234
Journal of Occurrences
AFRIC
In this state matter, remained until the date and home above, mênutuned when considerable hody of Chinese, estimated at from 10,001 to 12,000 men, advan ed upon the south and west gates of Ningpò, got over the walls and penetrated to the market-place in the centre of the city, where they were met by our troop. and instantly driven back with great loss; in fact, it would seem that the moment the Chinese troops found themselves so warmly received, their sole object was to get out of the city as fast as possible, and in their retreat to the south gate, the field guns drawn by ponies came up and opened on a dense wass with grape and canister, at a distance of less than 100 yards About 250 dead bodies were found inside the walls, and when the accounts came away, her maje fy's 49th regt ment had not returned from the pursuit of the discomfited and dying enemy.
Whilst these operations were progressing on shore, a number of fire boat. (sampans) lashed together with chains, were floated down the river, and were towed into the mud by the boats of the Sesostris, steamer. In the meantime a gun was brought down a lane in the eastern suburbs (across the river) and as the inhabitants had been previously warned that any such attempt would bring chas fisement upon them, her majesty's ship Modeste opened her guns, and did grent execution in that quarter. The attack on Chinbai was much more feeble. The enemy advanced to the north gate, where they were driven off by the guard, and followed by one company (afterwards reinforced by three others) of her majesty's 55th regiment, who killed 30 men and two others in the pursuit.
Simultaneously with the attack on the city of Chinhai, fire sampans chained together were set adrift to buten the shipping at that anchorage, but they all went on shore above the ships of war and merchant vessels, and did no sort of harm.
Shortly before these repulses occurred, the Nemesis, steamer, was sent from Chusan to reconnoître the island of Taisam (Tái shán), where it was understood Chinese troops were collecting with the purpose of attacking II. M. forces at 'Ting hai The steamer sent her boats into a creek where they were fired on, and in consequence commander Collinson and lient. Hall landed the steamer's ship's company, when the Chinese fed with the loss of about thirty killed and a num ber wounded. The steamers boats then set fire to a number of junks which had also fired on her, and returned to Chinhái. Their excellencies the naval and mi litary commanders-in-chief had gone back to Ningpo, and proposed to follow up the repulses the enemy had experienced, by active measitres.
It affords her majesty's plenipotentiary the highest satisfaction to close the circular by stating that in these attempts of the enemy, her majesty's combined forces had not lost a man. The latest intelligence from the head-quarters of the Chinese army south of the Hángchan river speak of the troops being in almost a state of insubordination, and in want of supplies, &c. The emperor had ordered, that the provinces which are the seat of war should bear the expenses of it, and as the inhabitants seem resolved to make no further sacrifices, there appears every probability of the army dissolving itself, and becoming totally disorganized. God save the Queen.
Henky Portinger, 11. M. Plenipotentiary Dated at Macao on the 1st day of April, 1842.
This repulse was shortly after followed up by offensive measures Detachments from the 18th, 26th and 19th regts, and a body of ma rines, in all about 1100 strong, marched against Tsz'ki ; the circum- stances of this movement are thus announced.
Circular to II. B. M 's subjects in Chisa.
Her Britannic majesty's plenipotentiary in China has the highest satisfaction in announcing to her majesty's subjects that he has this day received official in telligence that a body of Chinese select troops, estimated at from 8000 to 10,000 men, partly forming the garrison of the district city of Tsz'kí, (10 miles from Ningpo) and partly posted in a strongly fortified camp on the heights close to that city, were totally defeated with the loss of all their gims, small arms, ammunition, stores, camp equipage, &c., (both in the city and camp) by her majesty's com bined forces on the 15th of last month.
Accounts Iud for ame time before reached their excellencie the naval and military commanders in click of the assemblage of troops at Tsz kind as there