No. 37.— 1888.] 



CAPTURE OF COLOMBO. 



383 



After M. Legrevisse had effected his retreat through the 

 wood, he perceived on his right a detachment of Malays 

 and of the Wurtemberg regiment coming from Carvate- 

 Breuque, which proceeding on the road to Colombo, took 

 up a position on the right. At the same moment the 

 enemy debouched on the road and vigorously attacked the 

 troops of these two captains, who were driven back and 

 obliged to retire to Kayman's gate (la porte des Caymans), 

 having been deserted by the Sepoys. It was very fortunate 

 for them that the enemy was contented to take up its position 

 at Courteboom. 



This was the only encounter of any importance that took 

 place before the surrender of Colombo. 



At Kayman's gate M. Legrevisse found three companies 

 of the National Battalion : the Grenadiers, the company 

 of Captains Thirback and Hoyer, as well as a detach- 

 ment of artillery placed under his orders, to support 

 him if the enemy approached. He stationed these troops 

 at all the avenues, and the artillery and his own detach- 

 ment on the seashore in an old Portuguese battery, partially 

 demolished. Shortly afterwards Lieutenant-Colonel Scheder 

 came to take command of the troops. In spite of all, the 

 enemy assembled in force at Courteboom under their very 

 eyes. 



Captain Legrevisse received orders at midday to retire 

 with his detachment into the Fort, and the remainder of the 

 troops received a like order successively. Kayman's gate 

 was then closed, and a Malay guard placed there. 



On the 13th all the gates of the Fort were shut, and the 

 bridges raised. Legrevisse's company was directed to guard 

 the ravelin of the Delft gate. 



M. Sluysken, Director of Surat, who had come to Colombo for 

 his health, wrote to Colonel Stuart, Commander of the English 

 army, for permission to leave the Fort with his family. The 

 permission was granted, and he withdrew to a country house 

 on the Grandpass road. At the same time similar permis- 

 sion was offered to the ladies and private individuals who 



