ad
of one
• given
of the
and capture of Langson, by a correspondent of newspapers published at Hongtong.
I have the honour to be
My Lord,
Your Lordship. Most Obadient Humble Servant,
5. B
Bowen
The French March to Langson.
FULL DETAILS. (From a Correspondent.)
LANOSON, Feb. 13, 1885. The French column entered Langson to-day. The troops engaged in the can- paiga have been fewer than was previously supposed, and the resistance encountered, though strenuous, was less formidable than many had expected. A few days before joining the column I had been told by an officer in charge of an important garrison that there was a French ariny at Chu of 20,000 men, but the more prevalent opinion among military circles was that 10,000 was nearer the mark, and so it turned out. In October last there were said to be from 12,000 to 15,000 French troops in Tonquin. Since then a cortain proportion of sick and time-expired men have been sent home, but reinforcements to the extent of 3,000 men have arrived to fill up the vacancies. Int- mediately before the campaign was opened it was well known that the garrisons in every quarter of Tonquin had been almost de- pleted to furnish troops for the expedition, and the following figures will show to what extent these were reduced. Al Nauliub, where there is a native population of 60,000 or 70,000, only 15 French soldiers were left to guard the place; in Nimbinth and Haidnong, none; in Hunghoa, 150 ;
in Thai Nguyuen, 15; at the Seven Pago- das, 50 artillerymen and 2 solliers of the lies, with a lieutenant in command; ut Phulang Thuong, sure an or 60; and at Kep perhaps 150, Of course in all those garrisons there was a company or section of native troops on whose reliability too much trust cannot be placed; but J give the figures to show that when all but 200 or 300 of the French forces in Tonguin were requisitioned for the Langson expedition, it was natural to suppose that at least 10,000 men were to march to the front. As a matter of fact, however, the column, composed of two brigades, has not exceeded 6,000 in number. It is certain that the number of men placed hors de com- bat in engagements is but a very small pro portion of the number to be accounted for, and confirms most conclusively what has boen said about the disastrous effects of the climate upon the army occupy- ing Tonquin. That the expedition should be accomplished (in so far as it has been accomplished) by suoh a sumil body of men says much for the skill and energy of the commanders, and the devotion and endurance of the army. That to compose this small army important garrisons in the North and West shoull be temporarily denuded, while the Black Flags of the River Claire and a large Chinese army on the Rod River were threatening, says much for the coolness of the Generals, and shows a daring which some persons may con- demon as a dangerous rashness. But it says little for France, or for the Government
of
of France, which has professed to at‡uch { so much importance to Tonquin as s colonial possession, that she has left 80 small an arty to attempt so much, or made it necessary to oncuunter such serious risks. There is little doubt that if there had been sufficient troops for the purpose the French army would have been divided into two columns, one to march from Chu, and the other advancing by the Mandarin road, ... the road by way. of Pluulang Thuong, Bacle, along which the Annamite ambassadors were wont pe- riodically to make their processions from) Hanoi to Peking. There is little doubt also that the Chinese expedt'd the attack. |on that route, aoil probably were prepared to oppose strong, perhaps their strongest, defence.
On the 30th January, with 800 men, General Negrier made a reconnaissance from Kep towards Bac-lo, flouted his balloon, and ascertained the position and strength of the enemy. Leaving his balloon to float a day longer he descended to Phulang Thoang, early on the morning of the 31st, Laud was followed in a few hours by the troops who had accompanied him ; and, at :10 am. he and his mon had erkaked and i were being carried down the Thuong, and up to Chu on the river Locknam
To prevent the possibility of any notice! being given to the Chinese of the intentions of the General, the prefect of Phulang Thuong, his seorotary, and the interpreter to the commandant were imprisoned.
On the 2nd February both Generals' with their brigades began the march from- Chu; and before reaching Langson it be- came manifest that the main body of the Chinese on the Bac-lo route had been sout. į fanked, and General Negrier's ruse had f sucoeeded. That did not imply, of course, that a stout resistance was not to be encounter- ed on the route from Chu, but it did imply I that a much more formidable resistanco was not get with, a resistance which may fave been almost impossible to overcome, or which could not have been overcome except at a cost which would' have been nearly as disastrous as a defeat.
The forts at Dong-son, which in all num- bered thirty-six, were all taken on the 6th, and a halt of four days was found to be necessary to enable a convoy of provi- sions, including slow-travelling cattle, to arrive. The time was variously occupied in taking a plan of the country from the peak on one side of a limited plain which Commands a wide view ou the Western side of the range of hills. The Chasseurs ! d'Afrique' also rode across to Kep and returned by way of Chu on the following day. Part of the time was also becupied in exploding the ammunition taken from the enemy, of which there was a great store of all sorts, Remington, Snider, Martini Hen- ry, Winchester, and other cartridges. Here, tou, one realised more than previously that the cry of a scanty supply of water sa route, and that supply poisoned by minerals, was a scare originated by the Chinese. A little above Chu the Lochnam river tarns to- wards its source.S. by E. In the direction of Anchau is a stream along which the road lies for. 12 miles abore. Dongson almost to Langson, it is said to be a branch of the river. I drank of the Lochnam (sa at the ofiar rivers touched on the voyage, only when bailed, simply because the waters were tur- bid), aul the waters of the streams by which our course has in I found re- freshing ta. bathe in, and sweet to drink. Other disgoreries were made at Dougson. In ons "ff the large forts was found ta Eskeleton, evidently that of one who had
been
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