September 2011
Copy letter from Midshipman Samuel Steele, HMS Minden, Batavia Roads, [Indonesia] to his father, 1 September 1811
Reference: DD/2500/6/1
This letter by Midshipman Samuel Steele provides a very full and detailed account of life at sea in 1810-1811 during the Napoleonic Wars, particularly focusing on the period after Steele had left the 'Bellequix' [HMS Belliqueux] in 1810.
Midshipman Steele writes of how he joined Admiral Drury's [Rear-Admiral William O'Bryen Drury (d 1811)] ship on promotion, and sailed with part of the squadron to the Isle of France [Mauritius] to assist in the taking of it. Just before they arrived they were ordered back to India, but he requested to be transferred to one of Admiral Bertie's [Admiral Sir Albemarle Bertie (1755-1824)] ships. He returned to India heading for Madras [Chennai], but due to the ship being in a bad state they went to Bombay [Mumbai], from where he joined HMS Minden as Masters Mate. Once the ship was ready they sailed for Madras, and took on board 200 of the 14th Regiment [of Madras?] to go to the island of Java. After a few days they landed the Marines and some of the troops with field pieces to protect the King of Bantam from the Dutch.
The day after the King's birthday on 5 June, they were attacked by troops sent by the Governor of Java; the troops on shore being under the command of William Uppleby. The letter reports that the enemy suffered heavy losses and started to retreat, but when an attempt was made to get on shore, they were fired upon. Steele returned to the ship to get more ammunition but just as he was about to land, he was yet again fired upon. Several attempts were made to resist but they needed to wait until their own troops made a charge. He writes 'I never before saw such a sight, when I landed the first object was a Dutch Captain, shot thro the heart, and on the road going to our own troops, was obliged to tread upon the dead bodies'. The letter continues, providing much detail of the losses suffered on both sides and describes burying the dead men.
He also writes that in the last few weeks he has been sent to Batavia [headquarters of the Dutch East India Company, now Jakarta, Indonesia]. The principal fort was taken with a considerable loss of life and that the 'dutch General has made his Escape with part of his army, but it is expected he will surrender every hour'.
The letter was addressed to Mrs William Uppleby, East Parade, Leeds; it is possible that the letter was forwarded to her due to the information contained within, concerning Uppleby. It is not clear as to how this letter has become part of the Ramsden family collection, but it is possible it may be through the marriage of Elizabeth Smith (née Uppleby) with Robert Ramsden in 1783.
The full catalogue of the Ramsden family of Carlton in Lindrick (ref: DD/2500) can be viewed on our online catalogue.
See the letter in more detail [PDF 41759KB] 
See a transcript of the letter here [PDF 24KB]
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