CHINESE EXPEDITION, 1860.
Preliminary Operations.
Hong-Kong was the first place of rendezvous appointed for the expedition. The whole of the British force was assembled there by the end of May 1860.
Chusan was selected as an intermediate depôt between Hong-Kong and the gulf of Pe-chili. Tinghae, its capital, was taken possession of without opposition on 26th April. The final place of rendezvous was at the entrance of the Gulf of Pe-chili: for the British at Ta-lien-whan at the northern, and for the French at Che-fow at the southern entrance.
The British force left Hong-Kong at the beginning of June and assembled at Ta-lien-whan by the end of that month. The French arrived at Che-fow somewhat later.
Landing at Peh-tang.
DESPATCH from Sir J. HOPE GRANT to Mr. Secretary HERBERT.
(No. 34.)
SIR,
Head Quarters, Peh-tang,
August 6, 1860.
I HAVE the honour to report that the English Fleet sailed from Ta-lien-whan on the 26th July, and proceeded to the rendezvous named in my letter of the 25th ultimo, where we were joined by the French Fleet.
On the morning of the 30th the allied Fleets ran in as near as they could to the Peh-tang river, and anchored within 10 miles of the forts at its mouth.
The landing was to have taken place on the 31st, but owing to rough weather it was not practicable until the 1st August.
Accordingly at noon on that day the gunboats and troop boats of the squadron crossed the bar, conveying the 2d Brigade of Infantry and a battery of Artillery, and landed about a mile and a quarter from the fort on the southern bank of the Peh-tang.
An equal force of French Infantry landed at the same time, and the whole force advanced to a raised causeway which runs from Peh-tang in the direction of the Peiho, and bivouacked there. During the night it was discovered that the forts were evacuated, and at daybreak on the 2d inst. the allied troops occupied the forts and town of Peh-tang without any opposition.
The gunboats entered the river the same morning, and the disembarkation of the rest of the force commenced immediately at the town.
The same day I went up the river with Admiral Hope, about eight miles, but found no spot on the right bank suitable for landing troops, the whole country appearing covered with reedy swamps.
On the morning of the 3d inst. a reconnaissance was made along the causeway leading to Taku, which, after proceeding for about four miles, emerged into the open country, and came in contact with a considerable force of the enemy, principally cavalry, who retired towards a species of entrenched camp, which was apparently occupied in force.
The object of the reconnaissance having been attained, the troops returned to Peh-tang.
As soon as the disembarkation is completed I shall advance against the Chinese camp above alluded to.
The Right Honourable
The Secretary of State for War.
I have, &c.
(Signed) J. HOPE GRANT, Lieut.-General, Commanding in China.
1529.
A 2
409
P
EX
CHINESE EXPEDITION, 1860.
Preliminary Operations.
Hong-Kong was the first place of rendezvous appointed for the expedition. The whole of the British force was assembled there by the end of May 1860.
Chusan was selected as an intermediate depôt between Hong-Kong and the gulf of Pe-chili. Tinghae, its capital, was taken possession of without opposition on 26th April. The final place of rendezvous was at the entrance of the Gulf of Pe-chili: for the British at Ta-lien-whan at the northern, and for the French at Che-fow at the southern
entrance.
The British force left Hong-Kong at the beginning of June and assembled at Ta-lien- whan by the end of that month. The French arrived at Che-fow somewhat later.
Landing at Peh-tang.
DESPATCH from Sir J. HOPE GRANT to Mr. Secretary HERBERT.
(No. 34.)
SIR,
Head Quarters, Peh-tang,
August 6, 1860.
C101 asdotc
I HAVE the honour to report that the English Fleet sailed from Ta-lien-whan on the 26th July, and proceeded to the rendezvous named in my letter of the 25th ultimo, where we were joined by the French Fleet.
On the morning of the 30th the allied Fleets ran in as near as they could to the Peh-tang river, and anchored within 10 miles of the forts at its mouth.
The landing was to have taken place on the 31st, but owing to rough weather it was not practicable until the 1st August.
Accordingly at noon on that day the gunboats and troop boats of the squadron crossed the bar, conveying the 2d Brigade of Infantry and a battery of Artillery, and landed about a mile and a quarter from the fort on the southern bank of the Peh-tang.
An equal force of French Infantry landed at the same time, and the whole force advanced to a raised causeway which runs from Peh-tang in the direction of the Peiho, and bivouacked there. During the night it was discovered that the forts were evacuated, and at daybreak on the 2d inst. the allied troops occupied the forts and town of Peh-tang without any opposition.
The gunboats entered the river the same morning, and the disembarkation of the rest of the force commenced immediately at the town.
The same day I went up the river with Admiral Hope, about eight miles, but found no spot on the right bank suitable for landing troops, the whole country appearing covered with reedy swamps.
On the morning of the 3d inst. a reconnaissance was made along the causeway leading to Taku, which, after proceeding for about four miles, emerged into the open country, and came in contact with a considerable force of the enemy, principally cavalry, who retired towards a species of entrenched camp, which was apparently occupied in force.
The object of the reconnaissance having been attained, the troops returned to Peh-tang.
As soon as the disembarkation is completed I shall advance against the Chinese camp above alluded to.
The Right Honourable
The Secretary of State for War.
I have, &c.
(Signed) J. HOPE GRANT, Lieut.-General, Commanding in China.
1529.
A 2
409
P
EX
علية
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