1841.
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Battle at Churnpė.
39
detachments of the 26th and 49th; the remaining troops following in column-the ships meanwhile moving up to attack the lower fort, and the steamers getting ready to throw shells into the hill fort. After advancing about a mile and a half and reaching the top of a ridge, the troops came in sight of the hill fort and of a very strong entrenched camp, having a high breast work all round and a deep ditch outside, well palisaded, with two field batteries on its flanks, facing the way the enemy was expected to approach, and having one of its sides prolonged up the hill so as to connect it with and protect the hill fort. In the valley, to the right and eastward of this first entrenchment, there was a second, having also a large mound, on which were placed three guns in its front, and three more in ano- ther battery on its flank. Still farther to the right and eastward there was a third entrenchment of a circular form, with small bat- teries commanding the approach in every direction. There were deep ditches in the rear of the guns, for the purpose of sheltering the men from the enemy's fire. From the freshness of the materials, it would appear that all these field-works (except the round fort) were of recent construction, and they formed altogether a very forinis dable position, and one from which, if held by a determined enemy, it would have been very difficult to hive dislodged him. They were thickly lined with Chinese, as was also the crest of the hills in front of and near them.
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The confused noise of the warrior was now heard. The Chinese in the entrenchments, seeing an advanced party approaching, cheered and waved their flags, as if in defiance, and opened their fire froin the field batteries, which was quickly returned by the field pieces of the artillery which had been drawn up and placed on the ridge of the hill. The Queen and Nemesis at nearly the same time began to throw shells into the hill fort. Though the Chinese were the first in this direction to fire on the troops; yet it was not till after several shells had been thrown that they began to return from the forts the fire of the vessels. It is said, that, in consequence of the firing on the Queen' from Chuenpe in November, the high commissioner had given an order, that not even the firing of shotted guns from the vessels should be returned, except after frequent repetitions. It is further 'said also, that, in consequence of this order, the friends of the late heětae are about to appeal to the emperor for redress,—they alledging that he fell in consequence of not being permitted at once to beat back the assailants.
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The first hill: (to the right of the guns on the ridge) was soon