'History of the Indian Navy. (1613-1863).' [‎278] (297/622)

278
HISTORY OF THE INDIAN NAVY.
clined to assist, and his Excellency agreed to permit him to do
so. Accordingly, at 3.30 a.m., on the 26th of February, accom
panied by Captain Fytche, he started in the 'Nemesis,' towing
all the 4 Zenobia's ' boats, and proceeded up the Dugga Creek
to Khan Gee Goung, and thence in the boats to Kongoon,
where they arrived at eight a.m. on the 27th. Commander Rennie,
having written to Sir John Cheape, reporting his arrival and
requesting instructions, marched with his blue-jackets to
Mygee, which was reached at ten p.m. on the 1st of March;
here he was reinforced by some two thousand native auxiliaries,
with their chiefs, under Captain Fytche's orders, one-third of
whom were armed with muskets. Having despatched flanking
parties, with directions to be guided in their advance by the
sound of his own guns he crossed over the river twenty carts
for provisions and ammunition, and some canoes for pontoons.
As the messenger to Sir John Cheape returned without having
communicated, Commander Rennie started on his march on the
following morning, using every precaution to guard against a
surprise. Some firing took place between the advance guard
and the enemy, when he halted and bivouacked. On the 3rd
he marched again, as he says in his journal, u proceeding with
great caution, feeling every inch of the road through a tree
jungle, our flankers literally creeping along." They soon came
upon three deserted breastworks, the last one "having a trench
full of spikes in front, and a hole dug on either side." The
advance party, on reaching the edge of the jungle, found the
enemy in strong force on the opposite side of the creek; and
Mya-toon's men, who were dressed in the uniform of our Sepoys Term used in English to refer to an Indian infantryman. Carries some derogatory connotations as sometimes used as a means of othering and emphasising race, colour, origins, or rank. ,
opened a heavy fire from behind their breastwork, which Com
mander Rennie replied to by his guns. At this time an act of
gallantry was performed by Lieutenants J. Sedley and J. Wood,
who, accompaied by two seamen, under a heavy fire, swam
across the creek, which was fifty yards wide and tw 7 enty feet
deep. The enemy, seeing the Europeans on the left bank, beat
a retreat, leaving a 9-pounder gun and three jingalls. During
the afternoon, the Burmese returned to the attack in great
numbers, upon wdiich Commander Rennie opened on them with
his guns, and a brisk action ensued. Finding that he had the
main force of Mya-toon to contend with, he reluctantly recrossed
his men with the carts and guns, in perfect order. The total
loss during the day was eleven natives killed and wounded.
It was not until the 5th of March that Commander Rennie
became aware that Sir John Cheape had retreated to Donabew,
there to await reinforcements from Rangoon, and had not the
officers and men of the 6 Zenobia' been w 7 ell disciplined and ably
handled, it is not improbable that a disaster would have occurred
not less sanguinary than that which befell Captain Loch.
Commander Rennie arrived at Mygee at five p.m. on the 4th oi