Ships engaged at Woosung, 16th June, 1843:--'Cornwallis,' 72, Captain
P. Richards; 'Blonde,' 42, Captain E. Bourchier; 'North Star,' 26,
Captain Sir E. Home, Bart.; 'Modeste,' 18, Commander R. B. Watson;
'Columbine,' 16, Commander William H. Morshead; 'Clio,' 16, Commander
E. N. Troubridge; 'Algerine,' 10, Lieut. William Maitland.
Honourable E.I.C. steamers:--'Sesostris,' Commander Ormsby, I.N;
'Nemesis,' Lieut. W. H. Hall, R.N.; 'Phlegethon,' Lieut. J. J.
M'Cleverty, R.N.; 'Pluto,' Lieut. John Tudor, R.N.; 'Tenasserim,'
Master Commanding P. Wall; 'Medusa,' Lieut. H. Hewitt, I.N.
The 27th of May, and the following day, were employed in embarking
the troops, when the fleet sailed and anchored on the 29th, in a safe
sound forty miles to the eastward of Chapoo, discovered by Captains
Kellett and Collinson. Some days were spent in examining the
entrance to the Yangtze river. On the 5th, they stood up towards it,
and anchored a little to the eastward of the mouth on the 8th.
Captain Watson, in the 'Modeste,' was then sent with the 'Nemesis'
and 'Pluto' examine the river Woosung, and to interrupt the
communications. The Woosung river empties itself into the Yangtze,
about twenty-five miles up its southern branch. The town of Woosung,
which was now fortified with one hundred and seventy-five guns, and
garrisoned with the choicest Tartar troops, stands on the mouth of
the river of that name. Whenever an opportunity presented itself for
performing any spirited piece of work, Mr. Hall, the Commander of the
'Nemesis,' never lost it. The night of the 11th of June was very
dark, and it occurred to him that he might take advantage of it to
reconnoitre the batteries. His ship was anchored close in shore, but
in consequence of a strong tide he was unable to communicate with his
superior officer, Captain Watson, as the 'Modeste' lay much further
off. Ordering therefore his cutter away, he sounded the channel
leading to Woosung, and then pulled under the very batteries
themselves. Screened by the darkness and the noise of the wind and
surf, he landed on the beach and crept up to the walls, when looking
through the embrasures, he saw one of the mandarines going his rounds
with two soldiers, one of whom carried a large paper lantern. He was
strongly tempted to call up his boat's crew, and to carry off the
officer and his attendants, but fortunately prudence restrained him,
as there would have been no good object attained by so doing.
Contenting himself, therefore, with the work he had already
performed, he returned on board. The 'Clio,' 'Bentinck,' 'Starling,'
and two transports had been stationed as beacons to mark the channel,
and on the 13th, the Admiral, with the 'Cornwallis,' 'Blonde,'
'Columbine,' 'Jupiter,' 'Phlegethon,' 'Tenasserim,' 'Medusa,' and
twelve transports, reached the mouth of the Woosung river, there
about a mile wide. The batteries extend for about three miles along
the banks, and opposite them is another strong and high fort built of
brick. Two miles in the rear of the town is the large town of
Paonshan.
The Admiral having surveyed the river in the little 'Medusa,' fixed
the morning of the 16th to make the projected attack. All the ships
were towed into their stations by the steamers lashed alongside them,
with the exception of the 'Algerine,' which stood in under sail.
The 'Blonde' and 'Cornwallis' led in towards the batteries, towed by
the 'Tenasserim' and 'Sesostris,' and received the fire of the
Chinese, which was opened with much spirit, without returning a shot
until they had anchored by the stern in excellent positions. The
'Modeste,' under Captain Watson, towed by the 'Nemesis,' then led the
light squadron towards the creek above the village, to oppose a
strong battery of ten brass guns, receiving a well-directed fire from
the whole line of batteries. The men on board the 'Nemesis' were
ordered to lie down at quarters till she had placed the 'Modeste' in
a good position. Further up the river fourteen war-junks appeared,
and four paddle-wheel vessels, intended to imitate steamers. The
'Nemesis' was sent to attack them, but as soon as they felt the
effects of her fire, their crews ceased working their guns, and their
Admiral set the example of running away. Just then the 'North Star,'
Sir Everard Home, was observed off the mouth of the river, having
just arrived in time to partake in the action to the great
satisfaction of her officers and crew. The 'Tenasserim' was sent to
tow her up, when she was placed ahead of the 'Blonde.' The 'Nemesis'
having got on shore while pursuing the junks, Mr. Galbraith was sent
away in command of her boats to capture and destroy them, in which
work Lieut. M'Cleverty, in the 'Phlegethon,' was likewise employed.
The 'Modeste' had been made fast to a jetty, in which position she
soon silenced the fort with her guns and small arms. The pinnace,
under Mr. Birch, was sent on shore to take possession of the fort and
to spike the guns, when he had some skirmishing with the rear-guard
of the Chinese; and at the same time the 'Columbine' and 'Pluto'
coming lip, poured in their fire on the retreating columns.
The 'Cornwallis,' 'Blonde,' and 'Pluto,' having been for some time
hotly engaged with the batteries, compelled them to slacken their
fire, on seeing which, Captain Watson landed with the marines and
small-arm men of the 'Modeste,' 'Columbine,' and 'Clio,' within the
creek, for the purpose of turning the enemy's flank, and of cutting
off their retreat. A strong body of Chinese were now discovered
lying down under cover of the embankment. On this, forming his men,
he gallantly made a dash at them, across several wooden bridges over
the ditch, and was received with a heavy fire of matchlocks and
gingals. As he advanced they retreated slowly and steadily, planting
their gingals in the only path by which they could be approached.
Ten of his men being wounded, and his party being slightly scattered,
he drew them up to reform them outside the embankment, when the
Chinese, rushing out, brandished their spears, and threw a volley of
hand-grenades towards them, though happily over their heads. On
Captain Bourchier perceiving that Captain Watson was hotly engaged
with vastly superior numbers, he landed with a party from the
'Blonde' to his aid. Just then Captain Watson and his followers made
a dash at the Chinese, but so firmly did they stand their ground that
the spear and bayonet were again for a moment crossed, though the
enemy were forced to retreat behind some houses, where they, however,
quickly rallied.
At this juncture, Captains Peter Richards and Sir Everard Home,
accompanied by the Admiral, had got on shore with the marines and
some seamen of their ships, who, being formed, speedily drove the
enemy out of the whole line of batteries. A small party, under
Lieutenant Maitland, had landed from the 'Algerine,' and before aid
could be sent, it had suffered somewhat from the overwhelming force
he had boldly ventured to attack.
Captain Ormsby, in the 'Sesostris,' had, during these events, been
engaged with the battery on the east side of the river, which having
silenced, he landed with the small-arm men from his ship and the
'Tenasserim,' and took possession of it.
In consequence of most of the steamers having taken the ground, the
troops could not be landed till the engagement was over; as soon,
however, as they could be put on shore, Sir Hugh Gough led them in
the direction of Paoushan, towards which town a considerable portion
of the Chinese army had fled. Major-General Schoedde took possession
of the town without opposition, the Chinese, it was found having
passed on towards Soochow-foo. The Chinese lost about 200 men, and
250 guns were captured. The loss of the British consisted of one
officer, Lieutenant Hewitt, and one seaman killed, and three
officers, Mr. Purvis, midshipman of the 'Blonde,' and Mr. A. J.
Smith, mate, and Mr. Roberts, master of the 'Sesostris,' and 15
seamen, together with one corporal, and five royal marines, and one
Bombay artilleryman wounded, many very severely.
The next day H.M.S. 'Dido,' the Hon. Captain Keppel, and some
reinforcements of troops arrived. On the 19th several batteries on
the river having been destroyed, the steamers conveyed up one portion
of the troops, while another marched by land towards the important
city of Shanghai. It was entered without opposition, and order
within its gates was soon re-established, the respectable portion of
the inhabitants treating the conquerors as friends rather than
enemies: 171 guns were captured in it. It was found to be full of
stores, and a place of great commercial importance. The river, for
30 miles above the city, was surveyed by the steamers. The next day
Sir Henry Pottinger arrived from Hong Kong to receive any overtures
for peace which might be made by the Chinese.
CAPTURE OF CHIN-KEANG-FOO, AND ENTRY OF SIR H.
POTTINGER INTO NANKIN; WITH CONCLUDING REMARKS,
July 21st, 1842.
We at length come to the last and crowning victory of the British in
China.
Considerable reinforcements having arrived, it was at length resolved
to advance on Nankin itself, the ancient capital of the empire, as
the most certain way of bringing the Chinese to terms. To reach that
city the Admiral had determined to conduct his fleet, consisting of
nearly 80 sail, including two line-of-battle ships, up the great
river Yangtze, into the very heart of the empire, 200 miles from the
sea.
Commanders Kellett and Collins on were, in the first place, sent up
in the 'Phlegethon,' to sound the river, and to buoy the channel for
the advance of the squadron, accompanied by the masters of the ships
of war. Few or no impediments were discovered, but water for the
largest ships was found right up to Nankin. The river Yang-tze is
one of the largest in the world, and is supposed to take its rise in
the farthest mountains of Thibet, traversing the whole empire, and to
be navigable the entire distance.
It redounds much to the credit of the naval service that a fleet of
nearly 80 sail was carried up to the walls of Nankin and brought
safely back. This was owing to the Admiral's excellent arrangements
and clear orders, to the alacrity paid by the commanders to signals,
and to having boats ready for any emergency.
On the 6th of July the fleet, consisting of the following ships, got
under weigh:--
The advanced squadron was formed of the 'Starling,' 6, Commander
Kellett, and 'Plover,' 6, Commander Collinson, surveying vessels;
'Modeste,' 18, Commander E. B. Watson: 'Clio,' 16, Commander T.
Troubridge; 'Columbine,' 16, Commander Morshead; 'Childers,' 16,
Commander Halstead; H.C. steamer 'Phlegethon,' Lieut. M'Cleverty,
R.N.; H.C. steamer 'Pluto,' Lieut. Tudor, I.N.; H.C. steamer
'Medusa,' Lieut. Hewitt, R.N; H.C. 'Nemesis,' Commander Hall, R.N.;
H.C. steamer 'Proserpine,' Commander J. J. Hough, R.N.; H.M.S.
'Cornwallis,' 72, Captain Richards, flag-ship of Vice-Admiral Sir
William Parker, O.C.B.
_First Division_.--H.M.S. 'Calliope,' 26, Captain A. S. Kuper, C.B.;
H.M. armed steamer 'Vixen,' Commander H. Boyes; 'Marion' transport,
with Lieut.-General Sir H. Gough and staff; seven transports, with
Sappers and Miners, followers, &c.
_Second Division_.--H.M.S. 'Blonde,' 42, Captain T. Bourchier, C.B.;
H.C. steamer 'Auckland,' Commander Ethersey, I.N.; ten transports,
conveying Artillery Brigade and horses, &c.
_Third Division_.--H.M. troop-ship 'Belleisle,' Captain T. Kingcomb,
having on board Major-General Lord Saltoun and H.M. 98th Regiment;
H.M. troop-ship 'Jupiter,' Master Commanding G. Hoffmeister, with
H.M. 26th Regiment; nine transports, conveying Bengal Volunteers,
with flank companies 41st M.N.I.
_Fourth Division_.--H.M.S. 'Endymion,' 44, Captain the Hon. T. W.
Grey; H.C. steamer 'Sesostris,' Commander H. A. Ormsby, I.N.; 13
transports, conveying H.M. 55th Regiment, with the 2nd and 6th
Regiments M.N.I., and the Madras Rifle Company.
_Fifth Division_.--H.M.S. 'Dido,' 20, Captain the Hon. H. Keppel;
H.C. steamer 'Tenasserim,' Master Commanding P. Wall; H.M. troop-ship
'Apollo,' Commander Frederick, with H.M. 49th Regiment; H.M.
troop-ship 'Rattlesnake,' Master Commanding James Sprent, with H.M.
18th Regiment; eight transports, conveying the remainder of the 18th
and 49th Regiments, together with the 14th M.N.I.
This imposing fleet passed up the river without any opposition, the
Chinese having even withdrawn their guns from most of the towns on
its banks to escape the injury they expected would be inflicted had
they made any hostile demonstration. At Seshan, however, about 15
miles below Chin-Keang-foo, some batteries at the foot of a hill,
mounting some 20 guns, opened their fire on the 'Pluto' and
'Nemesis,' as those vessels were surveying in advance; and on the
following day, having fired on the 'Modeste,' she very speedily drove
out their garrisons, and destroyed them completely.
On the 16th the naval and military Commanders-in-Chief went up the
river in the 'Vixen,' followed by the 'Medusa,' to reconnoitre the
approaches to Chin-Keang-foo. They approached the entrance of the
Imperial Canal, which passes close to the city walls. It is one of
the greatest works in China for facilitating the internal water
communication through the country. As no soldiers were seen on the
walls, and no other preparations for defence were visible, it was
hoped that no resistance would be offered, and that thus any effusion
of blood would be spared. When, however, some of the officers landed
on Golden Island, which is opposite the mouth of the Great Canal, and
climbed to the top of the Pagoda, which is in the centre of the
island, they discovered three large encampments on the slope of the
hills to the south-west of the city, which showed that the Chinese
had a large army ready to defend the city if they would venture to
employ it. The British land force consisted of about 7,000 men of
all arms. It had been determined that none of the ships-of-war
should be engaged in the attack. The 'Auckland' was therefore the
only vessel which fired into the city when employed in covering the
landing of the troops. On the evening of the 20th all preparations
were completed for the attack, which was to take place at daylight
the next day. A body of seamen and marines, however, under Captain
Peter Richards, took an active part in the engagement, accompanied by
Sir William Parker, who forced his way with the General through the
gates of the city. Lord Saltoun's brigade was the first on shore,
and gallantly attacking the Chinese, encamped outside the walls, soon
drove them over the hills. General Schoedde's brigade, however, was
received by a hot fire of guns, gingals, and matchlocks, and in
consequence he gave orders for immediately escalading the walls. The
Tartars fought with the most determined bravery, often in
hand-to-hand combats, and several of the British officers and men
were wounded. The walls were soon scaled; and as the troops scoured
them to the right and left, they fell in with Sir Hugh and Sir
William, who had forced their way in at the gate, while Captains
Peter Richards and Watson, with the seamen and marines, had scaled
the walls in another direction. Still in the interior of the city
the Tartars held every house and street where they could hope to make
a stand, determined to sell their lives dearly; and often, when
driven back by superior force, they, with perfect deliberation, put
an end to their own lives, and frequently those of their wives and
children. While these events were taking place, another of a more
naval character was enacting elsewhere. The 'Blonde' was anchored
off the mouth of the Grand Canal, and her boats had been employed in
the morning in landing the artillery brigade. At 10 o'clock they
were ordered away to carry some of the artillery, with two howitzers,
up the canal, to create a diversion in favour of the troops. They
were under the command of Lieut. Crouch, of the 'Blonde,' who had
with him Messrs. Lambert, Jenkins, and Lyons, midshipmen. The barge,
cutter, and flat were a little in advance, when, coming suddenly in
sight of the west gate of the city, they were assailed by a heavy
fire of gingals and matchlocks from the whole line of the city wall,
running parallel with the canal. As the wall was nearly 40 feet
high, the gun in the barge could not be elevated sufficiently to do
service, and the fire of the musketry was ineffectual. Lieut. Crouch
and Mr. Lyons, midshipman, 2 artillery officers, 16 seamen, and 8
artillerymen were wounded. As it would have been madness to have
remained longer than necessary exposed to such a fire, the men leaped
from the boats, which they abandoned, and took shelter under cover of
some houses in the suburbs. The crews of the launch and pinnace,
however, which were some way astern, remained under cover of some
buildings, and escaped without loss. Lieut. Crouch's party now saw
that their only chance of escape was to join the latter, though to do
so they would have to pass across a wide space, exposed to the fire
from the walls. They succeeded, however, in doing this without loss,
and in getting on board the two boats: the whole party returned down
the canal to the 'Cornwallis,' when they reported what had happened
to Captain Richards. They were compelled to leave some of the
wounded behind, and it is satisfactory to report that they were
kindly treated by the Chinese--a strong proof of the advantage of the
example set by the British.
As soon as Captain Richards was informed of the circumstances which
had occurred, he landed with 200 marines, at the entrance of the
Canal, where he was joined by 300 men of the 6th Madras native
infantry, under Captain Maclean.
This body then made their way through the suburbs, to escalade the
city walls. At the same time the boats of the 'Cornwallis,' under
Lieut. Stoddart, with those of the 'Blonde,' pulled up the Canal,
with orders to bring off the boats and guns which had been left
behind, and to endeavour to check the fire of the Chinese, while
Captain Richards' party were engaged in escalading the walls. As
soon as Captain Richards landed, he was joined by Captain Watson and
Mr. Forster, master of the 'Modeste,' with a boat's crew, and a small
body of seamen of that ship. A quantity of rubbish was found near
the walls, on which the ladders were planted by Captains Peter
Richards and Watson, when, in face of a strong body of Tartars, who
opened a tremendous fire on them, they began the hazardous ascent.
Captain Richards escaped unhurt; but Captain Watson was wounded, as
was Lieut. Baker, of the Madras Artillery: and a marine who, with
them, was one of the first on the walls, was killed. At this
juncture Lieut. Fitzjames brought up some rockets and lodged one in a
guard-house, which, catching fire, threw the enemy into such
consternation that they gave way, followed by Captain Richards, who,
at the head of his men, had jumped down into an open space between
two gateways. It was just then that the gate was blown open by
powder-bags; and Sir William Parker, with the third brigade, under
General Bartley, accompanied by Sir Hugh Gough, dashed over its
ruins. Several officers and a large number of men suffered from the
effects of the hot sun. The naval brigade having, in consequence,
rested for some time in a guard-house, on hearing some firing again
sallied out, when they were met by a sudden fire from a body of
Tartars, drawn up across a street, behind a small gateway. Here
Lieut. Fitzjames was wounded, as were several of the men. The
British, however, uttering a loud cheer, attacked the Tartars with
such fury that they were soon driven back, and put to flight, when
numbers fell by their own hands. The city was speedily in entire
possession of the British, when every means was taken to spare life,
to prevent plunder, and to restore order. We must not omit to speak
of the gallantry of several naval officers mentioned by Sir Hugh
Gough. Having heard that the canal was fordable, he had sent Major
Gough to ascertain the fact, accompanied by Captain Loch, R.N., who
acted as an amateur throughout the campaign, as the General's extra
aid-de-camp, and Lieut. Hodgson, of the 'Cornwallis,' as also by
Lieut. Heatley. Instantly rushing down the bank, the four officers
plunged into the canal, and swam across, thus proving the
impracticability of fording it. The city was now completely in the
power of the British; but in consequence of the bad drainage, and the
number of dead bodies left in the houses, the cholera broke out, and
raged with fearful violence among the troops, even though they were
removed to an encampment outside the walls. The number of Tartars
who destroyed themselves and families was very great; while much
damage was committed by the Chinese plunderers, who flocked in from
the country, and pillaged in every direction; yet, although the place
had been taken by assault, none of the British troops were allowed to
plunder or to commit violence of any description.
The total loss of the British forces at the capture of Chin-keang-foo
was:--
Killed.--3 officers, 2 Serjeants, and 29 rank and file.
Wounded.--14 officers, 1 warrant-officer, 4 serjeants, and 87 rank
and file of the military arm.
In the naval battalion 1 officer of marines, and 2 privates were
killed, and 2 privates wounded; and 4 officers, and 15 seamen wounded.
While this affair was taking place, the 'Dido,' 'Childers,' 'Blonde,'
'Modeste,' 'Proserpine,' 'Nemesis,' and 'Queen,' were employed in
blockading the mouths of the Grand Canal above the city, where they
detained a vast number of trading junks. They also were engaged in
obtaining fresh provisions for the fleet, which were strictly paid
for. The officers had indeed established friendly relations with the
authorities of some of the neighbouring towns; and it is worthy of
remark, that they were actually enjoying the hospitality of some of
them while the attack on Chin-keang-foo was taking place.
These triumphant successes of the British had at length brought the
Emperor to reason, and when the fleet and the troops were brought in
reality before the walls of Nankin, he no longer concealed his
anxiety to sue for peace. The capture of the trading junks had also
struck a heavy blow at the commerce of the country, the worse effects
of which he was eager to avert. General Schoedde's brigade, with a
few other troops were left to occupy the heights round
Chin-keang-foo, while the expedition proceeded on to Nankin.
It was not, however, till the 4th of August that, in consequence of
the prevalence of contrary winds, the fleet could stem the current of
the Tang-tse-keang, when the transports with Lord Saltoun's brigade,
were able to proceed.
The 'Queen,' having Sir Henry Pottinger on board, towed up the
'Marion,' head-quarter ship, and on the 5th anchored off Nankin. The
'Cornwallis' had got up on the previous day, but the entire fleet did
not reach the anchorage till the 9th. The walls of the city surround
an immense space, containing within them a separate Tartar city.
Perhaps not more than an eighth part is covered with houses.
The British force consisted of 4,500 effective men, besides the
marines and seamen of the ships. It was thought necessary to make a
demonstration to bring the Chinese more speedily to terms.
The 'Cornwallis,' 'Blonde,' and heavy steamers, were accordingly
placed in position, the first within 1,000 paces of the Ifung gate,
with her broadside bearing on a sort of demi-bastion, which it was
proposed to breach; the 'Blonde,' so as to take the defence of that
bastion in flank; and the steamers so as to destroy the parapet of
the wall on either side the point to be breached.
General Bartley's brigade was to enter at this point, while Lord
Saltoun's was to attack the opposite gate. Fortunately these
demonstrations had their due effect on the Chinese.
The true state of affairs was represented to the Emperor, and on the
20th of August, his Commissioner came on board the 'Cornwallis,' with
authority to treat for peace. On the 24th, the visit was returned by
Sir Henry Pottinger, Sir Hugh Gough, Sir William Parker, and upwards
of a hundred officers.
On the 29th, the treaty of peace for which the British had been for
so long contending was happily signed on board the 'Cornwallis' by
Sir Henry Pottinger, on the part of Great Britain, and by Ke-ying,
Elepoo, and New-Kien, on the part of the Emperor of China.