to the commandant of Cheribon, and immediately after weighed with the three frigates, stood towards the fort, and anchored them as near as we could get to it, in three and a quarter fathoms; when the French colours were hauled down, and English hoisted in their place. The marines, amounting to 180, were immediately landed, and took possession of the fort; and I have the satisfaction to inform you, that just at that moment, the French General Jamelle, arrived at the Landroost’s, from Buitenzory, and was made our prisoner, together with an aide-de-camp of General Jannsen’s, and a Lieutenant of infantry[1].
“From the French General I learned that he left Buitenzory the night before our troops arrived there, and that detachments of the enemy were on their march from that place to this – about three hundred infantry, and 250 cavalry of which were hourly expected to arrive here I therefore immediately landed 150 seamen, to garrison and defend the fort of Cheribon; leaving all the marines to act offensively against the enemy in the field, if occasion should require it, and placed 3 launches with carronades in the river, to enfilade the two chief approaches to the fort. * * *
“The Hesper sailed so ill, that I was obliged to proceed without her, but expect her appearance every hour, as well as the Sepoys, who are to act under Colonel Wood, on whose arrival I shall Immediately re-embark the marines, and proceed to Taggall and Samarang; without whose assistance we should be too weak to make any impression on the latter place.”
“In consequence of a summons having been despatched yesterday to the government storekeeper of Carang Sambang, about 35 miles distant on the road to Buitenzory, to deliver up some very valuable stores of coffee under his charge, a despatch was early this morning received from him, in which he says he is ready to deliver over the above property to any person sent for that purpose; but, he is very fearful if we do not send troops there immediately, the French, who are arriving in small parties, will, when they hear of our being in possession of Cheribon, destroy the stores, and disperse; and it having been represented to me in consequence, that a quick movement to Carang Sambang, with the marines and a party of seamen, might not only preserve those stores, but either make prisoners of, or disperse the enemy there collected, I placed, at the written request of Colonel Wood, who is at present without any troops of the line, all the marines, and 50 seamen, under his immediate command, and they will march this evening at 5 o’clock. They are all mounted, seamen as well as marines, and a relay of horses is prepared for them half way. The Hesper arrived this morning, and I have appointed Captain Reynolds pro tempore, commandant of Cheribon.”
- ↑ General Jamelle and his companions were taken prisoners by Captain Warren at the head of a few marines; See p. 572.
