The National Register.
London, England, 1811-07-07 00:00:00

TIIE NATIONAL REGISTER

su immediate and unqualified submission, and. we found our-
selves iu possession of the forts, and several batteries, mounting
one hundi ed and twenty pieces of cannon, and defended by near
seven hundred disciplined troops, beddes the mihtia.
I Am, 4-
(Signed) CHRISTOPHER COLE.
His Majesty's ship Dover, at sea, off
Gorontello, June 16,1810.
SIR—In prosecution of your Excellency's orders to distress the
enemy as much as possible in the Molucca Sea, I beg leave to
inform you, that •alter having vent all the Dutch officers and
troops from Amboyna to Java, I proceeded to the Dutch port
of Gorontello, in the Bay of Tommine, on the north-east part of
the Island of Celebes, where I found the colours of the King of
Rolland flying on the fort, and on the three batteries at the en-
trance of the harbour.
Finding, however, that Rio Dutch officer hvl charge of these
posts, but that the whole settlement was vested in the hands of
the Sultan and his two sons (who bore litstch Commissions) for
the Dutch company, 1 therefore, instead of making a descent,
landed and waited upon his Majesty, to whom I addressed a
letter.
The proposals contained in this letter having been duly con-
sidered by his Majesty and the Nobles in Council, were accetl,cd
to with much satisfaction. The Dutch colours were hauled
down, and the British supplied their place in Fort Nassau, under
every demonstrance of their attachment to the English overn-
inent.
Having thus opeised a large proportion of this part of the Ce-
lebes to the English trade, from wheuc.e also various kinds of
supplies can be con,tantly thrown into our possessions in the
INlaluccas, it is my intention to proceed to the Manado, where
there is a very good fort with a heavy battery in front close to
the sea,. *and the fort again commanded by a battery on a bill
itamediattly over it, and from whence musketry can play into
the fort; best as the ship can be brought to bear on the latter
and lower. battery, and sixty picked men under Lieutenants In-
cledpn.-und Hlgginson are ready to storm the battery on the hill,
1 have no doubt bit the attack will be successful.
I hibve the honour to be, Ate.
(Signed)
Rear Admiral Drury, Commander in
Chief of his Maje ty's ships and
vessels in the East Indies.

EDW4RD TUCKEK.

Here follows an account of the surrender of Monardo and its
dependencies ; and also a return of the Garrison found in Fort
Amsterdam, Nlanado, June 24,15 W, consisting of— ,
1 Captain Commandant, 3 Lieutenants, 3 serjeants, 1 bomba-
diet, 13 corporals, 1 fifer, 1 drummer, 79 privates, 1 btiat-
swain, 10 foremastmen. . • ,
Total, including Officers-113.
(Signed) . EDWARD TUCKER.
• Return of Ordnance found at Manado, June '?4, 1810.
1 brass 6-pounder, 4 ditto 1-pounders, 5 ditto half-pounders,
3 iron 12-pounders, 5 ditto 8-pounders, 9 ditto 6-pounders.
6 ditto 4-pounders, 3 ditto 2-pounders, 14 ditto 1-pounder,
•iota]--50 guns. •••..
. (Signed)

EDWARD TUCXER,
His 'Majesty's ship Dover, in Ternate
flat boor, August 31, 1810.
SlR—Having made application by letter, dated the .Ist Au-
lost, io Capt. Court, costunanding at Amboyna, for one hun-
dred troops.to assist me Ii reducing the istand of Ttrnate, they
were on the same day embarked on board his Majesty's ship
Dover. We pushed to sea, and got sight of the istand on the
25th, but ow:ng to light airs and calms, it was not until the
r.:orning of the 28:h, that the p:-.lty were embarked in the boats,
and effected a 'landing.
The officer. pinstantly headed and led on their men with the
utmost gatiitry, showing an example of Intrepidity impossible
to be excelled. The ardent zeal of Captain Forbes coititl not
brook delay ; be bud already selected 100 men, equally from his
own regimetit,..the seamen, marines, and Atr.ll ynt se troops,
with whom he ins:alley advanced, and curried the fort in that
galkiht and detertnitied manner as stated in hit report.
The currents and witutiduring the night were more unfit.
• vootable tlian could possibly be. expected, nor wits there ground
for anchoring , so that it was a quarter past -tv/S, P. M. on the
f.:9:h, before Lieut. lefferies with the seamen-that had landed;
and t.ieut. Higginson, wt.h a few of the marines (whose assist-
:trice was absolutely rt.quired) could be got on board, and the
ship brought against Kota Ban-o, the first battery next to Fort
Esaye Nleirah. Having closed to pisttA shot, and a well directed
Ere kept up, principally grape and cacuister, it was shortly si-
lenccd,akni. btandiat on to the next battery, by which we
offettahttliird battery of similar force, and also the. sea face of
toll'Oratige, it was observed the enemy had again entered the
lia,:tety of li:t.,:a.Baro, And ope•iied their tre %Jon us. We were
•- • ••• . -

now exposed to a. heavy cross fire from these three batteries,
and from Fort Orange. I therefore regained our former posi-
tion off Kota Barro, with the intention of, when again silencing
it, to land a party and spike the guns, for which service Lieut . .
Tdigginson, Royal Marines, and Mr. Green, the gunner, had
most readpy volunteered. The battery was soon a second time
silenced, when we erceived some of our troops in sharp con-
test h a numerous body of the enemy, at but a short distanee
fromivittpwhich was shortly after entered by Lieut. Cursham and
his party, they hiving in the most superior style, defeated all
that were opposed to them. Such guns of this battery as could
brought to bear on the remaining batteries and fort were in-
stantly turned on them, and a good fire kept up.
On ISota Barro being taken possession of, the ship was imme-
diately after brought to pretty close plan with the second tad
third batteriesi mentioned before; an also with Fort Orange ;
after an bout- rathree quarters sharp firing, during which time
our stiots were thrown with uncommon coolness and preciSiOn,
the enemy's fire was observed to decrease considerably,-and at •
five in the evening flags of truce were seen hoisted in Fort
Orate, ppon which All firing ceased, and three Officers came
on board, commissioned by the civil a.fid military Governor a.
arrange articles of capitulation for the surrender of the Island.
The articles of capitulation were then concluded, and text
morning ratified,' signed and exchanged, and a further arrange-
pent mane for the entrance of the Uritish force, at nine o'clock
in the Morning of the 31st, which was accordingly done, the
enemy marching out, and laying down their arms, when did
English colours were displayed in all the forts and batteries, un-
der a royal salute from each, also from his Majesty's ship Dover.
Thus has the whole of this island fallen in lees th,,n one day to a
ieFy inconsiderable force, though 'so famous fur the strength of
its fortifications, and memorable for its defence ie the last war
against the English. By official documents we find that five
hundred regular troops with a very large pcoporiOn of Officers
and Europeans, have defended the place aided by the Marine
department (many of whom are European seamen), the Dutch
inhabitants and burghers, in number two hundred and three;
and also the King of 'rernate's force, two hundred and fifty of.
of whom were iu the fiel4, and an equal Mimber from the Sul-,
ten of Tidore and 'adjacent islands, in alliance with the Dutch.
It will be gratifying to you to learn, that notwithstanding tl:e
heavy cross tire the Dover was exposed to from the different
batteries airdrop. Orange, our loss has been but triileiz„ having
had only five seamen wounded; nor has the ship suffered mate-
rially, either in her hull, masts, or rigging.
I enclose herewith.a return of the ordnance found on the
island, and a list of the killed and wounded. The colours of
Fort Prange,are now on board the Dover; and I shall have the
honour of presenting them to you on my joining your Excel-
lency's flag. I have, Sm.
(Signed) EDWARD TUCKER.
Rear-Admiral Drury, Commander in Chief
of his Majesty's ships and vessels in the
East li.dies.
Extract of a letter from Capt. Forbes to Edw. Tucker, Esq.
Commanding his Majesty's ship Dover.
SIR—I have the honour to detail to yen the operations of the
detachauent under my command, from the time of its leaving
his Majesty's ship Dover, until hOstilities ceased against the
island of Ternate.
After the boats left the ship on the night of the 27th instant
every possible exertion was made by Lieut. Jefleries, in charge,
to accomplish. a landing before day-break, with a view of taking
Fort Kayo Meirah by surprize ; finding that so desirable an ob-
ject could nut be effected, I directed him to proceed to Sala
(which is situate behind a point of land), where we landed with-
out molestation about seven A. M. Lieut. Charles Forbes then
moved fcrward with a party to occupy time heights, where he
remained until the guns and ammunition could be brought up ;
this became fati:Riing service, from the steepness of the hilts
and the deep ravines.. About noon, after incredible labbur, we
gamed a coninianding position near the sea, where w e rested
about two hours. Having left a party here to keep up the com-
munication with the ship, we proceeded on to occupy a height,
awl to commatid kort Kayo Meirah, and was pointed out as
the spot taken up by the kaiglish last war; but to our mortifi-
cation, on our gaining it, we found that the trees had grown so
much as to preclude our seeing the r.,rt ; in the mean time we
perceived the flag of truce hoisted on his Majesty's ship Dover.
Being determined in the event of the enemy's not agreeing to
the summons, to sain immeuiate possession of Fort Kayo Mei-
rah, I ordered I(‘'.o men. with a double scaling ladder, to be in
readiness to storm. The motnent I received your letter, ea-
' closing the.Goverttoe's refusal, I proceeded about seven o'clock
P. M. with this party, keeping the inland road. After adv.,,,e,,
•ng (Inte little way, we tutind it impossible to proceed furtutr,
OWill to immense trees cut down by the enemy. and thruwa
acros the road. 1 theta turtud to time right, Jul alter great..l‘..

beach,
of the.
s furthe,
mediate'
of guns,'_
• of musketry
The fort now opened a very heairy fire of
grape and musketry, notwithstanding which we crossiltd the
klitch and.placed the ladder on the ii ink of the bastions, on the
right of !he bridge, under a brisl-, fire from the oppOsite bastion. •
The walls were scaled, and the fort carried instantly, ai:d an
Officer and tis prisoners secured.
.Lieut. Cursham fired a few rounds from a sit-poeintler, pro-
ceeded on and got possession Of 'Kota Barro, the enemy only 1
firing one round, and turned the guns towardi the Strand h4t-
tertes and the town, keeping up a fire until the flag of truce was
htoisted. I halie the honour to enclose you a return of the killed
and wounded. I attribute the small loss on Orb occasion to the.
darknest of the night, and the quickness of the advance of the
party. I have the hOnnur to be,
(Signed) DAvlb FOR BE S
Captain commanding detachment.l

Return of killed and wounded,
Killed—Royal Marines, 1 private.
114?dras European regiment-1 serjrant.
Wounded—Royal Marines-1 private severely.
I Seamen seamen severely.
Ltt.tc:iinient of Ariallery-1 matross severely, since dead.
Madras European regiment—Lieut. C. Forbes-received a severe
contusion from a fall in stollning ; 3 privates, severely; G pri-
vates slightly.
Amaoynese corps-1 serjeant, 1 private slightly; 1 guide se-
verely. • .
Total-1 serjeant. 2 privatt4 killed; 1 Lieutenant, 1 serjeant,
4 seaman, 12 p:ivates, 1 guide wounded.
(Signed) DAYS!) Form s,
Captain commaading Detac;iment.

The men adva0,......
Ad hand-granaries from the out-
, from the town, With the utmost
order, to the bottom of the breach ;•
1)), Ensign Dyas o the 51st regi-
, perform this duty; tut they found
that the enemy had cleared the rubbii;h from the bottdm of the
escarp; and notwithtanding the. they were provided with
ladders it was impossible to mount it. They retired with some
loss.
The fire upon St. Christoval, as well. as upon the place, con-
tinued on the 7th, Bth, and on which day the breach in the
wall of St. Christoval appeared practicable, and I directed that a
sec and .atten rpt should be made on that ni6ht to obtain possession
of that outwork. • :

Major-General Houstoun ordered another detachment for.
this service, tied r the command of Major M‘Guachey, of the
1711 i Portuguese regiment, who, with the Offictes destined to
command the different parties composing the detachment, had
been employed throue,hout the all and 9th in rtconnoitring the
breach, and the differennapproaches to it.
.1 hey advaeced at abeut nine at night in the best order,
though opposed by the same means and with the same deter-
mination, as bad been opposed to the detachment which had
made the attempt On the 6th.
Enc.ign Dyes again led the advance, andahe storming party
arrived at the foot of the breach ; but they found it impossible
to motiet it, the enemy 'aaving, again cleared the rubbish from
the bottom of the escarp. '1 he detachment suffered consider-
ably, and Major M'Geaciy, the Commanding Officer, was un-
fortunately killed, and others of the Officers fell ; but he troops
continued to maintain their station till Major-General Houstoun
ordered them to retire.
When the reinforcements had arrived from the frontiers of
Castille after the battle of Albuera, I undertook the siege of Ba••
jadoz, entertaining a belief that the means of which I had the
command would reduce the place before the end of the
second week in June; at which time I expected that the re-
inforcements far the enemy's southern army detached from
Castille would join Mareha; Soult. •
I was unfortunately mistaken in my estimate of the quality of
those means.
We had failed in two attempts to obtain possession of Fort
St. Christoval ; and it was obvious to me that we could not ob-
tain possession of that outwork, without performing a work
which would have required the labour of several days to COM-
pleat. •
On the morning of the 10th inst. I received the • incicised in-
tercepted di-patch from the Duke of Dalmatia to the Duke of
Raeusa, which pointed out clearly the enemy's design to collect
in Es ramadura their whole force; and I had reason to believe
that Drouet's corp, which had marched from Toledo on the
28th and 29th of May, and was expected at Cordova on the sth
and 6th instant, would have joined the southern army by the
Ibth ; and it Aas gt nerally expected in the country that the
southern army would have moved by that time.
The movement of this army :done would have created a ne-
cessity for raising the siege; but on the same morning I received
veconets from the frontiers of Castilie, which left no doubt of
the destination of the army of Portugal to the southward ;-and
Wave ground for belief that they would arrive at Merida on the
15th instant.
I therefore ordered that the siege might be raised.
I have every reason to be satisfied with the conduct of all the
officers and troops employed at the siege of Badajoz, whose
labours and exertions deserved a very different result.
Major-General Picton directed the operations on the...left of
the Guadiana, and Ma:or-General Houstoun on the right; and
lam much indebted to those officers, as well as to Major-
General Hamilton, and the other General and Staff-Officers, and
thaofficers and troops under their coma-ands respectively.
Lieutenant-Colonel Fletcher of the Royal Engineers was the
directing engineer, and immediately superintended the opera-
tieies on the left of ale Guadiana ; and Captain Squires those on
the right of that river; and these officers and the corps of engi-
neers have by their conduct on this occasion augmented their
cleims to my approbation.
Lieutenant-Colonel Framingham• commanded the artillery,
having under Lis orders Major Dickson attached to the Portu-
guese service, who, during the absence of Lieutenant-Colotal
Frareieghani with the troops which wrre employed to cover the
operations, conducted all the details of this important deport-
ment. I had every reason to be sat isfied ss ith these officers, and
moat particularly with Major Dickson, from whose activity,
zeal, and intelligence the public service has derived great advan-
tage in the different operations against Badajoz.
Captain Cleves of the Hanoverian artillery conducted that
deiertment on the right of the Guadiana with great success.
fire service of the batteries was performed by detachments
from the Ist; and sd. Regiments of Portuguese artillery,

422
boor reached the
nearly 800 yards
vanced fifty yari:.
his muck.-:. Imo
With a brigade of
keeping up a fire
drove them off..

THE NATIONAL REGISTER..
lllMlNGll4ll.l2ll9faiiiMill4lllll.lrams7+g- •
-
!I, and about ten o'clok k arrived within regiment to make the attempt.
ie Fort undiscovered. We had not ad- very heavy fire of musquetry ani
her bt fore the enemy's out sentry fired woik, and of shot and shells irt
tely atter a detachment of the enemy,' intrepidi,y, and in the best order
fired a. volley. We now pushed for Ward, the advaNced guard being lid by
isketcy on the detachment outside, v, Lich meta, who volunteered to pert()