112 
VOYAGE OF THE POTOMAC. 
[February, 
the fort destined to the attack of the first division, not being able 
to discover it, from recent alterations made in the general dispo- 
sitions of the place, Lieutenant Pinkham turned his division to 
the right, and joined in the attack of the third division on the fort 
of Chedulah. The gateway having been forced, with great diffi- 
culty, by the pioneers, parts of the two divisions entered, under a 
brisk fire from a high platform situated at the southwestern ex- 
tremity of the fort, and enclosed with lofty palisades. To this 
spot the enemy had retreated, followed by the divisions, which 
were now partly screened by the walls of the fort, and the brisk 
and well-directed fire kept up by Betsey Baker, under the direction 
of Passed-midshipman Totten. 
Finding this spot no longer tenable, the Malays retreated to 
within the walls of the fort, which was now being attacked in front 
by the boats. The outer walls were fired, and the flames, spread- 
ing with great rapidity, soon communicated to the inner apart- 
ments, and in a few minutes an explosion took place, from a large 
quantity of powder, which fortunately did no injury to the attack- 
ing party ; when another efli"ort was made, headed by Lieutenant 
Ingersoll, for the main fortress. In this assault, William P. Smith, 
seaman, was killed ; Midshipman Taylor and three men wounded, 
one dangerously. 
The firing from the fort now began to slacken ; the Malays not 
being able to stand the cross fire from the boats and the two di- 
visions ; but still they held out. The men from the boats were 
now called on shore ; Lieutenant Edson had arrived, and Lieuten- 
ant Holf at the same moment came up with a part of his division, 
having left the remainder with an ofiicer in charge of his fort. A 
general attack was ordered, and the fort was instantly taken by 
assault, the Malays making precipitate retreat through their secret 
avenues into the jungle. The guns were dismounted, spiked, and 
thrown from the walls ; the small arms taken and sent to the boats. 
At this time the Malays, collecting in numbers, began to rally 
at the back of the town, and to advance. The fort of Duraman 
had commenced firing upon the small body of marines under Lieu- 
tenant Terrett, left in charge of the fort they had captured. This 
was the fort the first division had been unable to find ; but being 
now discovered. Lieutenants Pinkham and Edson, with parts of 
their divisions, were ordered to attack it ; while the remainder 
