110 
VOYAGE OF THE POTOMAC. 
[February, 
owned and commanded by different rajahs or chiefs. The natives 
and their leaders rely exclusively on these forts and their cita- 
dels for defence at all times, when engaged in their numerous 
petty wars with each other, or when expecting an attack from an 
enemy without ; and long have they believed that within these 
walls no enemy, however formidable, could ever be able to reach 
them. 
Through Mr. Barry, an outline of the situation of the forts had 
been obtained, and the attack accordingly planned as follows, by 
the commodore, previously to the divisions' leaving the ship : 
Lieutenant Hoflf, who commanded the second division, was to in- 
vest the fort belonging to Muley Mahomet (or Poloa-en-Yamet), 
situated at the northwest extremity of the town, and about sixty 
yards from the water's edge. Lieutenants Edson and Terrett, at 
the head of the marines, were ordered to proceed to the invest- 
ment of the fort belonging to Tuko de Lama, about five hundred 
yards in the rear of Mahomet's fort, while about six hundred 
yards to the right of these stood the fort of Catchey Duraman, 
directly in the rear of the town, to which Lieutenant Pinkham 
was ordered with the first division ; while Lieutenant Ingersoll, 
commanding the third division, with " Betsey Baker" in the rear, 
and in front the boats under Passed-midshipman Godon, should 
invest the main fort, commanded by the powerful rajah Chedula, 
situated within thirty yards of the beach, and directly in front of 
the town. The fifth fort is situated to the east of the rest, and 
across the stream alluded to, and is surrounded by an inaccessible 
jungle. 
These forts, and particularly the citadels, were generally bedded 
deep in the jungle, which prevents them from sudden surprise 
and abrupt attacks, and gives to the defenders the means of hold- 
ing out longer and to better advantage. As the small column pro- 
ceeded onwards, the boats kept up with them to the point of land 
where the town and the nearest forts were in clear view, when the 
party moved, to the left and entered the path cut through the jun- 
gle. As yet, no movement had been seen on the part of the na- 
tives ; but a moment more, and a shot from the fort of Muley Ma- 
homet announced their vigilance and readiness to receive their 
morning visiters. 
Lieutenant Hoffs division now filed off to this point of attack, 
