Directory_and_Chronicle_1841 — Page 416

1841.

Capture of the Heights above Canton.

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ed a dried and shriveled appearance, and there was a strong pun- gen, aromatic smell perceptible on raising the lid. In the right hand of each was a fan, and in the left of many a piece of paper having Chinese characters written on it. To an antiquarian, there were many things in this village which would have excited much interest.

Two thirds of the money was this day paid, and shipped on board H. M. ship Modeste; and as one million more was to be paid imme- diately, and security taken for the remainder, the troops expected to return to their ships on the 31st. Some of the Tartar troops had al- ready left the city, and others were to leave the following day. Every- thing looked pacific. There were certainly some rumors, that rein- forcements were expected for the protection of Canton, and that this delay, on the part of the authorities, to pay up the money demanded, was merely an excuse to gain time to enable the new troops to arrive. But as the plenipotentiary gave no credence to these reports, of course no one else did. However, on the morning of the 30th, and before we had finished that most agreeable of all medicines in a tro- pical climate, namely, a cheroot after breakfast, the sound of the bugle was heard in the direction of the general's quarters! The sound could not be mistaken. It was taken up on all sides.

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Orders now arrived for the 26th Cameronians and 37th M. N. I., to proceed and drive off a large body of the enemy, which was seen approaching our encampment. The enemy was at this time at a distance of nearly two miles from our position, and covered a space of ground upwards of a mile in length. They were certainly between ten and fifteen thousand strong, while our small body did not amount to much more than five hundred. Captain Knowles, of the Royal artillery, with a few rockets, soon checked the impe tuous, ardor of the enemy. The 37th, who had been directed to pro- ceed towards the left, came upon a party of their advanced guard by surprise, while they were quietly sitting under a tree sipping tea, but who no sooner saw us advancing, than they took to their heels in every direction, leaving their spears, their cups, and their buckets of tea for their pursuers, who found it a very pleasant beverage too, the day being very hot. It was about this time that the quarter-master general of the force dropped down, dead from a coup de soleil. The enemy had now retreated about a couple of miles and taken up a po sition on a rising ground, and as usual were waving their banners and shields, and encouraging us to come forward. Our rockets continued to plough line after line though their ranks; still they did not appear intimidated. The rain unfortunately began to threaten. A storm