Royal Naval Biography/Hoare, Edward Wallis
EDWARD WALLIS HOARE, Esq.
[Post-Captain of 1810.]
This officer is related to Admiral the Hon. Sir Robert Stopford, K.C.B. He was made a Lieutenant in Aug. 1796; advanced to the rank of Commander Sept. 25, 1804; and posted into the Minden 74, at Bombay, Oct. 16, 1810.
In the spring of 1811, Captain Hoare was despatched from Madras to the coast of Java, with two companies of troops on board, in order to await the arrival of the expedition then fitting out at the different ports of India for the attack of that island, the only colony in the Eastern hemisphere still possessed by the enemy; and to which so much importance was attached, that the Governor-General, Lord Minto, had resolved to accompany the expedition in person. The following extracts of an official letter, contain an account of a battle; between 200 seamen, marines, and soldiers, landed from the Minden, and 500 of the enemy’s European and native troops, near Bantam, in which the latter were routed and dispersed, with a loss of above 50 killed and 100 wounded.
“Minden, off Point St. Nicholas, June 6, 1811.
“Sir,– I beg leave to acquaint you, that the detachment I some time since landed opposite the Minden, for the purpose of keeping open the communication with the Pangorah, and procuring supplies for the squadron, was yesterday morning, a few minutes after day-light, unexpectedly attacked by a considerable body of the enemy, on their right, within pistol-shot, which was sustained on both sides, for the space of fifteen minutes, with much obstinacy; when the enemy were repulsed, and retired in confusion.
“During the attack, I landed from the Minden, the remainder of the detachments of the 14th and 89th regiments, with the seamen trained to small arms, to support our brave fellows; whom they had scarcely joined, when our little army, consisting in all of 200 men, were a second time attacked on their left by a fresh body of the enemy coming on in force, and with remarkable steadiness, reserving their fire till within fifteen paces; when a spirited contest commenced, which was in a short time decided in our favor, the enemy finding it impossible to withstand the steady determined fire of British troops * * *. It is impossible. Sir, after so severe a contest, but to expect some loss, and I have to lament that ours has been considerable[1] * * *. From information I have just received, it appears the enemy have retreated to Choriegong, a post about fifteen miles to the eastward of this place. I have the honor to be, &c.
(Signed)“E. W. Hoare.”
“To George Sayer, Esq. Senior Officer
of H M. squadron off Batavia.”
Great praise appears to be due to Captain Watson of the 14th regiment. Lieutenant Dunscombe of the 69th, and Captain Robert White, R.M. together with the officers and men under their respective commands, for the gallantry and zeal displayed by them on this occasion. “The enemy’s defeat,” says Captain Sayer, “was so complete, that they left behind many of their arms, drums, and military apparatus, even their hats; not thirty of them being able to escape in a body together.”
On the 30th of the following month. Fort Marrack, situated on a promontory to the westward of Batavia, mounting fifty-four heavy guns, and garrisoned by 180 soldiers, besides the crews of two gun-boats, was most heroically stormed and carried by Lieutenant Edmund Lyons, of the Minden, at the head of only 2 midshipmen (one of them a mere child in years) and 32 men. The particulars of this very brilliant achievement will be given in our memoir of that gallant and enterprising officer, – a Post-Captain of 1814.
Agent.– Messrs. Stilwell.
- ↑ 2 marines killed; 1 seaman, 12 marines, and 10 soldiers, wounded.