A powerful fleet, under the command of Admiral the Hon. R. Stopford, convoyed the transports. It comprised the following vessels:
Commander-in-Chief: Rear-Admiral the Hon. R. Stopford. Commodore: W. R. Broughton.
GUNS GUNS GUNS _Scipio_ 74 _Illustrious_ 74 _Minden_ 74 _Lion_ 64 _Akbar_ 44 _Nisus_ 38 _Présidente_ 38 _Hussar_ 38 _Phæton_ 38 _Leda_ 38 _Caroline_ 36 _Modeste_ 36 _Phœbe_ 36 _Bucephalus_ 36 _Doris_ 36 _Cornelia_ 32 _Psyche_ 32 _Drake_ 32 _Procris_ 18 _Barracouta_ 18 _Hesper_ 18 _Harpy_ 18 _Hecate_ 18 _Dasher_ 18 _Samarang_ 12
HONOURABLE EAST INDIA COMPANY'S CRUISERS.
_Malabar._ _Aurora._ _Mornington._ _Nautilus._ _Vestal._ _Ariel._ _Thetis._ _Psyche._
and fifty-seven transports carrying troops.
The total strength of the expeditionary force amounted to 5,344 British and 5,770 native troops. On August 4 the troops disembarked at a place called Chillingcherry, some ten miles east of the capital, meeting with no opposition; but on the 10th the advanced brigade, under Gillespie, a most dashing officer, who had distinguished himself greatly in the West Indies, had a sharp encounter with the French, who were driven back, our casualties amounting to 90 killed and wounded. On the 20th the siege of Fort Cornelis was commenced, the Admiral landing a naval brigade and some heavy guns to aid in the operations. On the 26th the fort was carried by assault, Gillespie again distinguishing himself, pursuing the beaten enemy with the 22nd Light Dragoons for a distance of thirty-five miles, capturing 2 general, 30 field, and 214 other officers; 280 guns and 6,000 prisoners fell into our hands as a consequence of this bold attack, and the operations were brought to a conclusion by the unconditional surrender of the island. Gillespie, who was left in command on the departure of the Governor-General, experienced some difficulty in inducing the natives to learn submission, and a number of expeditions were necessary ere peace was fully restored. On the institution of the Land General Service Medal in 1847, the survivors of the expedition received that medal with a clasp inscribed "Java." The Governor-General, on his own initiative, at the conclusion of the operations, bestowed gold medals on field officers and silver medals on all other ranks; but the privilege of wearing these was confined to officers and men in the service of the East India Company.
