[ { "id": 250263, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-079 - Public Offices - 1860", "page_number": 413, "title": "CO129-079 - Public Offices - 1860", "content_text": "Dr. DIE.\n\n411\n\nd of\n\nbe\n\nhad continued to play upon the enemy as long as it was possible to do without injury to our advancing Cavalry.\n\nAbout this time Stirling's half-battery, which being unable to follow the movements of Cavalry in such heavy ground, had been left with an escort of 30 of Fane's Horse, under Lieutenant Macgregor, was charged by a body of Tartar Cavalry of very superior numbers. Lieutenant Macgregor gallantly led his small party against the enemy and defeated them, many Tartars being killed, and Lieutenant Macgregor and many of his men being severely wounded.\n\nWhilst this was going on, my attention had been diverted from my right front to a large party of Tartars, who were steadily approaching the Buffs, on the left front, apparently regardless of the fire of two of Milward's guns under Lieutenant Harvey, of the Rifles, of the advanced guard, and of Rolton's rockets. They advanced to within 450 yards, and bore unflinchingly for a considerable time such a fire as would have tried any troops in the world. The 4th Brigade, under Brigadier Reeves, being similarly attacked at the same time, replied with a steady fire, which did considerable execution.\n\nAt length the courageous endurance of the enemy began to give way, and they fled from the field with precipitation.\n\nI then advanced my force towards the western end of the village of Sin-ho, and joined the Allied columns.\n\nAt no time throughout the day had we opportunity of coming into contact with the enemy's Infantry.\n\nTrusting that the objects intended by his Excellency have been carried out by the force under my command, I beg to bring to his notice the excellent conduct and discipline of the troops of all arms, during a very trying day.\n\nI am much indebted to the Brigadiers commanding the several brigades of Cavalry and of Infantry, and to the Officer commanding the Field Artillery, all of whom performed the duties intrusted to them to my entire satisfaction.\n\nI received the most valuable assistance from my divisional and personal staff, whose labours were unremitting.\n\nI beg to subjoin a list of officers whom I desire to earnestly recommend to his Excellency's favourable consideration.\n\nTo Captain Biddulph,\n\nSIR,\n\nMilitary Secretary.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed) R. NAPIER, Major-General,\n\nCommanding 2d Division China Force.\n\nDESPATCH from Major-General MICHEL to Sir J. HOPE GRANT.\n\nHead Quarters, 1st Division, Camp, near Sun-ho, August 24, 1860.\n\nI HAVE the honour to report that, in obedience to the orders of his Excellency the Commander-in-Chief, the 1st Division, under my command, marched from Pehtang about half-past 10 A.M. on the 12th instant.\n\nOn reaching the enemy's second picket-house, which is about 900 yards from their entrenched position, skirmishers of the 1st Royals were sent to the left, and some of the 31st to the right, and shortly afterwards Colonel Barry's Battery of Armstrong's guns, and Captain Martin's Battery of 9-pounders (the whole under the command of Captain Desborough), opened fire on the enemy's entrenchment at a distance of about 800 yards; after a cannonade of twenty-five minutes, the enemy's Cavalry were seen moving to their left from the entrenchments.\n\nThe guns then advanced to within 500 yards, and played on the enemy's position, as also on the Cavalry who were moving to their right; the fire of two Armstrong guns quickly dispersed their Cavalry, and in a few minutes the advance was sounded, and the enemy's position found to be abandoned.\n\nThe enemy now retired to the entrenched village of Sin-ho, but Sir Robert Napier's Division having turned their left, the Cavalry of the enemy, in large numbers, escaped behind this village towards the Peiho Forts.\n\nThe Armstrong guns, at a range of from 2,000 to 2,500 yards, made good practice on the fugitives.\n\nThis engagement having been entirely that of Artillery, only one man of the Division was wounded,\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed)\n\nJ. MICHEL, Maj.-Gen.,\n\nCommanding 1st Division.\n\n7\n\nCapture of the Ta-ku Forts.\n\nDESPATCH from Sir J. HOPE GRANT to Mr. Secretary HERBERT,\n\n(No. 38.)\n\nSIR,\n\nHead Quarters, Tang-ku,\n\nAugust 24, 1860. I HAVE the honour to report that after the capture of Tang-ku on the 14th instant, I commenced bringing up siege-guns and ammunition from Pehtang with a view to the reduction of the Uppermost Fort on the left bank of the Peiho, distant about two miles from Tang-ku.\n\nThe ground upon which it was necessary to advance was mostly of a very difficult nature, and intersected with broad and deep canals used in the manufacture of salt.\n\nI placed Major-General Sir R. Napier in charge of the advance, his Division being quartered in Tang-ku. Under his superintendence, bridges were thrown over these ditches and canals by Lieutenant-Colonel Mann, commanding Royal Engineers; and heavy guns, as per margin,* with a good supply of ammunition having been brought into Tang-ku, the 67th Regiment and an Armstrong Battery were pushed forward on the evening of the 19th, to within 2,000 yards, to cover the working parties making roads, bridges, &c. On the 20th the road was made practicable to within 800 yards of the Fort, batteries were traced, and the heavy guns were brought out ready to place in position by daybreak of the following day. The Chinese opened fire during the day, and were replied to by Captain Milward's Armstrong guns, at 2,000 yards range, with good effect, and the firing gradually ceased.\n\nDuring the night batteries were constructed for the heavy guns and mortars, and for one field battery, also for two 8-inch guns, which were brought up by great exertions from Pehtang during the night; and the whole were placed in position by daybreak of the 21st August.\n\nIt had been arranged with the Admirals that the gunboats should cross the bar that morning, and should engage the outer North Fort, and the flank of the outer South Fort, at the same time that the attack on the inner North Fort was commenced by the land forces.\n\nAt 5 A.M., however, the Chinese opened fire upon the troops from all their forts within range, and we were thus forced to reply an hour earlier than had been intended.\n\nThe Artillery was disposed as follows:-A French 24-pounder battery of 6 pieces, one English 8-inch gun, and two Armstrongs, played on the inner South Fort to keep down the fire they might otherwise have poured on our right flank. Two Armstrong guns and two 9-pounders fired from Tang-ku across the river at an entrenchment which flanked the French right; three 8-inch mortars were in the centre at 600 yards range, and to their left rear an Armstrong battery, two 32-pounder guns, and two 8-inch howitzers, all of which played on the Fort we were attacking. In addition to this, two 9-pounder guns, four 24-pounder howitzers, the remaining two Armstrong guns, and a rocket battery, were placed in the open ground about 800 yards in front of the Fort.\n\nThe storming party of Infantry consisted of a wing of the 44th, under Lieut.-Colonel MacMahon, and a wing of the 67th, under Lieut.-Colonel Thomas, supported by the other wings of those two regiments, and the Royal Marines under Lieut.-Colonel Gascoigne. A detachment of Royal Marines under Lieut.-Colonel Travers carried a pontoon bridge for crossing the wet ditches, and Major Graham, R.E., conducted the assault. The whole were commanded by Brigadier Reeves.\n\nThe fire of the Artillery was most effective, the guns of the Fort (of which many were of very large calibre), were speedily silenced, and at about 7 A.M. the magazine blew up with a terrific explosion. A few minutes later the magazine in the outer North Fort was also exploded by a shell from the gunboats.\n\nThe field guns were all advanced to within 500 yards of the fort, and redoubled their efforts.\n\nThe fire of the Forts having almost entirely ceased, a breach was commenced near the gate, and a portion of the storming party was advanced to within 30 yards to open a musketry fire, the French Infantry being on the right, the English on the left.\n\nThe fire of our Artillery being thus partially compelled to slacken, the enemy emerged from their cover, and opened a heavy fire of musketry on our troops.\n\nThe French, under General Collineau, immediately pushed on to the salient next the river, crossed the wet ditches in the most gallant manner, and established themselves on the berm, from whence they endeavoured to escalade the walls; this, however, they were unable to effect, from the vigorous resistance of the Chinese.\n\n* Two 32-pounder guns, two 8-inch howitzers, three 8-inch mortars, three 5-inch mortars.\n\nB 2", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-079 - Public Offices - 1860.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 250265, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-079 - Public Offices - 1860", "page_number": 415, "title": "CO129-079 - Public Offices - 1860", "content_text": "413\n\n10\n\nat Tang-ku. I immediately took him to the position which I intended the French force to occupy, and also along the whole front, that he might be thoroughly acquainted with the general arrangements. At midnight I despatched my aide-de-camp, Major Greathed, to conduct the French column by a separate route, which he had previously reconnoitred, so that their line of advance was perfectly clear and unobstructed.\n\nThe disposition of the force was arranged as follows:-\n\nFour 24-pounder howitzers (two of Govan's and two of Desborough's), were placed in Battery No. 4 on the left, to play on the defences of the Fort under attack.\n\nTwo 32-pounders and two 8-inch howitzers in Battery No. 3 to open on the same defences and eventually to breach near the gateway.\n\nMilward's Armstrong Battery in Battery No. 5 to silence the enemy's guns by direct fire, and to keep down the fire of the furthermost Northern Fort, which supported the Fort under attack.\n\nA Battery (No. 2) of three 8-inch mortars was advanced between the canals, to shell the Fort from a distance of 500 yards.\n\nOn my right front a Battery was prepared for six guns to silence the fire from the right bank of the river and the Southern Fort; this battery was armed with one 8-inch gun, two of Barry's Armstrong guns, and two French 24-pounder rifled guns. The remaining four French guns were placed on the right, partly sheltered by the Tartar village, but free to turn their fire upon the numerous scattered batteries which lined the right bank of the river. Two of Barry's guns and two of Govan's guns were placed in position at Col. Sargent's picket on the south-east angle of Tang-ku, to cover the French right.\n\nAt 4 A.M. my column of Infantry moved into position, the right wing of the 67th and 44th Regiments, under cover of the canals, in advance, near the Mortar Battery. The remaining wing of the 44th and 67th Regiments, and one half of the Royal Marines, formed the support, which was posted under cover of the canals, near Milward's Battery. The other half of the Royal Marines carrying pontoons. The Royal Engineers and Sappers with material were placed under cover in front of the supports, ready to move forward and keep pace with the progress of the attack.\n\nThe enemy opened before these movements were completed, and as their fire was heavy I replied with Milward's guns, although the whole of my Batteries were not quite ready to open, and the French column, though punctual to the appointed time of 6 A.M., had not yet appeared. By 6 the whole of the British Batteries were in play; General Collinot arrived, and took up the position on the right which had been placed at his disposal, and the French Artillery likewise came into action against the Southern Forts and Batteries.\n\nOwing to the great extent of the enemy's position, they were able to open some guns against the right flank of the French column; but their fire was at once diverted, and eventually silenced, by the two guns of Barry's Battery, which were in position at Colonel Sargent's picket at the east gate of Tang-ku.\n\nThe enemy replied to the fire of our Artillery from all their guns that could be brought to bear; but the fire of the Fort attacked had already sensibly diminished, when a shell from the Mortar Battery, or Milward's guns, alighting in the magazine, caused a grand explosion, soon followed by a similar one in the remotest Northern Fort, with which the gunboats had been for some time engaged.\n\nThe guns of the Fort immediately attacked being nearly silenced, I directed, with the consent of his Excellency, an advance of all the Field Artillery to new positions within 450 yards, and the fire of our batteries was concentrated on the left of the gateway, with a view to breaching.\n\nThe skirmishers of the Allied Forces pushed vigorously forward, and obtained a position on the edge of the outermost of the two wet ditches which surround the Fort.\n\nThe French on the right succeeded in crossing the ditches by ladder bridges, and effected a lodgment on the berm of the unflanked angle of the work abutting on the river. The English pontoon bridge, carried by a party of Royal Marines, advancing on the line of the causeway opposite the centre of the Fort, was met by so heavy a fire that half the carriers were immediately disabled, and the construction of the bridge rendered impracticable.\n\nLieut.-Colonel Travers, R.M.L.I., Major Graham, R.E., were also wounded in attempting to carry out this duty. I thereupon directed the ladders to be brought forward and passed across the ditches towards the right. This was carried out by Lieut. Pritchard, R.E., and parties of our Infantry effecting the passage of the ditches, some by means of the ladders, others by swimming, made their way to the gate.\n\n11\n\nThe enemy made a noble and vigorous resistance, no entry had yet been made, the breach had not been completed, the gate was known to be built up, the attempts of the French to escalade at their angle were unsuccessful. At this juncture, with the permission of the Commander-in-Chief, I brought up two 24-pounder howitzers and two 9-pounder guns of Govan's to within 80 yards of the rampart, which firing over the heads of the men on the berm, cut away the parapet at the point where the defence was most obstinate.\n\nAfter a lengthened struggle the French entered the embrasure at their angle by escalade, and the British climbed into the partial breach near the gate at the same moment, Lieutenant Rogers, of the 44th Regiment, being the first man on our side established in the place. The troops of both nations now poured into the place, but foot by foot the brave garrison disputed the ground, and as there was no means of exit other than by dropping over the wall and crossing the defensive obstacles of ditches, stakes, and abbatis, the loss of the enemy when they were ultimately driven out of the work was very severe, both from the rifles of our Infantry, who crowded the cavalier, and from guns moved round to the left, which swept their line of retreat on the further Northern Fort.\n\nIt was half-past eight o'clock when this Fort, now proved to be the key of the whole position, was in our hands.\n\nThe guns of the cavalier were turned against the opposite Southern Fort, on which fire was still maintained from the heavy batteries on our right attack.\n\nWith the view of following up the advantages gained as soon as possible, fresh regiments, viz., the 3d Buffs and 8th Punjab Infantry, under the command of Brigadier Jephson, were brought to the front by his Excellency's orders, and the Artillery was put in position to enfilade the Fort still untaken on the north side. Suddenly firing on the part of the enemy ceased in all quarters, and white flags were displayed in all the Forts still in their hands.\n\nI need not refer to the further proceedings conducted by the Commander-in-Chief in person, which ended in the surrender of the remaining Northern Fort and the abandonment of those on the south side.\n\nCaptain Biddulph, Military Secretary,\n\n&c.\n\n&c.\n\n&c.\n\nI have, &c. (Signed) R. NAPIER, Major-General,\n\nCommanding 2d Division China Force.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-079 - Public Offices - 1860.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 299578, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-176 - Public Offices & Others - 1876", "page_number": 415, "title": "CO129-176 - Public Offices & Others - 1876", "content_text": "in the enclosed extract\n\nof his despatch forwarding\n\n1\n\nthe Surveyor's Report that\n\nthe Colony\n\nCan\n\nhardly be\n\nexpected after the road\n\nhas almost been completed.\n\nIt is with approval\n\n14\n\nGeneral Branker\n\nButts\n\nand Colonel de\n\n... to go to the expenses\n\nof new ...\n\nremaking\n\nit\n\nin another.\n\ndirection\n\nIndeed Sir Henry will\n\nperceive that it is\n\ndue to the Colonial authorities\n\nparagraph\n\ninclusive\n\n25\n\ndesp. 65 March 29\n\n-9985\n\n...\n\nMINUTE.\n\nSir J. Pauncefote. Mr. Malcolm\n\nMr. Meade.\n\nMr. Herbert.\n\nMr. Lowther.\n\nLord Carnarvon\n\n409\n\nthat class the present\n\nroad is patched\n\nand\n\nmended. Then Plans for\n\nthe investigation of their\n\ncosts will be\n\nmade.\n\n8 I am further to state that\n\nconfining the question to\n\nbe considered\n\nto one\n\nof\n\ndeciding the superiority of the\n\nline\n\nas suggested by\n\nColonel Biddulph or of\n\nthe open cutting with high\n\nlevel as intended", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-176 - Public Offices & Others - 1876.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 307028, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-190 - Governor Hennessy - 1880 [10-12]", "page_number": 146, "title": "CO129-190 - Governor Hennessy - 1880 [10-12]", "content_text": "I duly transmitted to your Lordship Copies of the Minutes of the Executive Council of the 17th April 1880 (when the objection was raised) and 19th May 1880 when the Governor stated that he had not authorised Couch Hall to raise the point, but accepted the opinion that Couch Hall's view of the matter would be correct.\n\nGR1178/1922/32(III)\n\nPage 162\n\n72/50\n\nMay 1880.\n\n9803\n\nThe question was raised as to whether I could act as Official member of the Council during the absence of the General Commanding on his tour of Inspection to the Straits Settlements, he being still in the Command.\n\n...\n\n2.\n\nI now have the honor to lay before your Lordship Copy of the Minutes of the Executive Council of the 10th September 1885, which were confirmed on the 22nd instant.\n\nIt contains a letter from Colonel Biddulph in which he states \"I regret to find that I should have been misunderstood\".\n\nCommenting on the Minute of the Executive Council, I regret very much that the mistake should have arisen.\n\nI trust that your Lordship will deem it proper to have that...\n\nPage 163\n\nNote that I have made the following changes:\n- Corrected spelling errors (e.g., \"dully\" to \"duly\", \"desatel\" removed as it seems to be a OCR error without clear meaning, \"bjection\" to \"objection\", \" equcped\" to \"accepted\", \" Oxinion\" to \"opinion\", \"wond\" to \"would\", \"strance\" to \"absence\", \" Experienc\" to \"Experience\", \"Temp General Comcuanting\" to \"General Commanding\", \" Lettskin\" removed as it seems to be a OCR error, \" sxccutive\" to \"Executive\", \"curtant\" to \"instant\", \"Chomel biel\" to \"Colonel Biddulph\", \" interred\" to \"regret\", \"merret\" to \"regret\", \" Ais Wellancy\" to \"your Lordship\", \"ank truit\" removed as it seems to be a OCR error, \"de cue\" to \"deem it\").\n- Removed extra spaces and added missing spaces where necessary.\n- Rejoined broken sentences.\n- Removed non-English text that didn't seem to be part of the original document.\n- Applied Markdown formatting is not used as per the final instruction; instead, HTML is used with for paragraphs.\n- File reference is formatted as per the rules (e.g., \"GR1178/1922/32(III)\").\n- Page numbering is kept as per the rules.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-190 - Governor Hennessy - 1880 [10-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 327162, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-218 - Administrator Marsh Governor Sir Bowen & Others - 1884 [11-12]", "page_number": 626, "title": "CO129-218 - Administrator Marsh Governor Sir Bowen & Others - 1884 [11-12]", "content_text": "622 \n\nA \n\nConsequent \n\nInce in Cyprus, but I extended \nhis leave on half salary \nfor six months partly \nas a reward for such a \nlong period of service \nwith a view to his \ntransfer of his services, \nI have hopes of being able to effect it. \nIt is understood that this transfer is about to take place. \nMy decision in the matter \nhas I think been influenced in some \nmeasure by a consideration \nof the unsatisfactory state of \nthe public service of Cyprus \nat the present time and of \nthe peculiar difficulties of \nSir Robert Biddulph's position; \nbut I may say \nthat \nI do not \nconsider the irregularities \nto which Colonel Gordon \nadmitted as \nseriously \naffecting the legality and honourable \ncharacter of his public \nservice, or tarring \nhis future \nEmployment in positions of \ntrust under this Department, \nlargely...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-218 - Administrator Marsh Governor Sir Bowen & Others - 1884 [11-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 329006, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-222 - Acting Governor Cameron Governor Sir Bowen - 1885 [7-10]", "page_number": 266, "title": "CO129-222 - Acting Governor Cameron Governor Sir Bowen - 1885 [7-10]", "content_text": "## \nLord Napier of Magdala, Sir William Jervois, Sir Andrew Clarke, and Sir Robert Biddulph; or from Generals who, like General Camerow, have proved themselves to be fit for the conduct of Civil affairs.\n\n...\n\n5. It would be desirable that your decision should be communicated to me by telegraph.\n\nI have the honour to be,\nSir,\nYour most obedient \nHumble servant,\nBowen\n\nGovernor.\n\nDate: 1895\n\nNo. \nCompe eu 16. previous Paper 69861 \n3. Conf. 17 Nov \nan Bent Paper, 19869 \nHongKong No. 18547 \n(Subject) Corres between the Colony & Legation at Pekin \nRE DESPAT202 18547 \nEG 22 OCT 65 \nBritish Subunits observations as to advisability of passing through Lovi hando, more especially in the case of Chamber of Commerce.\n\n(Minutes)\n| Col. | Content |\n| --- | --- |\n| | Colonel Stanley, a great generally in the news expend 5 Sir George in this Despatch: Say that it is a fit change as described Clove did not accept the offer made 5 Sir Harry Parkes Paragraph 3 of this despatch. Tell him to ask further leave to bring into force for the future, his Harry Parkes reggeshin. |\n| | Paragraph 6 causes me to think of the fact that... |", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-222 - Acting Governor Cameron Governor Sir Bowen - 1885 [7-10].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 } ]