Keshen, who had spent all his life either in large provincial capitals
or in the imperial city itself, could have had little opportunity of
learning anything either relating to foreign trade or foreign ships,
still less was he acquainted with the "outer waters" along the coast of
the empire.
After describing them to his imperial master, he boldly ventures his
opinion, that the reputation of the fortifications of the Bocca Tigris,
as a place of defence, have been much overrated, and he goes on to
say--"It is, then, clear that we have no defences worthy to be called
such. It is, in truth, the local character of the country, that there
is no important point of defence by which the whole may be maintained."
No wonder that such a declaration from a man who was also the third
member of the imperial cabinet, taken, as it was, from personal
observation, should have sounded unpalatable and even traitorous to the
emperor's ear. But this was not all. Indeed, one might almost imagine
that some European must have pointed out to him defects which his own
unpractised and unaided eye could never have detected.
Lin, on the other hand, had never dared to report to his master the
full extent of the information which was given to him, though he
was fully prepared to adopt every advice which tended to obstruct
the commerce of England, and impede an amicable settlement of the
difficulties.
Such truths are always hard to bear, and harder to believe, and were
consequently _not_ believed, _because_ they were true. But Keshen did
his best to improve his weapons; he sent for a founder of cannon, who
gave him a new model, and undertook to make some experimental pieces.
Yet it did not escape Keshen that, even if he succeeded in casting good
cannon, he could only do so as a preparation _for the future_. "They
could not be ready," says he, "for the business we have now in hand.
These are the proofs," he adds, "of the inefficiency of our military
armament, which is such _that no reliance can be placed upon it_."
He proceeded to say that it would be necessary to employ a naval
as well as a land force to defend the Bogue, but then threw out a
suspicion that the seamen were not to be depended on, for that "he had
heard a report that, after the battle of Chuenpee, these men all went
to their commander, or Tetuh, and demanded money of him, threatening
that they would otherwise disperse; and he had, therefore, personally
made inquiry into the matter, and found that the report was perfectly
true, and, moreover, that the Tetuh, having no other remedy, (evidently
the pay was in arrear,) was obliged to _pawn his own clothes and other
things_, by which means he was enabled to give each of them a bonus of
two dollars, and thus only could he get them to remain for a time at
their posts."[25]
Moreover, he added, "our ships of war are not large and strong, and it
is difficult to mount heavy guns upon them. Hence it is evident that
our force here, (he was writing at the Bogue,) as a guard and defence
against the foreigners, is insufficient."
Keshen next remarked upon the character of the people of the province.
"Your slave has found them ungrateful and avaricious. Of those who are
actual traitors it is unnecessary to say anything. But the rest are
accustomed to see the foreigners day by day, and intimacy has grown up
between them." And he proceeds to contrast them very unfavourably with
the people of Chusan, "who felt at once that the foreigners were of
_another race_."[26]
Keshen then appealed to the history of the past, and made particular
allusion to the difficulty which had formerly been experienced, in
overcoming even the pirates upon the coast, who were at length only
reduced to submission by a promise of security upon condition of laying
down their arms.[27] Finally he expressed great fear, that if he gave
battle, he would be unable to command a victory, and, in that case, the
dignity of the empire would be sullied, and the lives of the people
sacrificed.
To understand the full importance of these remarks, it is necessary
to bear in mind that they were written before the action of the Bogue
took place, and as a ground for asking for the emperor's consent to the
terms proposed by Captain Elliot. Others, however, were called to aid
in his councils at this time, and, among the high officers of Canton,
Lin himself was consulted. They appeared to concur with Keshen; at all
events, they knew that upon his head would rest all the responsibility.
The memorial containing Captain Elliot's demands was sent up to Pekin,
together with this report, which was founded upon personal observation;
and Keshen implored the emperor to look with pity upon "his
black-haired flock, the people, and that he would be graciously pleased
to accede to the requests made by the foreigners, and to grant them
favours beyond measure. Thus," he added, "shall we lay the foundation
for victory hereafter, by binding and curbing the foreigners now, while
we _prepare_ the means of cutting them off at some future period."
Keshen was a true Chinaman of the new school, (for there are new
schools even in antique China,) and, in most respects, the very
opposite of Lin. Sensible of the weakness of his country when matched
with England, conscious of his inability to fight his enemy with
success, he nevertheless hazarded the chance, when the _commands_ of
the emperor compelled him to aim the blow. He, however, did his utmost
to gain time, and even endeavoured to impose upon Captain Elliot,
and to hope against hope itself. After all that Keshen had said, the
defence of the Bogue was conducted, as we shall now perceive, with more
energy than might have been expected, and, indeed, with considerable
spirit.
On the following morning, at dawn, the Nemesis took Captain Elliot
once more up to the Bogue, where he remained about an hour, as if in
anxious expectation of some communication from the shore. But this
last lingering hope was again deceived. Captain Elliot, being now
fully satisfied that no peaceable communication from the Chinese was
any longer to be expected, finally left the Bogue, and finding H.M.S.
Herald at anchor off Lankeet, just below Chuenpee, he went on board
that vessel, leaving the Nemesis to pursue her way down to Hong-Kong.
On the 22nd, Captain Herbert, with the light squadron, took up his
position at the anchorage off South Wantung, where Captain Elliot
announced to him that Keshen had failed to conclude the treaty, and
that he was therefore to consider himself moved, to prevent the
continuance of the defensive preparations. The Nemesis having joined
him from Hong-Kong on the 23rd, Captain Herbert embarked on board that
vessel, and, taking with him the pinnaces of the Calliope, Samarang,
Herald, and Alligator, commanded by Lieutenants Watson, Bower, Dewes,
and Woolcomb, proceeded up Anson's Bay to explore the river before
described as opening at the bottom of it.
It was reported that the Chinese were staking it across; and, from the
bustle which had been previously observed there, when the boat of the
Nemesis ventured into it, there was reason to believe that hostile
preparations were being made. Moreover, it was thought advisable, if
possible, to examine the channel which had been found to lead round in
the rear of Anunghoy; for upon this fortress, as the most extensive of
the defences of the Bogue, it was thought the principal attack of the
squadron would be made. Suspicion was also excited by the contents of
the intercepted despatch of Keshen to Admiral Kwan.
On entering the river, it was no longer to be doubted that preparations
for defence had been commenced. A great number of boats were observed
busily employed in driving stakes or piles into the bed of the river,
across which others were trying to moor a strong raft. No sooner was
the steamer discovered approaching, than the boats all pulled away,
and the Chinese were seen scampering off as fast as possible. However,
when it came to the point of pulling up the stakes, in order to make a
passage between them for the boats which were in tow, all on a sudden
a heavy discharge from a masked battery, close abreast of the spot,
was poured upon them, and at once betrayed the cause of the secret
preparations before observed.
The steamer immediately poured in a volley of grape and canister
from her bow and stern guns, while the boats pulled away towards the
shore, to carry the works by storm, opening their fire from their
bow-guns as they advanced. The Chinese fled, after some resistance;
and the battery, which was of very recent construction, was at once
taken possession of by the crews of the boats, the colours being taken
by Lieutenant Bowers. It was found to mount twenty guns of various
calibre, which were immediately destroyed. There were also lying on
the ground a vast number of guns dismounted, probably not less than
sixty, which appeared to have been landed out of their junks, or
recovered after the destruction of their fleet in the bay. These were
all rendered useless, with the exception of a few brass ones, which
were carried away as trophies. Their magazines and buildings were also
totally destroyed. The number of killed among the Chinese were about
thirty, but no wounded were found, as they had probably been carried
off by their companions in arms. On our side no casualties happened.
Content, for the present, with this successful feat, Captain Herbert
returned in the Nemesis, and rejoined the squadron, at its anchorage,
a little to the southward of South Wantung. On the following morning
they all returned to the scene of the previous exploit, and set about
pulling up the piles, to clear a passage. This time, likewise, they
were fired at, but from a different quarter. The Chinese troops, posted
on the hills above, commenced firing at the working party, but it was
soon returned from the thirty-two-pounders, by which they were speedily
dispersed. A passage having at length been cleared, the Nemesis
steamed up the river for some distance, until she had nearly reached
the large town at the back of Anunghoy; but, as there appeared to be
no further hostile preparations going on, Captain Herbert thought it
better to return and complete the destruction of the fort, raft, &c.,
which had been only partially done the day before; after which they
returned to the squadron, which the commodore himself had now joined,
with the three line-of-battle ships and the Druid.
The next day, the 25th of February, was the great day of preparation
for the combined and resolute attack of all the Bogue forts. The
batteries which were to be reduced were as follows:--The geographical
positions of the Bogue have already been described. Beginning from
the south end of the promontory of Anunghoy, which of course you
approach first, there were several strong works along the shore, the
ridges on the hill's side above being also armed with guns wherever
they could be conveniently placed; and upon the top, which was pretty
steep, an entrenched camp had been formed, calculated for about twelve
hundred men. On this side were two considerable sand-batteries, not
long erected, mounting, as was afterwards found, thirty guns of small
calibre.
Proceeding on along the front was the old battery of Anunghoy, which,
in a manner, seemed to have given place to a new and extremely well
built one, partly of granite and partly of chunam, and reaching down
almost to high-water mark. The rear of this battery, running up the
steep hill-side, was enclosed by a high wall, on which were steps or
platforms for firing musketry.
Continuing our survey of the walls parallel with the passage through
the Bogue, and passing out of the southern fort by its northern gate,
you found a line of steep rocky beach, about two to three hundred
yards long, and unprotected, which led to the northern Anunghoy fort.
Upon this beach was erected a sort of platform, made of wood, serving
merely as a line of communication between the forts, for the passage
of troops. Having traversed this causeway, you arrive at the northern
fort. This was a less formidable one than its fellow lower down, but
still it presented an extensive line of works. The whole together
completely defended the river front of the promontory of Anunghoy. The
number of guns mounted upon all these works was afterwards found to
be very great, and the long line of embrasures certainly looked very
formidable.
The island of North Wantung, which is opposite to these forts, was
thickly studded with cannon all over. Its eastern side presented a
formidable line of guns, and was considered by the Chinese to be its
most important side of defence, for it fronted Anunghoy, commanding
the passage between them; here they had planted some of their largest
guns. An object upon which they had placed great reliance was the large
chain cable which they had carried across the passage from Anunghoy
to a rock close to Wantung, and which they had secured into the solid
rock on either side, something after the manner of the chains of a
suspension bridge. The rafts which supported it were strongly moored,
and the Chinese had adopted a curious contrivance for raising or
lowering the chain, for the purpose of letting their own junks pass
through, by means of a kind of windlass.
A passage was not forced through this chain and rafts until after the
forts were taken; and the Chinese appeared to forget that there was
another channel round the west side of Wantung, and that even had that
been impassable, we could have sent our light steamers, rocket-boats,
and gun-boats, round the back of Anunghoy itself. They, moreover, made
little calculation of the great power of the rising and falling of the
tide, the weight and strength of a line-of-battle ship, or the terrific
power of her broadside.
The little island of South Wantung had been unaccountably left
unoccupied by the Chinese; but, in reality, it was within range,
and well commanded by the strong batteries and Hill Fort upon North
Wantung. The oversight rendered their positions much less tenable, and
soon decided the plan of attack which was adopted by Sir Gordon Bremer.
It was as follows: a battery of two 8-inch iron and one 24-pounder
brass howitzers was to be erected during the night, in a hollow,
upon the top of this little island of South Wantung, which was very
favourably situated for the object required. This battery would not
only greatly annoy the Chinese in the northern island, and probably
shell them out, but also distract their attention from the attack upon
Anunghoy.
The commodore reserved to himself (with the Wellesley, 74, and Druid,
42) the attack on the south-west batteries of Wantung, that is, on
the side not fronting Anunghoy; while Sir Le Fleming Senhouse, in the
Blenheim, 74, with the Melville, 74, and The Queen Steamer, together
with the rocket-boats of the two ships, was to attack the batteries of
Anunghoy, using his own discretion as to the best mode for placing them
for that purpose. The light division under Capt. Herbert, consisting
of the Calliope, Samarang, Herald, Alligator, Sulphur, and Modeste,
were to direct their attention to the batteries on the northern and
north-western side of Wantung, and also those facing Anunghoy, and
either to anchor or keep under weigh, according as it might appear
most likely to ensure the object in view. The Madagascar and Nemesis
steamers were to land the troops, but the latter was more particularly
employed to cover the working party, who were to raise the battery on
South Wantung, and also the troops on shore.
It was not likely that the land forces would have much to do; but it
was directed that detachments of the 26th and 49th regiments, with
the 37th M.N.I. and Bengal volunteers, under the command of Major
Pratt, of the 26th, should be placed on board the steamers and the
transport-boats, together with a few Chinese boats collected for the
purpose, and they were to remain off the southern end of South Wantung,
protected from the fire of the enemy's guns, until the Chinese should
be driven out of the batteries, when their subsequent movements were
to be directed by signal. The royal marines also, under Capt. Ellis,
were to be held in readiness to land with the troops, and were to be
accompanied by the two 6-pounder field-pieces of the Wellesley and
Druid, with seamen to work and drag them; scaling-ladders were also to
be carried with the force.
Soon after mid-day, on the 25th, the Nemesis took on board a detachment
of one hundred and thirty of the Madras Native Infantry, for the
purpose of assisting the royal artillery, under Capt. Knowles and
Lieut. Spencer, in the erection of the mortar battery upon the top of
South Wantung; and they were accompanied by Lieut. Johnson and Lieut.
Rundall, of the Madras Engineers, with the same object. On her way
across, the guns of the large Anunghoy Fort opened upon her, and were
fired with tolerable precision, many of them passing quite near her,
but fortunately without doing any damage. On arriving at the southern
end of South Wantung, it was found that Sir Le Fleming Senhouse, had
already arrived in his own boat, together with a detachment of the
Royal and Madras Artillery. The Anunghoy Battery continued firing, but
without effect, and it was not returned for some time, by the orders of
the commodore. However, as soon as the detachments were landed, Sir Le
Fleming Senhouse himself gave Capt. Hall permission to return the fire.
No time was lost in landing ammunition and warlike implements upon the
island, and parties were busily employed filling sand-bags preparatory
to the erection of the battery above, the whole working party being
perfectly protected from the fire of the Chinese.
In the meantime, the batteries on North Wantung began to open on the
Nemesis; and, in order that she might get completely under cover of
the island of South Wantung, she was run full in upon the shore, which
was somewhat steep in that part; and thus she lay literally with her
head out of water, and her stern deep in it, without receiving any
injury; her light draught of water enabled her to approach closer than
any other vessel could have done. In this manner, all the shot of the
batteries passed over her, without doing any mischief. The fire was not
returned, both owing to the position in which she was, and because it
could only have served to point out, in the darkness of the night, the
situation of the working parties upon the island.
At daylight the battery was quite completed, and the Nemesis was
ordered to withdraw; not long after which, the new battery opened
fire in beautiful style, against North Wantung, under the direction
of Capt. Knowles. The rockets were thrown into it with great effect,
and, together with the shells, could be seen to fall directly within
the forts; this was shortly followed by a blaze of fire, from the
burning of the Custom House and other buildings; soon after which, the
outworks and sand-batteries were abandoned, and the Chinese took refuge
principally in the upper fort. Their loss must have been considerable
at all points; and the panic created by the bursting of the shells and
rockets, which were quite new to them, evidently threw them into great
disorder. It was reported, and there is reason to believe with truth,
that the Chinese officers abandoned the place at the first commencement
of the firing, and ran down to their boats, having locked the gates
behind them, to prevent their own troops from following their example.
The grand combined attack was to have commenced early in the morning,
and the troops were ordered to be in readiness at seven o'clock. The
morning, however, was perfectly calm; the sun shone brilliantly, and
lighted up the scene of impending destruction and slaughter, as if
it were to be a scene of rejoicing. Until ten o'clock there was not
a breath of air; when, a light breeze springing up, the Melville and
Blenheim, accompanied by the Queen steamer, got under weigh, attended
by three rocket-boats, the Blenheim being the leading ship. They stood
in for the southern Anunghoy fort, running along towards the Anson's
Bay side of it, in order to be out of range of its guns in front, so
that they could throw in shot and shell upon its flank, without any
risk of receiving injury themselves. The hill of Anunghoy was crowned
with Chinese troops, their numerous silken banners floating gaily to
the now reviving breeze. Some of their guns were discharged at a great
distance; but the fire was kept up with spirit, though frequently out
of range.
Not so, however, our own majestic ships, which slowly glided up to
their positions without wasting a single shot, until, having anchored
with springs on their cables, they could bring their broadsides to
bear. The Blenheim, although the leading ship, was either carried by
the tide, or else slightly touched the ground, and was soon overtaken
by the Melville, which succeeded in taking up a more advantageous
position in very gallant style. In the meantime, the Queen had
commenced throwing shell into the sand-batteries and other works upon
the hill's side; and, at the same time, the terrific broadsides of
the Melville and the Blenheim opened upon the great battery; the
rocket-boats also did their full share in the work of destruction. The
Chinese could not long withstand these simultaneous attacks.[28]
At about the same time with the attack on Anunghoy, began also that
upon the batteries on the western and north-western side of Wantung,
partly under the commodore in person, and partly under Capt. Herbert.
The ships[29] waited to receive the fire of the forts pretty close, and
then at once poured in their iron shower upon the devoted batteries,
with destructive effect. It would have been impossible for any troops
to have long defended the island of Wantung, bristling though it
then was with cannon, against the powerful force arrayed against it.
Our battery of howitzers had been playing upon it for several hours;
and now six or seven men-of-war, including one line-of-battle ship,
the Wellesley, were battering it at the same time. But the defenders
could not run away, being shut in on every side by the river; and it
was perhaps fortunate for them that the Nemesis, which had already
been engaged with the different batteries, was sent down to fetch
the troop-boats from the southern island, under which they had been
sheltered.
The land force was under the command of Major Pratt, of the
Cameronians, who was already well known to the Chinese at Chuenpee. The
detachments of the 26th and 49th were under Major Johnson, the marines
under Capt. Ellis, the 37th M.N.I, under Capt. Duff, and the Bengal
Volunteers under Capt. Mee.
The scene on all sides at this moment was extremely imposing. The light
breeze, which had barely served to bring the ships into position, had
quite died away when the thunder of artillery commenced, as if it were
unwilling to take them back again until their work was fully done.
The heavy, curling smoke, scarcely broken by an occasional flash,
hung gloomily on every side, as if to veil from sight the scene of
destruction which was going on. For a time the firing ceased, in order
to allow the smoke to rise; and, just at that moment, the troops were
hastening towards Wantung, to take possession of the works, the firing
of which had also ceased. At the same time, Sir Le Fleming Senhouse,
with the marines and a party of blue-jackets, landed, to the attack of
Anunghoy.
At half-past one the troops were landed on Wantung by the Nemesis
and Madagascar, assisted by boats. The object was of course to reach
the hill fort as quickly as possible, and had the Chinese been better
acquainted with the rules of European warfare, they would probably
have at once surrendered themselves, seeing the utter hopelessness
of resistance. Probably the fear of being put to death as prisoners
prevented this timely sparing of blood. Our gallant troops and seamen
pushed rapidly up the ascent over the ruined outworks, and might have
suffered severe loss before they could have taken possession of the
upper fort, had not the Chinese been almost panic-struck, or had they
possessed weapons better calculated for the purpose of defence. But,
instead of surrendering or accepting quarter, they again ran out of the
fort and down the hill, and many of the poor fellows were shot in their
vain attempts to fly, without any possible means of escape. The greater
part of these took refuge in the lower Custom House fort, where many
of them were killed and wounded before the rest surrendered, which,
however, they at length did, to the number of about one thousand.
The prisoners were soon afterwards taken to the mainland, and set at
liberty, equally astonished as they were rejoiced at our leniency.
The Nemesis, in the meantime, had gone over to Anunghoy, to render
assistance, if required, and there observed the marines and seamen of
the Blenheim and Melville, under Sir Le F. Senhouse, in the act of
taking possession of the forts. It appears that they landed without
much opposition, though they were only three hundred in number; and not
only passed through the southern fort, driving the Chinese up the hill
above, but also proceeded along the beach towards the northern fort, of
which they also made themselves masters, the Chinese having fled.
Whatever doubts Keshen himself had entertained concerning the
defensibility of the Bogue, he had too much discretion to communicate
them either to his officers or troops. They had little anticipation of
the total defeat which they were soon to sustain, for they had made
rude sketches delineating the entire destruction of our ships by the
terrible fire of their artillery.
The British flag had by this time supplanted that of China upon all the
defences of the Bogue. It was little past two o'clock, and ample time
yet remained to turn the victory to the greatest possible advantage
before the close of the day. The Nemesis once more crossed over to
Wantung, and as she drew so little water, was enabled to run close in,
and make fast to the lower fort itself. Nothing, however, of a hostile
character remained to be done in this quarter, but there was yet ample
room to perform the more humane duty of assisting the unfortunate
Chinese. Many of these poor fellows were floating about in the water,
clinging in despair to any small piece of wood or bamboo they might
have the good fortune to find. Many were drowned, as had before been
the case at Chuenpee, but many yet remained to be saved. Boats were
sent out for this purpose, but the Chinese notions of warfare were of
such a barbarous nature, that they seemed to think the only object
of any attempt to save them was to reserve them for slow torture,
mutilation, or death.[30] The poor fellows dived their heads under
water as the boats approached them, attempting to drown themselves, and
thus escape falling into our hands. Many were, nevertheless, dragged
out, and carried on board the steamer, where they appeared bewildered
by astonishment more than by fear, when they found that they were
kindly treated. All of them were soon afterwards liberated without any
conditions, and they then appeared thankful for their escape.
The day was now far advanced, but there still remained a fort and
encampment to be taken possession of on the opposite side of the river,
usually called Little Tycocktow, facing the western side of Wantung.
There was every probability that these would be carried without
resistance, for the Wellesley had already seriously damaged the fort,
by her beautiful firing of shells, in the morning, and the Modeste had
also contributed to silence it. A party of the Wellesley's marines were
embarked in her own boats, about four o'clock, under Lieut. Maitland,
and proceeded across, in company with the Nemesis, in order to complete
the day's work. A few shots were fired by her as she approached the
fort, but, finding they were not returned, the boats pushed off to
land, including the boats of the Nemesis, with Capt. Hall and Lieut
Pedder. The fort was found abandoned; and having taken possession of
it, they advanced up the hill in the rear with all speed, as they
observed a body of Chinese in disorder, close to an encampment upon the
top of it. However, on the approach of the little party, they fled into
the interior, abandoning their lines, magazines, &c. These were all set
fire to and destroyed, and the effect of the blaze, which lasted for a
considerable time, becoming more vivid as the night closed in, spread
far and wide, among the distant inhabitants of the country, the general
panic which had already seized their troops. The conflagration extended
itself on all sides, much beyond the original site of the encampment,
and threw its lurid glare over the scene of slaughter and confusion of
the day. Having spiked the guns in the fort, the boats returned with
their crews to their respective ships.
Thus closed the eventful day of the capture of the famous Bogue
forts, and the total dispersion of their unfortunate defenders. Had
the Chinese been better armed, and more experienced in the important
science of gunnery, the capture of the forts would have cost us a much
greater sacrifice of human life. On this occasion, so trifling was
the latter, that at 3 P.M., when Captain Elliot issued his circular
announcing the fall of the batteries of the Bocca Tigris, to her
Majesty's forces, he added, that "no loss on our side had been reported
up to that hour." Sir Gordon Bremer had only subsequently to report,
that "_five men_ were slightly wounded, throughout the whole force."
Much surprise, however, was created by this announcement, for the
firing was for some time kept up with spirit from the forts. It was
also recorded with the utmost minuteness, "that the main-topmast and
fore-yard of the Blenheim were shot through, one gun was rendered
unserviceable, and there were several shots in the hull; that the
Melville had also a shot in one of her top-masts; that the Calliope was
struck; and that other ships had just a rope cut here and there." No
one could dispute the triumphant declaration of the commander-in-chief,
that he was "convinced that almost any number of men the Chinese could
collect, would not be able to stand against the animated gallantry of
his men for an instant."
It is to be regretted that the loss on the side of the Chinese, in
killed and wounded, should have been so considerable. Thirteen hundred
prisoners were taken, but were set at liberty soon afterwards; and,
altogether, upwards of five hundred were killed and wounded during the
day. Many of the Chinese officers boldly and nobly met their death,
some even courted it; they dreaded their master's wrath and their own
degradation more than the loss of life at the hands of their country's
foe. Among these, the most distinguished and most lamented, was poor
old Admiral Kwan, whose death excited much sympathy throughout the
force; he fell by a bayonet wound in his breast, as he was meeting his
enemy at the gate of Anunghoy, yielding up his brave spirit willingly
to a soldier's death, when his life could only be preserved with the
certainty of degradation. He was altogether a fine specimen of a
gallant soldier, unwilling to yield when summoned to surrender, because
to yield would imply treason.
Kwan's body was claimed and recognised by his own family the following
day, and was of course readily given up to them. A salute of
minute-guns was fired to his honour from the Blenheim, as a brave but
fallen enemy. It will be remembered that he was the same distinguished
personage who lost his red button or ball during the engagement with
the war-junks in Anson's Bay, and obtained it back again, at his own
request, through Capt. Elliot's intercession.
The resistance which the Chinese _might_ have offered to our forces
will be seen from the following account of the ordnance captured
during the day. On the southern Anunghoy fort, were 107 guns, of
various calibre; one being a 68-pounder, one a 42, and a good many of
32, 24, and 18. Four of them were very large brass guns, made by the
Portuguese, in 1627, two of these being upwards of eleven feet long,
and ten inches and three-quarters in diameter of the bore; three of the
iron ones were of English manufacture, and the remainder were heavy
Chinese guns. On the northern Anunghoy fort were 40 guns, about half of
them varying from 18 to 42-pounders. All of these were Chinese. At the
two sand-bag batteries, erected to the eastward of the southern fort,
were about 30 guns of small calibre; so that there were altogether on
that side of the river one hundred and seventy-seven guns. Again, upon
the little fortified island of North Wantung, were planted upwards of
one hundred and sixty guns, of which, however, one third were very
small, and of little service; and another third of them varied only
from six to twelve pounders. The remainder were mostly very good,
and some very heavy guns; one being a 68, and another a 42-pounder.
Several of these bore a curious inscription, similar to some others
subsequently taken on Lord Napier's fort, near Canton.
On the fort and works, on the mainland, on the western side of the
river, facing Wantung, were also mounted about forty guns. Thus, the
whole number captured in this day's operations amounted to three
hundred and eighty pieces of cannon; to which, if we add eighty pieces
more, captured on the preceding day by the Nemesis and boats, under
Capt. Herbert, at the masked battery and stockades in the river,
at the bottom of Anson's Bay, we shall find the whole number taken
and destroyed in these two days alone, at the first resumption of
hostilities, to have amounted to four hundred and sixty pieces.
Immediately after the British flag was planted triumphantly upon the
forts of the Bogue, or at any rate before the close of the day, a
notice was issued by Commodore Sir Gordon Bremer, by which the blockade
of the river of Canton was raised. British and foreign merchant-ships
were now permitted to proceed as far as the Bogue, and were to be
allowed to go further up the river, as soon as the obstructions to the
navigation could be removed.
FOOTNOTES:
[25] This was, on more than one occasion, the case during the war.
Soldiers were often found among the killed and wounded each having two
dollars on their persons, and, on one occasion, even six dollars.
[26] This, probably, alludes to the maxim of the Chinese moral code,
which says that it should be remembered that a "foreigner, though he be
a good man, and on terms of intimacy with you, is still _of a different
race_."
[27] This alludes to the famous pirate Kochinga, who was bought off and
made an admiral.
[28] During the heat of the action against the batteries of Anunghoy,
a very dashing thing was done by Commander Sullivan, who was serving
as a supernumerary commander on board the Melville. One of the boats
got adrift, owing to some accident, and was being carried by the
tide close in under the batteries. The instant this was perceived by
Commander Sullivan, he jumped into his gig, and pulled off to recover
the boat, in doing which he was of course exposed to the close fire of
the batteries, but he fortunately escaped unhurt, and brought the boat
safely back. This little spirited incident was not taken public notice
of.
[29] Consisting of the Wellesley and Druid, with the Calliope,
Samarang, Herald, Alligator, Modeste, and Sulphur.
[30] The Chinese rarely make any effort to save even their own
countrymen from being drowned. Indeed, should a common boatman tumble
overboard accidentally, his own companions in the boat will often give
him no assistance, particularly if he is really in danger of being
drowned without it.