No. 37. — 1888.] capture of Colombo. 



381 



evening the enemy crossed the river at Passe-Betaal. The 

 Sub-Lieutenant Deville, after firing on the enemy, overturned 

 his field-pieces into the water : the gunners retired to Grand- 

 pass, and he and the rest rejoined Captain Legrevisse. 



The order came afterwards to withdraw to Courteboom. 

 Captain Legrevisse made his way there by a narrow path in 

 the wood, the road being obstructed by abattis. He took 

 up his position on the road, and M. Mittemann and his detach- 

 ment at the entrance to the wood leading to Mutwal. 



Captain Winklemann had orders to retire from Grandpass, 

 where the enemy had turned his position. Lieutenants 

 Bockmann and Yogle received orders to go to Carvate- 

 Breuque, and in the event of their hearing cannonade on 

 the Mutwal side, to enter the Fort after communicating 

 the above order to M. Mittemann. 



On the 11th the soldiers were without provisions, and 

 occupied some empty huts. Captain Legrevisse took over 

 command from M. Mittemann, who, through M. Prosalot, had 

 received the Governor's order to return to him. 



At midday an English corvette came very near land to 

 examine and sound the bay. The Fort allowed it to approach 

 without firing a single shot. M. Legrevisse thereupon with- 

 drew his troops to the cover of the wood in order to save 

 them from the broadside which the vessel was ready to fire 

 had opportunity offered. After beating about for some hours 

 she put out to sea again. 



Captain Mittemann in the afternoon returned with the 

 order to retire to Malabar street (la rue des Malabares). 

 His detachment stationed itself there in a garden surrounded 

 by walls and near Courteboom. M. Legrevisse placed his in 

 such a position as to guard the street down to the sea, as 

 well as the avenues leading to Grandpass. A soldier of his 

 company, who was reproached with having quitted his post, 

 desired to be punished, or to be cleared by blowing out his 

 own brains. 



An English frigate having approached the Dutch vessels 

 in harbour, MM. Honline, Pabst, and Kuyper, artillery 



