1841.
Progress of the Expedition to China.
631
matchlocks and other warlike weapons, were captured; besides which, severa]· extensive magazines of gunpowder have been blown up or otherwise destroyed.
It affords her majesty's plenipotentiary the highest additional satisfaction to add, that this achievement has been happily effected with a much smaller loss on our side than could have been almost hoped for, there being only five killed and about thirty wounded, of all arms of her majesty's forces.
The necessary arrangements having been made, and reconnoisances had, during the 11th and 13th instants, the squadron named in the margin,* carrying the troops, marines and extra seamen from the ships left behind, moved, on the 13th, up the river to Ningpo, which was found undefended, the Chinese soldiers having positively refused to face our troops again, in consequence of which the civil mandarins and all the military officers fled from the city about two hours before the squadron reached it. The city was therefore peaceably occupied by the troops, under his excellency sir Hugh Gough, K. C. B., and the ships moored in the river, within one hundred yards of the walls.
God save the queen.
Dated on board the steam frigate Queen, in the river of Ningpo, this 15th day of October, 1841. (Signed) HENRY POTTINGER, H. M. Plenipotentiary. The commander-in-chief expressed his sense of the conduct of the combined force in the attack on Chinhae, and subsequent movement, in the following
GENERAL MEMORANDUM.
H. M. S. Modeste, at Ningpo, October 14th, 1841. The commander-in-chief has witnessed, with the highest gratification, the gal. lantry and excellent conduct which has been further manifested by the captains, officers, seamen, and marines of her majesty's squadron and those of the Indian navy under his command, in the capture of the citadel and city of Chinhae, and the occupation of Ningpo on the 10th and 13th instants.
He noticed, with great satisfaction, the admirable precision of the fire from the ships and steam vessels against the citadel, and the ardor with which the party of officers, seamen and royal marines, headed by captains Herbert and Bourchier of the Blenheim and Blonde, disembarked and advanced to the assault over a steep and difficult ascent; he is no less pleased with the regularity and dispatch with which his excellency lieutenant-general sir Hugh Gough and the troops were landed on the right bank of the river; taken under the direction of captain Giffard of the Cruizer, and with the proceedings of the sloops and steam vessels stationed in that direction. And he begs to convey to every individual of the squadron present, his entire approbation of their conduct and exertions.
Lt. Somerville, agent, and the masters of the transports which accompanied the expedition from Chusan, are also entitled to the rear-admiral's approbation and thanks, for the promptitude with which their ships were got under sail when the signal was given, and the attention with which the prescribed positions were taken up at the anchorage off Chinhae, as well as the desire which they have throughout manifested to forward the public service upon all occasions.
Sir W. Parker feels assured, that every person in the squadron must participate
*
Modeste carrying the flag of his excellency the admiral, Columbine, Cruizer, Bentinck, the steamers Queen, Sesostris, Nemesis, and Phlegethon.