1841.
Capture of the Heights above Canton.
391
3. The nature of the position to be carried, and the probable necessity of sub- dividing the force into separate columns of attack, which may be led through the town and suburbs, make it the more necessary to enforce the most rigid discipline, and to guard against any man leaving the ranks upon any pretence whatever. The man who does so will most probably be cut off; but even should he escape, his name should be branded as a disgrace to his corps.
4. The Chinese system is not one to which the British soldier is accustomed, but if the Chinese have not bravery and discipline, they have cunning and artifice. They have had ample time to prepare, and we may be well assured that their system of stratagem will be called into full play on the present occasion. But, though such a system may be effectual against a mob, which every broken body is, it must fail before the steady advance of disciplined soldiers. The major-general will only add, that Britain has gained as much of fame by her mercy and forbear- ance, as by the gallantry of her troops. An enemy in arms is always a legiti- mate foe, but the unarmed, or the supplicant for mercy, or whatever country or whatever color, a true British soldier will always spare.
5. The troops will be prepared, with cooked provisions for two days, to land this day at 12 o'clock, in two columns.
(Signed)
ARMINE S. H. MOUNTAIN, Lt.-colonel, D. A. G. At the time appointed, boats were in readiness for the conveyance of the troops to the landing-place. The officers of the expedition are much indebted to the commodore, sir Le Fleming Senhoase, for his great exertions in procuring these boats, the construction of which was admirably adapted for protecting the troops from the sun, each capable of carrying from 50 to 200 men, according to their respec- tive sizes. The boats were towed up by the Nemesis, to a place about two miles above Canton, where they arrived about 7 o'clock P. M. A more extraordinary sight, perhaps, never was witnessed, than this fleet of boats, conveying upwards of 2600 fighting men, besides followers, guns, stores, &c., yet no accident happened. Had the enemy been on the alert, they might have committed dreadful havoc amongst us. The guns and artillery were landed during the night, but the remainder of the force did not debark till morning. A false alarm roused us about midnight; but nothing occurred till our landing at daylight on the 26th.
3
The general was the first on shore; and so soon as the 37th were disembarked, they received orders to accompany him as an escort. The detachment of Bengal Volunteers also accompanied him. The general advanced in a southwesterly direction about a mile from the landing-place to a rising ground, from whence a general survey of the line of country we were to pass over could be taken. From here we could see the enemy's picquets at their posts for miles on every side. They made use of every gesture to encourage us to advance. A portion of the escort was ordered forward to reconnoitre, and to