534 
APPENDIX. 
U. S. Ship Potomac, off th^ Town of Quallah-Battoo, 
February Qth, 1832. 
Sir, 
I have the honour to inform you, that, ac'cording to your orders hereto- 
fore received, I effected a landing with the several divisions under my 
command, about one mile and a half to the northward of the town. Al- 
though there was a heavy surf upon the shore, the divisions were landed 
and formed without the slightest accident. The following was the order 
observed : — First, the marines under Lieutenant Edson ; then the different 
divisions under the command of Lieutenants Pinkham, Hofif, and Ingersoll, 
and the six-pounder in charge of Acting-saihngmaster Totten ; the boats 
beirig left under the command of Passed-n:iidshipman Godon, with orders 
to follow to the town as soon as the attack commenced. I feel much 
indebted to Lieutenants Edson and Terret for the promptness displayed 
by them in forming the marines, and in assisting and forming the other 
divisions ; all of which was 'effected with coolness in fifteen minutes. 
As soon as the day dawned we proceeded along the beach towards the 
town, undiscovered by the enemy until within a short distance of the 
northernmost fort, when I immediately despatched Lieutenant HofF with 
his division to surround it; and in the event of the enemy's firing upon him, 
to carry it by storm. As soon as he approached the gateway, he was fired 
on ; when, after a close action of nearly two hours, the American flag 
hoisted ; the enemy carrying off his wounded, and leaving behind him 
his dead — twelve in number, and the women. Lieutenant Hoff had to 
surmount great difficulties in the capture of his fort ; he tore up the pali- 
sades wliich surrounded it, and formed a bridge, upon which he entered, 
and drove the enemy from their almost impregnable position ; during the 
whole of which time an incessant fire was kept up upon him. 
After leaving Lieutenant Hofif, I proceeded with the remaining forces; 
and at the northern end of the town, Lieutenants Pinkham and Edson, 
with their respective divisions, filed off to the left, to the attack of the two 
forts assigned to them, in the rear of the town ; while, with the third 
division under Lieutenant Ingersoll, and the six-pounder, — Acting-sailing- 
master Totten, I pushed on to attack the principal and strongest fort, 
situated at the southern end of the town. At the distance of fifty yards 
from the fort, perceiving the enemy preparing to receive us, I directed the 
six-pounder, loaded with round and grape, to be discharged, which threw 
them into confusion. The coolness and precision with which Acting- 
sailingmaster Totten worked the six-pounder, did great execution during 
the action. Lieutenant Ingersoll at this time rushed on to the attack. 
, At this juncture Lieutenant Pinkham, with the first division, rejoined me ; 
Sailing-master Barry, the guide, having been unable, from material altera- 
tions in and about the fort assigned to Lieutenant Pinkham, to point it 
out. The pioneers, with their crows and axes, having forced the gate, 
portions of the first and third divisions, under the direction of their respect- 
ive officers, rushed into the area, and took possession with little resist- 
ance ; but few Malays appearing, two of whom were killed on the spot. A 
charge was then made at the inner gate, which communicated with a narrow 
passage leading to the stronghold of the enemy (which was a strong plat- 
