Night of 
25th, 26th, 
August 26th, 
August 27th. 
7 am, 
August 28th, 
August 26th. 
August 27th 
580 THE DUTCH EXPEDITION TO THE ISLAND OF LOMBOK. 
at Ampenan, assisted by the lst and 8rd companies, 9th battalion, who 
had been left there. 
Major von Tonningen had conducted the retreat in a masterly 
manner. 
Fivents at Ampenan.—At midnight the firing at Tjakra Negara was 
heard and the Commandant sent out the cavalry to reconnoitre. The 
road to Materam was found occupied by the enemy. “The cavalry 
attacked, but their repeated exertions to cut their way through the 
enemy failed and they returned to Ampenan with the loss of one 
horse.” 
Many mules in the bivonac—alarmed by the firing—stampeded and 
were lost. 
In the early morning the senior naval officer sent ashore a landing 
party of 200 men with four guns. 
The 26th and night of 26th, 27th passed quietly and on the morning 
of the 27th information was received by letter sent in duplicate from 
Major van Tonningen of the state of affairs at the temple at Materam. 
Further naval reinforcements were asked for and 25 more men were 
sent ashore. 
At 7 a.m. the two companies of the 9th battalion started and were 
soon in contact with the enemy, who fell back before them and shortly 
afterwards the column, retreating from Materam, was met. The 
wounded were all sent on board ship. 
On the following day preparations were made for placing Ampenan 
in a state of defence. 
Let us now return and trace the action of the remaining fragments 
of this most unlucky force. 
Ineut.-Colonel van Lawick van Pabst’s column.—On the morning of 
August 26th this column received an order from the Commander-in- 
Chief, despatched on the 25th inst., recalling them and cautioning 
them to take all necessary measures for safety. A message sent on 
the 26th informing them of the surprise and ordering them to proceed 
to the east coast was not received. The Commandant was informed 
by the headman of Koepang that a heavy gun and rifle fire had been 
heard, but discredited the information. 
The column commenced its retreat on the 26th and bivouacked for 
the night of the 26th, 27th at Somrasagsa, about four miles west of 
Batoe Klian. It resumed its march on the 27th at 6 a.m., having been 
previously warned by a friendly native, who had fled from Tjakra 
Negara at the first shots, that there was a disturbance there. 
The order of march was as follows :— 
The front of the advanced-guard—Huropeans—under Lieutenan 
Musch. 
Advanced-guard—half 4th company Europeans, 9th battalion, 
two mountain guns, remaining half 4th company, under 
Captain Christan, commanding the company. 
Main body—one section 2nd Javanese company, 9th battalion, 
train, ambulance, three sections 2nd company. These last 
three sections also provided the rear-guard. The 2nd 
company was commanded by Captain Lindgreen. 
