On the 13th, the troops having been conveyed on board the transports
by the 'Queen,' 'Sesostris,' and 'Phlegethon,' they, with the
'Cornwallis,' 'Blonde,' 'Modeste,' 'Columbine,' 'Starling,'
'Algerine,' 'Plover,' and 'Jupiter' troop-ship, got under weigh for
Chapoo.
Chapoo is built along the edge of the sea, at the mouth of the river,
with a line of heights above it strongly fortified. Some islands
lying off it shelter the landing-place. Commanders Kellett and
Collinson and Mr. Hall were employed during the night of the 16th in
sounding, to enable the 'Cornwallis,' 'Blonde,' 'Modeste,' and other
ships to take up advantageous positions before the enemy's works, and
to cover the landing of the troops. At daylight on the 17th the
whole fleet stood in; but having anchored, owing to want of wind,
during the morning, they did not take up their allotted positions
till the evening. The transports anchored near the islands, where
the troops were to land under cover of the 'Starling,' 'Columbine,'
'Plover,' and 'Algerine.' The 'Cornwallis' and 'Blonde' were placed
against the small batteries on the hill side next the suburbs, on the
summit of which was a fortified temple; and the 'Modeste' took up a
position to attack the works in front, nearer the suburbs. The
'Nemesis' and 'Queen' and 'Phlegethon' were to land the troops; and
the 'Sesostris' anchored in-shore, was to shell the Chinese as they
retreated before the advance of the British.
At daylight next morning the three steamers, with the boats of the
squadron under Commander Charles Richards, landed the troops, when
Sir Hugh Gough led the left column along the crest of the heights,
driving the enemy before him. The Admiral, who never shrank from
danger or fatigue, either ashore or afloat, landed with the battalion
of seamen and marines under Captain Bourchier. The right flank of
the Chinese was soon turned, and their principal works were carried
before they had time to spring some mines which they had prepared.
As they fled before the British, the 'Sesostris' fired some shells in
on them with deadly effect. A considerable body of Tartars, however,
threw themselves into a large building, which they defended with the
most desperate bravery, and numbers of the British fell before it.
Among others was Colonel Tomlinson, of the 18th, who, with a few of
his own men and of the 49th, attempted to enter it. Many others were
wounded. Mr. Hall, of the 'Nemesis,' Lieut. Fitzjames, and some
other officers and men, made several gallant attempts to force their
way in, and to set the building on fire, but were compelled to
retire. Captain Pearse at length fixed a powder-bag to the wall; but
this had little effect in bringing it down. Another, fastened more
securely, at length blew up a considerable portion, when many of the
defenders were destroyed, and it was with much difficulty that the
men of the 18th were prevented from shooting down the rest in revenge
for the loss of their gallant Colonel. About 50, however, were made
prisoners. In the mean time the walls of the city had been scaled,
and the enemy dispersed, many of them taking the direction of
Hang-chow-foo. A considerable number of the mandarins and Tartar
soldiers cut their own throats when they found the day was lost, and
others were prevented from committing a like folly by the
interposition of the British.
The loss of the English was greater on this than on any previous
occasion throughout the war. The Chinese wounded, however, received
every possible attention and kindness from the British medical
officers; and it is gratifying to know that this conduct was fully
appreciated, the Mandarin Elepoo, Governor of Chapoo, having shortly
afterwards addressed a letter to the Admiral and General to thank
them for their humanity. A more substantial acknowledgment was
afterwards made by the manner in which the Chinese treated those of
the British force who fell into their hands; previous to which those
who had been made prisoners experienced every species of cruelty, and
had often been tortured to death.
By the orders of Sir Hugh Gough, before the British left Chapoo all
the Chinese prisoners were set at liberty, each of them receiving a
present of three dollars. The British had already taught the Chinese
to fear them; and the effect of this humane conduct was to teach them
to respect them. The Chinese, in return, restored all the prisoners
they had kidnapped, giving to the whites 30 and to the natives of
India 15 dollars each. The Government also began to show a strong
inclination to come to terms.