Although the capture of Canton may be looked upon as a military exploit,
the bluejackets took so large a share in it that it must not be passed
over.
The British had now been joined by a considerable French force; and the
united squadron having proceeded up the river, the troops prepared to
land at Kupar Creek, on the north shore, just to the east of Napier's
Island, on the 28th of December. The _Actaeon, Phlegethon_, and a
squadron of English gunboats, followed by the French fleet, had in the
meantime gone on, and anchored directly facing the city, opposing a line
of forts along the banks of the river.
A naval brigade was formed under the command of Commodore Elliot,
consisting of 1501 men, formed in three divisions,--the first under
Captain Stuart, second under Captain Key, and third under Captain Sir R.
McClure, who landed with the troops. At a signal given, the steamers
and gunboats opened fire on the devoted city, and immediately the
landing commenced. The fleet gave ample occupation to the Chinese, and
drew off their attention from the operations of the troops. These now
landed, and, while the fleet continued their slow and steady
bombardment, marched to the capture of Lin's Fort, a powerful battery on
a hill to the east of the town. The British naval brigade entered a
village to the right, and from thence clambered up the height to storm
the fort; but, as they rushed in, the Chinese rushed out and down the
hill, while the bluejackets in hot haste made chase after them, led by
Captains McClure and Osborne. On they went, rifle, cutlass, and bayonet
pitted against jingalls and rockets. Meantime Lin's Fort blew up.
While reconnoitring the walls to discover a suitable spot for placing
the ladders, the much-esteemed and excellent Captain Bate, RN, was shot
dead. Early on the morning of the 29th the signal for the assault was
given. The English and French troops rushed on most gallantly to the
attack. Of the bluejackets, Commander Fellowes was the first on the
walls, from which, after a stout resistance, the Chinese were driven
into the town, which, after a week, was occupied by the Allies.
The fleet, with the army on board, now proceeded to Tientsin,
preparatory to an attack on Pekin. The naval officers obtained deserved
credit for the admirable way in which so large a fleet of eighty ships
or more, including men-of-war and transports, was navigated, and for the
perfect order and regularity with which the army was landed. An account
of the operations against Pekin, which were of a military character,
will be found in _Our Soldiers_, page 198.