Sub Enc.No.18
F
20/4/99.
Head Quarter House,
To Commodore F. Powell C.B.,
H.M.S."Tamar".
Hongkong.
76
Sir,
I have the honor to report for your information
the excellent service rendered me by Lieut. W. Goodenough
on the night of Tuesday April 18th in carrying out
the very difficult task allotted to him; his plans for
the control of the several launches conveying the troops,
unaccustomed to combined action of any sort were
admirable and the long and arduous work of landing the
men in the dark at a spot almost if not quite unknown
to him even by daylight was carried out by him with
the utmost despatch. I have very great pleasure in
recording my high opinion of his tact and judgment. He threw his whole energy into his work, standing for some hours in water nearly up to his waist superintending the disembarkation of the different units with the most cheerful willingness.
In the morning Lieut. Goodenough completed his service by re-embarking part of the troops and landing them at Hongkong.
The conduct of Lt. Commr. Keyes, H.M.S."Fame", also gave me the greatest satisfaction, he carried out all my orders to the letter and was in a position to co-operate with me at the right moment had it been necessary. I beg to convey to you my sincere thanks for your help which enabled me to carry out successfully a most difficult operation.
I have, &c.,
(signed) W.J. Gascoigne., Maj. Genl., Commdg. Troops, China & Hongkong.
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