151
Official Reports of Capture of Amoy.
MARCH,
cellent gum practice of the squadron. At half past 3, I had the satisfaction of see. ing the marines and 26th regiment laud on the island of Kúláng sft, and the British colors planted on the batteries. The Modeste and Blonde then weighed and stood into the Inner harbor, and after silencing as they passed the town batteries which were out of our reach, they anchored completely inside, and abreast of the city, taking possession of 26 war junks, with 128 guns on board, in a state of prepa. ration for sca, but deserted by their crews.
WELLESLEY.
Act. lieut. Carmichael. Lt. White, royal inar. Lord A. W. Beauclerk, S. S. L. Crofton,
About the same time, the first division of troops was landed under the able, dirce- tion of commander Giffard of the Cruizer; and headed by their gallant general sir Hugh Gough, escaladed and took possession of the works, at the Barrier wall. An outwork beyond this point, (which had been previously silenced,) was also entered, and the British colors hoisted by the crew of a boat from the Phlegethon : and the batteries immediately opposite the Wellesley and Blenheim being nearly demolished, a party of seamen and marines were landed from those ships L. G. Halsted, Mates. under the command of commander Fletcher and the of W. F. F. Jackson, ficers named in the margin; by whom the Chinese who Midshipman, had taken shelter in adjoining buildings were put to flight, BLENHEIM. Capt. Whitcoinb, R. M.
after discharging their matchlocks, and possession taken R. C. Revern,
of the works. The general having cleared the interinc. T. A. St. Leger, Males, diate space of such of the Chinese as remained, pushed forward, and occupied the heights immediately above the town for the night; every point being thus completely in our power. In detailing this service to your lordship, I have the highest satisfaction in reporting the gallantry, zeal, and energy, which has been manifested by every officer and man of her majesty's navy and royal marines, as well as those of the Indian navy under my command; they have vied with each other in the desire to anticipate and meet every object for the public service, and are fully entitled to my best acknowledgments; and the favorable consideration of the Board of Adiniralty and the Indian government. I have no less pleasure in witnessing the anxiety which pervades all ranks, to go hand in hand with our gallant companions of the army. His excellency sir Henry Pottinger and suite were with me on board the Wellesley during the operations of the 26th.
Captain Bourchier's own report will best describe the proceedings of the little squadron placed under his orders for the attack of Kúláng súi, which Inclosure,
was admirably executed, and I can only add my meed of praise on No. 2.
this additional instance of the gallantry of captain Ellis, and the officers and men of the royal marines under his command, as well as of major John. ston, and the detachment of the 26th acting with them. The accounts we have
* An officer of one of the regiments, writing to the editor of the Calcutta Courier, thus briefly describes the island of Kú1⁄4áng sú :
*The island of Káláng sú is of an irregular oval form, stretching east and west, or nearly in such direction; it is about 2 miles long and twice that distance in circum- ference. It consists of a mass of granite, which protrudes to a great height in seve. ral places in the form of immense rounded blocks. Among the rocks, under their shelter, were discovered a number of stone jars, with covers luted on.
These jars contained perfect human skeletons disarticulated, each bone carefully packed and numbered or marked with red paint. The island is naturally barren, but most ex- cellent water abounds at a few feet from the surface, a circumstance which Chinese industry has taken advantage of in every situation at all suited for any kind of eul. tivation. The sweet potato and a sort of dhall are the principal products. In the