1811 - Capture of Java

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1811 Capture of Java 39

Warren, with the aid of his gig's crew; as were also an aide-de-camp of General Jansens and a lieutenant of infantry.

Hearing from the French general, that 350 infantry and 350 cavalry were hourly expected to arrive at Cheribon from Buitenzorg, Captain Beaver landed 150 seamen to garrison and defend the fort ; leaving the marines to act offensively against the enemy in the field, should occasion require it, and placing three launches, with carronades, in the river, to enfilade the two chief approaches to it. On the 5th, in the morning, the Hesper, who had been delayed by bad sailing, joined the Nisus, Présidente, and Ph�be. On the two following days a quantity of treasure and valuable stores, and several prisoners, were brought from Carang-Sambang, a place about 35 miles in the interior, by a detachment of seamen and marines sent thither for the purpose. On the 11th, by 1 a.m., all the seamen and marines that had been landed were re-embarked, having made about 700 prisoners, including 237 Europeans; and at 4 a.m. the Nisus and Ph�be weighed and steered for Taggal, a port about 20 or 25 leagues further to the eastward. On the 12th the Ph�be arrived off the harbour ; and, landing some seapoys and a detachment of seamen and marines, Captain Hillyar took quiet possession of the fort and public stores.

While the British navy was thus effectually lending its aid, by subduing and taking possession of the different sea-defences of this valuable colony, the commander-in-chief of the British army was pressing close upon General Jansens ; so close that, on the 16th of September, the latter, then at the fort of Salatiga, about 30 miles to the southward of Samarang, which is 343 miles east from Batavia, proposed to capitulate; and on the 18th the island of Java and its dependencies were surrendered to the British arms.

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