The Burmese resolved once more to try their fortune in battle, and their army was formed in position to stop the advance of their invaders. This brought on an action, which was fought on the 9th of February, near Pagahm-Mew; and on this occasion the Burmese abandoned their system of combating behind barriers, and encountered the British force in the open field; but after a contest of five hours the barbarians were overthrown, and the conquerors were left in possession of Pagahm-Mew, with all its stores, ordnance, arms, and ammunition.
No opposing army now remained between the British and the capital of the Burmese empire; the troops continued their route through a country which presented a wide extent of rich and well-cultivated grounds, thickly interspersed with copsewood and villages; while temples and pagodas adorned the banks of the river, and gave an imposing effect to this glittering eastern scenery. Terror and consternation prevailed at the Burmese court; and when the army had arrived within four days' march of the capital, it was met by the ratified treaty, which put an end to the war. A party of officers from the army visited the capital, and were received by the humbled monarch with every honour.
Thus an eastern empire, with its myriads of inhabitants, was subdued by the constancy and valour of a handful of British troops, who had marched from victory to victory, and had forced a haughty monarch to sue for peace. The following is an extract from an order issued by the Governor-General of India on this subject:—
"While the Governor-General in Council enumerates, with sentiments of unfeigned admiration, the achievements of the First, or Royals, the 13th, 38th, 41st, 45th, 47th, 87th, and 89th Regiments, the Honourable Company's Madras European Regiment, and the Bengal and Madras European Artillery, as the European troops which have had the honour of establishing the renown of the British arms in a new and distant region, his Lordship in Council feels that higher and more justly-merited praise cannot be bestowed on those brave troops than that, amidst the barbarous hosts which they have fought and conquered, they have eminently displayed the virtues and sustained the character of the British soldier."
The meritorious conduct of the Royals was rewarded by King George IV. with the honour of bearing the word "Ava" on their colours.
The object of the war having been accomplished, the troops commenced retiring in the early part of March; the 2nd battalion of the Royal Regiment proceeded down the river Irawaddy in boats to Rangoon, where it arrived on the 25th of March. After remaining at this place a few days, the 1st division, under Lieut.-Colonel Armstrong, embarked for Madras, where it landed on the 18th of May. The 2nd division, under Captain L. MacLaine, followed, and, having landed on the 19th of June, the battalion was encamped near Madras until the beginning of July, when it marched to Bangalore.
1827
1st Batt.
The service companies of the 1st battalion remained at Barbadoes until 1827, when they were ordered to Trinidad; and they were stationed at that island during the succeeding four years.
1830