, master s-
assistant, Mr. Johnson, assistant-surgeon, fifteen men. H.M's ship 'Fox'—Pin
nace, one 12-pounder howitzer, Lieutenant Mason, Mr. Hudson, midshipman An experienced sailor, but not a commissioned officer. ,
fifteen men, six marines ; barge, one 12-pounder howitzer, Mr. Pocock, mate,
Lieutenant Nightingale, R M., thirteen men, six marines. Hon. Company s
ship ' Moozuffer'—Paddle-box boat No. 1, one 12-pounder howitzer, Lieutenant
Robinson, the boatswain An officer responsible for the equipment on a ship and overseeing the work of the ship's crew. , twenty-one men ; paddle-box boat No. 2, one 12 -pounder
howitzer, Mr. Templer, midshipman An experienced sailor, but not a commissioned officer. , an apothecary, twenty men. Total, one
hundred and thirty-three officers and men, accompanied by Captain Mallock,
Bengal Artillery, and twelve artillerymen in two cargo-boats.
f The correspondent of the " Friend of India " writes :—" Both the supplies
and the force were considered too small for the emergency, as the enemj was
flushed with the glory of having cut oft 1 the flat and captured tw r o thousand roun s
of ammunition, and the Burmese had concentrated all their energies loi one
decisive stroke, and were pouring in troops from all directions. We regret to say