1842.
Oficiul Reports of Capture of Amoy.
151
into the city and suburbs, to the extent, as the Chinese themselves reported. of many thousands, and I regret to say, that several gangs penetrated into the citndel and committed much devastation. Indeed with the prospect of leaving Amoy so soon, I doubt that our marching through the island might rather have frighten- ed away the peaceable householders, and led to further plunder by the mob, than have been of any advantage. Such indeed was the audacity of these mis- creants, that I was in some cases obliged to fire, in order to disperse them; but I am glad to say but little loss of life occurred.
13. I am most happy to be enabled to state that the conduct of the troops. has been exemplary; some instances of misconduct have no doubt occurred; but when it is considered that they were in the midst of temptation, many of the houses being open with valuable property strewed about, and many shops in every street deserted, but full of samshoo-it is matter of great satisfaction that these instances were so few.
14. During our stay upon the island. I did all in my power to prevail upon the respectable merchants and householders, who had so much at stake, to aid me in protecting property, which they readily promised-but their apprehension. of appearing to be on friendly terms with us was so great, that I could obtain no effectual assistance from thein, and was unable even to get a Chinese to remain with the guards at the gates, and point out the real owners of houses within the citadel, for the purpose of granting them free egress and ingress.
15. Our departure being determined upon, I could take no measures for per- manent occupation, and as the wind was strong against us, we were kept on shore four days in a state of constant watchfulness, until yesterday at half past 2 P. M.. when the preconcerted signal for embarkation was given by the admiral. By half past 6, every soldier and every follower had been embarked (without a single instance of inebriety occurring) on board the steamers, which transferred the troops on board their respective transports during the night.
16. The three companies of the 26th regiment have remained upon the island of Kú láng sú, which her majesty's plenipotentiary has determined to hold for the present-and I have strengthened major Johnstone, who is in command, with a wing of the 18th regiment and a small detachment of artillery. This little force amounting to 550 men, will, I trust, together with the ships of war also left behind, be sufficient to hold this small but important possession.
17. To the commanding officers of corps and detachments, lieut.-col. Craigie, 55th regiment; lieut.-col. Morris, 49th regiment; and lieut.-col. Adams, 18th regi- ment; major Johnstone, 26th regiment; major Ellis, royal marines; capt. Knowles, royal artillery; capt. Anstruther, Madras artillery, and cupt. Cotton, commanding engineers, my best thanks are due; and I have received the most cordial and active support from the officers of the general and my personal staff, lieut -col. Mountain, deputy adjutant-general, capt. Gongh, acting deputy quarter master- general, major Hawkins, deputy commissary-general, Dr. French, superintending surgeon, and lieut. Gabbett, iny aid-de-camp.
18. I cannot too strongly express to your fordship, in conclusion, my sense of obligation to his excellency rear-admiral sir William Parker, for his ready sup port and judicious arrangements upon every occasion, as well as for having given me, at the disembarkation and embarkation, and during the whole period of our stay at Amoy, the able assistance of capt. Giffard, to whom my best thanks are duo