their sea-batteries, produced an immediate and unqualified submission, and we found ourselves in possession of the two forts, and several batteries, mounting 120 pieces of cannon, and defended by 700 disciplined troops, besides the militia[1].
“The ships had been left with so few men to manage them, that I had merely directed Captain Foote to lead into any anchorage that he might be able to obtain, to make a diversion in our favor; but they were worked against all the unfavorable circumstances of a dark and squally night, in a narrow channel, with the most determined perseverance, and with that degree of zeal that I expected from an officer of my own rank, whose heart and hand had always been with me on every point of public service[2].
“Captain Kenah, who led the storming party, crowned a series of valuable services during two months’ difficult and intricate navigation through the Eastern seas, by his bravery and activity on shore[3].
“The colours of Forts Nassau and Belgica will be presented to your Excellency by Lieutenant John Gilmour, who has served nine years in this country as a Lieutenant, and a large portion of that time as first Lieutenant under my command. Although labouring under a severe illness, he took charge of the ship on my quitting her; and his seaman-like arid zealous conduct in the discharge of his trust were most conspicuous.
“I also transmit a plan of the defences of Banda Neira, with the position of the Dutch troops, and our route from the
- ↑ The island of Banda Neira is little more than 2f miles long, and a 1/2 mile broad. Its shores were defended by ten batteries, in addition to the citadel and Fort Nassau. The total number of guns mounted on the different works was afterwards ascertained to be 138, and no less than 1500 men piled their arms on the glacis of the fort the very day of its capture; yet, strange as it may appear, scarcely one of the victorious little band received a hurt that could with propriety be called a wound.
- ↑ Captain Charles Foote, the meritorious officer alluded to in the above passage of Captain Cole’s letter, was the last surviving son of the late J. Foote, Esq. banker, of London. He died at Madras, Sept. 5, 1811, aged 31 years.
- ↑ Captain Kenah died in command of the Etna bomb, on the coast of America, at the latter end of the war.
