The Burma Wars: 1824-1886 (Conflicts of Empire) by George Bruce

Author:George Bruce [Bruce, George]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sapere Books
Published: 2021-05-22T22:00:00+00:00

Spies, assassins and incendiaries lurked in every corner of Rangoon; every native within our lines became an object of suspicion and the utmost vigilance of the troops, combined with the energy and decision of their commander, could alone have prevented our losing every advantage of our late successes, by the destruction of our stores and magazines… The inflammable materials of which the town was composed required but a single fire-brand to envelope [sic] our cantonments and everything they contained in a general conflagration; while the unseen enemy, lurking in the outskirts of the jungle, were held in constant readiness to rush in upon our lines during the confusion…

These fears were justified. At midnight on 12 December fire broke out in several places at once in windward parts of the town. Helped by a high wind the flames swept through the thatch and bamboo houses with extraordinary violence until it looked as though they would reach the ammunition and stores depot in an adjoining area.

Expecting the Burmese to make a lightning attack during the confusion, Campbell ordered the drums to beat to arms for picquets to man the defence. At the same time companies of men ran off at the double through the surging smoke and the showers of sparks to try to stop the blaze reaching the danger area.

Exactly how this was done — by a human chain of water buckets, by thousands of men beating out the flames or destroying the flimsy houses and removing all timber from the fire’s path — not even the meticulous Snodgrass reported, but after two hours, the flames were ‘completely got under’, with only slight damage to military property — and the destruction of a quarter of the town.

Surveying the smoking ruins — evidence of Bundula’s power — next day, Campbell determined to undertake the risky task of sending a force through the jungle to Kokeen after him as soon as possible, which was two days later, 15 December. He must have realised that the time had come for him to regain the initiative, despite the risks.

They were considerable for, first, with their numerical superiority, excellent sources of information and perfect knowledge of the jungle, the Burmese might overcome Rangoon while many of his troops were away assailing the Kokeen stockade. Secondly, he would have to march this force through the winding jungle footpaths where the Burmese snipers, from trees and thicket, could knock out hundreds of his men long before he reached Bundula’s stronghold. Finally, he would have to order his troops to attack without artillery a fieldwork stronger than any they had yet faced, for they could take only one or two light guns.

But he had no choice, and early on 15 December, having left about 3,000 men to hold Rangoon and the Shwedagon he moved out against Bundula in two columns, the right of 340 men, British and Indian, under Brigadier-General Cotton, and the left, 800 strong, under his personal command. Cotton’s force was to make a detour and attack from the rear, while Campbell’s took them from the front.

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