two 8-pounders, two 6-pounders, and two 5 1/2-inch brass howitzers. This, the most advanced post of the enemy, and commanding the shore at Portuguese bay, was attacked with that gallantry, promptitude, and judgment, which were to be expected from the exertions and talents of that distinguished officer Captain Phillips, and was immediately carried, notwithstanding the determined opposition of the enemy, who had two officers killed, and one desperately wounded, after the entrance of our party into the battery.
“Under the able directions of Lieutenant Duncan Stuart” (commanding the 30 artillerymen), “who, although wounded, continued at his post, three of the guns were immediately brought to bear upon the enemy in his retreat, and subsequently upon the post at Batter Gantong, which had opened a fire upon our troops at Wannetoo on their taking possession thereof .
“With the remaining force, I proceeded along the heights to turn the enemy’s position at Batter Gantong, situated about 1500 yards distant from, and nearly on the same level with that at Wannetoo, and which commanded the town of Amboyna and Fort Victoria. This party endured with the greatest spirit and patience a most fatiguing and troublesome march, ascending and descending hills over which there was no road, and many of them so extremely steep as to require the assistance of the bushes for the men to get up and down by. Their toils were, however, rewarded by our reaching, a little after sun-set, an eminence which effectually commanded the enemy, and by the satisfaction we experienced on finding that we bad pursued the only mode of attack against this post which admitted a probability of success, otherwise than by a great sacrifice of lives. The enemy, who were collected in some numbers, retired immediately we were perceived on the heights above them, and we entered the battery without opposition, where we found four 12-pounders and one 9-pounder. * * * * * * Our loss in obtaining these advantages was trifling, in comparison with the importance of their consequences, and considering the obstacles we had to surmount. * * * * * * Lieutenant Jefferies, of the royal navy” (commanding the Dover’s seamen), “received a contusion in the breast, from a spent grape-shot; but I am happy to say, the service was at no period deprived of his valuable assistance[1]. It is but justice to the royal marines, troops, and seamen, to make known to you the steadiness with which they advanced against Wannetoo, under a heavy fire of grape and musketry: not a shot was fired until they reached the breastwork of the battery. Such a testimony of their valour and conduct, while highly honorable to the royal marines and troops, must reflect more than ordinary credit upon the seamen. * * * * * *
- ↑ The total loss on shore was 4 killed and 11 wounded.
