1 36 Some account of the Wars between Burmah and China. [Feb. 



general assailing the Wun-gyih with an immense superiority of force, 

 the Burmese were defeated with loss, and driven back in great dis- 

 order. Three regiments were taken prisoners, being unable to extri- 

 cate themselves from the midst of the Chinese army, which they had 

 penetrated in a charge. The Wun-gyih collected his troops and 

 retired, thinking only of defending himself. The Chinese general 

 pursued the Burmese with increased confidence, until the advance of 

 his army reached Bout-thek kay-byen. The Wun-gyih sent notice to 

 Ava, that every attempt which the Burmese had made to stop the 

 Chinese had failed; that they had penetrated as far as Bout~thek-kay- 

 byen ; and that he had taken post at Lo&ngd-byen-gyih. When this 

 intelligence reached Ava on the 9th March, 1768, the whole of the 

 ministers and officers were much alarmed, and advised his Majesty 

 to fortify the city, and make preparations for receiving the Chinese, 

 who were but two or three days' journey distant. The king abused 

 his officers, and declared that if the Chinese came, he and the four 

 princes, his brothers, alone would meet and destroy them. 



The Wun-gyih Ma ha Thi'-ha thu'ra, who was ordered to proceed 

 with his force to the rear of the Chinese army and cut off their sup- 

 plies, sent a strong detachment in advance under the Tsit-ke-gyih*, 

 Tein-gya':me:n:gaung, to reconnoitre. This officer reported, that 

 the Chinese were advancing in great force, and that he would stockade 

 himself and oppose them. The Wun-gyih fearing to divide his force, 

 ordered the Tsit-ke-gyih to fall back, but the latter, being of opinion 

 that his retreating from the immediate vicinity of the enemy would 

 encourage them, and make them believe that the Burmese force was 

 inconsiderable, urged the Wun-gyih to advance, and threw up a 

 stockade with large bamboos. The Chinese came up at night and 

 repeatedly attacked this stockade, but without success. As soon as 

 the Wun-gyih learnt the Tsit-ke-gyih's determination to make a 

 stand, he pushed on with the rest of his force, which accelerated its 

 pace on hearing the sound of cannon and musketry, and the moment 

 it reached the Tsit-ke-gyih's stockade, attacked the Chinese with 

 great impetuosity. The Chinese were defeated and forced to retire, 

 and after the Burmese army had recruited a little, the Wun-gyih 

 followed the enemy, and attacked and drove them out of Ld-shi or 

 Ld-shyd, where they had stockaded themselves ; and again out of 

 Kyii Shyo, until they took shelter in Theinni. The Wun-gyih followed 

 and took post on the bank of the Ndn-beng or Ndn-peng river to the 

 south-east of Theinni, sending three divisions of his army under 

 Tein-gya':men:gaung to the west of the Salueen river at the Kuon- 

 * Lieutenant-General in war. 



