No. 37. — 1888.] capture of Colombo. 



375 



their departure to forward despatches to General Malartic, 

 Governor-General of the Isles of France, and Bonaparte (then 

 Bourbon). The necessary provisions were supplied to them, 

 as well as two old Sakebres and some old sailors. M. Pour- 

 chasse, Captain of the prize, had the command. Some days 

 after, profiting by a dark night and foggy weather, they set 

 sail at 10 o'clock at night. They had the good fortune to 

 escape the English cruisers, and it was known shortly after 

 that they arrived safely at the Isle of France. 



About the same time an English merchantman anchored 

 before Matara. An officer and five lascars landed to procure 

 fresh water. Meanwhile the Disava sent three fishermen 

 on board to reconnoitre the vessel. The Captain, finding his 

 men did not return, fearing attack, and wishing to profit 

 by a favourable breeze which suddenly sprung up, weighed 

 anchor and set sail for his destination, Bengal, detaining the 

 three fishermen on board. His cargo consisted of Persian 

 horses. The English officer and the lascars were seized and 

 sent to Colombo by the Disava as prisoners of war. The 

 three sailors and the soldiers, who were prisoners, entered the 

 [Dutch] service. 



The troops were reorganised. The company of the Colonel 

 of the Wurtemberg [regiment] and that of Winkelmann was 

 split into three. Colonel Yenagel was appointed Major. 

 Two battalions of Malays were formed, the first commanded 

 by Captain Lamotte, the second by Captain d'Obrick. A 

 separate company of a portion of the Malays who were at the 

 Arsenal was stationed at the depot of the Company's slaves 

 and of those condemned to chains. A battalion of Sepoys 

 was raised under the command of Captain Pannemberg, Major 

 of the fort of Galle. The Moors that had been enrolled also 

 formed a battalion commanded by Captain Betzem. Five 

 hundred Chaliyas (Salias) were armed to be employed under 

 the orders of Captain Mittemann in the open, and in the 

 woods. Major Cheder was promoted to the rank of 

 Lieutenant-Colonel, and had orders to repair to Colombo. 

 The command at Galle was given to Captain Hulembeck of 



85—90 B 



