It will be remembered that the twenty-sixth regiment, together with
a few of the Madras artillery, and sappers and miners were posted at
the Factories, and, therefore, took no part in the engagements on the
heights on the 25th, although they joined the head-quarters afterwards.
The whole force actually engaged on that day, under Sir Hugh Gough,
including the marines and the naval brigade, amounted to very nearly
two thousand four hundred men. But the actual number of bayonets in
the field was only about one thousand five hundred. The artillery
comprised a body of four hundred men, with four 12-pounder howitzers,
four 9-pounder field-guns, and two 6-pounder guns; also three five and
a half inch mortars, and one hundred and fifty-two 32-pounder rockets.
The naval brigade, commanded by Captain Bourchier, comprised four
hundred and three small-arm men; so that, when added to the marines, it
is evident that full one-third of the force employed on the heights was
supplied by the different ships of the squadron--viz., eight hundred
and eleven men. In proportion as these were withdrawn from their
respective ships, the duty to be performed by those who remained on
board became the more severe.
Sir Le Fleming Senhouse entrusted the command of the naval brigade to
Captain Bourchier, as it was the express wish of Sir Hugh Gough that
the senior naval officer should join his staff, and remain at his
side throughout the day, instead of leading the brigade in person.
It was divided into two battalions, one led by Captain Maitland of
the Wellesley, and the other by Commander Barlow of the Nimrod. The
whole force was divided into four brigades, and was directed to move
left in front. The details given below will render further comment
unnecessary.[48]
At daylight, on the morning of the 25th, the whole of the troops were
landed. The Nemesis, Sulphur, and Starling, remained at anchor close
to Tsingpoo; and small detachments of the 18th and 49th regiments,
and of the 37th M.N.I., amounting altogether to between seventy and
eighty men, were left posted at the temple before described, in order
to secure the landing, and prevent any attempt at surprise on the part
of the Chinese. This precaution afterwards proved to have been very
judicious.
From a hill a little above the landing-place, a good view of the
enemy's positions could be obtained; and, a little beyond that, a
line of hills led directly up towards the rear of the forts above the
city, at the distance of between three and four miles. The ground was
irregular, and much broken by hollows, partially cultivated and laid
out in rice-grounds. The labour of dragging the guns was, therefore,
very great; and, indeed, two of the twelve-pounder howitzers, and
two of the nine-pounder guns, were not got into position upon the
heights until the following day. The other two, however, and also the
six-pounders, together with the rocket-battery, were brought up with
the troops.
Of the four forts, two were situated not far from each other, near the
north-western angle of the city walls, on which side is the hill which
is enclosed _within_ the walls, and which, in the event of the capture
of the city itself, it was the intention of Sir Hugh Gough to occupy
strongly, as being the key to the possession of the whole city. The
other two forts, which might be called the eastern forts, were situated
upon the heights, at some distance to the eastward of the other forts,
nearly facing the centre of the city wall. One of these was some way in
advance of the other.
The weather was extremely sultry during the whole of the 25th, which
much fatigued the men before the close of the day, and laid the
foundation for sickness, to which many afterwards fell victims. The
troops were directed to advance along the brow of the hills in echelon
of columns; and, as soon as the artillery could be got up, the guns
opened upon the two western forts which were nearest, and from which
the Chinese had already commenced a spirited fire. They also threatened
an attack upon the right, by large columns, which appeared to debouch
from the western suburbs.
Our attack upon the two western forts was entrusted entirely to the
naval brigade, under cover of the guns and rockets; and, at the same
time, the left brigade, under Lieutenant-Colonel Morris, was to advance
and carry the nearest of the two eastern forts (which was also the
rearmost in relation to the town); while the first brigade, under
Major-General Burrell, having carried a hill in their front, upon which
a body of Chinese were posted, and which flanked the advance of the
left brigade, was to push on and carry the principal eastern fort,
cutting off the communication between the two, at the same moment when
the 49th made their attack upon the nearest fort.
As the two brigades advanced together, there was some little rivalry
(the strictest discipline being preserved) between the 49th and 18th
regiments, as to which should have the honour of commencing the attack
upon the two forts. The 49th, having the advantage of a shorter and
perhaps rather better road, got the lead, which they maintained, so
that the left brigade carried BOTH the eastern forts before the 18th
came up, and with little loss.
The two western forts were at the same time gallantly carried by
the brigade of seamen, who were exposed to a heavy fire of ginjals,
wall-pieces, and matchlocks, from the city walls, by which they
suffered some loss.
Thus, in the space of little more than half an hour from the time the
advance was sounded, the heights which overlooked the city were in our
possession, and the British flag waved in triumph upon all the forts
which commanded the city. The Chinese seemed little inclined to come to
close quarters as our troops advanced, and they were soon driven out of
the forts, making the best of their way down the hills in confusion.
While our troops were thus engaged upon the heights, the Chinese
threatened an attack upon the landing-place at Tsingpoo. Their object
might have been either to endeavour to cut off the retreat of our
troops from the heights, or else to get possession of the stores, &c.,
which had been left behind. A considerable body of the Chinese sallied
out of the western gate of the city, from which a narrow, irregular
causeway, led down to the landing-place at Tsingpoo.
This movement being immediately observed from the heights, orders were
sent down by Sir Le Fleming Senhouse, at the suggestion of Sir Hugh
Gough, for some of the officers of the vessels at anchor there to land
with their men, and assist in the defence of the place. These orders
were delivered to Captain Hall by an officer of the Blenheim, sent on
purpose. Preparations had already been made on board with this object,
and Captain Hall lost no time in landing with half his crew, the other
half remaining at quarters on board, under Lieutenant Pedder. There
were twenty-eight men and two officers (besides Captain Hall) from the
Nemesis; about fourteen men and two officers from the Sulphur; and
eighteen men and two officers from the Blonde; altogether sixty men and
seven officers.[49]
Having landed and formed, they immediately joined the small body of
troops which had been stationed at the joss-house to protect the
guns, stores, &c., which had been left behind. They were commanded by
Lieutenant Grant, of the 49th, and consisted of thirty men of that
regiment, thirty of the 18th, under Lieutenant Cockburn, and fourteen
of the 37th M.N.I., under Ensign Anquitelle. Lieutenant Grant had got
his men under arms the moment the alarm was given, and, perceiving a
body of about two hundred and fifty Chinese skirmishers advancing in
extended order, he moved out to meet them; when within about fifty
yards, he poured in a smart fire, by which many of them were killed,
and drove them back upon their main body, who were drawn up in close
column, about four hundred strong, (regular troops,) behind a bridge
some distance off, upon which they had planted three field-pieces. The
blue jackets having joined, Captain Hall instantly led the way, at the
head of his own men, _directly down the causeway_, towards the bridge;
and, under cover of an excellent fire from the Nemesis and Starling,
the whole column attacked the Chinese in front, and were received with
an ill-directed fire of grape and curious rocket arrows, by which two
men were slightly hit.
The Chinese were driven from their guns, and endeavoured to rally
behind some houses in their rear, but they soon made a hasty retreat
towards the town, closely pursued, for some distance, by our men. But
it was not thought prudent to follow them within range of the ginjals
upon the city walls, as no good purpose could be effected by it, and
some loss might have been suffered. About thirty of the enemy were
supposed to have been killed and wounded. The three field-pieces were
spiked: and the houses near the bridge, in which a quantity of military
stores were found, were set on fire.
It is worthy of notice that this little spirited affair, although
officially reported to Sir Le Fleming Senhouse, was never specially
mentioned in any of the public despatches--an omission which at that
time created some surprise.
To return to our movements upon the heights. During the greater part
of the day, a spirited fire was kept up from the city walls by guns,
ginjals, and matchlocks; which made it necessary to keep the men under
cover as much as possible.
In the rear, and a little to the eastward of the forts occupied by
the 18th and 49th, was a high hill which, in fact, was the key to the
whole position, but it was not fortified. There was, however, a large
joss-house upon the top of it, which was occupied by a detachment
of the 49th regiment. Upon the low ground to the eastward of this
hill, and between it and a large entrenched camp, situated upon
rising ground close to the suburbs, was a village occupied by Chinese
troops. Frequent communications were passing between it and the
entrenched camp, in which there appeared to be not less than three or
four thousand men. The enemy were soon dislodged from the village by
the 49th, and dispositions were made by Sir Hugh Gough to carry the
entrenched camp by assault. Several high officers had been observed
to pass out of the city on their way to this camp, and it was evident
that some fresh attack was projected. The 18th were therefore ordered
down from the heights to reinforce the detachment of the 49th, together
with a few marines, and Major-General Burrell was directed to carry the
encampment, the only approach to which was along a narrow causeway.
A heavy fire was opened upon them from guns and ginjals upon the
north-eastern face of the city walls, to which the men were unavoidably
exposed as they advanced. The Chinese seemed to have got the precise
range of the causeway, and some loss was suffered in consequence.
But the enemy were soon driven gallantly out of the camp, and fled
in disorder across the country. The buildings were then destroyed,
together with several magazines, and the force then returned to the
heights.
The day was now far advanced, and the men were much fatigued with the
oppressive heat. The steep and broken nature of the approach to the
heights had made it impossible to get up the heavy guns and ammunition
until the following day. The assault of the city was therefore
deferred; but Sir Hugh Gough, having made a careful reconnoissance of
the walls and gates, determined to carry them on the following day,
while the panic of the Chinese was still at its height.
On the morning of the 26th, all was apparently quiet within the city,
except that numbers of people were issuing out of the gates, which were
removed from the scene of action, hastening to carry away with them all
the valuable property which could be easily transported. Our troops
were early under arms, but no further operations against the city could
be undertaken until the ammunition and the heavy guns could be brought
up.
The weather in the morning did not look auspicious, and before the day
was half over, rain began to fall in torrents. Few Chinese appeared
upon the walls of the city; and at length, soon after ten o'clock,
a flag of truce was displayed from the walls. It is remarkable how
perfectly well the value of the white flag was remembered (as before
noticed by Capt. Elliot) whenever the Chinese wished to negotiate, or
to induce us to suspend our operations; although they thought proper
to slight it whenever it suited their purpose. Shortly afterwards the
general deputed Mr. Thom, who was attached to him as interpreter,
to advance and ascertain what the Chinese desired. A mandarin,
distinguished by a red button, now stated that they wished to propose
terms of peace, with a view to spare the city, and that in the
meantime there should be a suspension of hostilities. It was replied,
that the general could treat with no other officer than the Chinese
commander-in-chief, his equal in rank; that the British forces had
come before Canton much against the wishes of the English nation, but
were compelled to do so owing to the insults offered to the British
subjects, and the bad faith of the Chinese high officers; that they
might, therefore, address their requests to Capt. Elliot, who was with
the advanced squadron in the river before the city; and that two or
three hours would be allowed for them to communicate with that officer,
and also to arrange an interview between the English and the Tartar
general; but that if within that period no satisfactory communication
should be received, the white flag would be struck.
These overtures, on the part of the Chinese, led to no immediate
result. Sir Hugh Gough waited more than four hours before the white
flag was struck, and even then the Chinese did not lower theirs.
During the remainder of the day, and in the course of the night, by the
unwearied exertions of the Royal and Madras Artillery, assisted by the
Sappers and Miners, all the guns and ammunition were got up, except one
12-pounder howitzer, the carriage of which had been disabled. During
the whole of this time, the rain fell heavily, which much increased the
necessary labour, and added to the privations of the men, who either
bivouacked or were partially sheltered, as best they could.
The truce, if it could be so called, was of some use to us, as it gave
time for the completion of all the preparations for the assault, which
was to have taken place at eight o'clock on the following morning. Our
batteries were to have opened at seven o'clock, and it was expected
that the parapet of the walls, which was high, would have been reduced
by the concentrated fire of our guns. The walls were not less than
twenty-eight to thirty feet high, and were separated from the heights,
from which they were in some parts less than two hundred paces distant,
by an intervening glen.
The broken nature of the ground was peculiarly favourable for the
several attacks which were designed; and as soon as a lodgment had been
made upon the walls, the different columns of attack were to unite,
and make a rush at the fortified hill, which, as before described, was
situated within the walls, and commanded the interior of the city. The
attack was to have been made in four columns, of which the right,
consisting of the royal marines, under Capt. Ellis, was to blow open
the north gate with powder bags; but if that attempt failed, they were
to escalade a circular work thrown up as a defence to that gate. The
second column, composed of the blue jackets, under Capt. Bourchier,
were to escalade the wall a little beyond the circular work, where its
height was not so great, under cover of musketry. At the same time,
the 18th Royal Irish, under Lieut.-Colonel Adams, were to escalade the
wall close to the seven-storied pagoda, under cover of our batteries
on the heights above. The assault was also to be covered by the Bengal
volunteers, and part of the Madras 87th N.I. Further to the left,
the 49th, under Lieut.-Col. Morris, were directed to carry a sort of
bastion in front, and within range of the largest and nearest of the
forts upon the heights, of which we had got possession the day before.
Sir Hugh Gough's principal object would then have been to occupy the
fortified hill within the walls, upon which a heavy fire of shells and
rockets was to have been kept up during the assault of the walls.
Every arrangement was thus made which could ensure the certain and
speedy capture of the city, with little loss on our side. What then
must have been the chagrin and disappointment of the general and all
his officers, when, soon after six o'clock, just as the final orders
were given, and the batteries were about to open, a letter from Capt.
Elliot was put into the general's hands, which announced to him that a
truce had been agreed to, and that further operations must therefore be
suspended. It barely arrived in time to stop the assault of the city,
which was on the point of being commenced. Under these circumstances,
as Sir Hugh Gough observed, "whatever might be my sentiments or
feelings, it was my duty to acquiesce, and therefore the attack was
countermanded, and the feelings of the Chinese were spared." To this he
added that he had no means of judging of the policy of the measure.
If any further doubt upon the subject remained, it was finally set at
rest by the arrival of Capt. Elliot in person at the camp, about noon.
From that moment all idea of further hostile operations against the
city was abandoned.
Shortly before Capt. Elliot's arrival, Sir Hugh Gough had held a
short conference, accompanied by Sir Le Fleming Senhouse, with the
Tartar General in person, outside the walls, in a tent pitched for the
purpose. The result was of little importance, as it was already known
that terms had been negotiated by Capt. Elliot.
It could not be doubted that both Sir Hugh Gough and Sir Le Fleming
Senhouse were exceedingly averse to granting any terms to the
Chinese until our troops should have got possession of the city, and
established themselves upon the fortified hill within the walls,
which would have secured our troops against any possible surprise or
treachery, and would have exercised a salutary moral effect upon the
government, without causing any wanton damage to the town or annoyance
to the people. In fact, it could not have failed to humble the pride of
the Chinese, when they knew that a large garrison of foreign soldiers
had made themselves masters of one of the principal cities in the
empire, supposed to contain nearly a million of inhabitants.
Various stories were current concerning the mode in which the ransom of
the city was first proposed. One of the most credited accounts was that
the Hong merchants were ordered by the authorities to go and make terms
for the ransom of the town, in some way or other, under pain of severe
displeasure or punishment. It was said that they were authorized to go
as far as _ten_ millions of dollars, if a less sum would not suffice;
but on no account to return without effecting the object. They must
have known that they would themselves have to pay the greater part of
the amount, and naturally wished to make the best bargain they could.
It is said that in the first instance they pulled along side one of
our men-of-war, and offered three millions for the ransom of the city.
As they evidently appeared to be in a hurry to make a bargain of some
sort or other, they were told that a much larger sum would be required.
Four millions were then proposed, and then five millions; and at
length, in great trepidation, and with many protestations of poverty,
they raised the offer to six millions. In the first instance they were
scarcely thought to be in earnest, but as the thing now really looked
serious, they were directed to go and confer with Capt. Elliot. It was
not difficult to persuade him to grant a truce until twelve o'clock
the following day, the 27th; and, in the intervening time, terms were
definitively agreed upon.
The twenty-four hours' truce, in the first instance, was quite unknown
to Sir Hugh Gough, to whom an officer of the navy had been sent in
the afternoon to convey the information; but having missed his way,
and wandered all night, he only reached the head quarters, as before
stated, within half an hour of the time the batteries were to open. The
fact of the truce having been granted was now sufficient to account for
the Chinese having continued to display the white flag from the walls
the preceding day, after it had been lowered by Sir Hugh Gough upon the
heights.
As it had been stipulated that the Tartar troops should leave the city
and retire to a distance of sixty miles from it, a conference was held
on the 28th between Sir Hugh Gough and the prefect of the city, in
order to make arrangements for the evacuation of Canton. It was now
ascertained that the force amounted to no less than forty-five thousand
men from distant provinces, besides those troops which belonged to the
province itself.
The Tartar soldiers were allowed to march out with their arms and
baggage, but without displaying their banners, and without music.
So far then the authorities appeared to have perfect control over the
people of the city, and over the troops belonging to other provinces
which formed the garrison. But beyond the city it was not so easy for
them to exercise the same degree of authority, particularly as regarded
the armed peasants. For some time the peasantry of the province,
particularly in the neighbourhood of the city, had been encouraged
to form themselves into societies, or patriotic bands, as they were
called, for mutual defence against the foreigners. They constituted
a sort of rude military; but having inexperienced leaders and no
discipline, they were calculated, if once their passions were roused,
to become much more troublesome to the province itself than they
were formidable to the enemy. They were imperfectly armed, every man
according to his own taste, with spears, swords, a few matchlocks, and
shields. With perfect ignorance of military affairs, and without any
knowledge of the resources of the enemy they were to encounter, they
believed that, by mere force of numbers, and a show of courage at a
distance, they could effect that which even their regular Tartars had
been totally unable to accomplish. Yet they were held up to the nation
at large by the government as models of patriotism and self-devotion;
and so impressed were they with the high value of their proffered
services, that they really believed the high officers had betrayed
their trust in acceding to Captain Elliot's terms for the ransom of
the city; and that the anxiety of the inhabitants to save their own
property had induced them to make unreasonable concessions, at the very
moment when _they_ (the patriots) were advancing to exterminate their
enemies by falling upon their rear.
It is, therefore, not surprising that, two days after the city had
been ransomed--namely, on the 29th, a considerable body of these men
began to collect upon the heights, about three or four miles in the
rear of our positions. Their numbers continued to increase throughout
the day, and Sir Hugh Gough, being fully prepared to expect some act
of treachery or bad faith under cover of a flag of truce, directed
Major-General Burrell to take charge of our positions, and to hold
every man in readiness to repel any attack from the city, while he
himself advanced in person to meet and disperse the enemy, who now
shewed themselves.
The 26th regiment, under Major Pratt, which had occupied the factories
until the 27th, had been brought up to Tsingpoo by the Nemesis on that
day, and had joined Sir Hugh Gough upon the heights. The force which
the general now took with him comprised that regiment, the 49th, except
one company left at the joss-house on the heights, the 37th, M.N.I.,
and the company of Bengal Volunteers, supported by the Royal Marines.
These two latter were to be held in reserve, so as to be in readiness
to return towards the heights, and act upon the flank, should any
attack be made from the town during the absence of so large a portion
of our force.
The Chinese had descended from the heights in the rear upon which they
had first appeared, and had taken up rather a strong position behind
an embankment along the bed of a stream; they appeared to number about
four thousand men. The 26th regiment, which had not yet been engaged,
supported by the 37th M.N.I., were ordered to advance and drive them
from this position, which they effected without any loss. Like most
irregular troops, the Chinese patriots could not act together in a
body, but took to flight, throwing away their spears as soon as a
well directed fire was opened upon them. They attempted to rally for
a moment at a sort of military post in their rear, but they did not
make a stand. The buildings were immediately destroyed, together with
a magazine, which was unexpectedly found in the adjoining village. The
Chinese retreated to the heights upon which they had first appeared.
Sir Hugh Gough, having then directed the 49th and Bengal Volunteers
to fall back upon our original position upon the heights, remained to
watch in person the movements of the Chinese, with the 26th and the
37th M.N.I., amounting together to between five hundred and six hundred
men.
The heat of the sun this day was excessive; it was so sultry that both
officers and men suffered great exhaustion, and Major Beecher, the
deputy quartermaster-general, whose exertions had been unremitting
throughout the previous days, fell down and almost immediately expired;
several other officers also fell sick. Within two or three hours after
the first repulse of the Chinese, they again collected upon the heights
in greater numbers than before, fresh bodies of them having now come up
with banners, &c., amounting to from seven thousand to eight thousand
men.
Captain Knowles of the artillery, who had been ordered to bring up some
rockets, now threw them with great precision among the Chinese, but
without being able to disperse them; indeed, they appeared determined
to shew a bold front; and the general, therefore, directed Major Pratt,
with the 26th, to attack a large body of them who had descended from
the heights to some rice-fields on his left. Captain Duff, with the
37th M.N.I., supported by the Bengal Volunteers, was also directed to
advance and disperse a large body in his front, who had attempted to
reoccupy the military post which had been already burnt; they were then
to push forward towards the hills, and clear them of the enemy.
These manoeuvres were executed with complete success, the Chinese being
dispersed at all points. The 37th M.N.I., however, pushed on rather
further than had been intended, and got separated from the Bengal
Volunteers. Captain Duff had, however, detached a company to open his
communication with the 26th, who were at some distance on his left.
But the day was now far advanced, and the thunder-storm, the approach
of which had been surely indicated by the extreme sultriness and
oppressive heat of the morning, now burst upon them with inconceivable
fury. The rain also descended in such torrents that the firelocks
got wet and scarcely a single musket would go off. The 26th were, in
consequence, frequently compelled to charge with the bayonet, for the
Chinese, who hovered about them, seeing that they could not use their
firelocks, came boldly up to attack them with their long spears, which
are formidable from their length. After several repulses, the Chinese
at length withdrew, and our troops were directed to return to their
positions.
It was on this occasion, and in the midst of this terrific storm, in
the dusk of evening, that the gallant conduct and steadiness of the
company of the 37th M.N.I., which, as before stated, had been detached
to open a communication with the 26th, on their left, saved them from
total destruction, and won for them the praise of all military men.
The story has been so often told, and with so little variation in its
details, that it is scarcely necessary to repeat it; a few words will
do justice to their gallantry. The detached company having missed
the road during the storm, did not succeed in joining the 26th, who,
in the meantime, had, in fact, retired. Their muskets were found
completely useless, owing to the wet, which emboldened the Chinese to
attack their rear with their long spears, as they had done the 26th.
They were soon surrounded; and one or two of the men were pulled
over with a long crooked spear, something in the shape of a small
reaping-hook, fixed upon a long pole. The musket of one of the men who
had fallen was picked up by the Chinese, the powder being so damp in
the pan that it would not go off with the flint and steel. The Chinese
soldier, however, deliberately placed the musket to his shoulder, and,
taking steady aim at one of the officers, Mr. Berkeley, applied his
match to the damp powder, which ignited, and the musket went off, and
unfortunately wounded Mr. Berkeley in the arm.
The gallant little company of Sepoys were now moved to some rising
ground, where they could better defend themselves. For a moment, the
rain ceased; and then with the utmost difficulty they were enabled to
get a few muskets off, with unerring effect upon the dense mass of
Chinese who surrounded them. But fortune was determined to prolong
their trial still. The rain again descended in torrents, just as they
had begun their retreat; and the Chinese, taking fresh courage, resumed
their attacks. Nothing now remained but to form a square, and stand
true to each other, until the morning dawned, and enabled them to fight
their way through the enemy.
The absence of this company, when all the rest of the force was
concentrated, caused great anxiety concerning their fate. It was
rightly attributed to the severity of the storm, but it was feared that
they might possibly have been cut off by the Chinese.
Without loss of time, Sir Hugh Gough ordered up two companies of
marines, who were comparatively fresh, and armed with percussion
muskets, to return with Captain Duff in search of the missing company.
As they advanced they fired an occasional shot, as a signal to their
comrades of their approach, and to animate their spirits. At length,
an occasional shot was heard ahead of them, and they soon afterwards
came up with the missing company, drawn up in a square, surrounded by
thousands of Chinese. A couple of volleys sent into the midst of the
confused crowd, by the unerring percussion-muskets[50] of the marines,
accompanied by a loud "hurra," dispersed them with great loss, and they
fled in confusion.
The generals own words will best do justice to this little
incident:--"The Sepoys," says he, "in this critical situation,
nobly upheld the high character of the native army, by unshrinking
discipline, and cheerful obedience, and I feel that the expression of
my best thanks is due to Lieutenants Hadfield and Devereux, and Ensign
Berkeley, who zealously supported them during this trying scene."
They did not, however, escape without some loss, as one private was
killed, and one officer and fourteen men were severely wounded.
This open hostility of the Chinese, during the operation of a truce,
could not be permitted to continue; and, moreover, it was evident
that no good purpose could be attained by merely dispersing these
irregular bodies of the Chinese. Accordingly, on the following morning,
the 31st, the general sent to inform the Kwang-chow-foo, or prefect,
that if these hostile demonstrations were continued, he should be
under the necessity of at once hauling down the flag of truce, and of
recommencing hostilities against the city. In the course of the day,
before any further arrangements had been made with the prefect, who
promised to come and meet the general and Captain Elliot under the
walls, the Chinese again collected upon the hills, displaying their
banners, &c., and firing off their guns. Detached parties were also
thrown in advance, as if they had some design of communicating with the
Tartar troops, who, to the number of 7000, had already marched out of
the city, and were still moving.
In the afternoon, the number of Chinese had still further increased,
upon the same hills upon which they had appeared the day before. At
length, the prefect arrived, and assured the general that the movements
of these peasants were quite without the knowledge or sanction of the
authorities, and that he would immediately send off an officer of rank
to order them to disperse to their homes. It was agreed that one of
our own officers should also accompany him, to endeavour to effect
this object by their joint efforts; and Captain Moore, of the 34th
Bengal N.I., volunteered to undertake this hazardous and responsible
duty. Some treachery might possibly have been intended, although, as
there was reason to believe, without the sanction of the prefect, who
was personally, at that time, completely in our power. These irregular
bodies were at length induced to disperse, and no further collision
took place.[51]
During all the operations upon the heights, the greater part of
the wounded were brought down and put on board the Nemesis, where
they received every attention from the surgeon of the vessel, and
particularly from Mr. Peter Young, who was then on board merely as
a volunteer. The Nemesis was employed to convey them daily to their
respective ships and transports. The total number of casualties
amounted to fifteen killed, and one hundred and twelve wounded; among
the latter were no less than fifteen officers.[52] The Chinese must
have suffered very severely, as almost every shot told upon their heavy
masses.
Upon the heights of Canton forty-nine guns were captured, besides
a great number of ginjals. But if we reckon all the guns taken and
destroyed in the Canton river and its numerous branches, from Chuenpee
to Canton, they will be found to amount to not less than _twelve
hundred pieces_, besides ginjals, &c.
The resources of the Chinese seemed endless, and the rapidity with
which they erected batteries and field-works was not a little
remarkable. It cannot be said that they yielded without first making
the most strenuous efforts to defend all the approaches to Canton; and
they were rather wanting in skill, and the knowledge of the best mode
of applying their abundant resources, than in courage or determination
to resist. The Chinese are capable of becoming a formidable enemy,
and we cannot forget that, like the Russians, who were once so easily
conquered, they may soon learn the art of war from their conquerors,
and become formidable from the experience which their first disasters
taught them.
On the 31st of May, nearly 18,000 Tartars had marched out of Canton,
according to the terms agreed on. Five million dollars had also been
paid, and security given for the other million which was still to be
paid. Preparations were therefore made, at the request of Captain
Elliot, for the re-embarkation of our forces, and their withdrawal
from before Canton. With the assistance of eight hundred Chinese
labourers, who were furnished for the purpose by the prefect, the guns,
ammunition, and stores were brought down to Tsingpoo on the morning of
the 1st of June, under a strong escort; and the British flag having
been lowered in the forts upon the heights, the whole of our force was
re-embarked in the afternoon, under the superintendence of Captain
Bourchier and Captain Maitland.
Sir Hugh Gough particularly noticed the absence of excess of every kind
which distinguished the men during the eight days they were on shore.
Although placed in situations where temptation was abundant, only two
instances of drunkenness occurred during the whole period.
The treaty, or perhaps rather the truce, which had been made, by no
means implied the conclusion of peace between the two nations; it had
reference solely to the city and river of Canton, the whole of the
forts and defences of which were to be restored to the Chinese as soon
as the ransom had been paid; it was, however, stipulated that they were
not to be _re-armed_ "until affairs between the two countries should
be finally settled." Accordingly, as soon as our forces, both military
and naval, had been again concentrated at Hong-Kong, preparations were
immediately recommenced for the resumption of the projected expedition
against Amoy.
FOOTNOTES:
[48]
FIELD LIST OF TROOPS ENGAGED ON THE HEIGHTS ABOVE CANTON ON THE
25TH OF MAY, 1841.
|Officers|All other
| | ranks.
|--------+---------
Left Brigade, under Lieutenant-Colonel Morris. | |
H.M. 49th Regiment, commanded by Major Stephens | 28 | 273
37th Madras Native Infantry, | |
Captain Duff {European 11} | 15 | 215
{Native 4} | |
Company of Bengal Volunteers, | |
Captain Mee {European 2} | 4 | 112
{Native 2} | |
|--------+---------
| 47 | 600
|--------+---------
Third, or Artillery Brigade, | |
under Captain Knowles, R.A. | |
Royal Artillery, commanded by Lieutenant Spencer | 2 | 33
Madras Artillery, commanded by Captain Anstruther | 10 | 231
Sappers and Miners, commanded by Captain Cotton | 4 | 137
|--------+---------
| 16 | 401
|--------+---------
Second, or Naval Brigade, under Captain Bourchier. | |
1st Battalion, Captain Maitland 11} | 27 |172} 403
2nd Battalion, Commander Barlow 16} | |231}
|--------+---------
| 27 | 403
|--------+---------
First (right) Brigade, under Major-General Burrell.| |
18th Royal Irish, Lieut.-Colonel Adams | 25 | 495
Royal Marines, Captain Ellis | 9 | 372
|--------+---------
| 34 | 867
|--------+---------
Total, Officers | 124 |
----, Other ranks | | 2271
Grand total 2395
N.B.--It is to be remarked that the company of Bengal Volunteers,
comprising one hundred and twelve men, had only two European officers.
[49] Names of officers:--Captain Hall, Mr. Whitehurst, and Mr. Gaunt,
Nemesis; Mr. Goss and Mr. Hooper, H.M.S. Sulphur; Mr. Holland and Mr.
Lambert, H.M.S. Blonde.
[50] Only two of the percussion-muskets of the marines missed fire,
although they had been loaded two or three days before, without having
been discharged since. The men belonged principally to the Blenheim,
under Lieutenant Whiting.
[51] It is impossible for us to know exactly what communication was
made by the Chinese officer, to the heads of these patriotic bands,
but it was thought that the people did not withdraw altogether owing
to the conviction that their efforts would be useless against us, but
because they were bound to obey the orders of the prefect. At the same
time, they really believed that they had been betrayed by their own
authorities, and were ready to unite again whenever occasion offered
with some confidence of success.
[52] Lieut. C. Fox, R.N., and Mr. Kendall had each a leg shot off; the
former died.