They held on their Voyage, and on the 13th of February discover’d the Island of Ternate. On the 14th they arriv’d at Tydore, where they were inform’d of the coming of Andrew Furtado; and therefore stay’d but a Gallinato from Manila joyns Furtado. short Time to refresh themselves, being earnest to joyn him. Setting forward with a fair Wind, they came to Ternate, and enter’d the Port of Talangame, a League from the Fort, on the 16th of the aforesaid Month. The Fleets saluted one another in friendly Manner, and the Generals did the like, giving one another an Account of their Strength, Transactions, and all other Particulars till that Time. The Discourse falling out of one Thing into another, came to contesting; for Gallinato affirm’d, That the Enemies Provisions ought to have been cut off, by ordering our Carcoas to sail round the Island, which was in great Want of them, and could be reliev’d by the Opportunity he had given. Furtado alledg’d other Reasons to defend himself. It was thought convenient before they landed, to take a View of the Enemies Fort, to which Purpose, the Captains, Christopher Villagra, and Gonzalo Sequeyra were appointed to make up to it in a Carcoa, with a white Flag, as it were to speak with the King, and propose Peace and Conditions.
Those two Officers drew near, the Enemy met them, and understanding what they came about, sent to acquaint the King. He answer’d he could not give them Audience that Day, but they might return the next. They returning accordingly, the Inhabitants of the City came out to meet them, Two Captains sent to the City of Ternate. and among them Cachil Sugui, Cachil Gogo, and Cachil Quipate, the King’s Uncles, who went back to tell him, that those Captains were come by his Highness’s Command. This Message was brought him at Nine a Clock in the Morning, and tho’ he was close by the City, the Answer came not till four in the Afternoon, and was, That unless Furtado, or Gallinato came, he would not speak with any other; but that the Captains that were come might treat with his Officers, and he would stand by, and ratify what they should conclude. The Spaniards having receiv’d this Answer, and their Design being to view the Fort, Captain Villagra Villagra views the Fort. set his Resolution, and pretending some Occasion, went into the Thicket, whence he observ’d all that could be seen on that Side, more nicely than could have been expected in so short a Time. They return’d to the Fleet, and gave the General an Account of all they knew.
In fine, they landed, and then again Gallinato intreated Furtado, to The Forces land. send out the light Vessels a cruising, to cut off the Enemies Supplies; and those which went out upon his Request, sped so well, that they met a plentiful and strong Reinforcement of Men and Provisions, in two Junks and a large Chiampan, which they took, killing and taking the Men, who were Numerous and well arm’d. They continu’d to round the Island, encourag’d by this first Success, and by that Means cut off all Succours. The Enemy began to want, sicken and dye. They fed on Herbs, and other slight Dyet; and many, but particularly Women, not being able to endure Hunger, Famine at Ternate. fled confidently, tho’ compell’d by Necessity, to our Camp; and the rest would have done the same if they could.
On the 27th of February, Furtado took a Review of his Men on the Christians review’d. Enemies Shore, where our Ships were at Anchor. Gallinato said, he was much troubled to see it, because in his Opinion, they were not fit even to make that Show, most of them being Boys, sick of the Distemper they call Berber, unskillful at their Fire-arms, and very few of them had Muskets, but only little Fowling-Pieces; so that all seem’d to forebode ill Success. The whole Number of them was 420 Soldiers, divided into four Companies. The next Day, the Spanish Infantry of the Philippine Islands pass’d Muster, in the same Place, before Furtado and his Officers. Don Thomas led them in Armour, and with a Pike in his Hand, with all the Musquetiers in the Van. After him the other Companies in Order, according to Seniority. They all form’d three Bodies, being Men of Experience, well equipp’d, orderly, and of such Valour as soon after appear’d.
A Council was held, about landing, on the first of March, where the Consuls about landing. General declar’d by Word of Mouth, saying he never did it in Writing, That he had lain so long, almost idle, wholly depending on the Succour that was come, and that since Don Pedro de Acunna had sent it so compleat, it was not reasonable to lose Time. Gallinato answer’d, representing the Greatness of the Enterprize, and that they had provided no Necessaries to begin the Work, hinting at some Home Particulars, which were signify’d to him by the Portuguese Commanders. The Votes being taken, it was finally resolv’d to land, because all Things were in readiness; perhaps they conceited that the Enemies Power was imaginary, and that they would submit at the Sight of our Army. Gallinato was always of the Gallinato against it. contrary Opinion; because that Weakness he was an Eye-witness to, could not deceive him; and therefore that nothing might be wanting on his Part, tho’ he was under Command, but much respected, he writ a Role of the Things necessary for the Design in Hand, setting down in it even the Hand-Spikes for moving of the Artillery, which had not been provided in all that Time. By which may be seen, said Gallinato, how great a Defect there had been in the Rest. When the Council broke up, Furtado told Gallinato, he had order’d, that as soon as they landed, 200 Portugueses should mount the Guard, with one Company of Spaniards. Gallinato begg’d he would give him leave to lead the Van, saying, he would not go as Chief, but only as a Soldier, as being proud of serving under him. This he requested very earnestly; but Furtado, who knew how to value such Requests, answer’d, That if he went he must accept of his He begs to lead the Van and obtains it. Company. Gallinato reply’d, That he should take the Post due to his Person, since it was of such Consequence, and do him the Favour to grant him the Van. He would not grant it at that Time, but the next Day, he and his Admiral spoke to him, saying, He assign’d him the Van, by the Advice of his Admiral, and therefore desired he would be content it might consist of the Number of Men he had appointed. Gallinato accepted the Command, and valu’d it as was due. They landed on the 3d of March, and as they were drawing up, Furtado would needs place two of his Colours, and one of the Spanish in the Van, with 300 Men; the other three in the Rear; and the Royal Standard, and himself to be in the main Body; Gallinato was of Opinion, that all the Colours should march with the main Body, but the General follow’d his own Way.
They move towards the Enemy. In this Order they began to move towards the Enemy, Captain Don Thomas marching by Gallinato, who afterwards, in a Letter to Don Pedro, said, He this Day, and upon other Occasions, gave good Proof, that he was the Son of such a Father, and these grey Hairs of mine were sufficiently honour’d with the Assistance of such a Hand, and I was well defended and secure. The Enemy being above 700, kept in a strong and safe Post, the Shore on which our Men march’d, being little or nothing, by Reason it was High-Water, and that on the Land Side there was a very high Bank, and above it a rising and close Zacatal, which could not be broke through. Zacatal is a Field overgrown with such deep Grass or Weeds, that many Men, and much Cattle may be hid among them. These are much thicker Zacatal what it is. than the Fields of Sedge, or Sheer-Grass in Spain. They call it Zacatal, from the Word Zacate, signifying that Sort of Grass or Weed, which grows up almost as thick as a Reed. Along this narrow Slip of Shore, which was full of Rocks, and uneven, only three Men could march abreast, he that was next the Sea, being partly in the Water. The Enemy was possess’d of this close Pass, and a great Tree cut down for that Purpose, and lying across the Place, serv’d them instead of a Trench. Behind Posture of the Ternates. it, and upon the Bank, between it, and the Zacatal, appear’d all their Men, with Muskets, Fire-Locks, Campilanes, or Cymiters, Bacacacs, or burnt Staves, Darts, Hand Granadoes, and Stones which did not do us the least Harm. They had also five Drakes in this Post, wherewith, upon some short Attacks, they kill’d five Spaniards; and afterwards, as the Action grew hotter, wounded ten Portugueses, in such Sort that they dy’d in a few Days. Gallinato owns he was this Day in Danger of losing his Honour; because the Colours, and all the Rest was in the utmost Peril.
Gallinato repulsed. The Enemy fought in Safety, and did our Men so much Harm, that the first Charge Gallinato gave, the Ternates fell on so furiously, as to drive us from the Ground we had gain’d. Gallinato look’d behind him to see the Colours he had brought with him in the Van, with the 300 Men, and found them at his Back very thinly Guarded. Thus the second Time the Shout was given to fall on, and he again oblig’d to retire, because he had fewer Men every time, and the last they were scarce twenty. At length shaming those that lagg’d, and as it were inspiring new Vigour into them, he Gains the Pass. fell on so fiercely, that he gain’d the Post, and the five Drakes. The Ternates lost all, or most of their best Men. Gallinato follow’d the Chace till he discover’d the Fort, then he halted, and order’d our Camp to be Intrenched. The work was begun, and the Enemy obstructed it twice, sending out Parties to prevent planting the Gabions, and divert the Workmen; but they retir’d both times with loss. When the Trench was finished, Gallinato Spaniards Intrench. sent to the General to come to it. He came and took up his Quarters, with all his Men, bringing the Royal Standard, and all the Colours.
The next Day he judg’d it convenient to carry the Lodgment forward. Trenches carry’d on nearer to the Fort. Gallinato undertook it, and with his Men finish’d the Trench, within 200 Paces of the Enemies Fort. There they continu’d some Days; and it being Gallinato’s Part only to obey, he sometimes gave his Opinion, and always did what he was commanded. He did so, when the General told them it would be convenient to carry on a Trench farther, to plant the Cannon. On the Ninth of the same Month, before the Fort had been well view’d, he went to open the Trench, with his own Men, and 100 Portugueses, a little above 100 Paces from the Walls, which being so near they all soon perceiv’d the danger of the Undertaking. It was the worse for the Confusion and Noise in filling the Gabions. The next Day the Cannon was brought thither, being four Guns, two thirteen, and two sixteen Pounders. These sixteen Pounders, which the Portuguese Soldiers call Camels, are short Pieces, unfit for Battery; besides that the Bullets Stone Bullets unfit for Battery. were made of Stone, and broke as soon as they touch’d the Wall; being only fit to fire at the Houses. Gallinato seeing this, told the General that since before they landed he said, he had Cannon, he should order it to be brought on, and planted in Battery, now he saw how ineffectual that they had prov’d. He answer’d, that there was all he had, having left the best in some Places he recover’d the foregoing Year; and could not bring any more such, by Reason of the stormy Weather.
The Enemies Strength. This being mounted, the Battery began; but being so improper for this Purpose, it was canonading the Air; for the Enemy overlook’d, and was strengthen’d by a Stone Cavalier, which is that of Our Lady, next the Sea. Under it was a Ravelin, with seven heavy Pieces of Cannon which did, and threatned greater Harm to our Camp. The Cavalier was all Rampard, four Fathom high, and a Fathom and a half broad; all which had been perform’d, and rais’d with Espauls, by the Contrivance of the Dutch, who forwarded it, ever since they traded with that Tyrant. On the Land Side ran the Curtin of the Wall, as far as the Stone Bullwark, call’d Cachil Tulo, fortify’d outwards with Massy Timbers, on which there were three large Guns, and two on the Wall from this Bullwark to that of our Lady. All these Works look’d towards that Part, where our Men had taken up their Quarters. These Forts had also a great Number of Falconets, and Drakes; and the Cavalier that was batter’d being the strongest Part, where there was more Noise than Effect, the General order’d the Battery to cease.
They Sally. On Sunday the sixteenth, between four and five in the Evening, the Enemy sally’d out of their Fort, with most of their Men to attack, and gain the Trench, where our Cannon was planted. They assaulted it in three Places, dividing their Men, next the Mountain in Front, and towards the Shore. From the Mountainward came above 800 Ternates, with Campilanes, or Cymiters, in the Van of them almost as many Javaneses, with Pikes 25 Spans long, all in close Order. The Leader of them was a Amuxa, the King’s Nephew leads them. gallant Youth, call’d Cachil Amuxa, the King’s Cousin German, and Son to Cachil Tulo. Four hundred attack’d in Front, and many more next the Sea, each Body under its own Commander; who all fell on together with such Vigour, that had not they who defended it been in great Readiness, the Enemy could not miss of being Master of it. The Captains Pinto and Villagra commanded in it, who defended it bravely, but Emanuel Andres, Sergeant to Villagra, Alonso Roldan, a Corporal, and another Portuguese, who behav’d himself gallantly, dy’d fighting, being all run through with Pikes. The Advantage soon appear’d on the Spanish Side, He is Defeated. which the Enemy perceiving, they turn’d their Backs, leaving the Commanders their King had the greatest Value for, dead in the Field, and retired to the Fort. This Success gave Occasion to draw another Trench nearer the Fort, to batter the Ravelin, whence they did us Harm, with seven Pieces, notwithstanding our Work, which was carry’d on by the Captains Villagra and Sebastian Suarez. On Thursday the Trench was almost finish’d, and being near, made them so uneasy, that the Besieged began to batter it, with all their Cannon, but ineffectually, because the Gabions, and Rampart on the Inside, could bear much more. However, by this they perceiv’d the Power and Strength of the Enemy, and the Difficulty of the Undertaking.