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March on Tang-Chow and Action of 18th and 21st September. DESPATCH from Sir J. HOPE GRANT to Mr. Secretary HERBERT.
(No. 46.)
Head Quarters, Chang-tsia-wan, SIR,
September 20, 1860. I HAVE the honour to report that I left Tientsin on the 9th instant, with 700 Infantry, 600 Cavalry, and two batteries of Artillery; 3,000 French troops followed, one march behind me, and two days later Sir John Michel marched, with a regiment of Cavalry, a 9-pounder battery, and the 2nd Infantry Brigade.
On the 13th instant I reached Hoosciwoo, 40 miles from Tientsin, and as several letters had been received by Lord Elgin from some fresh Commissioners of high rank, I halted whilst Messrs. Parkes and Wade went on to meet them at Tang-chow, 25 miles distant. On the 15th these gentlemen returned, having made satisfactory arrangements with the Chinese Commissioners, by which it was agreed that the Allied Forces should halt at Chang-tsia-wan, five miles short of Tang-chow, to which place the Ambassadors should advance, with an escort, and sign the convention. On the 16th Sir J. Michel's force arrived, and on the 17th we encamped at Matow, five miles short of Chang-tsia-wan. The forces consisted of Lieutenant-Colonel Barry's Armstrong Battery, Captain Desborough's 9-pounders, Captain Stirling's 6-pounder Battery, the Cavalry Brigade, and the 2nd and 4th Infantry Brigades; and 1,200 French, with a light battery. From the above, however, three 6-pounders and the 60th Rifles had been left at Hooseiwoo, to hold that place, where I have a depôt.
Mr. Parkes rode on to Tang-chow to arrange matters for Lord Elgin's reception, and to make sure of the agreement as to our advance, that a collision might not take place by inadvertence; it having been settled that the Chinese army should fall back from Chang-tsia-wan. Mr. Parkes was accompanied by an escort of Fane's Horse, under Lieutenant Anderson, and by Mr. Loch, Private Secretary to Lord Elgin, On my part I sent Lieutenant-Colonel Walker, A.Q.M.G., to fix the site of our camp with the Chinese authorities, and D.-A.-C.-Gen. Thompson to receive the promised supplies for the force.
At daybreak on the 18th, I marched, and, after going about four miles, I came in sight of a very large force of Chinese, both Cavalry and Infantry. Whilst halting to form up my force, Mr. Loch galloped in with three sowars, and informed me that, on going into Tang-chow the previous day, they had found everything quiet on the road; the Commissioners had agreed to all Mr. Parkes' arrangements; and that, accordingly, leaving Lieutenant Anderson and his sowars at Tang-chow, Messrs. Parkes, Loch, Thompson, and Lieutenant-Colonel Walker, with five men of the King's Dragoon Guards, had come out to meet us and show us our camping ground, which was a mile and a half south of Chang-tsia-wan.
On arrival at that spot, however, they found it occupied by a large Chinese army, whilst batteries had been hastily thrown up and armed, so as to flank the proposed site of our camp. From the commanding officer Mr. Parkes could obtain no satisfaction, so he started back to Tang-chow with an orderly of the King's Dragoon Guards to see the High Commissioner and ask the reason of this move. Mr. Loch came on to tell me of this, and Colonel Walker and Deputy Assistant Commissary-General Thompson remained on the ground with four of the King's Dragoon Guards and one sowar, where they were to await Mr. Parkes's return.
It was only now that I learnt that Mr. De Norman, Attaché to Her Majesty's Legation, and Mr. Bowlby, correspondent of the Times newspaper, had gone to Tang-chow with Mr. Parkes and remained there with Lieutenant Anderson.
Mr. Loch volunteered to return with any orders, and Captain Brabazon, Deputy Assistant Quartermaster-General, R.A., volunteered to accompany him.
They accordingly started, under a flag of truce, for Tang-chow, with my orders for Mr. Parkes and the whole party to return at once to head quarters.
Meanwhile the Chinese Cavalry advanced in great numbers, on both flanks, and their Infantry poured down on our right front, which was enclosed ground and carefully entrenched. I was extremely anxious not to engage, for fear of compromising our officers, who were in their lines. I therefore covered both my flanks with Cavalry and ordered the baggage to be hastened on, and massed on a village in our rear, where it could be defended by a small force. This latter operation occupied nearly two hours, during which time the enemy's Cavalry had almost entirely surrounded our forces. Sufficient time had elapsed for all of our party to return from Tang-chow, and I became anxious for their safety, when suddenly a commotion appeared in the enemy's line. The guns and matchlock men in their centre opened fire, and Colonel Walker's party dashed out of the midst of their ranks. Colonel Walker reported that, whilst waiting for Mr. Parkes, a French officer joined him, who was suddenly set upon and cut down by a Chinese soldier, and, on his riding up to prevent his being murdered, his own sword was snatched from his scabbard, and some men tried to throw him off his horse. Seeing that it was a deliberate attempt to assassinate the whole of them Colonel Walker set spurs to his horse and galloped out with his party, under the fire of the Chinese line. One of his men was wounded and one horse, Mr. Thompson receiving a spear-thrust in his back; but they fortunately managed to reach our lines, their wounds not being severe. It was now useless to wait longer, and the attack was immediately formed. General de Montauban advanced to turn their left, and with him I sent a squadron of Fane's Horse, under Lieutenant Cattley. On the centre the 9-pounder Battery opened, supported by a squadron of King's Dragoon Guards, and part of the 99th Regiment advanced up the road.
The Armstrong Battery with the 15th Punjaub Infantry took ground to the left, whilst Sir John Michel, with the 1st Sikh Cavalry, three 6-pounder guns, and the 2nd (Queen's), made a wide flank movement on the extreme left, so as to turn the right of the enemy. The action commenced simultaneously on all points, and it was now apparent that the Chinese had carefully prepared a very treacherous reception for our forces, An entrenchment, skilfully concealed by natural obstacles, extended on our right and left for several miles, and was armed with numerous guns.
Their cavalry hovered in large masses on our entire left flank, so that Sir J. Michel was unable to perform the flank movement that had been intended, until the 1st Sikh Cavalry had, by a brilliant charge, discomfited the Tartar Horse, and his force, advancing, had driven them back for some miles. Finding his position to be such, I caused the Armstrong battery and the 15th Punjaub Infantry to take ground still more to the left, and with them I turned the right of the enemy's entrenchment, who thereupon fled with considerable precipitancy. I then sent the Armstrong guns and the reserve cavalry to join Sir J. Michel, who, after making a circuit of six or seven miles, joined me in front of Chang-tsia-wan at a later hour. Meanwhile the French had turned the left by a very extended sweep, and were advancing steadily up, capturing many guns, whilst the 99th with the 9-pound battery joined me in the centre of the enemy's position. The 15th Punjaub Infantry pushing on with much spirit, captured several guns in the act of retiring, and eventually advanced through Chang-tsia-wan, taking several large camps on the outside. Here my force halted. The French being much exhausted by their extensive movement, had halted on the Chinese position.
The enormous extent of country covered by the enemy, who showed more than 20,000 men, did not permit me to use my force with as good effect as I might have done, as it was too small to allow of its being scattered.
The loss of the enemy is estimated at 600 killed, whilst 75 guns fell into our hands.
The French force encountered chiefly infantry, who, on being driven back, were charged most gallantly by Lieut. Cattley's squadron, of whose conduct General de Montauban has written to me in the very highest terms.
The conduct of the rest of the troops was also most excellent; and I would more particularly mention the 15th Punjaub Infantry, commanded by Lieut. Randall, who, under my personal observation, advanced with great steadiness, and kept their position to the front throughout the day,
Mr. Wade went yesterday to Tang-chow to try and gather tidings of Mr. Parkes's party, but the Prefect denied all knowledge concerning them, A Chinaman, however, was brought in to-day, who states that he heard that upwards of 20 foreigners went after the fight to Pekin. If this is true, we have every reason to hope for their ultimate safety.
I was compelled to leave a good force at Tientsin, lest the sudden withdrawal of so many troops should allow a disturbance to arise there. This in effect took place, but being judiciously met by Sir R. Napier, everything is again quiet there, and I have directed that officer to join me with two regiments of infantry, leaving two and a-half regiments, with two batteries of artillery under Brigadier Staveley at Tientsin.
I have, &c,
J. HOPE GRANT, Lieut.-Gen.,
Commander of the Forces.
(Signed)
The Right Honourable
The Secretary of State for War, &c.
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March on Tang-Chow and Action of 18th and 21st September. DESPATCH from Sir J. HOPE GRANT to Mr. Secretary HERBert.
(No. 46.)
Head Quarters, Chang-tsia-wan, SIR,
September 20, 1860. I HAVE the honour to report that I left Tientsin on the 9th instant, with 700 Infantry, 600 Cavalry, and two batteries of Artillery; 3,000 French troops followed, one march behind me, and two days later Sir John Michel marched, with a regiment of Cavalry, a 9-pounder battery, and the 2nd Infantry Brigade.
On the 13th instant I reached Hoosciwoo, 40 miles from Tientsin, and as several letters had been received by Lord Elgin from some fresh Commissioners of high rank, I balted whilst Messrs. Parkes and Wade went on to meet them at Tang-chow, 25 miles distant. On the 15th these gentlemen returned, having made satisfactory arrange- ments with the Chinese Commissioners, by which it was agreed that the Allied Forces should halt at Chang-tsia-wan, five miles short of Tang-chow, to which place the Ambassadors should advance, with an escort, and sign the convention. On the 16th Sir J. Michel's force arrived, and on the 17th we encamped at Matow, five miles short of Chang-tsia-wan. The forces consisted of Lieutenant-Colonel Barry's Armstrong Battery, Captain Desborough's 9-pounders, Captain Stirling's 6-pounder Battery, the Cavalry Brigade, and the 2nd and 4th Infantry Brigades; and 1,200 French, with a light battery. From the above, however, three 6-pounders and the 60th Rifles had been left at Hooseiwoo, to hold that place, where I have a depôt.
Mr. Parkes rode on to Tang-chow to arrange matters for Lord Elgin's reception, and to make sure of the agreement as to our advance, that a collision might not take place by inadvertence; it having been settled that the Chinese army should fall back from Chang-tsia-wan. Mr. Parkes was accompanied by an escort of Fane's Horse, under Lieutenant Anderson, and by Mr. Loch, Private Secretary to Lord Elgin, On my part I sent Lieutenant-Colonel Walker, A.Q.M.G., to fix the site of our camp with the Chinese authorities, and D.-A.-C.-Gen. Thompson to receive the promised supplies for the force.
At daybreak on the 18th, I marched, and, after going about four miles, I came in sight of a very large force of Chinese, both Cavalry and Infantry. Whilst halting to form up my force, Mr. Loch galloped in with three sowars, and informed me that, on going into Tang-chow the previous day, they had found everything quiet on the road; the Commissioners had agreed to all Mr. Parkes' arrangements; and that, accordingly, leaving Lieutenant Anderson and his sowars at Tang.chow, Messrs. Parkes, Loch, Thompson, and Lieutenant-Colonel Walker, with five men of the King's Dragoon Guards, had come out to meet us and show us our camping ground, which was a mile and a half south of Chang-tsia-wan.
On arrival at that spot, however, they found it occupied by a large Chinese army, whilst batteries had been hastily thrown up and armed, so as to flank the proposed site of our camp. From the commanding officer Mr. Parkes could obtain no satisfaction, so he started back to Tang-chow with an orderly of the King's Dragoon Guards to see the High Commissioner and ask the reason of this move. Mr. Loch came on to tell me of this, and Colonel Walker and Deputy Assistant Commissary-General Thompson remained on the ground with four of the King's Dragoon Guards and one sowar, where they were to await Mr. Parkes's return.
It was only now that I learnt that Mr. De Norman, Attaché to Her Majesty's Legation, and Mr. Bowlby, correspondent of the Times newspaper, had gone to Tang- chow with Mr. Parkes and remained there with Lieutenant Anderson.
Mr. Loch volunteered to return with any orders, and Captain Brabazon, Deputy Assistant Quartermaster-General, R.A., volunteered to accompany him.
They accordingly started, under a flag of truce, for Tang-chow, with my orders for Mr. Parkes and the whole party to return at once to head quarters.
Meanwhile the Chinese Cavalry advanced in great numbers, on both flanks, and their Infantry poured down on our right front, which was enclosed ground and carefully entrenched. 1 was extremely anxious not to engage, for fear of compromising our officers, who were in their lines. I therefore covered both my flanks with Cavalry and ordered the baggage to be hastened on, and massed on a village in our rear, where it could be defended by a small force. This latter operation occupied nearly two hours, during which time the enemy's Cavalry had almost entirely surrounded our forces. Sufficient time had elapsed for all of our party to return from Tang-chow, and I became
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anxious for their safety, when suddenly a commotion appeared in the enemy's line. The guns and matchlock men in their centre opened fire, and Colonel Walker's party dashed out of the midst of their ranks. Colonel Walker reported that, whilst waiting for Mr. Parkes, a French officer joined him, who was suddenly set upon and cut down by a Chinese soldier, and, on his riding up to prevent his being murdered, his own sword was snatched from his scabbard, and some men tried to throw him off his horse. Seeing that it was a deliberate attempt to assassinate the whole of them Colonel Walker set spurs to his horse and galloped out with his party, under the fire of the Chinese line. One of his men was wounded and one horse, Mr. Thompson receiving a spear-thrust in his back; but they fortunately managed to reach our lines, their wounds not being severe. It was now useless to wait longer, and the attack was imme. diately formed. General de Montauban advanced to turn their left, and with him I sent a squadron of Fane's Horse, under Lieutenant Cattley. On the centre the 9-pounder Battery opened, supported by a squadron of King's Dragoon Guards, and part of the 99th Regiment advanced up the road.
The Armstrong Battery with the 15th Punjaub Infantry took ground to the left, whilst Sir John Michel, with the 1st Sikh Cavalry, three 6-pounder guns, and the 2nd (Queen's), made a wide flank movement on the extreme left, so as to turn the right of the enemy.
The action commenced simultaneously on all points, and it was now apparent that the Chinese had carefully prepared a very treacherous reception for our forces, An entrenchment, skilfully concealed by natural obstacles, extended on our right and left for several miles, and was armed with numerous guns.
Their cavalry hovered in large masses on our entire left flank, so that Sir J. Michel was unable to perform the flank movement that had been intended, until the 1st Sikh Cavalry had, by a brilliant charge, discomfited the Tartar Horse, and his force, advancing, had driven them back for some miles. Finding his position to be such, I caused the Armstrong battery and the 15th Punjaub Infantry to take ground still more to the left, and with them I turned the right of the enemy's entrenchment, who there- upon fled with considerable precipitancy. I then sent the Armstrong guns and the reserve cavalry to join Sir J. Michel, who, after making a circuit of six or seven miles, joined me in front of Chang-tsia-wan at a later hour. Meanwhile the French had turned the left by a very extended sweep, and were advancing steadily up, capturing many guns, whilst the 99th with the 9-pound battery joined me in the centre of the enemy's position. The 15th Punjaub Infantry pushing on with much spirit, captured several guns in the act of retiring, and eventually advanced through Chang-tsia-wan, taking several large camps on the outside. Here my force halted. The French being much exhausted by their extensive movement, had halted on the Chinese position.
The enormous extent of country covered by the enemy, who showed more than 20,000 men, did not permit me to use my force with as good effect as I might have done, as it was too small to allow of its being scattered.
The loss of the enemy is estimated at 600 killed, whilst 75 guns fell into our hands.
The French force encountered chiefly infantry, who, on being driven back, were charged most gallantly by Lieut. Cattley's squadron, of whose conduct General de Montauban has written to me in the very highest terms.
The conduct of the rest of the troops was also most excellent; and I would more particularly mention the 15th Punjaub Infantry, commanded by Lieut. Randall, who, under my personal observation, advanced with great steadiness, and kept their position to the front throughout the day,
Mr. Wade went yesterday to Tang-chow to try and gather tidings of Mr. Parkes's party, but the Prefect denied all knowledge concerning them, A Chinaman, however, was brought in to-day, who states that he heard that upwards of 20 foreigners went after the fight to Pekin. If this is true, we have every reason to hope for their ultimate safety.
I was compelled to leave a good force at Tientsin, lest the sudden withdrawal of so many troops should allow a disturbance to arise there. This in effect took place, but being judiciously met by Sir R. Napier, everything is again quiet there, and I have directed that officer to join me with two regiments of infantry, leaving two and a-half regiments, with two batteries of artillery under Brigadier Staveley at Tientsin.
I have, &c,
J. HOPE GRANT, Lieut.-Gen.,
Commander of the Forces.
(Signed)
The Right Honourable
The Secretary of State for War, &c.
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