general should think fit, our forces could be in posses
sion of the city the day after to-morrow, that is, on the
Queen's birthday, the 24th . ” This, however, was found
to be impracticable, owing to the great difficulty expe
rienced in collecting boats enough to convey the whole
force up to the city ; and it was not until noon of the
24th that our forces could commence their advance.
In the mean time, Captain Belcher had been directed
to collect as many Chinese boats as possible higher up 1
the river, and to send them down with the tide. Gra
dually they had been dropping down from the direction
of the city, until, at length, there were enough collected
TRADING VESSELS. 25
for the conveyance of two thousand men, besides camp
followers, stores, and materiel of all kinds. At the
same time, with a view to embarrass the Chinese as much
as possible, orders had been given that all the native
trading -boats should be detained ; that none of them
should on any account be permitted to go down the
river, under any pretence whatever ; and, above all, that
all the salt-junks should be stopped . In the course of
a few days, no less than one hundred and forty -one
trading -junks, of every description, were brought-to,
and detained in the neighbourhood of Napier's Fort, and
at the Naval Arsenal below the city ; they comprised
little less than ten thousand tons of shipping, manned
by about one thousand one hundred Chinese sailors.
The sudden stoppage of this considerable trade could
not fail to make a deep impression upon the whole
people of Canton . No injury, however, was done to any
of the trading -vessels, which were all suffered to depart
without further molestation, the moment the authorities
of the city had agreed to Captain Elliot's terms.
Before our troops finally advanced upon Canton, Sir
Hugh Gough and Sir Le Fleming Senhouse went up in
person to make a careful reconnoissance, and particu
larly with a view to assure themselves of the practica
bility of the landing-place at Tsingpoo.
At length, soon after noon on the 24th, every prepa
ration for the advance was completed. Such a curious
collection of boats was perhaps never before seen, from
the tea or cargo-boat, which traverses the rivers to the
interior of the country, to the more humble fishing-boat,
which plies in the neighbourhood of Canton . Many of
26 EMBARKATION OF THE TROOPS .
them were curious specimens of boat-building, but they
answered extremely well for the purpose required.
The troops were all embarked in two columns, of
which the right was destined to hold the factories, and
was taken up in the Atalanta steamer. It merely con
sisted of the 26th Cameronians, less than three hundred
strong, together with an officer and twenty men of the
Madras Artillery, with one six-pounder gun, and one
five and a half -inch mortar. Thirty sappers, with an
officer of engineers, were also attached to it ; it was
under the command of Major Pratt, of the 26th regi
ment. The left column comprised the main body of
the force, which was destined to carry the heights above
the city, being divided into four brigades. An account
of these will be given in its proper place.
To the Nemesis was entrusted the charge and the ho
nour of carrying or towing up the whole of this column ,
together with the camp- followers and attendants of
every description, ( in this instance reduced to the
smallest possible number) which always accompany our
troops in the east. The enormous flotilla of boats, in
cluding, of course, those belonging to the men -of-war,
necessarily retarded the progress of the steamer very
much, particularly in the more intricate parts of the
river. As she advanced, numerous boats from our ships
were picked up, until their number could not have been
less than from seventy to eighty ; hanging on behind
each other, and following in the wake of the long, low
steamer. It was altogether a very animating scene.
The numerous flags, the curious appearance of the
boats, the glitter of the arms and accoutrements, and
EXTRAORDINARY SCENE. 27
the various uniforms of the men , could not fail of pro
ducing a very exciting spectacle. There was not the
slightest confusion ; and, the hope of being soon masters
of the City of Canton, added to other circumstances,
rendered the expedition intensely interesting.
On board the Nemesis were the forty -ninth regi
ment ; together with Major-General Sir Hugh Gough
and his staff, Sir Le Fleming Senhouse, and Captain
Elliot, accompanied by Mr. Morrison. Captain Bour
chier, who was to have the honour of commanding the
naval brigade, and several other officers, were also on
board . The decks of the steamer were crowded . Slowly
and steadily she advanced, dragging after her the long
tail of boats, a more numerous flotilla than any steamer
had yet towed.
The Chinese must have been perfectly well informed
of the approach of the force; and, had they not been
already panic-struck by the lessons they had so recently
received, they might have occasioned great annoyance,
and perhaps loss, to our troops, exposed as they were in
boats, by firing on them from the banks of the river, in
places where they would have been themselves under cover.
No opposition of any kind, however, was offered.
In the mean time, the Atalanta reached her desti
nation at the factories more expeditiously, and the
right column was landed before five o'clock, without
opposition ; when Major Pratt immediately set about
strengthening his post, and making the necessary dis
positions, either for defensive or offensive operations, as
circumstances might require.
It was now that the unfortunate Americans were dis
28 ADVANTAGE OF STEAMERS .
covered, in the wretched plight before described, in the
midst of the ruins of the factories in which they had
been turned loose, as it were, like beasts, after the indig
nities they had suffered.
It was just dusk when the left column, towed by the
Nemesis, reached the destined point of debarkation at
Tsingpoo, where the Sulphur was already at anchor.
By this time it was too late in the day to do more than
land the forty -ninth regiment. This was easily effected,
as they could walk on shore directly out of the steamer,
without the necessity of using boats, or causing any
delay whatever. Here again, as in so many other in
stances, the advantage of this description of steamer
was clearly shown. She had a great deal of deck-room
for troops ; while she could run closer in shore than
other vessels, because she drew so little water. Indeed,
Captain Hall never hesitated , when the service would
probably be forwarded by it, to run the bows of the
ship on shore at full speed, wherever there was a soft
bottom, merely dropping a kedge or small anchor astern,
to assist to work her off again. In this way, troops
were sometimes made to walk on shore in shallow
water, when otherwise great delay would have been
caused by having to wait for boats. More commonly,
however, a long stage or platform , made for the purpose,
was run ont from the bows of the vessel, for the men to
land . In this manner as many as a thousand men have
sometimes been landed very rapidly, when no boats could
have been procured, or not without delay and difficulty .
During the rest of the evening of the 24th, and in the
night, the guns, ammunition, and stores were also
LANDING THE TROOPS . 29
landed , but the remainder of the force did not disem
bark until the following morning. As soon as the forty
ninth were landed, they took possession of a large
temple, or, so called , Joss-house, near the landing-place.
The general lost no time in making an extended recon
noissance as soon as he had landed, under an escort of
the forty -ninth. A few straggling parties of the enemy
were met with, who occasionally fired a random shot,
sufficient to point out that they were at hand, and ready
to cut off any unlucky straggler ; but no serious oppo
sition was met with .
From a rising ground at no great distance, a general
view of the enemy's positions could be gained. It was
now evident that they had already taken the alarm, and
they threw up some of their small harmless rockets by
way of signal, to show that they were on the alert, but
made no movement in advance. Sir Hugh Gough was
in reality at this time perfectly unacquainted with the
nature of the country he would have to pass over on the
following day, as well as of the difficulties he might
have to encounter ; but, with the utmost confidence in
the steadiness and perfect discipline of the little force
under his command, he felt assured that no difficulties
could check them. Neither could the amount of the
enemy's force be at all ascertained, respecting which
there were various conjectures, probably in most in
stances exaggerated .
The Chinese system of warfare had not yet been ex
perienced, and it was, in fact, the first time that Euro
pean troops were about to undertake operations in
China, beyond the cover of our ships. The Chinese had
30 NOVEL SERVICE.
been known to declare that, if they could get us away
from our ships, they had full confidence that they would
be able to beat us in fair fight ashore. They were now
soon to have an opportunity of putting their prowess to
the test. It was now the first occasion on which a
British general officer had commanded in China ; and it
was the first opportunity which that general had ever
had of witnessing the gallantry of British seamen and
marines in service on shore, and of bearing testimony
to their steadiness and discipline, and to the value of
their co-operation. He afterwards expressed himself
in general orders, in reference to the naval brigade
under Captain Bourchier, to the effect “ that it would
always be a matter of proud recollection to him that he
had had them under his orders.”
During the night there was a false alarm of aa threat
ened attack by the Chinese upon the temple ; but, if
ever intended, no attempt of the kind was made. Our
soldiers again lay down to take a soldier's rest, the half
waking slumber of a wary foe .
While our troops had thus advanced upon Canton on
the 24th, Captain Herbert, who was stationed at Wham
poa with the Calliope, Conway, Herald , and Alligator,
was directed to push up the river with the flood - tide,
with such vessels as could proceed, or with the boats of
the ships, by the direct, or Whampoa passage, and en
deavour to secure the naval Arsenal opposite the city.
It was left to his own judgment to attack the French
fort below the city, or not, according to circumstances .
At the same time, another part of our force, consisting
of the Hyacinth, Modeste, Cruiser, and Columbine, had
NAVAL OPERATIONS . 31
taken up a position near the factories, under Captain
Warren , who had been directed to secure the Dutch
Fort, and to use his own judgment as to an attack upon
any other of the defences which were known to have been
recently constructed. The possession of the Dutch and
French Forts would give us complete command of the river
front of the city, and of the palaces of the high authorities.
Captain Herbert lost no time in pushing up the river,
with the boats and marines of the ships before men
tioned ; while Captain Warren, having ordered the
Nimrod and Pylades to attack the Shameen Fort, (which
had been re- armed by the Chinese) proceeded to place
the Hyacinth, under his own command, abreast of the
factories, in order to cover the landing of the twenty
sixth regiment from the Atalanta .
In the mean time, the Modeste, Cruiser, and Colum
bine, took up a position to attack the Dutch Folly if
necessary ; but it was found to be unarmed .
As soon as the twenty-sixth regiment had landed at
the factory, the Atalanta and Algerine (which had now
joined the squadron) were ordered to move down the
river as far as possible. The Atalanta unfortunately
took the ground, where she remained for several days,
and was got off with difficulty.. The Algerine, drawing
but little water, was able to go over the reef, which is
abreast of the Dutch fort, with a strong ebb-tide. She
then took up her berth between the Dutch and French
follies, and only one hundred and fifty yards distant from
a heavy sand battery, which she engaged single-handed,
none of the other vessels being able to come up to her
support. The battery mounted eleven very heavy guns,
32 NAVAL OPERATIONS .
and the Algerine was frequently hit. The pinnaces of
the Hyacinth and Modeste were sent to help to shift her
berth, but this was impossible, owing to the strength of
the tide. Lieutenant Mason, who commanded the brig,
with instant determination now pushed off in his gig, and,
accompanied by the two pinnaces, dashed ashore and car
ried the battery with great gallantry, but not without
meeting with strong resistance, in which Mr. Fitzgerald ,
of the Modeste, fell mortally wounded , together with one
seaman killed, and fourteen seamen and marines wounded.
Some of the Chinese guns were ten and aa half inch. Cap
tain Herbert and Captain Bethune endeavoured to push up
from Howqua's Follyat sunset, but were stopped by a shot
from the French Folly , which went through Captain Her
bert's boat, and the heavinessof the fire compelled the boats
to take shelter under a point of land for some hours, so
that they were not able to reach the brig until two o'clock,
a.m. During the night several fire-rafts were sent adrift,
but were towed clear without doing any mischief. Thus
ended the 24th of May, and our forces, both naval and
military, might already be said to hold Canton at their
mercy .
A few words more will suffice to complete the descrip
tion of all the naval operations before Canton, before we
turn to the military part of them .
No time was lost on the following morning in securing
the Arsenal, in which were found nearly a dozen large war
junks upon the stocks, and a great many row boats. There
were also twelve large war- junks just finished, lying at
anchor off the Arsenal. A considerable quantity of timber
and stores of various kinds were also captured. The Chinese
NAVAL OPERATIONS. 33
had spared neither pains nor expense in the first attack
of our squadron in March, to make every preparation in
their power for the more effectual defence of the city.
Having made a reconnoissance of the French Fort,
and the other defences on that side, Captain Herbert
resolved to carry it without loss of time. The Modeste
was the only vessel except the Algerine which could be
got across the bar at the Dutch Folly, and that not
without great difficulty, having been warped over the
reef at high water. The Atalanta was still aground ; and
the guns of the Algerine not being sufficiently heavy,
Captain Herbert ordered shell-guns to be fitted in three
of the captured war-junks, to assist in the attack upon
the French Folly .
The gun -junks were placed under the direction of
Lieutenants Haskell and Hay, and , together with the
Modeste and Algerine, opened upon the French Fort and
the long line of works connected with it on the morning
of the 26th . The Chinese soon began to give way, and
Captain Bethune immediately landed with the storming
party, and gallantly carried the works. There were alto
gether sixty-four guns, some of large calibre, four being
ten and a half inch guns. Thus the whole of the river
defences of Canton were at length in our possession, at
the same time that the heights above the city had been
carried by our troops under Sir Hugh Gough .
Having thus anticipated a little, in order to give a
short connected outline of the operations of our squadron
in front of the city, we may return to the landing -place
at Tsingpoo, from which our troops were about to ad
vance upon the heights on the 25th of May.
VOL . II . D
34 MILITARY OPERATIONS .
CHAPTER XXIII.
Engagements upon the heights of Canton — Number of men engaged
Description of the forts — Dispositions for the attack-Chinese threaten
Tsingpoo — Defeated by a party led by Captain Hall—Forts captured
on the heights - Entrenched camp burned Morning of the 26th of
May — Critical moment - Flag of truce displayed, and terms pro
posed by the Chinese — Preparations for the assault - Truce concluded
-Disappointment — Tartar troops leave the city - Demonstrations by
the armed peasants — Tremendous storm Critical position of the se
poys — Their rescue Preparations to restore the forts -- Our troops
re - embark on the 1st of June — Observations on the truce — The ran
som -money a droit of the crown - Opinion of Vatel.
A detailed account of the military operations upon
the heights of Canton could be furnished only by a
military man , himself an eye-witness of what took
place immediately around him. The following con
cise description, however, taken from the personal
remarks of several who were present, and from public
documents, will suffice to keep up the interest of the
reader in the connected account of our operations in
China .
It will be remembered that the twenty-sixth regi
ment, together with a few of the Madras artillery, and
THE NAVAL BRIGADE . 35
sappers and miners, were posted at the factories, and,
therefore, took no part in the engagement 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 thou
sand 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 sup
plied 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
D 2
36 LANDING THE TROOPS .
move left in front. The details given below will render
further comment unnecessary .
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
1
FIELD LIST OF TROOPS ENGAGED ON THE HEIGHTS ABOVE CANTON ON
THE 25TH OF MAY, 1841 .
All other
Officers. ranks
Left Brigade, under Lieutenant Colonel Morris.
H. M. 49th Regiment, commanded by Major Stephens . 28 273
Furopean 11
37th Madras Native Infantry, Captain Duff . Native . . "45} 15 215
European 2
Company of Bengal Volunteers, Captain Mee . Native .. 3 } 4 112
47 600
Tbird, 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 ........ 117 27 172
* } 403
231 S
2nd Battalion, Commander Barlow ..... 16
27 403
First (right) Brigade, under Major General Burrell.
18th Royal Irish, Lieutenant Colonel Adams 25 495
Royal Marines, Captain Ellis ..... 9 372
34 867
Total , Officers....... 124
Other ranks.... 2271 .
Grand total ......... 2,395 .
N. B. It is to be remarked that the company of Bengal Volunteers,
coinprising one hundred and twelve men , had only two European officers.
OCCUPYING THE HEIGHTS . 37
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 irregu
lar 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, how
ever, and also the six-pounders, together with the rocket
battery, were brought up with the troops, with some la
bour and difficulty .
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, but not quite so
near the wall , which it fronted , as the nearest of the
western forts was to the angle of the city walls on that
side.
38 ATTACK ON THE FORTS .
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
echellon 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 ap
peared to debouche 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 car
ried 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 pre
served) 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
CAPTURE OF THE HEIGHTS . 39
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 ad
vanced, 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 en
deavour 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 Chi
nese 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 Sen
house, 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 IIall ( the Nemesis being
nearest in shore) by an officer of the Blenheim, sent on
purpose. Preparations had already been made on board
40 A SPIRITED AFFAIR.
with this object, and Captain Hall lost no time in land
ing with half bis crew , the other half remaining at quar
ters on board, under Lieutenant Pedder. Two officers and
some men also landed from the Sulphur, and a few from
the boats of the Blonde. There were twenty-eight men
and two officers (besides Captain Hall) from the Neme
sis ; about fourteen men and two officers from the Sul
phur ; and eighteen men and two officers from the Blonde :
altogether sixty men and seven officers.
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 Anqui
telle. 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 ad
vancing 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 now
joined, a flank attack upon the enemy was proposed,
but Captain Hall instantly led the way, at the head of
Names of officers : Captain Hall, Mr. Whitehurst, and Mr. Gaunt,
Nemesis ; Mr. Goss and Mr. Hooper, H.M.S. Sulphur; Mr. Rolland and
Mr. Lambert, H.M.S. Blonde.
SINGULAR OMISSION . 41
his 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 endea
voured 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 bill, which ,
in fact, was the key to the whole position, but it was
42 ATTACK ON THE CHINESE CAMP.
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 en
trenched 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. Seve
ral 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 there
fore ordered down from the heights, to reinforce the
detachment of the 49th, together with a few marines,
and Major -General Burrel was directed to carry the en
campment, the only approach to which was along a nar
row 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 ex
posed 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 re
turned to the heights.
The day was now far advanced , and the men were
much fatigued with the oppressive heat. The steep and
FLAG OF TRUCE . 43
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, deter
mined 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 farther ope
rations against the city could be undertaken until the
ammunition and the heavy guns could be brought up ;
which, owing to the difficulty of the ground, was not
likely to be effected before noon .
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 re
membered (as before noticed by Captain Elliot) when
ever the Chinese wished to negociate, 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 as
certain what the Chinese desired . A mandarin, dis
tinguished by a red button, now stated that they wished
7
44 SUSPENSION OF HOSTILITIES.
to propose terms of peace, with a view to spare the city,
and that in the mean time 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 Captain 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 ar
range 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, ex
cept 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
PLAN OF ATTACK . 45
us, as it gave time for the completion of all the prepa
rations for the assault, which was to have taken place
at eight o'clock on the following morning. Our bat
teries 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 com
manded 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 Captain 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 Captain
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, uuder Lieutenant-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 37th , N.I. Further to the left,
46 A TRUCE .
the 49th, under Lieutenant-Colonel 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 en
sure 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 Captain 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 Chi
nese were spared.” To this he added that he had no
means of judging of the policy of the measure . Disap
pointment, vexation, and the conviction that the line of
due forbearance had been a little overstretched, now
took possession of every man's mind ; for it was the
general belief that nothing short of the capture of the
city could make such an impression upon the authorities
as would lead to a satisfactory settlement.
DISAPPOINTMENT OF THE TROOPS . 47
If any further doubt upon the subject remained, it
was finally set at rest by the arrival of Captain Elliot
in person , at the camp, about noon . From that moment
all idea of further hostile operations against the city was
abandoned .
Shortly before Captain 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 pur
pose. The result was of little importance, as it was
already known that terms had been negociated by Çap
tain 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 sur
prise 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 mer
chants were ordered by the authorities to go and make
terms for the ransom of the town , in some way or other,
48 THE RANSOM .
under pain of severe displeasure or punishment. It was
said that they were authorized to go as far as ten mil
lions of dollars, if aa 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 re
quired . 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
Captain 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 defini
tively 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 Chi
nese having continued to display the white flag from the
CHINESE FORCE . 49
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 be
tween Sir Hugh Gough and the Prefect of the city, in
order to make arrangements for the evacuation of Can
ton . 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.
It may at first sight appear extraordinary that, with
so large a force at the disposal of the authorities, they
should have shown so much willingness to listen to
terms. On the other band , it might be thought judi
cious on our part that we availed ourselves of an ad
vantageous opportunity to avoid the exposure of a
handful of men , in the assault of a town garrisoned by
so large a body of troops. The fact was, however, that,
as soon as the heights which overlooked the town were
in our possession , the whole place was completely at
our mercy. It could have been easily bombarded, if
necessary, and this was dreaded by the Chinese ; nor
could their numerous but undisciplined masses have
withstood our combined assaults upon the walls of the
city. Having once gained the hill within the walls, no
force the Chinese could have brought against us would
have been able to dislodge our troops .
The Tartar soldiers were allowed to march out with
their arms and baggage, but without displaying their
banvers, and without music .
E
VOL . II .
50 CHINESE PATRIOTS .
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 neighbour
hood of the city, had been encouraged to form them
selves into societies, or patriotic bands, as they were
called , for mutual defence against the foreigners. They
constituted a sort of rude military ; but, having inex
perienced 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 for
midable to the enemy. They were poorly 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 accom
plish. Yet they were held up to the nation at large, by
the government, as models of patriotism and self-devo
tion ; 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 con
cessions, at the very moment when they (the patriots)
51
CHINESE 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 consi
derable 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 through
out 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
E 2
52 CHINESE PATRIOTS .
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 irre
gular 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 mili
tary 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 posi
tion 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 ex
haustion ; and Major Beecher, the deputy quarter
master-general , whose exertions had been unremitting
throughout the previous days, fell down and almost im
mediately 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 or
dered to bring up some rockets, now threw them, with
THE PATRIOTS DISPERSED . 53
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, di
rected 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 manœuvres were executed with complete suc
cess, the Chinese being dispersed at all points. The
37th M. N. I. , however, pushed on rather farther 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 sultri
ness and oppressive heat of the morning, now burst
upon them with inconceivable fury. The thunder roared,
and the rain descended in torrents, so that the firelocks
got wet, and scarcely a single musket would go off.
The 26th were, in consequence, frequently compelled to