Captain‑lieutenant Smit was a Dutch naval officer who led a land detachment during the December 19–25 riverine campaign against rebel forces in the interior of Acheh. Acting under the orders of Captain Van Oyen, he marched from the plantation “Antonaa” to the Cimbia creek and later to Cornelia Jacoba plantation, where his forces encountered little resistance but reported the burning of several sugar plantations.
Operations
Smit’s detachment was tasked with scouting the creeks, securing posts at plantations such as Altenklingen and Alexandria, and supporting the bark “St Eustatius”. On 24 December his men attempted to reach the plantation “Peereboom”, only to find it destroyed by fire.
Reports and Communication
His reports, recorded in the Journal of Haringman, noted the presence of “negro” (enslaved) rebels, the capture of a Surinamese border detachment, and the discovery of a silver candlestick bearing the name of the preacher Ramringt.
See Also
- Captain Van Oyen
- Haringman
- St Eustatius
- Dutch naval expedition to Acheh (December 19–25)
- Cornelia Jacoba plantation
Source
De geschiedenis van het Nederlandsche Korps Mariniers van 1665‑1945, OCR text, pp. 345‑347.