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a comparatively small force for the purpose, especially as this force was largely augmented by the Hong Kong Volunteers, who, in return for the great interest in them displayed by Your Excellency, have nearly doubled their numbers, and are now a respectable factor for defence purposes. Thus, these two cities have been quietly taken with no bloodshed, and there will be no sort of difficulty in holding them for all time.
I have felt it to be out of place in this despatch to Your Excellency, to do more than relate the bare facts of the case, so I have not touched upon the merits of the troops either individually or collectively, but Your Excellency is as well acquainted as myself with the great difficulties there are in this country of getting to a place either by water or by land; most of the bays are so difficult to land from that great extra trouble and fatigue is encountered: marching over these mountain passes in a tropical sun is no child's play. Sufficient for me to say that the troops of all ranks have cheerfully borne very considerable fatigue and labour, and that they have fully satisfied myself.
There has been practically no sickness.
I have &c.
(Signed) W. G. Gascoigne
Major General
Com. in China & Hong Kong
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