the city, in which ice is stored for public use. This
A MANDARIN . 371
was a perfect luxury to our soldiers and sailors when
the place was taken .
We spent the night in a deserted joss-house, close to
the landing - place. It was well tenanted with rats ;
and, during the evening and the following day, crowds
of curious visiters came to look at us, and made them
selves agreeable as well as they could. They seemed to
be particularly pleased with the Company's new rupees
with the queen's head upon them , and willingly gave
half a dollar each for them ;-being rather more than
their value. Glass bottles were in great request, and
the brandy was pronounced excellent.
One of the principal mandarins came down to pay us
a visit, preceded by criers and runners ; then came
whippers-in, and a couple of executioners, with chains
in their hauds, as a sign of their calling ; then came
the great man, seated in a very gay sedan-chair ; next
followed a couple of dirty -looking fellows with gigantic
fans ; and two or three men mounted on ponies closed
the procession. The people stood on either side the
street, and gazed in silence. They had little curiosity
about the movements of the great man , but a vast deal
concerning every step or look of the strange-looking
foreigners. The mandarin was extremely courteous and
well-bred towards us, and we observed that he was
treated with great deference, and no one except our
selves dared to sit in his presence .
An interesting incident occurred at Shanghai not
long after the peace. Sir Henry Pottinger, on his re
turn from Nankin, went up in a steamer to Shanghai,
to make arrangements about the future place of residence
B B 2
372 THE BISHOP OF SHANGHAI .
for our consul, and also to settle about the ransom
money of the city. One morning a boat came along
side the steamer, having on board a very respectable
looking man, in Chinese costume, who sent up his card
as “ M. l'Evêque de Nankin, ” at the same time re
questing an interview with the plenipotentiary . This
was readily acceded to. It now appeared that this
gentleman was the head of the Roman Catholic mis
sionaries of the province or district of Nankin ; that he
had been many years in China, suffering great tribula
tion, and in continual danger of his life; that the mis
sionaries had suffered great hardships, and many of them
had lost their lives. For a great length of time he had
not been able to hold any communication with his fellow
labourers in any other part of China, and had been de
prived of all tidings from any other country. He had
lived in fear and trembling, but had personally escaped
persecution by leading a very retired and unobtrusive
life, and particularly by avoiding all interference in
public matters. He had been afraid to make himself
known , or to have any communication with Europeans,
as long as the war lasted, as it would probably have
caused him trouble. His flock was numerous, but scat
tered. He had supported himself entirely by his mis
sionary labours, and had now joyfully seized the oppor
tunity to request that letters might be conveyed for him
to Macao. Ile had removed from Nankin, on the ap
proach of our forces ; and altogether there was much
interest attached to his history.
| This anecdote is repeated as it was told, without vouching for its
details,
GUNS CAPTURED . 373
There is a great abundance of game to be found in
the neighbourhood of Shanghai, principally pheasants,
and various kinds of wild fowl. But it greatly asto
nished the Chinese that any man should take the trouble
to shoot birds, or find any amusement in the sport, when
he could easily get people to shoot them for him upon
very slight payment.
The sum agreed to be paid for the ransom of Shang
hai was said to be three hundred thousand dollars,
which was considered in the light of a contribution,
similar to the ransoin -money of Canton. Whatever the
amount may have been, it was reckoned as part of the
money stipulated for by the treaty of Nankin.
A quantity of guns, arms, and military stores, were,
as usual, found in the arsenal within the city, and also
large stores of rice. Sixty -eight guns (exclusive of
those in the batteries below the town ) were captured at
Shanghai. Seventeen of these were of copper, newly
cast, and very heavy, and, consequently, valuable for
the prize fund. In a battery facing the river, fifty
six guns were found, of which seventeen were brass
6 -pounders. Altogether at Shanghai one hundred and
seventy-one guns were captured . But, reckoning the
whole number of guns taken in these operations, both
at Woosung and at Shanghai, and in the various bat
teries on the river's banks, they will be found to amount
to the amazing number of three hundred and sixty
pieces, exclusive of those destroyed in the junks. Of
these seventy-six were of copper, some of them of great
length and weight of metal, but of proportionably small
bore. They looked very well outside, but the casting
374 THE AUTHORITIES OF SHANGHAI.
of many of them was defective, and not a few were
made with a coating, or rather tube, of iron, about one
and a half to two inches thick , along the bore, over
which the copper was cast. At Shanghai also full nine
tons of gunpowder were found, contained in three hun
dred and thirty tubs and jars. All the military stores
were destroyed.
It was evident that great preparations had been made
for the hoped - for defence of this important place ; but,
when the hour of trial came, and the news of the action
at Woosung reached the city, the principal mandarins
quitted it in despair, and all hope of defence was given
up. It was even stated that a serious disturbance had
taken place between the authorities and the people, in
consequence of the heavy exactions of the former, under
the pretence of preparing means for defending the
city, which, after all, they chose to abandon without a
struggle.
On the morning of the 20th, (the day after the city
was taken) Captain Bourchier and Commander Kellett
were ordered to proceed in the Phlegethon, accompanied
by the Medusa, together with the barge of the Corn
wallis, carrying a few marines, and also aa boat from the
Columbine, to reconnoitre the river for the distance of
thirty miles above the town. Two small field -works of
five guns each were discovered upon the right bank of
the river, and a considerable body of soldiers were dis
covered at some distance in the rear. Lieutenant Wise
was sent, with the boats and marines of the Cornwallis,
for the purpose of destroying the works, which was
effected without any resistance.
A RECONNOISSANCE . 375
The report of what had been seen and done this day
was considered so important and interesting, that Sir
William Parker determined to continue the examination
in personnext day, still further up the river. About fifty
marines and seamen were embarked in the Nemesis, and
the Admiral hoisted his flag in her, accompanied by
Captain Bourchier, Honourable Captain Keppel, Captain
Lock, and other officers; and abont noon on the 21st
they proceeded up the river, followed by the Phlegethon
and Medusa.
The river gradually became narrower , but still carried
from four to six fathoms water, and appeared to have
an immense number of canals and water -courses con
nected with it. Many of these led directly towards the
towns and villages, some of which could be just seen at
a distance, others not far from the banks. The country
looked rich, and was carefully laid out in rice-grounds,
and otherwise well cultivated. It was not so picturesque
as about Ningpo, but there was all the appearance of a
thriving and industrious population . A heavy storm of
thunder and lightning came on in the afternoon, and the
three steamers were brought to anchor for the night a
little above the two forts destroyed the day before.
On the following morning they again pursued their
course up the river, and soon found that it divided itself
into two branches of equal size, one flowing down from
the eastward , and the other coming from the westward .
They followed the latter, which gradually took a more
northerly direction, but the water shoaled as they pro
ceeded, until at the distance of a few miles from where
they started there was only one fathom ; and, as the
376 CHINESE COAL .
Nemesis and Phlegethon could not safely ascend higher,
the Admiral, with the other officers, removed on board
the Medusa, which, being smaller, drew a foot to eigh
teen inches less water. But they were not able to go up
more than eight or nine miles further ; for they were
stopped by the increasing shallowness of the water at
the entrance of a large lagoon. It was ascertained, how
ever, from some boatmen, who stated that they had left
Soo -chow - foo only the previous day, that there was a
direct communication by water with that city, which
could not be a great many miles distant. It could not
be doubted, therefore, that this important city was
easily accessible to our forces, should it be thought ad
visable to advance upon it.
Several large boats were coming down the river, laden
with coal, said to be brought from the neighbourhood of
Soo -chow -foo, where iron also is believed to abound ,
Indeed, coal of very fair quality is found in many parts
of this province, and the Nemesis was using it for steam
purposes at that very time.
The whole distance ascended above Shanghai was
about forty -five miles, and it was matter of regret that
time could not be spared to explore the other, or eastern
branch of the river. Several large pagodas were seen
at a distance , one in particular to the northward, pro
bably pointing out the neighbourhood of a large town.
The same evening the three iron-steamers returned to
Shanghai, and anchored abreast of the town, where his
Excellency Sir Henry Pottinger had just arrived from
Hong Kong, having touched at Amoy and at Chusan on
his way up. It was also announced that strong rein
REINFORCEMENTS. 377
forcements had arrived at Chusan, and might be ex
pected to join our forces in the Yangtze Kiang in a few
days. The names of ships and regiments will be given
together, in the order in which they moved up the river
leading to Nankin . It will be sufficient here to mention,
that no less than seventy -three vessels of war and trans
ports set sail from Woosung together ; besides which
two others were left at that anchorage, in order to
blockade the river leading to Shanghai. Several other
vessels joined the expedition on its way up to Nankin ,
and afterwards. Great results were, therefore, now to
be expected from this vast accession to our forces, and
the hopes and spirits of both officers and men were high
and buoyant. Sickness had not yet commenced its
ravages ; but many a heart that beat with the earnest
thought of victory and the prospect of a glorious peace
was doomed to cease its throbs, and sink ere long under
the insidious blow of fever.
378 REINFORCEMENTS.
CHAPTER XXXV.
Remarks on the great river Yangtze Kiang Stoppage of its trade -
Hope of preventing the grain and tribute from passing up the Grand
Canal — Reinforcements at Woosung – French ships of war - Remarks
Sir Henry Pottinger's important proclamation, addressed to the
Chinese - The Emperor's proclamation concerning passing events-
Reply to Sir Henry by Niew Kien, the viceroy of Nankin - Alarm
at Pekin - Extent and importance of the rivers of China — Remarks
on the Amoor, or Sagalin - Sail from Woosung in five divisions
Details -- Aspect of the country - Kiang - Yin - Silver Island - And
-
Golden Island - Falling greatness — Arrival at Chin -keang - foo - Its
capture, 21st July, 1842 — Tartar garrison - List of troops engaged
Plan of attack - Major General Schoedde's brigade scales the walls
Spirited resistance of the garrison - Lieutenant Cuddy's gallantry
Sir Hugh Gough and the third brigade prepare to storm the west gate
-Unfortunate affair of the Blonde's boats — Warm reception — Part
of them abandoned with the guns — Attention of the Chinese people to
our wounded - Captain Peter Richards lands from the Cornwallis with
Captain Watson of the Modeste - They scale the walls near the west
gate - Spirited affair — Guard -house fired by a rocket - Tartars driven
in - Outer gate blown in and forced by third brigade — Sharp encounter
with the Tartars in the city - Self-destruction - Horrible scenes
Death of the Tartar general.
All intention of advancing upon the important cities
of Hang -chow or Soo -chow -foo was now given up ;
large reinforcements had already arrived , and more
were daily expected at Woosung ; and it was resolved
THE YANGTZE RIVER . 379
to advance immediately upon Nankin, the ancient
capital of the empire. The navigation of the Yangtze
river was almost entirely unknown, only a small portion
of it having been surveyed by Captain Bethune in the
Conway. To the Chinese themselves the ascent of
large ships or junks, as far as Nankin, appeared quite
impracticable, principally owing to the amazing strength
of the currents, and the numerous sand-banks which
render its chapnel intricate .
Sir William Parker, however, felt so much confidence
in his own resources, and in the aid of his numerous
steam-vessels ( several more of which had now arrived),
that he did not hesitate to undertake the bold measure
of conducting a fleet of between seventy and eighty sail,
including two line of battle ships, besides the large
troop -ships, into the very heart of the empire, more
than two hundred miles from the sea. The whole com
merce of this vast Yangtze river would thus be cut off;
the Grand Canal itself would be blockaded, and it was
hoped that we should be able to intercept the large
fleet of grain-junks, which, at this time of the year, carry
up their cargoes to the imperial metropolis, and not
only furnish its inhabitants with food , but also the
imperial treasury with tribute. It appeared, however,
from official documents afterwards found at Chin
keang-foo, the Tartar stronghold at the mouth of the
Grand Canal, that the authorities had anticipated the
possibility of their communications being interrupted ,
and had, therefore, hastened on this annual supply, and
had collected a body of militia to act as an escort for it.
It was ascertained that these grain - junks had all crossed
380 REINFORCEMENTS .
the Yangtze river, from the southern to the northern
branch of the canal, on the 26th of June, viz. , a few
days before our fleet left Woosung. So far then the
imperial capital was safe from famine for some time to
come .
On the 23d of June our troops returned from Shang
hai to Woosung, principally on board the steamers ;
but two companies of the 18th, and the Rifles, together
with the horses of the artillery, marched back by land,
the guns being brought down on board the vessels.
The Nemesis, having conveyed her detachments of
troops to their respective transports, volunteered to go
and fetch off the other division, and also the horses,
which had marched overland, and had been waiting for
several hours at Woosung without the means of getting
on board their ships. The men were embarked direct
from the river's bank, and the horses were hoisted in
with slings, and it was late at night before they were
put on board their respective transports; in doing
which one boat was unfortunately capsized .
The Belleisle, with the whole of the 98th on board, had
just arrived from England, together with the Rattle
snake troop-ship, and the Vixen, heavily -armed steamer,
Commander H. Boyes ; and the Proserpine, Captain
J. J. Hough, R.N. They were preceded by the En
dymion , 44 guns, Captain Honourable F. W. Grey ;
the Dido, 20, Honourable H. Keppel; Calliope, 26,
Captain A. S. Kuper, C. B.; Childers, 16, Com
C.B.;
mander Halsted ; and numerous transports, having on
board the 2d and 6th regiments Madras Native In
fantry ; also the Bengal Volunteers, and reinforcements
FRENCH VESSELS OF WAR. 381
of Artillery, together with the necessary proportion of
camp followers.
Shortly afterwards two French ships of war also
arrived at Woosung, for the purpose of watching our
movements ; the Erigone, 44, Captain Cecile, and the
Favorite, 18, Captain Page. The latter attempted
to follow the fleet up the river, and the Admiral was
politely requested to allow the use of one of his
steamers to assist her in getting up ; but this, of
course, could not be complied with, as our steamers
were all indispensable, to enable the numerous fleet
of transports to stem the current, and to tow them off
whenever they chanced to get on shore.
But the French had, in reality, no grounds for coming
into the river at all ; they were not at war with the
Chinese, nor had they ever asked or received per
mission from the Chinese government to enter their
inner waters. In fact, the moving a French ship-of
war up the Yangtze river was as clearly an unfriendly
proceeding towards the Chinese as the attempt to pass
through the Bogue would have been. Moreover, there
was no French commerce to protect.
On the other hand, the Americans, whose trade with
China is second only to that of Great Britain , and who
boasted of a large vessel from Boston trading at that
very moment at Chusan, did not think it necessary to
send any vessel of war into the Yangtze river; not only
because it would have been an evident encroachment
upon the rights of the Chinese, but also because they
felt assured that any extension of the commercial rela
tions of China with foreigners would, of necessity, be
382 ENGLISH PROCLAMATION .
equally beneficial to all, without any especial reference
to the advantage of one in particular.
Before our forces left Shanghai, the same mandarin
who had before frequently presented himself at head
quarters? again made his appearance as the bearer of a
communication from the high authorities to Sir Henry
Pottinger. But, as no document was shown by which
any individual could prove his having received full
authority from the Emperor to treat for peace, no atten
tion whatever was paid to these very equivocal over
tures. At the same time, however, Sir Henry Pottinger
published a very important and interesting proclama
tion , addressed to the Chinese people, and adopting some
thing of the tone of oriental language. It was, of
course, published in Chinese. The opening sentences
form a sort of quaint imitation of the celestial style,
with the object, probably, of fixing the attention of the
Chinese at the outset. For instance : “ Under the
canopy of heaven, and within the circumference of the
earth, many are the different countries : of the mul
titude of these, not one is there that is not ruled by the
Supreme Heavenly Father, nor are there any that are
not brethren of one family. Being then of one family,
very plain is it that they should hold friendly and
brotherly intercourse together, and not boast themselves
After this
one above the other. ” After exordium ,, it proceeds
this exordium
to lay open the grievances of the English, the extortions
and double dealings of the local authorities at Canton,
gradually increasing year after year ; and then recapi
· He was jocularly christened Corporal White.
ENGLISH PROCLAMATION . 383
tulates the proceedings adopted by the English, their
visit to the Peiho, the conferences and stipulations
agreed to by Keshen, and rejected by the Imperial
Cabinet, the treacherous attack of the Chinese, and
other matters already fully explained. It then refers
to the cruelties practised upon our countrymen when
taken prisoners, either by being kidnapped, or in cases
where they were shipwrecked. It further reminds the
people that in ancient times foreigners were permitted
to trade at various ports in China, to the manifest advan
tage of all parties, and that it was only by false state
ments and local intrigue that the Emperor was at length
induced to confine the foreign trade solely to Canton,
and to establish the monopoly of the thirteen Hongs.
Finally, it is declared that hostilities will continue to
be carried on, until some high officer shall be appointed
by the Emperor, with full powers to negociate and con
clude arrangements, of which the three following points
were to be the basis : Compensation for losses and ex
penses ; a friendly and becoming intercourse, on terms
of equality , between officers of the two countries ; and
the cession of insular territory for commerce, and for
the residence of merchants, and as a security and
guarantee against future renewal of offensive acts.
This proclamation was issued the day before the fleet
set sail from Woosung for Nankin . It is a curious co
incidence that, a few days before this, an edict, or pro
clamation, was issued by the Emperor, in which he
also recapitulated the leading events of the war, and
tried to make it appear that the whole difficulties had
arisen solely from the crusade which his Majesty had
384 CHINESE PROCLAMATION .
directed to be carried on against the “ Opium poison .”
He blames Commissioner Lin for his bad management;
and with regard to the six million dollars ransom for
Canton, His Celestial Majesty declares that it was a
very small matter, and that he did not grudge it at all.
But when the rebellious foreigners left Canton , and
then advanced to recapture Chusan, and to take Ningpo
and other cities, then says his Majesty, with unaffected
bitterness of spirit, “ I severely blame myself, and hate
myself, for being unequal to my duties ; I cannot rescue
my subjects; and repose by day or night is difficult for
me." At the same time, he is slow to believe that the
strength of the barbarian ships is really so great as re
presented, and strongly hints that his people are cow
ards ;ܕܪand while, on the one hand, he promises rewards to
the valiant, he orders that those who run away shall be
instantly executed without inercy. Carefully losing
sight of every other grievance or source of difficulties,
his Majesty reiterates his prohibition against opium,
and urges the most strenuous exertions to sweep the
worthless barbarians clean away into the depths of the
wide ocean .
In fact, it now became very manifest that the Em
peror was already seriously alarmed ; and, although his
spirit breathed a bitter hostility, it could not be doubted
that his Majesty ardently longed for peace. The over
tures , however, which had been so frequently made
were of such an equivocal nature, that, as Sir Henry
Pottinger well observed, it was impossible to place any
reliance upon them .
Sir Henry's proclamation soon afterwards called forth
CHINESE DIPLOMACY. 385
a reply from Niew-Kien, the Viceroy of the two Kiang
Provinces, to which the seat of war was now removed .
It was one of those curious little essays in which the
Chinese delight, made up of a few common-place tru
isms dressed in the peculiar phraseology of the East.
He cunningly recommends the Plenipotentiary to draw
up a full statement of all grievances, to be transmitted
through him (the Viceroy) to the Emperor, which
would of course bear upon its very face the appearance
of asking for favours, instead of dictating terms. He
further reminds his Excellency, that although the Chi
nese have suffered much, still the English must have
lost many brave men also, and by coming from so great
a distance must have likewise incurred great expense ;
that it would be much better for both parties to put an
end to the war at once, and vows the most perfect sin
cerity before all the gods . At the same time, he con
fesses his great alarm at seeing all the people fly from
their habitations, and the country given up to the plun
dering of the native robbers. Indeed, Niew -Kien, in
another report addressed to the Emperor, expressed the
greatest possible apprehension lest the people should be
frightened away, either by severe measures on his own
part, or by the approach of the enemy, and thus the
whole country be given up to the excesses of the lawless
native plunderers, who would take the opportunity to
rob, and commit all kinds of mischief.
The Chinese appear to have rested all their hopes
for the defence of the Yangtze river, and the approaches
to Nankin, entirely upon the strength of their works
at Woosung, and had consequently made little or no
VOL. II . CC
386 FEARS FOR PEKIN .
preparations for resistance higher up.
. It had indeed
been recommended by one of the Tartar generals that
a portion of the river below Nankin should be staked
across, and junks laden with stones sunk to impede the
navigation ; and likewise that fire -vessels should be
prepared. But this advice was overruled by Niew
Kien, the Viceroy, upon the ground of its inutility ; and
it was urged that the extreme rapidity of the current,
and the sunken rocks and sands in parts most difficult
of navigation, would be the best defences, and that any
attempts to stake the river would not only be ex
pensive and useless, but would greatly alarm the people.
Fire -rafts were only ordered to be got ready, when there
was no time whatever even to commence them, the
enemy being already close to the city of Chin -Keang -foo.
From documents which subsequently fell into our
possession, it was also ascertained that the apprehension
of our advance upon Pekin by way of the river Peiho
was so great, that a body of troops already ordered to
march to Soo -Chow -foo were recalled , and directed to
proceed immediately to Tientsin, in order to defend
the approaches to the metropolis.
During the latter part of June, the weather was very
squally and unsettled, and therefore not very well
adapted for the advance of a fleet of more than seventy
sail, up a river, the navigation of which was almost en
tirely unknown. The channels were now buoyed off,
and beacon -vessels were also placed at one or two of
the most important parts ; and Commanders Kellett
and Colli son, accompanied by the masters of the ships
of war, were sent in advance on the 29th to sound, and
TIIE YANGTZE RIVER. 387
to make preparations for the passage of the fleet, and
particularly for the purpose of surveying the river above
the point where Captain Bethune's researches terminated.
The distance of Nankin from Woosung is about one
hundred and seventy miles, and a very accurate survey
was ultimately completed of this beautiful river, as far
as that ancient capital. Even there the river is very
broad and the channel deep, so that the Cornwallis was
able to lie within one thousand yards of the walls of the
city. It is perhaps to be regretted that the river was
not examined for some distance above the city ; for it
could not be doubted that, with the assistance of
steamers, even large ships would be able to ascend
several hundred miles further. But the conclusion
of the peace followed so soon after the arrival of
our forces before the ancient capital, that there was
no opportunity of continuing our discoveries further into
the interior, without compromising our character for
sincerity, while the negotiations were in progress. It
could not have failed however, had circumstances per
mitted, of furnishing much interesting information re
specting the interior of this extraordinary country.
There are few rivers in the world to be compared
with the Yangtze, in point of extent, and the richness of
the provinces through which it flows. Supposed to
take its rise at a distance of more than three thousand
miles from the sea, among the furthest mountains of
Thibet, it traverses the whole empire of China from
west to east, turning a little to the northward , and is
believed to be navigable through the whole of these
valuable provinces .
CC 2
388 CHINESE RIVERS .
The extent and importance of the numerous rivers
which traverse this vast empire cannot but strike every
one with astonishment. Most of them naturally take
their course from west to east, from the mountains
towards the sea ; but there is one important exception
to this rule. The river Amoor, or Sagalin , takes its rise
from numerous branches along the Kinkow Mountains,
not far from Kiachta and Maimaichin , the two places
at which trade is carried on with Russia, and, after
taking a tortuous course to the northward, it receives a
very large branch, called the Schilka, which rises within
the Russian frontier in the Baikal Mountains, and
at length , after traversing the whole of Mantchouria,
empties itself into the Sea of Okotsk, not far from
the Russian frontier. The caravans from Kiachta have
to cross most of the numerous branches of this river, on
their way to Pekin.
To return , however, to the Yangtze. The naviga
tion of this river was found less difficult than might
have been expected . There are, indeed , numerous sand
banks, some of which change their places, owing to the
rapidity of the current ; and at the upper part of the
river, towards Chin -keang -foo, there is some danger
from rocks ; but the greatest obstacle to the navigation
is the rapidity of the current, which, even when beyond
the influence of the tide, runs down at the rate of three
and a half to four miles an hour. It is not surprising
that almost every ship of the squadron should have
touched the ground ; but, as the bottom was generally
soft mud , no serious damage was sustained . The
steamers were of course indispensable, and the assist
CHINESE RIVERS . 389
ance of two or three of them together was in some
instances requisite to haul the ships off.
One of the largest transports, the Marion, having
the head -quarters and staff on board, was thrown upon
the rocks by the force of the current, on the way down
from Nankin, and would certainly have been lost, but
for the aid rendered by two steamers, the Nemesis and
the Memnon, and the valuable experience already gained
by the former in the Chinese rivers.
However difficult or troublesome the ascent of the
river proved to be, the descent was likely to be much
more so .
The buoys previously laid down were taken
up by the Chinese ; the transports were hurried down
as quickly as possible, on account of the sickness which
universally prevailed ; their crews were weak, and they
found their way down the best way they could ; and it
is not a little creditable to the merchant marine of this
country, that they succeeded in getting back to Woo
sung without any serious accident.
Sir William Parker's arrangements for the merchant
transports were perfect; their orders were definite, and
were generally obeyed with alacrity ; boats were always
in readiness, and signals carefully watched . Probably,
if it were required to point out any one circumstance
which redounded more than another to the honour of
the British service, it would be that of having carried
a fleet of nearly eighty sail up to the walls of the city
of Nankin and brought it safely back again .
At the beginning of July, the weather became very
favourable for the ascent of the river, and the Phlege
thon, having returned with the intelligence that a clear
390 BRITISH NAVAL FORCES .
and deep channel had been found as far as Golden
Island, close to the entrance of the Grand Canal, and
that buoys had been laid down to facilitate the navi
gation, orders were given that the fleet should be in
readiness to get under weigh on the morning of the 6th.
It was formed into five divisions, each consisting of
eight to twelve transports, conducted by a ship -of-war,
and under the orders of her captain ; and to each division
also a steamer was attached, to render assistance when
required.
In addition to the steamers so employed, the Phle
gethon, Medusa, and Pluto, were in attendance, prin
cipally upon the advanced squadron, and in readiness
to assist any other ship which stood in need of it. The
Nemesis and Proserpine also accompanied the fleet, the
former being employed to lead and give the soundings
by signal flags. Thus there were not less than ten
steamers attached to the squadron when it set sail from
Woosung, and they were afterwards joined, up the
river (but not until hostilities had ceased) by two other
powerful steamers, the Driver and the Memnon .
A list of all her Majesty's ships of war and steam
vessels, together with those belonging to the East India
Company, which were present in the Chinese waters at
the conclusion of the peace, will be given in its proper
place. The following was the order of sailing of the
squadron on leaving Woosung , each division being about
two or three miles in advance of the next one . The
North Star, Captain Sir E. Home, Bart., was left at
Woosung to blockade that river, with orders to detain
all merchant junks which might attempt to pass up
BRITISH NAVAL FORCES . 391
the Yangtze, or into the Woosung, laden with pro
visions.
It was a curious sight afterwards, to look at the
numerous fleet of junks, some of them of large size,
which were collected at that anchorage, and for some
time it was no easy matter for the North Star to pre
vent them from attempting to make their escape. But
when a round shot or two had been sent through some
of the most refractory, and a few of the captains had
been brought on board the North Star and strictly warned,
they all became “very submissively obedient,” and pati
ently awaited the permission to depart, which was not
accorded to them until the peace had been proclaimed.
The advanced squadron consisted of them
Starling 6 Commander Kellett, Surveying
Plover 6 Commander Collinson,ſ vessels.
Modeste .. 18 Commander R. B. Watson .
Clio 16 Commander T. Troubridge.
Columbine .. 16 Commander Morshead.
Childers... 16 Commander Halsted.
H.C. Steamer Phlegethon . Lieutenant M Cleverty, R.N.
H.C. Steamer Pluto .. Lieutenant Tudor, I.N.
H.C. Steamer Medusa. Lieutenant Hewitt, R.N.
H.C. Steamer Nemesis. Lieutenant W. H. Hall, R. N.
H.C. Steamer Proserpine... Commander J. J. Hough, R. N.
H.M.S. Cornwallis ... 72 Captain Richards, Flag-ship of Vice
Admiral Sir William Parker, G.C.B.
FIRST DIVISION .
H.M.S. Calliope .... 26 Captain A. S. Kuper, C. B.
H.M.Armed Steamer Vixen ..... Commander H. Boyes.
Marion Transport,with Lieutenant-General Sir H.Gough and general Staff.
Seven Transports, with Sappers and Miners, Followers, &c.
392 BRITISH NAVAL FORCES .
SECOND DIVISION.
H.M.S. Blonde .......... 42 Captain T. Bourchier, C.B.
H.C. Steamer Auckland Commander Ethersey, I.N.
Ten Transports, conveying the Artillery Brigade and horses, &c.
THIRD DIVISION .
H.M. Troop Ship Belleisle, Captain T. Kingcomb, having on board
Major -General Lord Saltoun, and H.M. 98th regiment.
H.M. Troop -ship Jupiter, Master Commanding, G. Hoffmeister, with
H. M. 26th regiment.
Nine Transports, conveying Bengal Volunteers, and flank companies
41st M.N.I.
FOURTH DIVISION .
H.M.S. Endymion 44 Captain Honourable F.W.Grey .
H.C. Steamer Sesostris Commander H. A. Ormsby , I.N.
Thirteen Transports, conveying H. M. 55th regiment, with the 2nd
and 6th regiments M.N.I., and the Madras Rifle Company.
FIFTH DIVISION .
H.M. S. Dido ... .... 20 Captain Hon. H.Keppel.
H.C. Steamer Tenasserim . Master Commanding, P. Wall .
H.M. Troop -ship, Apollo .... Commander Frederick, with H.M.
49th regiment.
H.M. Troop -ship, Rattlesnake .. Master Commanding, James Sprent,
with H.M. 18th regiment.
Eight Transports, conveying the remainder of the 18th and 49th
regiments, together with the 14th M.N.I.
The Chinese had prepared no means of resisting the
advance of our squadron up the river ; and even the few
guns which had previously been mounted on two small
forts on the right bank of the river, adjoining the towns
CHINESE PEASANTRY . 393
of Foushan and Keang-yin , were withdrawn on the ap
proach of our forces, in order to avert the injury which
might have been done to those towns, had any show of
resistance been offered .
The country along the lower part of the Yangtze
is altogether alluvial, and intersected by innumerable
canals and water-courses . In most parts it is highly
cultivated, but in others less so than we were led to
expect. On one occasion I walked for the distance of
five or six miles into the interior, attended by crowds
of the peasantry, who appeared to be a strong, hardy,
well -disposed race , and offered no kind of violence or
insult. They appeared to be solely influenced by curi
osity, and a few of them brought us poultry for sale,
but the greater part seemed afraid to have any dealings
with us . The small cotton plant was cultivated very
extensively, and at nearly every cottage-door an old
woman was seated, either picking the cotton or spinning
it into yarn . The hop plant was growing abundantly
in a wild state, and was apparently not turned to any
use .
The small town of Foushan, at the base of a partially
fortified hill , and a conical mountain with a pagoda upon
its summit, situated upon the opposite side of the
river, form the first striking objects which meet the eye,
and relieve the general monotony of the lower part of
the river. Above this point the scenery becomes more
interesting, and gradually assumes rather a mountainous
character. But you are perhaps surprised not to find
more numerous villages upon the river's banks, and a
denser population crowded together upon its shores.
394 KEANG -YIN .
Compared with the neighbourhood of Ningpo, or
Chapoo, you are inclined to be disappointed in the as
pect of the country generally ; you find it less carefully
and economically cultivated, and perhaps one of your
first hasty impressions would be to doubt whether the
population of China can be so dense as the best received
accounts lead us to suppose. When you consider the
immense extent of country through which this magni
ficent river flows, and the alluvial nature of the great
belt of land which runs along the sea-coast, you are
prepared to expect that here, if any where, a great mass
of people would be congregated, and that town would
succeed town, and village follow village, along the whole
course of this great artery.
About twenty -five miles above Foushan, stands the
rather considerable town of Keang-yin, situated in a
very picturesque valley, about aa mile distant from the
river side ; but there is a small village close to the land
ing-place. The river suddenly becomes narrow at this
spot, but soon again spreads out to nearly its former
breadth. The town of Keang-yin is distinguished by
remarkable pagoda, to which, with great difficulty, we
persuaded a venerable-looking priest to conduct us.
He hesitated a long time before he could be induced to
lead us into the town , which was surrounded by a very
high, thick , parapetted wall, banked up with earth on
the inside. No soldiers were to be seen, and many of
the inhabitants began very hastily to shut up their shops
the moment they saw us enter the streets.
The pagoda appeared to be the only striking object
in the place, and from the peculiarity of its construction
KEANG- YIN . 395
was well worth seeing. It was built of red brick, in
the usual octagonal form , gradually inclining upwards,
but was so constructed in the inside, that each story
slightly overhung the one below it, although the outside
appeared quite regular. The building was partly in
ruins, but looked as if it had never been perfectly
finished . Not far from it was a well of clear, delicious
water, some of which was brought to us in basins, with
marks of good nature, as if the people intended to sur
prise us with a treat. We afterwards learned that good
water is rarely found in the neighbourhood of the river,
and that the inhabitants are in the habit of purifying it
by dissolving in it a small portion of alum . It was also
stated that fish caught in the river are considered un
wholesome .
The distance from Keang-yin to Chin -keang -foo is
about sixty-six miles by the river, but not much more
than half that distance by land , the course of the former
being very tortuous. The country gradually increases
in interest, becoming more hilly and picturesque the
higher you ascend .
At Seshan, which is about fifteen miles below Chin
keang -foo, some show of opposition was offered by two
or three small batteries, mounting twenty guns, situated
at the foot of a remarkable conical hill . They opened
fire at first upon the Pluto and Nemesis steamers, which
were at that time employed on the surveying service.
The day afterwards they opened fire also upon the
Modeste, which was sent forward to attack them. The
garrison were, however, soon driven out, and could be
seen throwing off their outer wadded jackets, to enable
396 GOLDEN ISLAND .
them to escape with greater nimbleness. The guns,
magazines, and barracks, were destroyed.
A little way below Chin -keang -foo, the channel is
much narrowed by the island of Seung-shan, and the
current is consequently extremely rapid, so that the
utmost skill and care, aided by a strong breeze, are
necessary to enable a vessel to stem the stream and over
come the strength of the eddies and whirlpools. Seung
shan , or Silver Island, is all rocky, but rendered pictu
resque by the trees which are planted in the hollows.
It is devoted to religious purposes, being ornamented
with temples, and it was formerly honoured by the
visits of the Emperors, to whom it is said still to belong.
Nearly the same description will also apply to Kin
shan, or Golden Island, situated higher up the river, nearly
opposite the mouth of the Grand Canal. It is distin
guished by a pagoda which crowns its summit, and by its
numerous yellow tiled temples. The decayed condition of
some of the pavilions, and the remnants of former splen
dour which once decorated their walls, together with
the imperial chair itself, ornamented with well carved
dragons all over its back and sides, attest the import
ance which this island and the environs of the great
southern capital possessed in times long past, and the
low estate into which this interesting part of the coun
try has fallen since Pekin became the metropolis of
China, and the Imperial residence of its Conquerors .
On the 16th Sir William Parker and Sir Hugh Gough
proceeded up the river in H. M. steamer Vixen , followed
by the little Medusa, to reconnoitre the approaches to
Chin -keang -foo. They passed up above the city without
CHIN - KEANG - F00. 397
any opposition, approaching very near the entrance of
the Imperial Canal, which takes its course close under
the city walls. No preparations for resistance were
apparent--at least, there were no soldiers visible upon
the city walls, and the inhabitants who came out in
great numbers were evidently attracted only by curio
sity. Hence the first impression was that no resistance
would be offered , and the information obtained through
the interpreters tended to encourage the same con
clusion .
The walls of the city, which is situated on the right
bank of the river, were, however, in good repair, and the
distance from the river was not too great to enable
the ships to bombard it, if requisite. But the general
feeling was that the attack (if indeed any resistance at
all were offered ) was to be left entirely to the military
arm of the expedition , the more particularly as the
engagement at Woosung had been entirely monopolized
by the navy , and an opportunity was desired by the army
to achieve for itself similar honours . A second recon
noissance, made from the top of the pagoda on Golden
Island, brought to view three encampments on the slope
of the hills, a little to the south -west of the city, which
rather tended to confirm the impression that the troops
had moved out of the town .
The advanced squadron , under Captain Bourchier, had
been sent a little higher up, to blockade the entrances of
the Grand Canal, and the other water-communications by
which the commerce of the interior is maintained . On
the 19th, the Cornwallis was enabled to take up a posi
tion close off the city, near the southern entrance of the
398 CHINESE FORCES .
Grand Canal ; and on the 20th , the whole of the fleet had
assembled in that neighbourhood .
The 21st of July was the grand day on which the
important Tartar city of Chin -Keang -foo fell to the
British arms, not without greater loss on our side than
had been anticipated, but with results, the importance
of which, as regards the ultimate object of compelling
an honourable peace, cannot be too highly estimated.
It has been already stated that little or no resistance
was expected in the town itself ; but the ships might
have easily thrown a few shells into it, to make the
enemy show themselves, or have regularly bombarded
the place, if necessary . It seems, however, to have
been settled that it should be altogether a military
affair ; and, with the exception of some boats which were
sent up the Canal, and a body of seamen who were
landed and did gallant service under Captain Richards
and Captain Watson, the naval branch of the expedi
tion had little to do. From documents subsequently
found within the city, it was ascertained that there
were actually about two thousand four hundred fight
ing men within the walls, of whom one thousand two
hundred were resident Tartar soldiers, and four hundred
Tartars sent from a distant province. Very few guns
were mounted, as the greater part of them had been
carried down for the defence of Woosung .
Outside the walls there were three encampments, at
some distance from the town, in which there was a force
altogether of something less than three thousand men,
with several guns, and a quantity of ginjals. As the
adult Tartar population of every city are, in fact, sol
BRITISH FORCES. 399
diers by birth, it may be supposed that even those who
do not belong to the regular service are always ready
to take up arms in defence of their hearths ; and in
this way some of our men suffered, because they did
not know from their external appearance which were the
ordinary inhabitants, and which were the Tartars.
On our side, the whole force engaged at Chin -keang
foo, though very much larger than any hitherto brought
into the field in China , did not amount to seven thou
sand men , including officers, non -commissioned officers,
and rank and file. The exact numbers, according to
the field -list, amounted to six thousand six hundred
and sixty -four men, besides officers. They were divided
into four brigades .
ARTILLERY BRIGADE .
Under Lieutenant-Colonel Montgomerie, C.B., Madras Artillery.
Captain Balfour, M.A., Brigade. Major.
Captain Greenwood, R. A., Commanding Royal Artillery.
Officers. Men .
European 26 do . 318
Native .. 6 do . 252
32 570
1
FIRST BRIGADE .
Major-General Lord Saltoun, C.B.
Captain Cunningham , 3rd Buffs, A.D.C.
J. Hope Grant, 9th Lancers, Brigade Major.
26th Cameronians Lieutenant- Colonel Pratt.
98th Regiment... Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell.
Bengal Volunteers Lieutenant- Colonel Lloyd.
41st M. N.I. Flank companies, Major Campbell.
Total...83 officers. 2,235 other ranks.
400 BRITISH FORCES .
SECOND BRIGADE .