Sub-Enc.NB.3.
MAY 17
Sir,
Report of proceedings.
H.M.S."Fame",
off Tai-po-hu.
Midnight, April 15th.
I have the honour to inform you that the information I forwarded by Mr May's messenger was practically correct. On my arrival at 5.30 p.m. off Tai-po-hu I found a company of the Hongkong Regiment, and Mr May's police in position on the matshed hill. They were firing volleys at intervals and were under fire from several jingalls on the hill above Tai-po-hu and the village to the northward. There was also a strong force of Chinese with several standards on a ridge about 2500 yards N.W. of position.
I landed at once with Captain Long, who informed me that he would then be Senior Military Officer present and asked me to co-operate in drawing the Chinese out of their several positions by night fall. We were met by Captain Berger, H.K.R., who said he was much in want of the 3000 rounds of ammunition which I had brought with me and suggested that I should land as many rifles as possible and shell the enemies' guns to which Captain Long concurred.
Having anticipated this, I had made the necessary arrangements before landing, and signalled orders which were carried out at once. The fire was admirable - the first shell falling into the largest jingall battery and silencing it and causing several Chinese to bolt. The other batteries were silenced in a few minutes and an advance from the troops made, which was successful.
Commodore F.Powell C.B.