ON MISSION
With Dharmawan, Editor in Chief of IDEA [Gramedia’s architecture and interior magazine], this March 25th journey would be our first mission for researching the indische woonhuizen surrounding Batavia.

The following journey has explored the interior of this building on Sunday, 22nd of April 2007 with Olivier, Udjo, and new friends on journey from UNJ as well.

We cruised this death agony early 19th century heritage building in Meester Cornelis [now Jl. Bekasi Barat Raya, opposite the train station of Jatinegara]. This building is the rest of witness of Royal British Army’s bombardment in August 1811, when the Nederlandch Indies was occupied by the French. The whole of French force was concentrated under the command of General Janssens [Governor General after Daendels] and General Jumel [Senior Military Officer].




THE BUILDING ARCHITECTURE
It was built probably in early 19th century in classicist style with toscan column in the main building. The main building was escorted by two pavilions in the right and left its flanks. So, the groundscape is nearly close to the Daendels Palace in Weltevreden [right wing–main building–left wing].

The Main Building
The entrance level is started from the elevated stairs. It consists of 7 staircases led to front gallery. The front gallery is so deep and long, we found 16 toscan columns, height about 4 meters. There are 5 doors to enter this building. The gallery also protected against the sun by corrugated wooden. The windows can be found in each side, amounts of windows are two in each side. However, the ventilations over the entrance doors were changed with the early 20th style.

The Pavilions
Pavilions have “U” shape design in front facade. It has two windows with canopy made from corrugated iron. We still found garnished ornament in the windows. It also has a small gallery with only one column and four entrance doors, whereas two faced the entrance level, and two doors in other its side oppositely. Fortunately, the ventilations over the entrance doors are still in 19th century style with cross-checkered pattern.




PRESENT DAY
Formerly, this building was owned by Headquarter of Military District (KODIM 0505), but since they leave, the building has been decaying and rotting. Wild plant has grown in the wall, made the building more deteriorate. On the other hand, the condition of pavilions are more better, however they still be threatened by restoration without any concerning and responsibility about the building history.




THE MAP OF BRITISH ASSAULT ON THE FORTIFIED LINES OF CORNELIS: 26th AUGUST 1811


Based on book entitled “The Conquest of Java” by Major Thorn in 1815, the fleet of British was deployed in Chillingching on August 4th 1811 about 02.00 PM under command of Lieutenant General Sir Samuel Auchmuty. Their mission was to eliminate the French influence from the Eastern Seas.



The British Army conquered the city of Batavia without any opposition on night attack. The next party was to Weltevreden on 10th of August 1811.


Afterwards, they prepared the assault in to Meester Cornelis on 22nd, 24th, and 26th August 1811. Here the plan of principal attack to Cornelis 26th August 1811:


GROUP A. The Principal Attack Commanded by Colonel Robert Rollo Gillespie, consisting the Leading Column (approximately present route: Kramat, Tanah Tinggi, Kayu Manis):
1.Rifle Company H.M. 14th Regiment Lieutenant Coglan.
2.Detachment Madras Pioneers Capt. Smythwayte.
3.Grenadier Company H.M. 78th Regiment
4.Right Flank Battalion, Major Miller 14th Regiment.
5.Left Flank Battalion, Capt. Forbes 78th Regiment
6.Detachment H.M. 89th Regiment (5 Companies) Major Butler
7. Royal Marines Capt. Bunce
8.Detachment Dismounted Dragoons 22nd Regiment Lt.Dudley
9.Governor General’s Body Guard Capt. Gall
10.One Wing Light Infantry Volunteer Battalion Capt.Fraser
11. Detachment 4th Bengal, Detachment Major P. Grant
12. Detachment Royal Artillery Capt. Byers
Colonel Gibbs’s Brigade:
13.Grenadier Company H.M. 14th Regiment Capt.Kennedy
14.H.M. 59th Captain Olphert
15.H.M. 69th Captain Ross
16.H.M. 59th Regiment Lt. Colonel Alexander McLeod
17.One Wing Light Infantry Volunteer battalion major Dalton
18.H.M. 4th Bengal, Captain Knight
19.Detachment Royal Artilery


GROUP B. Attack on the Enemy’s Left Commanded by Lieutenant Colonel W.Mc.Leod at the Head of H.M. 69th Regiment (approximately present route: Matraman, Bearland in the edge of Ciliwung River).


GROUP C. Attack on the Enemy’s Rear at Campong Malayo by the Column under Major Yule (approximately present route: Manggarai, Kampung Melayu from the West of Ciliwung), consisting:
1.Detachment Pioneers
2.Grenadiers 20th Regiment Bengal N.I.
3.Two Guns Madras Horse Artillery
4.A Troop H.M. 22nd Dragoons
5.Two Companies H.M. 69th Regiment
6.Flank Battalion of Reserve


The dawn of day on 26th of August 1811, the assault was made. The principal attack was entrusted to that gallant and experienced officer, Colonel Robert Rollo Gillespie. The British assault having been so successfully accomplished, all the other parties rushed in from their respective points, and together joined in pursuit of the flying enemy.

***

The General Janssens accompanied by General Jumel and remnants of their army have proceeded immediately to eastward (only a few horse has joined them). The British Army reached Buitenzorg the day after. Next, Buitenzorg was occupied without opposition by British Army.

***

Finally, General Janssen surrendered in Tuntang near Salatiga in the end of September 1811 after the long pursuing since the battle of Cornelis. According Thorn in his book, quoted the explanation of General Janssen when he submitted the capitulation:

“ I submitted because I preferred putting an end to the miseries of the colonist, my countrymen, to my private interest. In this moment, it is impossible either to ameliorate my fate, or to render it worse, and I have only to ask orders for my future destination, about which I am perfectly indifferent. I shall only entreat your Excellency, to soften as much as it is in your power, the condition of the officers, who had the misfortune to serve under my orders.” [Conquest of Java” p.103]

The surrender by capitulation means the Java and its dependencies have been the grasped under the Excellency of Royal British.



THE NAME OF BRITISH ARMY OFFICERS WOUNDED AND KILLED ON PRINCIPAL ATTACK 26TH OF AUGUST 1811

1. 78th Regiment, Lieutenant-Colonel William Campbell [tombstone in Engelskerk-Prapatan]



2. 22nd Dragoons, Lieutenant Hutchins [tombstone unknown]
3. 14th Regiment, Captain Kennedy [tombstone unknown]
4. 59th Regiment, Captain Olphert [tombstone unknown]
5. 59th Regiment, Lieutenant Waring [tombstone unknown]
6. 59th Regiment, Lloyd [tombstone unknown]
7. 59th Regiment, Litton [tombstone unknown]
8. 59th Regiment, Ensign Wolfe [tombstone unknown]
9. 69th Regiment, Captain Ross [tombstone unknown]
10. 69th Regiment, Lieutenant Hipkins [tombstone unknown]
11. 69th Regiment, Lieutenant-Colonel McLeod [tombstone unknown]
12. 5th Volunteer Battalion, Jamidar Ransing [tombstone unknown]
13. 6th Ditto, Subadar Cassa Rain [tombstone unknown]
14. Madras Native Infantry, Lieutenant Ferguson [tombstone unknown]