380 OPERATIONS OP THE IRRAWADY COLUMN, UPPER BURMAH. 
boundary of the Sadon territory; three-quarters of a mile further on 
shots were heard ahead, and the Ghoorkas extended in front, discover¬ 
ing a stockade blocking the narrow road where it crossed a nullah. 
The stockade was very strongly built of stones and logs, with abattis 
in front. The Kachins opened a heavy fire from it, and beat gongs 
and cheered. The jungle was so thick that the guns could only fire 
into it from a turn of the road 100 yards from the stockade; two shell 
were fired by one gun from this position and the stockade carried at 
the point of the bayonet. Six Kachins were killed, wounded unknown 
—our loss two Grhoorkas and one gunner slightly wounded; one gun- 
mule wounded. 
On 30th the column divided and attacked the adjacent villages of 
Sadon and Scintong, the enemy firing pretty heavily, but with little 
effect; our loss two Devon men, and one sapper slightly wounded. 
After taking Sadon the troops halted there till the 14th January, 
the Political Officer, Captain Elliot, visited all the villages round with 
small escorts, and the sappers commenced building a post on a hill 
some 600 feet above Sadon. From 14th to 23rd the column adjourned 
to the Chinese frontier, visiting all villages en route ; about 150 men 
being left in Sadon to complete the post. On 23rd the column 
returned, and stayed at Sadon till the 5th of February; the work at 
the post continuing. By this time all the surrounding country was 
considered quite friendly, and the inhabitants were supposed to be 
beside themselves with joy at our presence. On the 5th Major Yule 
started off with the column, taking 25 days’ rations, intending to cross 
the ’N Maika river and visit Sadon-Cong, where the Kachins were 
reported to be stockading themselves. The people of Sadon-Cong 
also had been raiding on some villages friendly to us and required 
bringing to order. The column had two days desultory fighting at 
Sadon-Cong, their camp being twice attacked at night; our loss one 
Ghoorka wounded and four mules killed. While the column were thus 
employed the friendly peasantry were enjoying themselves at Sadon. 
The day the column left all went well; the troops left behind were 50 
rifles 3rd Burmah, 50 rifles 23rd Madras Infantry, 48 Burmah Sappers 
and Miners, about 20 Ghoorkas, of whom 12 were invalids, and seven 
invalid Europeans. The garrison was under command of Lieutenant 
Harrison, R.E., with whom was Lieutenant Perry, 23rd Madras 
Infantry, their orders were to work hard at completing the post. 
The post consisted of a stockade of young' saplings some six inches 
diameter; all round about six feet up was a line of bamboo spikes 
called pangies—and a small ditch round the whole—accommodation 
was being made for 250 rifles. On February 5th it was in a very 
unfinished state, and the surrounding jungle had only been cleared for 
about 80 yards round the post; on February 6th Lieutenant Harrison 
was visited by some of the head men of the neighbouring villages 
and compliments exchanged. The afternoon of the same day crowds 
were seen collecting in Sadon and pouring in from the country round. 
The easiest way to give an idea of subsequent events will be to state 
them in diary form. 
February 7th .—Kachins hoisted flags in Sadon, shots were heard ; 
