ing the point; at this instant a volley of musketry from the enemy precluded all hope of a surprise, I therefore ran the boats aground in a heavy surf, under the embrasures of the lower tier of guns, and placed the ladders on them, which were mounted with that bravery inherent in British seamen, whilst a few men placed for the purpose, killed three of the enemy in the act of putting matches to the guns. A few minutes put us in possession of the lower battery, when we formed the men, and stormed the upper one: on reaching the summit of the hill, we perceived the garrison drawn up to receive us; they sustained our fire, but fled from the charge, on my calling to them, that we had 400 men, and would give no quarter.
“At one o’clock, the other battery and two gun-boats opened their fire upon us, which we returned with a few guns, whilst the remainder of the men were employed in disabling the guns in our possession, and many other parts of the battery which it was practicable to destroy: we had completed this by day-light, when I judged it prudent to embark; on reaching the boats, I had the mortification to find the launch bilged, and beaten up so high by the surf, as to leave no prospect of getting her afloat; I therefore felt it a duty incumbent on me to embark the men in the cutter.
“The sun was now rising, and I humbly flatter myself, the momentary gratification the enemy may have felt by our leaving the launch, must have vanished when he beheld a small boat bearing away his colours, a public and undeniable proof of the few men who attacked him, amounting to only thirty-five, including officers.
“Having detailed the particulars of this little enterprise, I beg to point out in the strongest terms, the very conspicuous gallantry of Mr. William Langton, midshipman, who received a slight wound from a bayonet, and of Mr. Charles Henry Franks, a youth of fifteen, who volunteered to hoist the British colours, a service he performed most gallantly, under a heavy fire[1]. I hope the above detail may be considered a sufficient panegyric on the bravery of the seamen employed, and I have heartfelt satisfaction in adding, that we had only four men slightly wounded; I imagine the loss of the enemy must have been severe, but only know of three being killed. Marruk is situated on a promontory mounting 54 guns, (18, 24, and 32-pounders), and was garrisoned at that time by 180 soldiers, and the crews of two gun-boats. I have the honor to be, &c.
(Signed)“Edmund Lyons.”
“To Captain Hoare, H.M.S. Minden.”
(letter alluded to above)
“H.M.S. Minden’s Launch, Pulo Panjang, July 28, 1811.
“Sir,– I had some conversation yesterday with several very intelligent residents of Batavia, from which I drew the following conclusions,–
“That the enemy has no intimation of the expedition being near Java, and I am pretty well assured he does not expect to be attacked this mon-- ↑ Son of Charles Franks, Esq. of Cork, Ireland.
