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Repulse of the Chinese at Tszki.
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At 8 a. M. on the 15th, his excellency sir Hugh Gough, and about 850 troops, in addition to the naval brigade, were embarked from Ningpo in the Nemesis, Phlegethon, and Queen, steam vessels, making altogether a force of about 1260 inen, with which we proceeded up the river, and before we reached the point of debarkation at a village four miles from Tsz'kí, we had the satisfaction of seeing a large force of the Chinese, still in their encampments, on the hills to the north of the city. The combined force were all landed and in full inarch for Tsz'kí by two o'clock, the Phlegethion having been previously dispatched up the river with the armed barges of the Cornwallis and Blonde, to intercept and haram the retreat of the Chinese by water as much as possible.
As our recounoisance of Tsz'kí in December had made us familiar with the route, and no obstacles were offered to our advance, we reached the suburbs on the south side of it at half past 3; and on the troop ascending a small hill, two guns, and a few straggling shots from ginjals and matchlocks, were opened on us from the ramparts, and also from a body of matchlock men on a height opposite us; but, on the advance of a detachment of the 18th regiment, and the discharge of a few rounds from two small field pieces by the Madras artillery, they disap- peared, and about four o'clock the city walls were escaladed by the seamen and marines, and a party of sappers, without resistance.
Advancing along the ramparts, this division rejoined the main body with the general, through the east gate and proceeded outside the walls to the northeast angle of the city, from which point we had an excellent view of the Chinese forces opposed to us, consisting of five or six thousand men strongly posted in fortified encampments on the two high hills of Segaon in front, and on our left. The assault of the latter was asigned to the naval brigade; and that more im. indiately in front, to the 49th regiment.
As it was the general's wish that they should be attacked as nearly as possible at the saine time, and the naval brigade being the most advanced in the line, it was necessary, while the 19th moved forward, to make a lodginent under some houses of our left, situated at a short distance from the foot of the hill which our men were to assail, and in passing to this point across paddy fields, they were unavoidably exposed to a galling fire from both the positions of the Chinese, Ou reaching it rome musketry was opened on them by part of the Royal Marines, and several three-pounder rockets were discharged with excellent precision, by lieu tenant Fitzjames, and Mr. Charles K. Jackson, matc of the Cornwallis, while the men were re-forming.
The 40th regiment was soon observed approaching the hill on our right, when orders for the assault were immediately given, and the leading company of the marines under lieutenants Elliot and Hambly of that corps, promptly and gallantly pushed forward with a small band of seamen about 5 o'clock.
As they emerged from the building, the fire of the Chinese was very severe. Captains Bourchier and Richards, with admirable spirit, sprung to the head of their men, and having rapidly crossed a small intervening paddy field, led them the hill, which was disputed from its basc to the crest, and several instances of personal conflict occurred. The ascent was steep and difficult, but steadily and gallantly persevered in under an unceasing fire, until the sunimit was attain- ed, and our opponents flying in every direction.
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Commander Watson of the Modeste, who had been stationed in the rear of the storming party, succeeded by great efforts, m reaching a forward portion warha
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