140 Some account of the Wars between Burtnah and China. [Feb - , 



keeping up an incessant fire against the place, from the positions 

 occupied by their land and water force. 



As soon as the Wiin-gyih Maha Thi'ha-thu'ra, who was advan- 

 cing with the water force from Ava, heard that the Chinese were 

 closely besieging Kaung-toun, he ordered Tsa'n-lha-gyi'h, Dhamma- 

 ta, Binia Uh and Shue-daung-ngay with four war-boats and all 

 the boats which had joined him from the different towns on his route 

 from Ava, to proceed with expedition before the rest of the army f 

 and endeavour to throw into Kaung-toun a supply of ammunition and 

 provisions. These four officers attacked the Chinese boats in front 

 of Kaung-toitn, and after defeating and driving them off, and captur- 

 ing many, succeeded in relieving Kaung-toun. Tsa'n-lha-gyi'h then 

 stockaded himself with 5,000 men in the rear of the Chinese besieg- 

 ing force, on a spot to the south of Kaung-toun, and north of the 

 mouth of the Tsin-gan or Tsin-khan river, whilst Dhammata and 

 Binia' Uh with their boats, and the Chinese boats which they had 

 captured, took post near the island of Kyun-do on the side of the 

 Erdwadi, opposite to that on which Kaung-toun stands. The Chinese 

 water force returned to its former position in front of Kaung-toun, 

 stnd 40 or 50,000 Chinese made an attack on Tsa'n-lha-gyi'h's 

 stockade, but being unable to carry it took post round it. 



The Wiin-gyih being joined at Tagaung and Mali by the elephants 

 and cavalry which had marched from Ava by the eastern route, 

 detached 100 war elephants, 1,000 horse and 10,000 men under the 

 Let-we-weng-mhu with orders to proceed to M6:meit, and after 

 putting that place in a state of defence, to watch the state of affairs 

 and seize any opportunity which might offer for attacking the Chinese 

 army. The Wun-gyih himself then advanced with his boats, and on 

 arriving near Kaung-toun, took post near the island opposite that 

 place, towards the western bank of the Erdwadi. He then ordered 

 1,500 horse and 15,000 foot, under the Shye-weng-mhu* and Tein- 

 gya:men:gaung, to cross over and land on the eastern side of the Erd- 

 wadi, and, marching round the rear of Moyii on the north bank of 

 the Len-ban-gya, to attack any convoy of supplies and provisions 

 which might be coming to the enemy from China, and afterwards fall 

 on the rear of the Chinese army. 



The force which marched from Ava to Mo.gaung under the Amyauk- 

 wun, after placing Mo.gaung in a state of defence, advanced to meet 

 the Chinese army coming in that direction. Learning from his scouts 



* " Commanding the eastern entrance into the palace," to which honorable 

 post this officer, who had so much distinguished himself in the preceding 

 campaigns, appears to have been elevated. 



