The weather becoming calm and fine on the afternoon of the 4th of
September, the signal was made on board the flag-ship for the
embarkation of the troops. Much to their credit, on being paraded,
it was found that not a single instance of drunkenness or misconduct
had occurred, notwithstanding temptations of every description during
eight days of harassing duty. The whole force was embarked by
half-past six, under the direction of Commander Giffard, and conveyed
out by the steamers to their respective transports without a single
person being left behind. On the following morning the squadron
sailed for Ningpo, which place it was intended next to attack. On
their voyage north the fleet had fair though light winds till the
13th, when the north-east monsoon setting in strong against them,
with thick weather, many of the transports became separated. By much
perseverance, and by taking advantage of the tides in-shore, which
the regularity of the soundings enabled the ships to approach, they
were nearly all again collected by the 24th, near Chusan. The
boisterous state of the weather, however, preventing the ships from
approaching the exposed position of Chinghae, a strong place at the
mouth of the Tahea River, and which it was necessary to take before
proceeding up that river to Ningpo, it was determined first to occupy
the island of Chusan. Preparations were immediately made to effect
that object. Since its abandonment by the British, the Chinese had
considerably increased the fortifications of the island. Owing to
the rapidity of the tides in the different channels leading to Chusan
harbour, it was found difficult to place the ships in the positions
required, and it was therefore resolved to land the troops, seamen,
and marines, to the westward of the sea defences, so as to take them
in reverse. On a steep hill, a short way beyond the spot where it
was proposed to disembark the troops, a large body of Chinese were
seen posted in a strongly-fortified encampment with a stone-work,
where however no guns were yet mounted, intended to guard the point.
Captain Eyres was therefore detached with the 'Modeste,' 'Columbine,'
and 'Nemesis,' to prevent the Chinese occupying the battery; which
duty they effectually performed, the guns of the 'Nemesis' making a
considerable breach in the walls of the fortified encampment. The
'Blonde,' 'Modeste,' 'Jupiter,' and 'Queen' were next employed in
covering a party of the Royal Artillery, under Captain Knowles, who
was engaged in erecting a battery against the Joss-house Hill.
It was not, however, till the 1st of October, that the troops in two
columns were landed with a party of marines and seamen, and, under
Sir Hugh Gough, proceeded to attack Tinghae, the capital of the
island; the walls were quickly escaladed, and by two o'clock the
British colours were flying in every direction. The fire from the
ships and steam-vessels conveying the troops did much execution; and
so great was its precision that, at a distance of 700 yards, two or
three individuals fell by single cannon shot, one of them in the very
act of waving a Chinese banner.
At the storming of the Pagoda Hills, the Chinese fought with great
individual bravery; the spear and the bayonet frequently crossed, and
many of the Tartar officers were killed in hand-to-hand combats. A
great number fell as they were retreating along a narrow causeway
from the city.
The loss of the British was 1 officer (Lieut. Duell), and 1 rank and
file killed, and 27 wounded.
The Chinese forces, scattering in every direction, escaped into the
interior of the island, and notwithstanding many attempts to capture
them, and to prevent their getting over to the mainland, few, if any,
were found. They, however, managed so adroitly, that they contrived
to kidnap many private soldiers and camp followers who ventured alone
at any distance from the walls of Tinghae. A small garrison only was
left in Chusan, while the rest of the naval and military forces
proceeded to the attack of Chinghae and Ningpoo.