Lieut. Ommaney's account of the Journey to Yangoon

The troops were put in charge of Lieut. Ommanney who described the move and the journey as follows:

 “I was unable to make up the annexed list of prisoners yesterday, but have now done so having got my camp in working order.

Everything correct and the ex-King stands the travelling very well.

The camping ground cannot be marked out till daybreak con- sequently although in pursuance to orders issued by me, 30 coolies are stationed at each encamping ground to help my four chaprassis sent on ahead to pitch the prisoners’ tents, it is impossible to have them ready pitched by the time of my arrival on the ground; however I have not long to wait and the prisoners are kept perfectly separate from everybody till their tents are pitched and I never leave them till they are comfortably settled in their respective tents guarded by European Sentries. Eight chaprassis cannot pitch the tents in time, 20 chaprassis at least are required, but I can manage by having 30 coolies to assist and practice will make them perfect.

Yesterday morning at starting the Pole of the Bullock palki gari broke in two; it is repaired.

I allow the ex-King to travel in his palki as he cannot sleep in the gari and this arrangement is as safe as the other and does not cause any delay on the march; I also allow Jumma Bakt’s wife to travel in the other palki as being in an interesting condition the jolting of the gari and a restive bullock at starting or any accident which might happen, causes and would cause her pain.

I always get up at 1:30 a.m., begin to place the prisoners in their respective conveyances and then have them drawn up ready on the road, so that the column may not be delayed. I send you a sort of plan of the encampment, and also of the line of march.

My carriage is ‘all complete, the two pairs of spare bullocks made their appearance and I have 20 camels.  I send one set of tents at 5 p.m. every afternoon; I think I have told you everything connected with the prisoners.

It is rather hard for me getting up at 1.30 a.m. packing up the prisoners, the march and then settling them again, I never get into my tent till about 9 a.m. when I have breakfast, but I don't care a straw for any amount of work and am very jolly.

I am Honorary Member of the Lancer Mess, breakfast, dinner and tiffin, good stags at dinner twice a week, a pack of Hounds accompany the column on the march, and we have a run when we succeed in getting a jackal, there is a Hook CIub and in short it is as comfortably and perfectly managed as any. "

(Chief Commissioner, File 184, Part III. Lieut.E.S.Ommanney to Saunders. 9 Oct. 1858)