Directory_and_Chronicle_1841 — Page 192

178

Progress of the War.

MARCH,

on board of the ships, were let go. On our side not a single casualty oc- curred. The rigging and spars of the ships were a good deal cut up, a few shot also hulled them. Two hundred and five guns were taken, spiked, and destroyed. It is almost incredible, considering the heavy fire maintained by the forts on these vessels, that they should have escaped without losing a

man.

"Whilst the Blenheim and Melville were engaging Anunghoy, on the eastern side, the Calliope proceeded up the other channel, on the western side of Wangtong (or Thwart-the-way) island, and opened the action at North Wangtong, closely followed by the Samarang, Herald, Alligator, the advanced squadron being directed to take up a position, north of the island- while the Wellesley, Druid, and Modeste attacked the western defenses. The continued firing of the fleet and forts, produced a roar, echoed back by the neighboring hills, like incessant peals of thunder, perfectly awful, and formed the grandest spectacle of this memorable day! About 12 o'clock the Chi- nese fire on Wangtong slackened, and the Nemesis was seen towing the troops to the landing place, close to the fort on the western end of North Wangtong. The landing was soon effected, the gallant major Pratt leading, with detachments of the 26th and 49th, in two boats, under major Johnson, closely followed by the marines under captain Ellis, the 37th M. N. 1. under captain Duff, and the Bengal Volunteers under captain Mee. The force pushed rapidly up the ascent, passing in the rear of the first battery, and to the top of a steep hill. The fort here was expected to cost us a severe struggle and great loss to take, which it certainly would have done, had it been held by brave men. It was carried in splendid style, major Johnson, closely fol- lowed by captain Moorhead, leading the escalading party. The Chinese were driven out with considerable slaughter, and fled down the hill toward the custom-house fort, closely pressed by our force. It was an animating and cheering sight to see our brave fellows pursuing the enemy; but it was with feelings not unaccompanied by pity that I saw the poor flying wretches shot down. The whole of our force now pressed quickly on to the custom-house fort, and formed under the walls, opening a sharp fire of musketry on them. A few minutes more saw the British flag hoisted on the lower custom-house fort, which was greeted with cheers from the transports. Thus Wangtong was in our possession. The detachment for the service of the engineer department was furnished by the seamen of H. M. S. Wellesley, under com- mand of lieut. Birdwood, Madras engineer.

"The loss of the Chinese on North Wangtong amounted to about 250 kill- ed and 100 wounded; above 1000 were made prisoners in the custom-house fort, all of them excepting about 100, who were kept to bury the dead, were landed and set at liberty on the western side of the river.

"Whilst the vessels were dropping down to engage the forts, 4 boats were observed to leave the island, and stand away for Tiger island, the Chinese from the upper custom-house fort opening a fire upon them, but without effect. It was afterwards ascertained, that these boats contained most of the officers and their immediate followers, who fled panic-struck the moment they saw our ships under weigh, taking, it has been supposed, the base and cruel pre- caution of barring the gates, to prevent their countrymen from following their example.

"About 4 o'clock in the afternoon the Nemesis, having in tow several boats filled with the Wellesley's marines, proceeded to occupy the fort on the western shore under the Tanan hills. This fort had been previously silenc- ed by the admirable firing of the Wellesley. The troops effected a landing without difficulty, the Nemesis throwing an occasional shot or two to keep the Chinese in play. The force proceeded up the hills and dispersed the Chi-