Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 18039 - Fine Stamps and Covers of South East Asia, Including The Dr. Cheah Jin Seng Collections of Straits Settlements and Kedah, and The Iain Dyce collection of Straits Settlements
Lot: 816

Netherlands East Indies
1812 (16 Aug.) entire letter from Lieutenant George Hunter, written at Sourebaya and carried to England for posting by a colleague who was to accompany the returning wounded. The letter was written to Archibald Keir who when he had finished with it, refolded it and posted it to Hunter's parents at Sanquhar, rated "8" and showing framed "missent/to/glasgow". The letter was written at the headquarters of the 78th Highland Regiment and describes the attack on the fort at Djojokjokarta and its capture along with the Sultan and a large quantity of gold and jewels. A rare letter from the Java Campaign. (From the Iain Dyce Collection). Photo

Note: Although the British controlled the island of Java, the Sultan of Mataram, one of the Southern Districts, rose local Javanese chiefs in an attempt to expel the British from the island. A force was formed and reached Djojo-carta on 17 June 1812. The principal fort, which was also the Palace was enclosed by a good rampart and defended by 15,000 men and nearly 100 guns. The Palace was attacked on the 20 June and after a fiercely fought battle it was taken with the loss of ninety-nine killed and wounded and a great number of the enemy killed.

Sold for
SG$1,400