prepared for resistance. At this period, you had not communicated to me any final determination with respect to the Sultan of Djojocarta, and I was therefore withheld by sentiments of honour, from dispersing these people by force of arms, which I had afterwards reason to regret. Mr. Crawford, the resident, who accompanied me on the excursion, endeavoured, by every possible means in his power, to induce them to return. His solicitations and threats were equally unavailing, and we were at length so insulted by stones from the houses, and one of our dragoons was so severely wounded by a spear in the side, that we were compelled to act upon the defensive, and in a short time they were dispersed. In this affair, I regret to say, that one serjeant and four dragoons were wounded, the serjeant and one of the privates dangerously; and in another part of the town, a serjeant's patrole of 25 dragoons, was fiercely attacked by a considerable number of the Sultan's troops, whom they cut their way through, with the loss of one man killed, and one wounded. I shall now return to the afternoon of the 18th, where every thing was prepared for offensive operations, as well as our scanty supply of ammunition would admit. I am always an advocate for promptness and decision, and I was aware that any measure of a contrary nature, would not only weaken the confidence of our troops, but increase the insolence of the enemy. I therefore directed Major Butler to open a fire from our fort, which was immediately returned by the Sultan, but with inconsiderable effect. Captain Teesdale, of the VOL. LV. royal navy, was wounded, and a magazine in the battery having accidentally blown up, I lost the services of two active officers, Captain Young, and Lieut. Hunter, who were severely burnt by the explosion. Light parties were detached to scour the villages on the right and left, and a body of the Sultan's troops kept Major Dalton, and a part of his battalion, on the alert during the night; they were attacked four successive times with great spirit, but they repulsed the enemy with steadiness and good conduct. At about three o'clock in the afternoon, I became exceedingly anxious for the arrival of Lieut. Col. Mac Leod, and his party. I had received no report whatever of his progress, and I was apprehensive that he had encountered some difficulty upon the road, which might retard the service. I therefore detached Lieut. Hale, with twenty-five dragoons, to obtain some information respecting him, and I afterwards supported him with a further reinforcement of 40 men, under the command of Lieut. Keir, of the same regiment. The first detachment under Lieut. Hale was repeatedly attacked by large bodies of the Sultan's infantry, in situations where cavalry were unable to act. The promptitude and celerity of this officer's advance excited my warmest approbation; he was severely wounded himself, and lost five of his dragoons in the conflict; but notwithstanding his perilous and hampered situation, he executed his important trust by joining Lieut. Col. Mac Leod. On the following forenoon, the whole of his party arrived, consisting of a detachment of the royal artillery, KA the the grenadiers of his Majesty's 59th regiment. and the flank companies and rifle company of his Majesty's 78th. This reinforcement determined me upon my plan of operations. The palace or Krattan of the Sultan is surrounded by regular works about three miles in circumference; at each corner there is a formidable bastion, enfi. Jading the curtain, and the principal entrance in front is strongly defended by cannon. The whole of the fortification is surrounded by a wet ditch, and the gate ways are all provided with drawbridges, to prevent the passage across. With all these obstacles to our success, I relied upon the gallantry of my troops, and determined upon the assault on the morning of the 20th inst. In all the preparation necessary, I experienced much assistance from Lieut. Col. Mackenzie, of the engineers, and Major Thorne, deputy quarter-mastergeneral, who procured every information that could possibly be obtained, and with whom, in concert, I arranged the plan of attack. The principal part of the force was divided into two columns; the leading one commanded by Lieut. Col. Watson, of his Majesty's 14th foot, and the other by Lieut. Col. Mac Leod, of his Majesty's 59th regiment; Lieut. Col. Dewar, of the 3d Bengal Native Infantry, commanded a smaller party, and made a detour towards the rear of the Krattan. Major Grant condacted a central attack in front, At half an hour before day, the columns under the command of Lieut. Col. Watson, and Lieut. Col. Mac Leod, moved forward to the east curtain, under cover of the fire from our fort. They were, however, discovered by the enemy, before the scaling-ladders were planted. The alarm was incessantly given along the works, which only increased the activity and emulation of our troops. Lieut. Col. Watson advanced in the most gallant stile, and soon obtained possession of the rampart. Part of Major Dalton's battalion crossed the ditch at the N. E. bastion, under Capt. Leys, and running along the berm, admitted Lieut. Col. MacLeod with the second column, who blew open the Prince's gate and entered. The action then became general. Major Dalton, with part of the light-infantry battalion, led in a spirited stile to the southgate, where they admitted Lieur. Col. Dewar, and saved the life of the Prince Regent. The gallant 14th proceeded to scour the ramparts, and the capture of the Sultan rendered the victory complete. I have the honour to report to you, that during this arduous conflict, the Toomogong Semood Feningrat was killed. Lieut. Col. Dewar had the good fortune to encounter bis party, and as he was known to be the most powerful chieftain in the interest of the Sultan, and his instigator in every hostile proceeding against the British government, I consider this event as of the greatest political importance. About the conclusion of the assault I was myself severely wounded in the arm. Thus, with less than 1000 firelocks actually engaged, we have defeated upwards of 17,000 men, and afforded a lasting proof of our superiority and power. I shall refrain from enter ing into further particulars, as you were present upon the spot, and our cordial communications with cach each other have rendered them unnecessary. I have the honour to enclose you the copy of a general order issued upon the occasion, together with a return of killed and wounded, and orduance captured. I have the honour to solicit your particular attention to the valuable services of Mr. Crawford, resident. It is impossible I can convey to you, how deeply I am impressed with a sense of his talents and exertions. From the period of my arrival, until the conquest of the Krattan, he was uniformly active and assiduous, and his personal exposure in the assault of the works merits equally my thanks and commendation. Mr. Robinson, of the civil service, and Mr. Hardie, were also volunteers upon the occasion. cannot speak too highly of their eagerness and zeal. Mr. Deans, assistant to the resident, was essentially useful in conducting Lieut. Col. Dewar's party to the south gate. I have the honour to be, &c. (Signed) R. R. GILLESPIE, Colonel. Returned of killed and wounded. -Killed, 23, wounded, 76.-To tal, 99. Admiralty Office, April 20, 1813. Letters, of which the following are copies and extract, have been transmitted to this office by RearAdmiral Dixon, addressed to John Wilson Croker, Esq. by Lieut. Chads, late first lieutenant of his Majesty's ship Java: United States Frigate Constitution, off St. Salvador, Dec. 31, 1812. Sir, It is with deep regret that I write you, for the information of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that his Majesty's ship Java is no more, after sustaining an action on the 29th instant, for several hours, with the American frigate Constitution, which resulted in the capture and ultimate destruction of his Majesty's ship. Captain Lambert being dangerously wounded in the height of the action, the melancholy task of writing the detail devolves on me. On the morning of the 29th inst. at eight, a. m. off St. Salvador (coast of Brazil), the wind at N. E. we perceived a strange sail; made all sail in chase, and soon made her out to be a large frigate; at noon prepared for action, the chase not answering our private signals, and tacking towards us under easy sail; when about four miles distant she made a signal, and immediately tacked and made all sail away upon the wind. We soon found we had the advantage of her in sailing, and came up with her fast, when she hoisted American colours; she then bore about three points on our lee-bow. At fifty minutes past one, p. m. the enemy shortened sail, upon which we bore down upon her; at ten minutes past two, when about half a mile distant, she opened her fire, giving us a larboard broadside, which was not returned till we were close on her weather bow. Both ships now manoeuvred to obtain advantageous positions, our opponent evidently avoiding close action, and firing high to disable our masts, in which he succeeded too well, having shot away the head of our bowsprit with the jib-boom, and our running rigging so much cut as to prevent our preserving the weather gage. At five minutes past three finding the enemy's raking fire extremely heavy, Captain Lambert ordered the ship to be laid on board, in which we should have succeeded, had not our fore-mast been shot away at this moment, the remains of our bowsprit passing over his taffrail; shortly after this the maintopmast went, leaving the ship totally unmanageable, with most of our starboard guns rendered useless from the wreck lying over them. At half past three our gallant captain received a dangerous wound in the breast, and was carried below; from this time we could not fire more than two or three guns until a quarter past four, when our mizen-mast was shot away; the ship then fell off a little, and brought many of our starboard guns to bear: the enemy's rigging was so much cut that he could not now avoid shooting a-head, which brought us fairly broadside and broadside. Our main-yard now went in the slings, both ships continued engaged in this manner till 35 minutes past four, we frequently on fire in consequence of the wreck lying on the side engaged. Our opponent now made sail ahead out of gun-shot, where he remained an hour repairing his damages, leaving us an unmanageable wreck, with only the mainmast left, and that tottering. Every exertion was made by us during this interval to place the ship in a state to renew the action. We succeeded in clearing the wreck of our masts from our guns, a sail was set on the stumps of the foremast and bowsprit, the weather half of the main-yard remaining aloft, the main-tack was got for ward in the hope of getting the ship before the wind, our helm being still perfect: the effort unfortunately proved ineffectual, from the main-mast falling over the side, from the heavy rolling of the ship, which nearly covered the whole of our starboard guns. We still waited the attack of the enemy, he now standing towards us for that purpose; on his coming nearly within hail of us, and from his manoeuvre perceiving be intended a position a-head, where he could rake us without a possibility of our returning a shot. I then consulted the officers, who agreed with myself that our baying a great part of our crew killed and wounded, our bowsprit and three masts gone, several guns useless, we should not be justified in wasting the lives of more of those remaining, who I hope their lordships and the country will think have bravely defended his Majesty's ship. Under these circumstances, however reluctantly, at 50 minutes past five, our colours were lowered from the stump of the mizen-mast, and we were tken possession of, a little after six, by the American frigate Constitution, commanded by Commodore Bainbridge, who, immediately after ascertaining the state of the ship, resolved on burning her, which we had the satisfaction of seeing done as soon as the wounded were removed. Annexed I send you a return of the killed and wounded, and it is with pain I perceive it so numerous; also a statement of the comparative force of the two ships, when I hope their lordships will not think the British flag tarnished, although success has not attended us. It would would be presumptuous in me to speak of Captain Lambert's merits, who, though still in danger from his wound, we entertain the greatest hopes of his being restored to the service and his country. It is most gratifying to my feelings to notice the gallantry of every officer, seaman, and marine on board in justice to the officers, I beg leave to mention them individually. I can never speak too highly of the able exertions of Lieutenants Hevringham and Buchanan, and also of Mr. Robinson, master, who was severely wounded, and Lieutenants Mercer and Davis, of the royal marines, the latter of whom also was severely wounded. To Captain John Marshall. R. N. who was a passenger, I am particularly obliged for his exertions and advice throughout the action. To Lieutenant Aplin, who was on the main deck, and Lieutenant Saunders, who commanded on the forecastle, I also return my thanks. I cannot but notice the good conduct of the mates and midshipinen, many of whom are killed, and the greater part wounded. To Mr. T. C. Jones, surgeon, and his assistants, every praise is due, for their unwearied assiduity in the care of the wounded. Lieut.-Gen. Hislop, Major Walker, and Captain Wood, of his staff, the latter of whom was severely wounded, were solicitous to assist and remain on the quarter deck. I cannot conclude this letter, without expressing my grateful acknowledgments, thus publicly, for the generous treatment Captain Lambert and his officers have experienced from our gallant enemy, Commodore Bainbridge, and his officers. I have the honour to be, &c. P. S. The Constitution has also suffered severely both in her rigging and men, having her fore and mizen-masts, main-top-mast, both main-top sail-yards, spanker-boom, gaff, and trysail mast badly shot, and the greatest part of the standing rigging very much damaged, with ten men killed, the commodore, fifth lieutenant, and 46 men wounded, four of whom are since dead. Force of the two Ships. |