624
Progress of the Expedition to China.
Nov.
The gallantry of some individuals was most conspicuous. One man, in particular, attracted universal attention. Standing on the peak of the hill, while the shot from the Phlegethon and Nemesis plunged every moment within a few feet of him, he waved a flag, and the nearer the shot came to him, the more he waved. At last a shot from the steamer cut him down. Another warrior quickly took his place, and was in like manner disposed of.
By this time the 55th were close on the Chinese; the latter waited till they were within spear's length and then retreated. The 55th had an officer killed in the advance, ensign Duall, formerly sergeant-major of the regiment. This was the first day he ever acted as an officer, and he died with the regimental colors in his hand. Twenty men of the same corps were put hors du combat before they reached the top of the hill. Assistant-surgeon Hutchinson was struck down by a ginjall ball. It hit him obliquely on the head, first taking off the peak of his
cap.
Meantime captain Anstruther, with two light guns, accom- panied by the 18th, pushed on towards the right, driving in small parties of the enemy. The batteries, in this direction, were quickly cleared. Many of the Chinese, who were retiring along the cause- way, seeing our men advance into the battery, quickly turned, and a very smart affair followed. They assembled in great numbers close to some brass guns, and there fought like Turks; in their haste, however, they fired too high to do much injury, and some of the ad- vance saved their lives by making good use of their pistols. At this place general Keò, the chief naval and military commander, was killed; and all his officers, sticking to him to the last, also fell with him. Their conduct in fact was noble, nothing could have surpass- ed it.
While this was going on, Pagoda hill, from the continued fire from the Modeste and the party on Melville island, became too warm for the enemy, and they evacuated it. The 55th, now joined by the Madras rifles, pushed on to the heights immediately above the city, attended by the sappers, and lieut. Baker of the artillery with guns and rockets. The artillery opened a fire on the city, while the rifles peppered away at the men on the walls, and one of the light steamers coming close under Pagoda hill threw shells into it, and also the party on Melville island. The walls were at the same time, scaled by the 55th and the sappers. And so fell Chusan for the second time, captain Pears of the sappers being first in the city. The 49th regiment, the marmes, blue jackets, and some artillery forming the reserve, wore not required.