At eight o'clock on the morning of the 7th of January, the Royal
Marines of the squadron under the command of Major Ellis, the
detachments of the 26th and 49th Regiments, and the 37th Madras
Native Infantry and Bengal Volunteers, were landed about two miles
below Chuenpee, accompanied by a detachment of Royal Artillery, with
one 24-pound howitzer, and two 6-pound field-guns, together with a
division of the seamen belonging to the 'Wellesley,' 'Blenheim,' and
'Melville,' in all about 1,400, under the command of Major Pratt of
the 26th Cameronians. The difficult task of landing and embarking
the troops was duly managed by Lieut. Symonds of H.M.S. 'Wellesley.'
The leading troops were the Royal Marines and the Royal Artillery,
the guns being dragged along by the blue jackets, under Lieut.
Wilson, of H.M.S. 'Blenheim.' The road lay through a winding valley
for nearly two miles, until a transverse ridge was reached, whence
the whole of the Chinese works could be viewed. They consisted of a
strongly-entrenched camp, flanked by small field-batteries, and
connected with the hill fort above by a high breastwork. The object
of the Chinese was evidently to protect the rear of the fort, which
was the key of the position. While the guns of the Royal Artillery
fired from the ridge, the Marines crossing the shoulder of the hills,
drove the Chinese from it, and then descending into the valley
beyond, came upon a second encampment with a small field battery,
which was soon cleared.
The eastern division of the squadron for the attack of Chuenpee,
placed under Captain Herbert, consisted of 'Calliope,' 'Larne,'
'Hyacinth,' and steamers 'Queen,' and 'Nemesis.' Commander Belcher,
of the 'Sulphur' (surveying vessel), had lately arrived on the
station, and the 'Queen' and 'Nemesis' were placed in position by him
for throwing shells into the upper fort, and soon made an impression.
The rest of the ships attacked the lower fort on the sea face, the
'Samarang,' leading her division in gallant style direct for the
centre of the battery, and anchoring within half a cable's length of
the walls, followed by the 'Modeste,' 'Druid,' and 'Columbine,' and
in less than an hour silenced the guns, although a number of troops
remained within the walls. By 10 o'clock the troops had carried the
entrenchments with their field-batteries. Major Pratt himself, and
two or three marines, were in possession of the upper fort, on which
they had hoisted the British colours. The lower fort was speedily
surrounded and stormed, by the entrance as well as by the wall, by a
party of Royal Marines, and the Union Jack displayed on the ramparts.
Eleven large war-junks were anchored in shoal water in Anson's Bay,
to the eastward of the position, and as soon as the Marines were seen
to enter the upper battery, Commander Belcher leading, accompanied by
Lieut. Kellett, in the 'Nemesis,' Captain Hall with the boats of the
'Calliope,' under her First Lieut. Watson, pushed on for the junks,
firing with grape and canister into Lower Chuenpee on the way. The
'Nemesis,' drawing not more than five and a half or six feet, enabled
her to get close up to the junks before opening fire, when several
well-directed guns put them completely into confusion. The first
rocket forced its way into the magazine of the ship next the Admiral,
which blew up with a terrific explosion. The boats then moved on and
set fire to the junks in the lower part of the river. Some of them,
however, retreating under canvas, kept up a very spirited fire on the
chasing boats, gallantly led by Lieut. Watson of the 'Calliope.' Two
ran on shore and were destroyed, the rest escaped. Some of the junks
were hung round with large nets, with which the Chinese proposed to
catch the British as they came alongside. They took the idea from
seeing boarding nettings in English ships, without knowing their use.
Old Admiral Kwan lost the red button of his cap, the emblem of his
rank, but it was found and restored to him by Commander Belcher. It
was reported that the brave old man sought his death at the hands of
his foe, but was borne off by his attendants. Captain Hall speaks of
the able assistance he received on this and many other occasions,
from Mr. Crouch, a gunnery mate of the 'Wellesley,' who was permitted
to serve on board the 'Nemesis.' Besides the Chinese who were shot
by the troops as they advanced, a large number, not aware that
quarter would be granted them, threw themselves from the battlements,
or were drowned in attempting to swim away. The Commander of the
fort was killed at the head of his men, and his son, determined not
to survive, threw himself into the sea and perished. Many were
burned by their clothes catching fire from their matches, aided by
their pouches filled with powder. Though the larger proportion
endeavoured to fly, many fought bravely to the last. The guns of all
the forts were destroyed, the magazines blown up, and the barracks
and houses burnt.