As soon as they did so, the signal for disembarkation was made.

The troops crowded into the boats, which rowed for the shore; and the soldiers entered the town without resistance, and found it completely deserted.
The whole of the population had been driven out by the governor on the previous day and, according to Burmese custom, the men had all been formed into a levy, while the women and children were held under guard, as hostages for their husbands and fathers--their lives being forfeited in case of desertion, or cowardice, by their male relations.
The foreigners in the town had all been seized.

They were few in number, consisting of some eight or ten British traders and American missionaries.

These, after being fettered, were taken to the Custom House prison.

They were brought up and tried, early on the morning of the attack, and were accused of having arranged the assault on the town.