KELAT-I-GHILZIE.

On the 19th. of May, a force, composed of the 40th. and other corps,

under Colonel Wymer, marched for the purpose of drawing off the garrison

of Kelat-i-Ghilzie, a hill fort eighty-four miles from Candahar, on the

road to Ghuznee, which had been held with difficulty throughout the

winter, and had for some months been closely blockaded. It arrived there

on the 26th., but on the 21st. the fort had been attacked by four

thousand Ghilzees, at four in the morning, whom the defenders had

gallantly defeated. The troops consequently were only occupied in

destroying the defences, etc., till the 1st. of June, when they returned

to Candahar.[89]

Major-General Nott moved with his army on the 10th. of August, upon

Cabool. The 40th. and 41st. regiments formed a portion of his force, the

wounded, sick, and weakly men being sent to India _viâ_ the Kojuck Pass,

with the troops under Major-General England. Captain White, of the light

company of the 40th., was appointed to command the advance, composed of

the light companies of the 40th. and 41st., and the 2nd., 16th., 38th.,

42nd., and 43rd. regiments of Bengal Native Infantry, and the regiment

of Kelat-i-Ghilzie.

BATTLE OF GONINE.

30TH. AUGUST, 1842.

Shumshoodeen, the Afghan governor of Ghuznee, about three o’clock in the

afternoon, on the 30th. of August, brought nearly the whole of his army,

amounting to about twelve thousand men, into the vicinity of the camp at

Gonine, distant thirty-eight miles south-west of Ghuznee, where

Major-General Nott moved out with one half of his force, and after a

short but spirited contest, defeated the Afghans, capturing their guns,

tents, ammunition, etc., and dispersing them in every direction. One

hour more of daylight, and the whole of their infantry would have been

destroyed. Shumshoodeen fled towards Ghuznee, accompanied by about

thirty horsemen. Major Hibbert, of the 40th., was especially noticed in

the despatches. Two officers were killed and four wounded; thirty-six

non-commissioned officers and men were killed and sixty-two wounded.

RE-CAPTURE OF GHUZNEE.

6TH. SEPTEMBER, 1842.

Major-General Sir William Nott, on the morning of the 5th. of September,

moved upon Ghuznee. Lieutenant-Colonel Palmer, Political Agent,

commanding at Ghuznee, upon promise of honourable treatment and safety

on the march to Cabool, and by the orders of Major Pottinger and

Major-General Elphinstone, had, in March, 1842, capitulated. The

garrison, which only occupied the citadel, was exhausted by fatigue and

want of water, and the men had suffered greatly from cold, the

thermometer having been fourteen degrees below zero. Upon Shumshoodeen,

Nephew of Dost Mahomed Khan, swearing on the Koran that he would give

the Sepoys a safe escort to Hindoostan, they consented to deliver up

their arms; but had scarcely marched out of the citadel, when they were

attacked by the fanatical Ghazees. An English officer, his wife, and

their servants, were massacred on the spot, and native women, children,

and Sepoys were butchered in heaps. Colonel Palmer was put to the

torture, after which, he and nine only surviving officers were thrown

into a dungeon. The city was found to be full of men, and a range of

mountains running north-east of the fortress was covered by heavy bodies

of cavalry and infantry; the gardens and ravines in the vicinity being

likewise occupied. Major Sanders, of the Bengal Engineers, was directed

to reconnoitre the works; this brought on some smart skirmishing, and

Captain White, of the 40th., commanding the light companies, was pushed

forward, when the Major-General determined to carry the enemy’s mountain

positions before encamping his force. This was effectively performed by

the troops, and the Afghans were driven before them until every point

was gained. Two regiments and some guns were sent from the camp, (which

had been pitched,) to occupy the village of Bullool, about six hundred

yards from the walls of Ghuznee, upon the spur of the mountain to the

north-east, as this appeared to be a desirable spot for preparing a

heavy battery.

During the night of the 5th. of September, the engineers sappers, and

miners, and infantry working parties were employed in erecting breaching

batteries; before the guns, however, had reached the position on the

morning of the 6th., it was ascertained that the fortress had been

evacuated, and at daybreak the British colours were flying from the

citadel. The 40th. had one private killed and three privates wounded;

the 41st had the same number wounded. In these operations the loss was

much less than might have been expected, from the numbers and positions

of the enemy, and from the fact of the troops being obliged to move

under the range of the guns of the fortress. Three hundred and

twenty-seven Sepoys of the 27th. Native Infantry were here released from

the state of slavery to which they had been reduced by the Afghans. A

party was detained, under Lieutenant G. White, to take down the

celebrated gates of Somnauth, concerning which so much discussion

afterwards arose.

On the 10th. of September the troops continued their march on Cabool,

when Shumshoodeen, Sultan Jan, and other chiefs having assembled about

twelve thousand men, occupied, on the 14th. and 15th. of September, a

succession of strong mountains, intercepting the advance at Beenee

Badam, and Mydan, but they were dislodged, and driven from their

position. No further opposition was encountered, and on the 17th. the

troops, under Major-General Nott, reached Cabool, and joined the force

under Major-General Pollock.

After the strong town of Istalif had been captured by the troops under

Major-General McCaskill, on the 29th. of September, in which the 9th.

Foot and the light companies of the 41st. bore a gallant part, the army

broke ground on its return to India on the 12th. of October, the grand

bazaar at Cabool, named the Chahar Chuttah, where the remains of the

British envoy had been exposed to public insult, having been first

destroyed. On arriving at Jellalabad, the fortress was destroyed.[90]

During the march through the Passes several attacks of the Afghans were

repulsed. According to the wish of Lord Ellenborough, the

Governor-General, the garrison of Jellalabad proceeded in advance of the

rest of the troops, in order to make a triumphant entry. The medals

(mural crown pattern) granted to the garrison for the defence and battle

near Jellalabad had been forwarded a few days previously, in order that

they might be worn on its entrance into Ferozepore, which took place on

the 17th. of December.

The following Queen’s regiments took part in these campaigns:—_Cabool_,

1842.—3rd. Light Dragoons, 9th., 13th., 31st., 40th., and 41st.

regiments. _Candahar_ and _Ghuznee_.—40th. and 41st. regiments.

_Jellalabad_.—13th. Light Infantry.

[Illustration: A line drawing of a circular military medal with a crown

at the top and the inscriptions GHUZNEE and CABUL inside a laurel

wreath, dated 1842.]

THE SECOND AFGHAN WAR.

1878, 1879, 1880.

Dost Mohammed, our antagonist in the war of 1842, died Ameer of

Afghanistan in 1863, and was succeeded by his third son, Shere Ali. His

authority was disputed by his brother, but, after a series of bloody

conflicts, he, being aided by Sir John Lawrence with arms and money,

overcame his rivals, and in 1869 was sole ruler of Afghanistan. In March

of the same year he had an interview at Umballa with Lord Mayo, Viceroy

of India, and was granted another subsidy; but not meeting with the

succour he desired, Shere Ali returned home in a very suspicious and

dissatisfied state of mind. Lord Northbrook, during his Vice-royalty,

met the prime minister of Shere Ali at Simla in 1873, who, failing to

obtain any positive assurance of support in case of an attack by Russia,

his master concluded that his best policy would be to make friends with

that power, and he accordingly entered into correspondence with General

Kauffman, the Russian commander in Central Asia. In 1877 he refused to

allow a British Resident at Cabul, and broke off all communications with

the Indian Government, the result being that his annual subsidy was

withheld. In June, 1878, a Russian envoy, Stoletoff, with a military

escort, was received with honour at Cabul, and a treaty signed,

constituting Russia the guardian of the Ameer. Upon this, Lord Lytton

sent as envoy to Cabul, Gholam Hussein Khan, with letters to the Ameer

informing him of the intention of the Indian Government to send to Cabul

an English mission, but the envoy was dismissed with presents, and

intercourse with the English declined. A special mission was despatched

from Peshawur under Sir Neville B. Chamberlain, commander of the Madras

Army, with whom was Major Cavagnari, which proceeded to the fort of Ali

Musjid at the entrance of the Khyber Pass, but was there stopped, and

threatened with attack if it proceeded further, September 22nd. As the

escort with the mission was not strong enough to force a passage, Sir

Neville returned to Peshawur. As it was impossible that the Indian

Government could submit to see a Russian Envoy received with honour at

Cabul, and its own officers refused admission into the country, an

ultimatum was sent to Shere Ali, to the effect that if a British

Resident was not received at Cabul war would be declared. No answer to

this having been received within the time prescribed, November 20th, on

the next day war was formally proclaimed. It was decided to invade

Afghanistan in three columns, operating by the Khyber and Bolan Passes,

and the Kuram Valley. A fourth column, called the Thal-Chotiali Field

Force, was placed under the orders of General Donald Stewart in Southern

Afghanistan, and a reserve column was formed at Jumrood. The column

commanded by General Sir S. Browne, V.C., known as the First Division of

the Peshawur Field Force, crossed the frontier the day war was

proclaimed, and marched direct upon

ALI MUSJID,

NOVEMBER 21ST., 1878.

Ali Musjid is a strong fort on a steep detached hill, about six miles

from the frontier, commanding the deep gorge of the Khyber Pass, and

flanked by batteries on the hill sides. The fort was armed with fifteen

guns, and the spurs of the hills were occupied by the enemy, their right

resting on a ridge covered with a line of breastworks, forming a

position of great strength. General Browne’s force was divided into four

brigades. The first, under General Macpherson, consisting of the 4th.

Battalion Rifle Brigade, the 20th. Bengal Infantry, and the 4th.

Ghoorkas, with a mountain battery, was directed to make a long detour,

and occupy the Pass a mile or two beyond the fort. The second brigade

under Col. Tytler, composed of the 1st. Battalion 17th. Foot, the 1st.

Sikhs, the Guides, and a mountain battery, was ordered to take a hill

opposite the fort, on which were some batteries, and to turn the enemy’s

position; and the third and fourth brigades, under General Appleyard,

C.B., comprising the 51st. and 81st. regiments, the 14th. and 45th.

Sikhs, and the 6th. and 24th. Native Infantry, with a mountain battery,

and a battery of Horse Artillery were to march up the valley. As the

troops advanced the fort opened fire on them, and the fire being

returned by a battery of forty-pounders, the effect on the fortification

was soon visible. The 81st. and the 14th. Sikhs threw out lines of

skirmishers to clear the advanced defences of the Afghans; a battery of

nine-pounders was got into position, and the forty-pounders poured a

destructive fire into Ali Musjid, and soon reduced its guns to silence.

A general advance was ordered, the 51st. and the Sikhs threatened the

enemy’s left, and both sides of the steep hill slopes were covered with

infantry in skirmishing order, keeping up a heavy musketry fire on the

Afghan defences. The skirmishers pushed forward till they came nearly

abreast of the fort, and some gallant but unsuccessful attacks were made

upon the enemy’s entrenchments, but it was evident that the fort and

batteries could not be carried by a direct attack but with immense loss,

and as night was coming on, a halt was ordered. Nothing was yet known

how Macpherson and Tytler had succeeded in their part of the operations;

both brigades had met with enormous obstacles on their march, and the

first failed to reach the point assigned to it in the plan of the

attack; but these movements, and the arrival of Tytler’s brigade in the

night at its destined position, struck the Afghans with terror. The

defenders of Ali Musjid on hearing that a force was in their rear which

would cut off their retreat, abandoned their post with precipitation and

fled, leaving their fires burning, and their guns loaded. In their rapid

flight towards Jellalabad, they were intercepted by Tytler’s brigade,

which captured a large number of prisoners, among them being the Ameer’s

Master of the Horse. In the morning Ali Musjid was occupied by the

troops without further resistance. Twenty-two guns were taken in the

fort, and seven more in a battery on the ridge, with large stores of

ammunition, food, and clothing. The Afghans were so cowed by the capture

of a fort they believed to be impregnable, that Sir S. Browne pushing

rapidly onwards, reached and established himself at Jellalabad, with

scarcely a shot being fired. The British loss was Major Birch, Lieut.

Fitzgerald and thirty-five men killed. The regiments engaged were the

10th. Hussars, 11th. Bengal Lancers, the 17th., 51st., 81st. Regiment,

and Rifle Brigade, the 6th., 14th., 20th., 27th., and 45th. Bengal

Infantry; 1st. Sikh Infantry, 4th. Ghoorkas, Bengal Sappers and Miners,

and four Batteries of Artillery.

PEIWAR KOTUL.

DECEMBER 2ND., 1878.

Major-General Roberts, V.C. (now General Sir F. Roberts, V.C.), at the

outbreak of the second Afghan war was Quartermaster-General of the

Bombay Army, and was appointed by the Viceroy, Lord Lytton, to the

command of the force which was to invade Afghanistan by the Kuram

Valley. The Kuram Field Force was not numerically strong, but it

included some of the finest regiments in the Indian Army, with two

seasoned British regiments; and most of the officers were men of much

experience in campaigning. The cavalry, consisting of one squadron of

the 10th. Hussars and the 12th. Bengal Cavalry, was under Colonel Hugh

Gough, C.B., V.C., and the infantry, in two brigades, were commanded by

Brigadier-General Cobbe, of the 17th. Regiment, and Brigadier-General

Thelwell, C.B. At dawn on November 21st., the same day that the column

under Sir S. Browne commenced its advance, General Roberts crossed the

river at Thall, and a few days later occupied the Kuram fort, which the

enemy abandoned on his approach. The Afghans then took up a very strong

position on the Peiwar Kotul, about twelve miles off, where they

determined to make a stand. On November 30th. the British force

approached the enemy’s position, and a heavy fire was opened upon them

from the ridge occupied by the Afghans. For a time a sharp exchange of

shots took place, but the British were gradually withdrawn from under

fire, and encamped beyond the range of the guns of the enemy. The snow

was falling thickly in the Peiwar Kotul, the cold was intense, and

supplies were difficult to keep up, but three days elapsed while General

Roberts reconnoitered the almost impregnable post of the Afghan army,

and matured his plans. It was found that the position of the enemy was

too strong to be successfully attacked in front, so the General

determined, while making a feigned frontal attack, to become a real

attack in time, to turn the Afghan position by a long and difficult

night march of nearly ten miles, to the summit of the hills on the right

of the Kotul. This march, one of the most hazardous ever undertaken, he

directed in person, and failure meant ruin, if not utter annihilation;

as the entire force at his disposal was little more than 3,300 men, of

whom only 900 were Europeans, against an army of 3,500 regular Afghan

troops, with eighteen guns, besides hundreds of tribesmen. The attention

of the enemy was occupied in their front by the pioneers constructing a

battery, and a demonstration made by some artillery and cavalry; when at

10 p.m., December 2nd., the troops detailed for the turning force,

consisting of the 29th Native Infantry and 5th. Ghoorkas, a wing of the

72nd. Highlanders, the 2nd. Punjaub Infantry, and 23rd. Pioneers, under

Brigadier Thelwell, with a four gun elephant battery, fell silently into

their ranks without sound of drum or bugle, and the march commenced. The

encampment they left was 8,000 feet above the sea level, and as the

column ascended the cold became intense, a cutting wind blowing; the

ground also for the first half of the distance traversed was very rough

and broken, intersected by ravines and watercourses. The men tramped on

in silence, when an act of treachery nearly proved fatal to the whole

force. Two shots were fired in rapid succession in the ranks of the

29th. Native Infantry, which startled all, and a halt was immediately

made. The offenders could not then be discovered, but the general

ordered the 5th. Ghoorkas, and two companies of the 72nd. to head the

column, and the march was resumed.[91] Shortly before daybreak the van

of the column found itself in contact with the first Afghan outpost, and

its way barred by an abattis of felled trees, eight feet in height. The

enemy lining this defence fired upon the men of the 5th. Ghoorkas, who,

gallantly led by Major Fitzhugh and Captain Cook, sprang over the

breastwork and engaged the Afghans hand to hand. Driven from this

defence, the enemy fell back upon another, eighty yards in the rear, and

made another stand; but the Ghoorkas, supported by the 72nd., and aided

by the fire of two guns, under Captain Kelso, who was shot through the

head while advancing, carried stockade after stockade in the grey light

of the dawn; and within half an hour of the firing of the first shot,

all were in the possession of the British, and the line of the Afghan

defence turned. General Roberts flashed the news of his success to

Brigadier-General Cobbe, who had commenced to carry out the front attack

on the Khotul, and had been heavily engaged with the batteries at the

head of the Pass since daybreak. For some hours he made no great

progress, as the enemy resisted desperately, but he kept a large number

of the enemy within their entrenchments, and prevented them from going

to the assistance of their defeated comrades on the left. Roberts now

advanced against the Afghan main body, which had been strengthened with

fresh troops, and taken up a strong position in the dense woods

surrounding the plateau. The Punjaubees were met with such a heavy fire

that they fell back, being unsupported by the Ghoorkas and Highlanders,

in spite of the general’s efforts in person to rally them. The 23rd.

Pioneers and an elephant battery now came up, and the Ghoorkas and 72nd.

followed; and, after a hot contest of some hours, the Afghans finding

their retreat threatened, and General Cobbe’s brigade in possession of

their defences in front, fled in such haste that they left their tents

standing, their baggage, and everything they had. By this time the short

winter day was drawing to a close, and that night the British troops

encamped at an elevation of nearly 10,000 feet, but luckily with good

fires, as the thermometer registered over twenty degrees of frost. In

this brilliant action the total British loss was—Major Anderson, of the

23rd. Pioneers, and Captain Kelso killed, and General Cobbe wounded; and

ninety Europeans and natives killed and wounded. The Afghan loss was

severe, and six field pieces and eleven mountain guns were captured. A

few days after this defeat, Shere Ali fled from Cabul to Balkh, with the

intention of seeking refuge in Russia; but, while waiting for permission

from the Russian Government to take this step, fell ill of a fever and

died, in February, 1879. The British troops engaged at Peiwar Kotul were

the 12th. Bengal Cavalry, the 8th. and 72nd. Regiments, the 23rd. and

the 29th. Bengal Infantry, the 5th Ghoorkas, and the 2nd. and 5th.

Punjaub Infantry.

CHARASIA.

OCTOBER 6TH., 1879.

On the death of Shere Ali, his son Yacoub Khan, who had rebelled

against, and had been imprisoned by his father, succeeded him as Ameer

of Afghanistan. Negociations for peace were opened with him, and he

visited the British camp at Gundamuck, where he was received with honour

by General Sir S. Browne and his staff. After some preliminaries a

treaty was signed and ratified on May 30th., 1879; by which the Ameer

agreed—to place the Foreign relations of Afghanistan under British

control, to have a British resident at Cabul, and to allow the

occupation of the Khyber Pass, and the Kuram and Pisheen Valleys, by the

British; who were to pay him an annual subsidy of six lakhs of rupees,

while he adhered to his engagements. A lasting peace seemed now to be

assured, and in accordance with the terms of the treaty; Sir Louis

Cavagnari, with Mr. Jenkins as his Secretary, Dr. Kelly as Medical

Officer, and an escort of twenty-five Cavalry and fifty Infantry of the

Guides, under Lieut. Hamilton, were despatched to Cabul, arriving there

on July 24th. For a time all went well. Daily supplies of fruit, milk,

and vegetables, were sent from the Ameer to the Envoy, who rode out

continually with his staff and a small escort, to the various places of

interest in the neighbourhood of the city. But on August 5th. some

regiments from Herat arrived at Cabul, who used insulting language to

the Resident, and quarrels and outbreaks arose between them and the men

of his escort. These regiments had never been defeated by the British,

and they taunted the Cabulese with being cowards. On the night of

September 2nd., the Herat regiments aided by the populace, attacked the

Residency, and after an heroic resistance lasting for hours, the Envoy,

the three English Officers, and almost all the escort were slaughtered;

a few natives only escaping. Twenty-four hours after, the news of the

massacre reached the Kuram Valley, and from thence was telegraphed to

Lord Lytton at Simla. No time was lost in endeavouring to avenge the

outrage. General Sir F. Roberts, who was then at Simla, started the next

day for Ali Kheyl, with orders to advance as rapidly as possible on

Cabul; General Sir Donald Stewart who had but just evacuated Candahar,

was ordered to return and reoccupy that place, and a reserve of 5000 men

was assembled between Rawul Pindee, and Peshawur. On September 13th.,

General Baker took command of the troops at the Shutargardan Pass, the

23rd. Pioneers, the 5th. Ghoorkas, and the 72nd., and occupied a

position at Kushi. Want of transport animals was the greatest obstacle

to a rapid advance. When the previous campaign was ended, as usual with

mistaken economy, everything was sold and scattered, and now everything

had to be replaced at any expense. All the available animals near the

frontier were secured, and with the utmost exertions Sir F. Roberts

managed to collect sufficient cattle to make an advance, with three or

four months supplies for about 6000 troops, and 3,500 camp followers. On

September 27th. he started from Ali Kheyl, and the advance commenced. On

the route to the Shutargardan, some attacks were made on the baggage

convoys by the Mangals, who were repulsed, and on the 29th. the General

arrived at Kushi, where he met with the Ameer, Yakoub Khan, who had

ridden into the camp the preceding day and surrendered himself, with his

eldest son and ministers. The Ameer stated that his power was gone, and

that he had been dethroned by his rebellious troops. An Officer present

wrote—“What his true reasons for this step may have been, we never knew;

certainly not the one he gave, for no Afghan ever told the truth

intentionally.” Ultimately the complicity of the Ameer with the Massacre

of the British Mission was proved, and he was sent to India, where he

was detained as a state prisoner.

Meanwhile Sir F. Roberts pushed on towards Cabul, and on October 6th.

encountered the Afghan Army, who had taken up an almost impregnable

position at Charasia, about eleven miles from that city. The valley here

is narrowed to a mere defile, on both sides of which the enemy had

placed guns in position, and had lined the steep and barren heights with

troops. Only one brigade of Infantry, that of Brigadier Baker, with the

addition of the 92nd. Regiment was to the front, the remainder of the

force with the cavalry, under Brigadier-General Macpherson, being on

march in the rear, in charge of the commissariat and reserve ammunition,

and did not come up till the battle was over. The General convinced that

any delay before the enemy would lead to a general rising of the tribes,

determined to attack at once; and as their front position was of great

strength, made his real attack by a flanking movement on their right,

while he occupied their left by a feint. He divided his force into two

columns; one, under General Baker, was to storm the heights of the

Chardeh Valley which formed the Afghan right; and the other under Major

White, of the 92nd., was directed to attack the Sang-i-Nawishtu defile;

and as General Macpherson’s brigade was advancing, a small reserve only

was left in defence of the camp.

Baker’s column advanced over the bare hills, flanked by steep rocky

crags, easily defensible against any force, more than 1,500 feet in

height; and carried the first position, though the Afghans, armed with

Sniders and Enfields, kept up a continuous fire, and it was nearly two

hours before they retreated to a second ridge, about six hundred yards

in the rear. This position too was carried by the troops in successive

rushes, supported by the fire of the mountain guns; and by 3.45 the

enemy’s defences were captured, or taken in reverse.

In the meantime Major White had turned his feigned, into a real attack

on the Sang-i-Nawishtu defile, though there the enemy was strongly

posted, and outnumbered his men ten to one. Finding that his artillery

was powerless, he led his men in person from one steep ledge to another,

till at length being opposed face to face by an overwhelming number of

Afghans, he took a rifle, and shooting their leader dead, his followers

fled, leaving four mountain guns behind them. He pursued them through

the Pass, and effected a junction with General Baker in the rear of the

enemy’s position. By four o’clock, the Afghans were in complete rout,

flying towards Cabul, with the loss of two standards, and all their guns

(twenty pieces), three hundred killed and a vast number wounded. The

British loss was twenty killed, and less than seventy wounded.

General Macpherson having arrived in the camp, Sir F. Roberts marched

the next morning towards Cabul, and on October 8th. established himself

in the cantonments of Sherpur, where seventy-three guns were taken,[92]

and occupied the Bala Hissar, or citadel of Cabul.

The troops engaged in this affair, were the 9th. Lancers, 12th. Bengal

Cavalry, 14th. Bengal Lancers, 5th. Punjaub Cavalry, the 67th., 72nd.,

and 92nd. Foot, Bengal Sappers and Miners, 23rd. and 28th. Bengal

Infantry, 5th. Ghoorkas, 5th. Punjaub Infantry, one Battery R. H. A.,

and two Mountain Batteries.

CABUL.

DECEMBER, 1879.

Though the whole country was bitterly hostile to the British, for some

weeks, with the exception of a skirmish or two, and an explosion of

gunpowder in the Bala Hissar, by which Capt. Shafto, and several

Ghoorkas were killed; the occupation of Cabul by Sir F. Roberts and his

army remained undisturbed. In the beginning of December, a change took

place. Instigated by an aged and fanatic Moollah, a chief called

Mohammed Jan, and other leaders, the Afghans of the Maidan and Ghuznee

districts, and of the Kohistan country to the north of Cabul, began to

collect in thousands, with the intention of expelling or massacring the

invaders of their country.

Sir F. Roberts at first was not aware of the strength of this

combination, but knowing of their advance, and the importance of

dispersing the tribes before they could effect a junction, two columns

were formed to march out and attack the enemy, December 8th. One under

General Macpherson, went towards Urghandeh, to meet the enemy coming

from Maidan, and the other under General Baker, was dispatched _viâ_

Charasia, but also towards Maidan, with the object of intercepting the

enemy in their anticipated retreat.

General Macpherson first met with the Kohistanees, who were marching to

join Mohammed Jan, near Chardeh, and a sharp fight ensued. The guns did

some execution, but the nature of the ground prevented the cavalry from

being of any service. Mohammed Jan was now at the head of about ten

thousand men, and succeeded in placing himself between General

Macpherson and Cabul, and also, as it turned out, between his infantry,

and the cavalry and guns moving to join him on the morning of December

11th. The four guns, escorted by a squadron of the 9th. Lancers, and

forty-four men of the 14th. Bengal Lancers, under General Massey, after

a four-mile march, fell in with the enemy, but as only about two

thousand showed themselves, they were supposed to be a body of fugitives

flying from either Macpherson or Baker.

Massey, without the orders of General Macpherson, at once attacked, but

the fire from his guns had no effect in checking the advance of the

enemy’s masses, and the handful of cavalry, after two desperate charges,

were compelled to retreat with the loss of twenty-seven killed,

including four officers, and twenty-five wounded.[93] The guns being

stuck in a water-course, were spiked and abandoned; but were afterwards

retaken by Colonel Macgregor, on the arrival of Macpherson’s column.

On seeing the advance of Macpherson’s infantry, the Afghans ceased

following the retreating cavalry, and rushed away direct for Cabul. Sir

F. Roberts on this, started from Sherpur with the 72nd. regiment, to

secure the defile barring the road to the city, and was but just in time

to prevent its being taken. The steady fire of the Highlanders checked

the advance of the enemy, and after half an hour’s contest they retired,

and occupied the heights to the south of the Bala Hissar.

Next day, General Macpherson dispatched Colonel Money with a detachment

of the 67th., 72nd., the 3rd. Sikhs, and 5th. Ghoorkas, to drive the

enemy from the heights to the south of Cabul, who had hidden from view

five or six thousand men, and awaited the attack with confidence. After

several hours of fighting the troops dislodged the Afghans from the low

hill, but were too few to carry the position above.

On December 13th., General Baker, who had returned to Sherpur, acted in

concert with Macpherson, and at eight in the morning left the

cantonments and again attacked the enemy. After some hard fighting the

ridge was carried by the 92nd. and Guides led by Major White, and the

72nd., 3rd. Sikhs, and 5th. Ghoorkas under Major Sym. While this was

going on a large body of Afghans moved round towards Beni Hissar, so as

to threaten the road to Sherpur, but they were dispersed by some dashing

charges made by the Guides, Punjaub Cavalry, and 9th. Lancers, with the

loss of Captain Butson and four men killed.

The position of the British, though victorious in the field, was

becoming serious, as the enemy was continually reinforced by large

numbers of men, and nothing daunted by their defeats, occupied the Asmai

heights in force. On December 14th. this position was attacked by

General Baker with a force of about sixteen hundred men of all arms, and

four guns. After a desperate contest the enemy were driven from their

first position, and the Asmai heights were carried. Scarcely had this

been done, when a body of Afghans, from fifteen to twenty thousand

strong, appeared on the plain, rushing onwards with frantic shouts and

gesticulations, with the object of retaking the position just captured

by General Baker, headed by a chosen leader, and Moollahs, in white

raiment, shouting the war-cry of Islam:—“_Allah! Yâ Allah!_” On they

came, regardless of the shells which were pitched with great execution

into them, and the volleys poured down from the hills just gained, with

deadly effect.

The 5th. Punjaubees recoiled at their onset, and after an heroic

resistance, in which Captain Spens of the 72nd. was killed in a hand to

hand conflict, the column of Colonel Jenkins was compelled to retreat

with the loss of two guns, but the rest of the position was held.

Reinforcements presently arrived from Sherpur, the guns were recovered,

and in a brilliant charge, made with twelve men, Captain Vousdon, of the

Bengal Staff Corps, cut down five Afghans with his own hand, and gained

the Victoria Cross.

It being signalled from the Bala Hissar, that bodies of the enemy were

advancing from the north, south, and west, in overwhelming numbers,

General Macpherson was ordered to fall back at once to Sherpur, and

General Baker was directed to hold the position he had occupied since

the morning, until all the troops from the heights were withdrawn. These

movements were well executed with but little loss, and on the night of

December 14th., all the British forces were concentrated in the

cantonments of Sherpur, while the exultant Afghans re-occupied the Bala

Hissar and the city of Cabul. The Sherpur cantonments had been built by

Shere Ali for his own troops, but never occupied by them. The front

towards Cabul was fortified by a loopholed wall, sixteen feet high, and

about two thousand yards long, with small semi-circular bastions at

intervals, and a ditch; enclosing a range of barracks capable of

accommodating five thousand men. In the rear were the steep Behmaru

Hills, within the line of defence, and also fortified.

Sir F. Roberts, with admirable foresight, had before collected stores

calculated to last for some months, emptying the granaries and stores of

Cabul; so his force of seven thousand men of all arms, with twenty-three

guns, including two gatlings, were not likely to feel the absolute want

of the necessaries of life till reinforcements could arrive from India.

The enemy occupied themselves for some days with plundering Cabul, and

in preparing for a general attack; during which time Sir F. Roberts

employed all his men in strengthening and perfecting the defences of

Sherpur. There was skirmishing daily, till on December 23rd., the

anniversary of the murder of Sir William Macnaghten, at the same spot in

1841, the long-prepared assault on Sherpur took place. Brigadier-General

Gough was now rapidly advancing from Gundamuck with reinforcements, and

the enemy felt that there was no time to be lost, if they meant to

repeat the massacre of Elphinstone’s army of 1842. On the preceding

evening, some native scouts had informed the General, that the Afghans

had provided themselves with scaling ladders capable of carrying two men

abreast, and that at the break of day he would be attacked on all sides,

the signal being the lighting of a great beacon on the Asmai heights

above Cabul. At four in the morning the troops were on the alert, at

six, a brilliant flame arose on the Asmai ridge, and with the hoarse

shouts of many thousand voices, and the deafening rattle of innumerable

drums, the attack commenced. Day had not yet broken, but the stars, and

the snow lying around, gave light enough for the defenders to direct a

most deadly fire on their frantic assailants, not one of whom came near

enough to scale the wall. Till one p.m. the assaults lasted, when the

cavalry sallied out, and did great execution on the enemy, who fled on

all sides, and dispersed so rapidly that by nightfall not a man of them

could be seen.

The strength of the Afghans was estimated at about thirty thousand, and

their losses “at not less than three thousand killed and wounded.” The

British casualties were exceedingly small: two officers and eight men

killed, and five officers, including General Gough, and forty-one men

wounded.

Next morning the welcome news arrived that General Gough was

approaching, and a force was sent out to occupy the Siah Sang range to

prevent any resistance being made to his advance; but no enemy appeared,

the whole force of the Afghans having fled during the night. On

Christmas Day the reinforcements arrived, Cabul was re-occupied without

any opposition, and the British were again masters of the country.

The whole of the British casualties from the 10th. to the 24th. of

December, were one hundred and three officers and men killed, and two

hundred and sixty-three officers and men wounded. Many of the wounded

died, among them Colonel Cleland, of the 9th. Lancers; Lieutenant

Montanaro, R.A.; and Major Cooke, of the 5th. Ghoorkas, who had gained

the V.C. at the Peiwar Kotul. Sir F. Roberts wrote: “Had Major Cooke

survived, he would have risen to the highest honours of his profession.”

The regiments engaged in the actions around Cabul were the 9th. Lancers,

12th. Bengal Cavalry, 14th. Bengal Lancers, 5th. Punjaub Cavalry; the

67th., 72nd., and 92nd. Foot; 23rd. and 28th. Bengal Infantry; 2nd.,

4th., and 5th. Ghoorkas; 5th. Punjaub Infantry, two Punjaub Mounted

Batteries, and Bengal Sappers and Miners.

AHMED KHEL.

APRIL 19TH., 1880.

In the spring of 1880, rumours began to be circulated of preparation

made for another attack on Cabul by the Afghans, and as Ghuznee was the

stronghold of Mohammed Jan, and the centre of a gathering of hostile

tribes; in April, General Donald Stewart marched from Candahar, with a

force of about seven thousand men, with orders to occupy Ghuznee, and

open communications with Sir F. Roberts at Cabul. As the troops

approached Ghuznee, bodies of the enemy were observed hovering about,

and the villages were deserted, the Moollahs having stirred up a holy

war.

On April 19th. the Afghans were found in strength at Ahmed Khel,

twenty-three miles south of Ghuznee, occupying a ridge directly in

front, with a force estimated at about fifteen thousand horse and foot,

chiefly tribesmen. The British column covered nearly six miles in

marching order, the baggage being far in the rear. The advance was

ordered at eight o’clock, and when about one and a half miles from the

enemy’s position, the artillery, under Waters and Campbell, moved to the

front and opened fire. Scarcely had the attack commenced, and before the

infantry were in proper formation, a dense body of men with standards

appeared on the crest of the ridge, with a body of horsemen outflanking

the British left, with the intention of getting into the rear and

attacking the baggage. At a signal, the mass of Afghans in the front,

poured headlong down from their position, stretching out to the right

and left, and charged and almost enveloped Stewart’s army. This charge

was made by about four thousand fanatical Ghazis, men who cared nothing

for their own lives, if they could only exterminate the hated infidels.

So rapid and unexpected was their attack, that the range of the guns had

to be altered to case-shot distance, and when all the case was expended,

the guns were loaded with shrapnel, the heads towards the charge, to

explode on leaving the muzzle, which covered the ground with heaps of

fearfully mutilated dead and wounded. A squadron of the Bengal Lancers

was swept away and lost to sight in clouds of dust and smoke, and the

situation was critical, as the cavalry could not be rallied till they

had passed to the right of the infantry, then so hotly pressed that many

of the men had not even time to fix their bayonets. So furious was the

onslaught, that some of the enemy swept round to the rear of the

infantry, and a desperate conflict hand to hand ensued. The whole of the

reserve, including the General’s escort, was ordered up to support the

guns and reinforce the fighting line; and according to the correspondent

of the _Standard_—“At this crisis our line was penetrated, and both

flanks turned, the artillery having fired away all their case-shot.” But

the infantry stood firm, and Colonel Gyster, forming the 3rd Ghoorkas in

rallying squares, left spaces through which friends and foes passed

together. As the Ghazi horsemen with fierce yells rushed onward, the

Ghoorkas, the 59th., the 2nd. Sikhs, and 19th. Punjaub Infantry poured a

terrific fire point blank into their ranks, which checked their advance

and mowed them down in heaps. Their attack had spent itself, and as the

cavalry now rallied and fell upon the shattered ranks with lance and

sword, their retreat soon became a disorderly flight. The battle was

won, and though a body of the enemy made a last stand on an eminence in

their rear, the 1st. Punjaub Cavalry, under Colonel Maclean, coming up,

with one charge dispersed them, and the rout was complete.

More reckless bravery than that of the Ghazis was never seen, about one

thousand of them lay dead on the ground, with double that number of

wounded, though the conflict lasted but little more than an hour. The

loss of the victors was seventeen killed and one hundred and twenty-six

wounded, including nine officers.

After a halt of two hours the army continued its march to Nani, about

fourteen miles from Ghuznee, and encamped for the night. Next day

Ghuznee was entered without opposition, Mohammed Jan having fled. On May

2nd. General Stewart arrived at Cabul, and as senior officer to Sir F.

Roberts, took the chief command.

The troops engaged at Ahmed Khel were the 19th. Bengal Lancers, 1st.

Punjaub Cavalry, three Batteries of Artillery, the 59th. Foot, 60th.

Rifles, 2nd. Sikh Infantry, and the 15th., 19th., and 25th. Bengal

Infantry.

THE MARCH TO KANDAHAR.

AUGUST, 1880.

For some time after the arrival of General Stewart at Cabul things

remained quiet. Negociations were going on with Abdur Rahman Khan, a

nephew of Shere Ali, and grandson of Dost Mahommed, who for several

years had been living in Russian Turkestan, and receiving a pension from

the Czar. Abdur Rahman seeming to have the best and strongest claims to

the Ameership of Afghanistan, he was recognised by the British

government, and on his approach to Cabul the troops were ordered to

return to India. But their work was not yet finished. On learning of the

recognition of Abdul Rahman, Ayoub Khan, a younger brother of Yakoob

Khan, resolved to strike a blow for the Ameership, and started from

Herat, of which place he was the Governor, with a strong force,

thirty-six guns, and a large body of irregulars, the most fierce and

warlike of the western Afghan tribes, with the intention of seizing

Kandahar. When General Stewart marched from Kandahar to Cabul, a British

force was left at the former place under General Primrose.

[Illustration:

The Star for General Roberts’ March.

]

To check the advance of Ayoub Khan, a British brigade of about two

thousand men and six guns moved from Kandahar, under Brigadier-General

Burrows, and on July 27th. encountered the vastly superior army of the

enemy at Maiwand. Instead of vigorously attacking, Burrows remained on

the defensive for some hours, and the Ghazis rushing on in overwhelming

numbers, regardless of their losses, rolled up the British troops from

left to right, and drove them from the field; with a loss of half their

number and two guns.

The remainder of the Brigade reached Kandahar after a terrible retreat,

no water being obtainable on the route, and the fugitives being fired on

from every village they passed. General Primrose immediately evacuated

the cantonments and concentrated his troops in the citadel of Kandahar,

in which from August 11th. he was beleaguered by the Afghans.

On August 16th. a sortie was made on the besiegers, but the affair was

mismanaged, Brigadier-General Brooke, who commanded, and many officers

and men of the 7th. Fusiliers and Native Infantry being killed and

wounded. After this, the garrison remained on the defensive till

relieved, Ayoub making no serious attack, but endeavouring to starve the

defenders into submission.

The news of the disaster at Maiwand came upon the Governor of India like

a thunderbolt, and measures were at once taken for the relief of

Kandahar.

Sir F. Roberts who was at the time with Sir D. Stewart at Cabul,

arranging for the withdrawal of the British troops to India, immediately

offered to march to Kandahar in command of a force of ten thousand men,

and his offer was accepted by the government. General Phayre was to

advance with another force from Quettah, but being delayed by want of a

commissariat train, did not reach Kandahar till after the force from

Cabul had arrived there, though Roberts had a very much greater distance

to march. The army of General Roberts was composed of three Batteries of

Artillery, the 9th. Lancers, 3rd. Bengal Cavalry, 3rd. Punjaub Cavalry,

Central India Horse, under Brigadier-General Gough; 2nd. Battalion 60th.

Rifles, 72nd. and 92nd. Highlanders, 23rd. Pioneers, 24th. and 25th.

Punjaub Infantry, the 15th. Sikhs; 2nd., 4th., and 5th. Ghoorkas; 2nd.

and 3rd. Sikh Infantry; forming three brigades, under Brigadiers Baker,

Macpherson, and Macgregor; and about eight thousand camp followers.

Three days only were occupied in preparations, and on August 8th. the

march began, a distance of more than three hundred miles, through a

mountainous and difficult country, peopled with fierce and warlike

tribes, for the most part hostile.

On August 15th. Ghuznee was reached, and the next day the army passed

over the battle-field of Ahmed Khel, the scene of General Stewart’s

victory in the preceding April. On August 23rd. Sir F. Roberts arrived

at, and relieved the strong fort of Khelat-i-Ghilzie, held by a small

garrison, under Colonel Tanner, one hundred and thirty-six miles from

Cabul. A halt was here made for a day or so, and then taking the

garrison with him, the General pushed on for Kandahar, and on August

27th opened communications with General Primrose by his cavalry. As the

relieving force advanced, Ayoub withdrew from before Kandahar, and took

up a position on some hills near the city, his head-quarters being at a

place called Mazra.

On August 31st., Sir F. Roberts entered Kandahar, and the same day made

a reconnaissance in force, in which Generals Gough and Macpherson, after

some sharp fighting, carried several of the enemy’s defences at the

point of the bayonet, and fully discovered the positions and strength of

the Afghan army. At half-past five on the morning of September 1st., all

officers commanding brigades were summoned to the tent of the General,

and received his final orders and directions. He informed them that he

meant to attack the south-west part of the ridge occupied by the enemy,

with three brigades of infantry massed in rear of the Piquet Hill, while

his forty-pounders on the right, supported by the 7th. Fusiliers and

Rifles, engaged and silenced Ayoub’s guns posted on the Baba Wali. The

Kandahar garrison were to hold the city and threaten the Murcha Pass,

while Gough’s cavalry were to act on the left and cut off the retreat of

the enemy to Giriskh. The real attack was to be made by storming the

village of Gundi Moollah Sahibdab, turning the Paimal Hill, and finally

taking the Baba Wali in reverse. The General concluded by saying: “If

the ridge of Pie Paimal can be turned then the Baba Wali Kotal will be

untenable. I look, gentlemen, to you to carry out my instructions, and I

leave the details to you.” At nine o’clock, all was ready for the

advance. The village of Gundi Moollah was stormed by the 92nd. and the

2nd. Ghoorkas, in spite of a hot fire from garden walls and windows of

houses; while the 72nd., the 2nd. Sikhs, supported by the 3rd. Sikhs and

the 5th. Ghoorkas, worked round the end of the Pie Paimal and carried

village after village. The fighting among the enclosures with loopholed

walls was desperate in the extreme, as the Ghazis, reckless of death,

fought with the ferocity of tigers, hurling themselves upon the British

rank till their shields clashed with the bayonets, in spite of the

withering volleys poured into them at the distance often of a few yards.

After a very severe contest, the 1st. and 2nd. brigades swept the enemy

through the closely wooded gardens and orchards on the west of the hill,

and the village of Pie Paimal was taken soon after noon. Behind the

northern hill the country is cut up by canals and watercourses, and here

between a river and the slopes, in an entrenched camp the Afghans made

their final stand. This position was taken by a rush of the 92nd., under

Major White,[94] supported by the Ghoorkas and 23rd. Pioneers. Of this

advance, General Roberts said: “Nothing could be finer than the rush

made by the Ghoorkas and the Highlanders, and how well the 23rd. and

24th. worked up in support.”

In four hours from the time the battle began, the enemy were totally

defeated and in full flight; their camp and all their artillery

(thirty-two guns), including the two taken at Maiwand, being abandoned

to the victors. Their tents, including Ayoub’s, were left standing, and

in front of one of them was found the still bleeding body of Lieutenant

Maclaine, R.H.A., who had been taken prisoner at Maiwand. His ruffianly

captors finding the battle going against them, and their camp taken, had

deliberately cut his throat and fled. Ayoub, leaving about twelve

hundred of his army of thirteen thousand in killed alone behind, fled

towards Herat with a handful of men.

The British loss was three officers killed, among them Colonel Brownlow,

commanding the 72nd., and eleven wounded; and forty-six men killed and

about two hundred wounded, the 72nd. suffering most severely. After the

battle was over, the General rode up to the head of every battalion, and

personally thanked it for its share in gaining the victory, which

concluded the campaign.

The relieving force was broken up in September, but before returning to

India, Sir F. Roberts distributed medals for distinguished service to

the men of the 72nd., the 82nd., and the 5th. Ghoorkas. Kandahar, in

accordance with the promise of the Indian Government, was evacuated, and

the Afghan war was ended. The entire force engaged at Kandahar on

September 1st., 1889, was composed of the 9th. Lancers, 3rd. Bengal

Cavalry, 3rd. Bombay Cavalry, 3rd. Punjaub Cavalry, 3rd. Scinde Horse,

Central India Horse, the Poona Horse; the 7th. Fusiliers, 60th. Rifles,

the 66th., 72nd., and 92nd. Foot; 15th., 23rd., 24th. and 25th. Bengal

Infantry; the 1st., 4th., 19th., 28th. and 29th. Bombay Infantry; the

2nd., 4th., and 5th. Ghoorkas; the 2nd. and 3rd. Sikh Infantry, and

three Batteries of Artillery.

THE CHINA MEDALS,

1840, 1842, 1856, 1860.

The first China medal granted for the war 1840–42, by the Indian

Government, and authorised by the Queen, was designed by Wyon, and has

on the obverse the Queen’s head, with the inscription, “Victoria

Regina.” Reverse: A shield bearing the arms of Great Britain, with

cannon, flags, anchor, &c., resting against a palm-tree, with the motto,

“Armis Exposcere Pacem.” In the exergue, “China,” with the date 1842

underneath.[95] No clasp issued. Ribbon, crimson with yellow edges;

given to both services.

[Illustration:

Medal for First Chinese War.

Medal for Second Burmese War.

]

The medal for the second Chinese war, 1856–60, was granted by a warrant,

dated March 6th., 1861, and is similar to that given for the first war,

except that the date 1842 on the reverse is omitted. The ribbon is the

same; given to both services. Clasps: “Fatshan, 1857”; “Canton, 1857”;

“Taku Forts, 1858”; “Taku Forts, 1860”; “Pekin, 1860.” An additional

clasp—inscribed “China, 1842”—was issued to those in possession of the

first medal. The clasp for “Fatshan, 1857” was given to the navy and

Marines only.[96]

FIRST CHINESE WAR.

1840–1842.

In consequence of the Chinese government having commenced summary

measures without sufficient previous notice, the British superintendents

of trade applied to the Governor-General of India for a number of ships

of war and armed vessels for the protection of life and property.

Although the introduction of opium into China was prohibited, the local

authorities did not enforce the law. Ultimately Captain Elliot and the

merchants at Canton were confined to the factories as prisoners, and in

June the Chinese High Commissioner, and other officers proceeded to

Chunhow, near the Bocca Tigris, and commenced destroying vast quantities

of the prohibited drug, besides offering insult to Captain Elliot, R.N.,

the Queen’s representative. Hostilities became unavoidable, and the

18th., 26th., and 49th. regiments, a native corps of Bengal volunteers,

and detachments of artillery and sappers from the presidency of Madras,

were embarked under Brigadier-General George Burrell, of the Royal

Irish. It became important to gain possession of a portion of the

Chinese territory as a _point d’appui_ for subsequent operations; and

the governor of Chusan, an island lying off the coast, was summoned to

surrender in the beginning of July. He, however, made dispositions to

defend the place, and on the morning of the 5th. of July the shore,

landing-place, wharf, and adjoining hill were crowded with Chinese

troops. The British shipping silenced the war-junks and batteries; and

the right wing of the 18th. regiment, commanded by Major Henry William

Adams, with the Royal Marines of the fleet, forming the advance, landed.

They were followed by other corps, and the British troops, commanded by

Brigadier-General George Burrell, Lieutenant-Colonel of the 18th., took

up a position in front of the fortified city of Ting-hae-hien, whence a

sharp fire was sustained for some time; but before the following day the

Chinese soldiers fled in a panic, and the city was taken possession of,

but the climate proved injurious to the health of the troops.

This success was followed by negotiations; the tardy councils of the

Chinese being expedited by the activity of the British naval force, and

in the early part of 1841 they agreed to give up the island of Hong

Kong, pay an indemnity of six million dollars, and open a direct

intercourse for trading upon an equal footing. Accordingly the island

was occupied; but the authorities appeared to have had no intention of

fulfilling the other stipulations of the treaty. Hostilities were in

consequence resumed, and the force embarked in February with the

expedition up the Canton river. In less than an hour the fleet silenced

the batteries of Wantong, and a body of troops, consisting of

detachments of the 26th. and 49th. regiments, Royal Marines, and the

37th. Madras Native Infantry, and Bengal volunteers, commanded by Major

Pratt, of the 26th., landing, the island was captured without the loss

of a man, thirteen hundred Chinese soldiers surrendering prisoners of

war. Continuing the voyage, the fleet arrived at the bar, destroying the

war-junks, the works being stormed and captured by the marines and

seamen. As the expedition pursued its way up the river, the Chinese

abandoned several batteries and armed rafts, and solicited terms of

peace; but procrastination seemed to be their only object, and the

British fleet advanced. The forts in front of Canton soon fell under the

fire of the artillery, the Chinese flotilla was destroyed, and peace was

again requested. While negotiations were pending, bodies of Tartar

troops were arriving at Canton, which shewed the object of the enemy;

and on the 24th. of May the troops landed, and on the following day they

advanced against the fortified heights on the north of the city, when

dispositions were made for the attack. About half-past nine o’clock the

advance was sounded, and by a spirited effort the heights were

carried—the 18th. and 49th. being emulous which should first reach their

appointed goals—and the British colours waved triumphantly on the

captured forts.

A fortified Chinese camp had been established on the high ground on the

north-east of Canton, and from this bodies of the enemy advanced against

the British troops. The 18th., 49th., and a company of marines, met and

repulsed the principal attack, and, following the fugitives along a

causeway, stormed and captured the entrenched camp in gallant style. It

was afterwards burnt, and the magazines destroyed.

On the following morning (26th. of May) a flag of truce was seen on the

walls, and hostilities were suspended; but delay still appearing to be

the object of the Chinese, preparations were made to attack the city by

storm, when six millions of dollars were agreed to be paid for the

redemption of Canton, and opening the port for trade.

Disregarding the stipulations of treaties, the Emperor of China issued a

mandate for the extermination of the British who dared thus to insult

his coasts and capture his towns, offering at the same time, immense

rewards for the heads of the commanders, and even a large sum for that

of a private soldier. His decrees were responded to by depriving him of

a further extent of territory; and on the 22nd. of August an expedition

proceeded against the island and city of Amoy, situated in a fine gulf

in the province of Fokein, the great tea district of China. On the 25th.

of August the fleet arrived before Amoy, which was defended by five

hundred pieces of cannon and a numerous force; but nothing could

withstand the combined efforts of the British naval and land forces. On

the following day the works were bombarded for two hours, and a landing

was effected about three o’clock, when the Chinese and Tartar soldiers

fled in dismay, after firing a few shots. The small island of Koolangsoo

was captured on the preceding day.

On the 5th. of September the expedition sailed for the recapture of

Chusan, which island had been given up in consequence of the

stipulations of the first treaty. The place was found more strongly

fortified than before, and a resolute but unavailing stand was made by

the Chinese. A landing in two columns was effected on the 1st. of

October; the first, about fifteen hundred strong, was accompanied by

Major-General Sir Hugh Gough, and was under the command of

Lieutenant-Colonel Craigie, of the 55th. foot. The second, about one

thousand strong, was commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Morris, of the

49th. regiment.

The expedition proceeded on the 6th. against the city of Chinhae, the

military depôt of the province, situated on the mainland opposite

Chusan, and surrounded by a wall of extraordinary height and thickness.

The troops landed on the 10th. of October, advanced through a difficult

country towards the city, and stormed the works covering the approach to

the place. In this city an extensive arsenal, and cannon foundry, with

military stores, fell into the hands of the captors. The force employed

consisted of detachments of the 18th., 49th., and 55th. regiments, and

of the Royal and the Madras Artillery.

From Chinhae the expedition proceeded up the river on the 13th. of

October, against the fortified city of Ningpo, where no resistance was

encountered. The troops landed, and formed on the ramparts, and

possession was taken of the second city in the province of Che-Keang,

containing three hundred thousand inhabitants.

On the 10th. of March, 1842, a large army of Tartars and Chinese made a

sudden attack upon Ningpo, escalading the walls, and forcing some of the

gates, with great spirit, when the few British in garrison, triumphed

over their numerous opponents. A guard of the 18th. Royal Irish

Regiment, consisting of Lieutenant Anthony Armstrong, one sergeant, and

twenty-three rank and file, stationed at the West-gate, being attacked

by large numbers, behaved steadily, and gallantly drove them back,

capturing two banners, the bearers of which had been shot at the gate:

the spirited behaviour of this officer was commended in the public

despatches.

Five days afterwards the troops embarked from Ningpo, and sailed up the

river to attack the enemy’s posts. On the 15th. of March they were

engaged at Tsekee, and the heights of Segaon, which were captured; the

Chankee-pass was also forced, and the expedition, of which the 18th.,

26th., and 49th. formed a portion, returned to Ningpo on the 17th. of

March. This place was evacuated by the British in May, and an expedition

proceeded against the fortified city of Chapoo, where a landing was

effected on the 18th. of May. The 18th. and 49th. regiments composed the

right column, under Lieutenant-Colonel Morris; and the 26th. and 55th.

regiments were in the left, under Colonel Schoedde; the centre column

under Lieutenant-Colonel Montgomerie, comprised detachments of the Royal

and Madras Artillery, and the 36th. Madras Native Infantry.

Lieutenant-Colonel Tomlinson met a soldier’s death at the head of his

regiment, the 18th. Royal Irish.

In June an expedition sailed up the Yangtse-Keang river, and the

fortified posts of Woosung and Poonshau were captured. The city of

Shanghae was afterwards taken possession of without opposition.

Reinforcements arrived, including the 98th. regiment from England, and

the expedition proceeded against Chin-Keang-foo, one of the strongest

and most important cities of China. The fleet left Woosung on the 6th.

of July, the Chinese troops were driven from Suyshan, and on the 20th.

of July the armament approached Chin-Keang-foo. On the following day,

after the reconnaissance had been completed, and the ships were in

position, the landing commenced. The first brigade, consisting of the

26th., the Bengal Volunteers, flank companies of the 41st. Madras Native

Infantry, and the 98th., was under the command of Major-General Lord

Saltoun; the second (centre) brigade consisting of a detachment of the

Royal Artillery, 55th., 6th. Madras Native Infantry, 36th. Madras

Rifles, 2nd. Madras Native Infantry, and a detachment of Sappers, was

commanded by Colonel, afterwards Lieutenant-General Sir James Holmes

Schoedde, K.C.B., (55th. Foot;) the third brigade comprised the 18th.

and 49th., and the 14th. Madras Native Infantry, and was commanded by

Colonel, afterwards Sir Robert Bartley, K.C.B., (49th. regiment,) both

these officers having the local rank of Major-General.

Major-Generals Lord Saltoun and Schoedde commenced landing the troops

before daylight, but considerable delay occurred from the rapidity of

the current and the scattered state of the ships. The guns were next

landed, followed by Major-General Bartley’s brigade. Lord Saltoun moved

forward with the troops of his brigade first landed, the 98th. under

Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell, (afterwards Lord Clyde), and some companies

of the native regiments, to destroy the encampments, and cut off the

enemy’s communication with the city, between twelve and fifteen hundred

of whom had shewn themselves. The soldiers drove them over the hills and

destroyed the encampments. Major-General Schoedde escaladed the city

walls at the north angle and carried the inner gateway, which was

obstinately defended.

The 55th. highly distinguished itself on this occasion.[97] Lieutenant

Cuddy, of that regiment, was the first to mount the walls, and was

shortly afterwards severely wounded. Major (afterwards Major-General

Charles Warren, C.B.,) commanding the 55th., after he was himself

wounded, cut down two of the enemy, and was personally engaged with a

third. Every angle and embrasure had to be carried at the point of the

bayonet. Brevet-Major Maclean commanded the storming party, and Captain

Greenward the Royal Artillery.

Meanwhile the west gate had been blown in by Captain Pears, the

commanding engineer. A body of Tartars having been driven into one

division of the western outwork, refused to surrender, when most of them

were either shot or destroyed in the burning houses, several of which

had been set on fire by the enemy, or by the British guns. Major-General

Bartley subsequently proceeded with a body of troops, consisting of the

18th. and part of the 49th. regiment, when a hot engagement ensued with

about one thousand Tartars, who, under cover of some enclosures, opened

a destructive fire on the soldiers as they were filing round the walls.

The leading division of the 49th. dashing down the ramparts on their

left, while the 18th. pushed on to turn their right, they were soon

dispersed, although some fought with great desperation.

From the sun becoming so overpowering, it was found impossible to move

with men already fatigued by their exertions, many of whom died from the

intense heat. The troops therefore remained in occupation of the gates

until six o’clock, when several parties were pushed into the Tartar city

and to the public offices. On passing through the city and suburbs the

painful spectacle presented itself of hundreds of the dead bodies of

men, women, and children, lying in the houses, numerous families having

destroyed themselves sooner than outlive the disgrace of their city

being captured by foreigners.

The Royal Artillery, 18th., 26th., 49th., 55th., and 98th. regiments

shared in this service.

Sir Hugh Gough proceeded to carry his victorious troops into the heart

of the empire, and attack Nankin, the ancient capital of China, wherein

the fugitives from Chin-Keang-foo had sought refuge. By the 9th. of

August the British naval and land forces environed Nankin, and a great

portion of the troops landed. This decisive step produced the desired

results, and conditions of peace were acceded to; the Chinese paying an

indemnity, and ceding a portion of territory to the British crown.

In consideration of the gallantry displayed by the troops employed on

the coasts and rivers of China, Her Majesty was graciously pleased to

permit the 18th., 26th., 49th., 55th., and 98th. regiments, and their

linked battalions, to bear on their colours and appointments the word

“China,” and the device of the Dragon.

The Navy took an important part in the first Chinese war, under

Commodore Sir Gordon Brewer, at the capture of Chusan, and the Bogue

Forts, and in the operations against Canton, in 1840–41. Under Admiral

Sir William Parker, the fleet took the principal share in the capture of

Amoy and Chinhae, in 1841, and in the attack on Woosung in 1842. The

principal ships engaged were—the two-deckers, “Wellesley,” “Blenheim,”

and “Melville”; the “Calliope,” “Samarang,” “Alligator,” “Druid,” and

“Blonde,” frigates; and the steamers, “Queen,” “Sesostris,”

“Phlegethon,” and above all the “Nemesis,” commanded by Master W. H.

Hall. Several other sloops and small craft also were engaged in the

operations.

SECOND CHINESE WAR.

1856–1860.

The second war against the Chinese arose from various acts of

aggression; amongst which the seizure of the crew of the memorable

lorcha named the “Arrow,” sailing under British colours, was the most

prominent. The operations were at first confined to the navy and

Marines. Admiral Sir Michael Seymour pursued vigorous measures; he

opened fire upon Canton in October, destroyed several Chinese junks on

the 5th. of November, 1856, and the Bogue Forts, mounting upwards of

four hundred guns, were captured on the 12th. and 13th. of that month.

The Chinese made repeated but abortive attempts to destroy the fleet

with fire-rafts and infernal machines, some of which were charged with

three thousand pounds of gunpowder. On December 3rd., a strong fort

called the French Folly, was bombarded by the “Encounter” and

“Barracouta,” and Captains Wilson and Cochrane, at the head of eight

hundred and fifty sailors and marines, attacked and stormed it on the

land side. Thirty guns, some of them sixty-eight pounders, were captured

and destroyed, and the fort blown up. This gave the Admiral command over

the whole river, and his blockade annihilated the trade of Canton.

An attack was made on the suburbs of the city of Canton on the 12th. of

January, 1857, when a detachment of the 59th., employed in conjunction

with the naval forces, sustained a few casualties.

FATSHAN CREEK.

JUNE 1ST., 1857.

Admiral Sir Michael Seymour having determined on attacking the Chinese

main fleet in Fatshan Creek, consisting of upwards of eighty junks,

manned by six thousand picked warriors, and armed with above eight

hundred guns, many of them being forty-two pounders of European

manufacture; on June 1st., led in person in the little “Coromandel”

tender, a force of eleven gunboats, and between fifty and sixty boats of

the fleet, carrying nearly two thousand men, against the enemy, at

half-past three in the morning. The Chinese had constructed heavy

batteries on both sides of the creek, and believed their position to be

impregnable. The first point of attack was the battery on the right,

which was stormed and taken by a body of seamen and marines, under

Commodore Elliot, with trifling loss. Owing to the receding tide, most

of the gunboats grounded, and the ships’ boats pushed on by themselves,

in face of a well-directed and heavy cannonade, boarded the junks, and

in a short time they were in flames. In the meantime, Commodore Hon. H.

Keppel (now Admiral of the Fleet, Sir H. Keppel), in the “Hong Kong,” at

the head of another division, had attacked the battery on the left side

of the creek. His gunboats taking the ground, he quitted them, and in

his galley led the boats against the junks and boarded the largest

himself. The whole fleet was soon captured, the crews escaping to the

land. Leaving some of his boats in the rear to burn the junks, he pushed

on with the remainder towards another squadron visible in the distance.

After a long pull he came directly upon twenty junks of the largest

size, most of which were aground, but so compactly moored that their bow

guns appeared like the broadside of a heavy frigate, which received him

with a fire, the precision of which exceeded anything yet experienced in

China. Almost every boat was struck, the gig of Captain Cochrane was

disabled, and Keppel’s own boat and the launch of the “Calcutta” sunk.

So great was the confusion, that the flotilla retired a little to

re-form, while the Chinese beat their gongs and uttered loud yells of

triumph. But the tide was now fast flowing, the Admiral sent up a

reinforcement, and Keppel returned to the attack with such vigour, that

in a quarter of an hour the junks slipped from their cables and fled up

the river. They were pursued, gradually disabled and taken; and of the

whole proud Chinese fleet, but three junks escaped. Eighty-nine junks

were destroyed, and the loss of the enemy must have been heavy; that of

the victors was thirteen men killed, and forty wounded.

An exceedingly graphic and stirring account of the action was written by

the gallant Commodore himself, in a letter to his friends in England,

which proceeds thus:—“When the ‘Hong Kong’ grounded, I led on the boats

in my gig, but as the tide was rising, she kept following us as fast as

she could. The first division of the Chinese fleet was attacked by about

nineteen hundred men, and soon gave way. I did not take up more than a

quarter of that number to attack the second division, which was three

miles higher up the river, in a well-selected place, and evidently the

_élite_ of their fleet. They numbered exactly twenty, in one compact

row, mounting from ten to fourteen guns each, two of them on stern and

bow being heavy 32-pounders. I saw I had all the ‘Raleigh’s’ boats well

up, and determined to push on. They fired occasional shots, as if to

ascertain our exact distance, but did not open their heaviest fire until

we were within six hundred yards, and then I soon saw how impossible it

would be to force our way until I had reinforcements. We cheered, and I

tried to get on, when a shot struck my boat quite amidships, cut one man

in two, and took off the arm of another. Prince Victor (of Hohenlohe)

who was with me, jumped forward to bind the man’s arm with his

neckcloth. While he was doing so, another round shot passed through both

sides of the boat, wounding two others of the crew. The boat was filling

with water, and I got on one of the seats to keep my legs out of it;

just as I stepped up, a third round shot went through both sides of the

boat, not more than an inch below the seat on which I was standing. Many

of our boats had now got huddled together, the oars of most being shot

away. A boat of the ‘Calcutta’ being nearest, we got in, pulling our

wounded men with us. My dog ‘Mike’ refusing to leave the body of the

seaman who had been his favourite, we were obliged to leave him. I then

gave the order to retire on the ‘Hong Kong,’ and re-form abreast of her.

While we were going down a shot cut away all the oars on one side. I

called to Lieutenant Graham to get his boat ready, as I would hoist my

broad pennant, and lead the next attack in his boat. I had no sooner

spoken than a shot disabled his boat, wounding him, and killing and

wounding four others. I saw Graham one mass of blood, but it was from a

marine who stood next to him, and part of whose skull was forced three

inches into another man’s shoulder. When I reached the ‘Hong Kong’ the

whole of the enemy’s fire seemed to be centred upon her. She was

‘hulled’ twelve times in a few minutes; her deck was covered with the

wounded who had been taken on board from the boats. I was looking at

them, when a round shot cut down a marine, and he fell among them. From

our paddle-box I saw that our heavy firing was bringing up strong

reinforcements. The account of my having been obliged to retire had

reached them, and they were pulling up like mad. I ordered a bit of blue

bunting to be got ready to represent my broad pennant; I called out:

‘Let us try the row-boats once more, boys!’ and went over the side into

our cutter. At this moment there arose from the boats, as if every man

took it up at the same instant, one of those British cheers so full of

meaning, that I knew at once that it was all up with John Chinaman. They

might sink twenty boats, but there were thirty others which would go

ahead all the faster! On we went. Three more cheers, and then began an

exciting chase for seven miles. As our shot told on them, they ran

ashore, and their crews forsook them. Seventeen were come up with, and

captured in this way; three only escaped.”

Soon afterwards the Earl of Elgin arrived at Hong Kong as the British

Plenipotentiary, to negotiate with the Emperor, and if satisfactory

terms were not conceded, to carry on the war with vigour. His lordship

arrived at Hong Kong early in July, 1857, and the news of the terrible

Indian Mutiny having reached him at Singapore, a portion of the force

selected for operations in China was, with a noble patriotism, at once

despatched to Calcutta, the Earl following them soon after with

additional troops from Hong Kong.

Lieutenant-General the Honourable Thomas Ashburnham, C.B., who had been

appointed to the military command of the force destined for China,

having left for Calcutta, was succeeded by Major-General (afterwards Sir

Charles) Van Straubenzee. Lord Elgin was not able to act effectively

until December, in which month Commissioner Yeh was informed that the

British and French governments were united in their determination to

proceed against Canton until the demands required were conceded.

Operations were eventually prosecuted with increased vigour, in

consequence of the evasive replies of the Chinese Commissioners, which

resulted in the

CAPTURE OF CANTON.

29TH. DECEMBER, 1857.

A reconnaissance was made on the 22nd. of December, 1857, by a body of

British and French troops, to ascertain the exact position and strength

of the forts to the north of Canton. A similar step was taken in the

course of a day or two, to gain information regarding the eastern side

of the city, and a proclamation was subsequently issued, notifying that

the place, if not surrendered, would be bombarded and stormed.

After a cannonade, which commenced on the 28th. of December, 1857, the

troops were embarked for Kupar Creek at the south-east of the town,

which was deemed the most convenient for landing the attacking

force.[98] This was composed of British and French troops; the former

had been formed into two brigades; the first, consisting of the first

and second battalions of Royal Marine Light Infantry, was under Colonel

Holloway, of that corps; the second, composed of Royal Engineers and

Volunteer Company of Sappers, Royal Artillery, and Royal Marine

Artillery, Provisional Battalion Royal Marines, the 59th. regiment, and

the 38th. Madras Native Infantry, was commanded by Colonel Hope Graham,

of the 59th. The artillery was under Colonel Dunlop.

The landing having been effected, the enemy was immediately attacked.

The East or Linn Fort was soon gained, the Chinese, after a vigorous

fire, having abandoned it and retreated to Gough’s Fort. The cannonade

continued all day, and throughout the following night, the firing from

the ships being also continued. On the 29th. the east wall of the city

was escaladed by the British and French, and after a considerable

resistance, the enemy was driven along it and out of the eastern gate of

the city, of which possession was at once taken. On this occasion the

59th., under Major Burmester, advanced as the covering party to the

French Naval Brigade and Royal Marines. Major Luard, Brigade-Major to

the second brigade, is stated to have been the first on the walls of

Canton. The casualties were small.

For a week the allies occupied the walls between Magazine Hill and the

south-east corner of the city, no descent being made into the streets.

All this time everything appeared to be proceeding as usual, the

inhabitants pursuing their avocations with the greatest unconcern, no

offer of submission being made. This was soon changed; on the morning of

the 5th. of January, the troops descended into the streets, when the

governor of the city, the Tartar General, and the celebrated

Commissioner Yeh were soon captured.[99] The latter was subsequently

sent to Calcutta.

CAPTURE OF THE PEIHO, OR TAKU FORTS.

MAY 20TH, 1858.

After the capture of Canton, Lord Elgin and the French Ministers finding

all their proposals treated with evasion and delay by the Chinese,

resolved to transfer the scene of operations to the mouth of the Peiho

river, on which stands Pekin the capital of China. They accordingly

placed the conduct of affairs in the hands of the English and French

Admirals (Sir M. Seymour and Admiral de Genouilly), with directions to

use their efforts to bring about a satisfactory settlement. Sir Michael

and his colleague, with the Ambassadors, arrived off the mouth of the

Peiho at the end of April, and some time was lost in fruitless

negotiations, which the Chinese employed in strengthening their forts

and defences, till they considered them to be impregnable. A final

demand being sent for the surrender of the forts, to be held as a surety

till the conclusion of a treaty, to which no answer was returned, the

Admiral determined on an immediate attack. The works were very

formidable. For nearly a mile earthworks and batteries had been thrown

up on both sides of the river, commanding every part of the Channel,

mounting upwards of 150 heavy guns, besides gingalls; a strong boom was

placed across the river in front, and the sides were staked to prevent

any attempts at landing. In the rear were several camps strongly

entrenched, and filled with picked troops. On the morning of May 20th.,

the two Admirals hoisted their flags together on the “Slaney” gunboat,

and at 10 a.m. the signal was made for the attack. Captain Saumarez in

the “Cormorant” led the way, and at full speed went for the boom, which

was composed of five seven-inch bamboo cables. Her men were lying flat

on the deck, no one being visible but her commander and an officer or

two, the three forts opened upon her at once; when with a crash she

shivered the boom, passed through, and directed her fire on the northern

forts. The “Nimrod” followed her, and concentrated her fire on the

southern defences, diverting their attention from the “Cormorant.” Four

French gunboats quickly followed, and for more than an hour the contest

raged, for the Chinese stood well to their guns. Some of their batteries

being silenced, and the fire from all slackening, the landing parties,

which the smaller gunboats had in tow, pushed ashore, and having but a

few yards to traverse, were in the embrasures at once, taking the enemy

entirely by surprise. On seeing the capture of the southern forts, the

defenders of the northern forts fled, and the landing parties entered

them without any opposition. In about two hours from the commencement of

the attack, the whole of the defences at the mouth of the river were in

the possession of the allies, and the Chinese army in full retreat. The

forts were destroyed, the camps taken, and the road to Pekin open to the

conquerors.[100] The arrogance of the enemy was at last subdued, and

convinced of the uselessness of further resistance, a treaty was signed

by their Ministers at Tientsin on the 26th. of June following, in

conformity with the terms proposed by the allies, containing concessions

never before thought possible by a Chinese, nor proposed by a European.

CAPTURE OF THE TAKU FORTS.

21ST. AUGUST, 1860.

This treaty the Chinese Government refused to ratify, and the British

and French were resolved to obtain that result. In the first instance

persuasion and diplomatic efforts were resorted to, but without success.

Every attempt at negotiation having proved fruitless, recourse was again

had to arms, Major-General Sir James Hope Grant, K.C.B., so

distinguished during the Indian Mutiny, being appointed to the command,

with the local rank of Lieutenant-General. On the 1st. of August the

troops landed at Pehtang, which they quitted on the 12th., and on that

morning Major-General Sir Robert Napier commanding the second division,

encountered the enemy at Sin-ho. In this action the Armstrong guns were

first used in war. The attack of the entrenched fortified camp of Tangku

occurred on the 14th. of August, and on the 20th. orders were issued for

the attack of the North Taku Forts, by a force composed of British and

French troops, about fifteen hundred of each. The 44th., 67th., and

Royal Marines, under Sir Robert Napier represented the British quota;

there was however a heavy train of field artillery, comprising several

eight-inch mortars and two Armstrong batteries. In the evening the

gunboats took up their positions, and the troops having crossed a flat

and muddy plain, the night was employed in throwing up trenches and

batteries. Such alacrity was shewn by the Chinese for the fight, that

early in the morning of the 21st. of August they opened fire upon the

troops an hour before the time fixed upon by the Allies; this was

followed by a tremendous bombardment in reply, aided by the gunboats,

which pitched shell and rockets into the North Fort. The assault then

took place.[101] The place was defended with great determination,

although the grand magazine had exploded from the fire of the British

artillery. At length the regiments before named, in conjunction with the

French, gained a footing on the walls. Even then the Tartars fought with

noble intrepidity, but eventually they endeavoured to take refuge in the

next fort about half a mile distant, although few succeeded in the

attempt. Their loss was at least three thousand; the British casualties

were seventeen killed, and one hundred and fifty-eight wounded; their

allies had about thirty killed and upwards of one hundred wounded. Four

hundred guns were taken, and the capture of this strong fort caused the

Chinese the same afternoon to surrender the others, together with the

province of Pecheli, upon a cessation of hostilities being granted.

OCCUPATION OF PEKIN.

13TH. OCTOBER, 1860.

Tientsin was reached by the allies on the 6th. of September, when the

Chinese authorities as usual endeavoured to gain time by negociation. On

arrival at the encamping ground, it was found occupied by a large

Chinese army, while batteries had been hastily thrown up; Mr. Parkes,

(accompanied by Lieutenant Anderson, of Fane’s Irregular Horse, Mr. De

Norman, and Mr. Bowlby, the special correspondent of “The Times,” whose

vigorous reports were of such universal interest), proceeded to

Tang-chow to ascertain the reason of this threatening attitude.[102] Mr.

Loch, accompanied by Captain Brabazon, Deputy-Assistant

Quartermaster-General, were afterwards despatched under a flag of truce

to order them to return. Meanwhile the Chinese line opened fire, and an

action ensued, when their troops, far superior in numbers were

dispersed, the enemy losing six hundred men, and seventy-five guns. This

action was fought on the Chow-Ho on the 18th. of September, and another

occurred on the 21st. of September, on which day the 1st. or King’s

Dragoon Guards performed “very excellent service.”[103] The Chinese

entrenched camp was taken, and they were driven back upon Pekin. Nearly

six hundred pieces of cannon were captured by the allies during these

operations. Continuing the advance on that city, a portion of the French

army occupied the famed Summer Palace of the Emperor. On the 7th. of

October the Chinese were informed, that if the prisoners were not

restored, and one of the gates of Pekin delivered up, the city would be

stormed. This was agreed to, and a force of two hundred French and

British took peaceable possession of the gate at noon on the 13th. of

October. This operation concluded the campaign.[104] The crowning result

was that the former treaty was ratified, a large sum of money was paid

by the Chinese, and such prisoners as survived were released. Some of

them, however, died from the savage treatment they experienced, and

amongst them were Mr. De Norman, Lieutenant Anderson, Mr. Bowlby, and

Captain Brabazon. £100,000 were paid by the Chinese as a compensation to

the relatives of the murdered prisoners; and Kowloon, a district at the

mouth of the Canton river, opposite Hong Kong, was ceded to the British

Government.