Directory_and_Chronicle_1841 — Page 419

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Capture of the Heights above Cantón.

JULY,

assailed in the same níanner as the rear of the 26th; and that before assistance could reach them, one of the rear rank was pulled over and cut to pieces. Young Berkeley, with half a dozen men, rushed forward to try and save this poor fellow. But it was too late : though he struggled hard for his life; and even when surrounded by numbers; and deprived of his musket, made good use of his bayonet, till covered with wounds he could resist no longer. The musket was picked up by one of the enemy, who, fixing his eyes on the officer (for he had by this time returned to his place in the square, which at the moment had been suddenly formed,) and, stepping behind a bush, deliberate- ly rested the musket on a branch, and coolly turning over the wet powder in the pan, apparently not at all understanding the use of the flint and steel, applied his own slow match to the powder, which, on exploding, lodged the ball in Mr. Berkeley's right arm. At this time not a musket would go off, and little resistance could be offered with the bayonet against the enemy's long spears. The men, after remain. ing in this position for a short time, were enabled to advance to a more defensible one, where too they were soon surrounded by thou- sands of the enemy, who had they possessed the slightest determination could have at once annihilated them. The rain ceasing to fall for a time, enabled the men to discharge a few of their muskets. The enemy was not removed above 15 yards, and every shot told as a mat- ter of course. Many of the sepoys, after extracting the wet cartridge, very deliberately tore their pocket handkerchiefs or lining from their turbans (the only dry thing about them), and baling water with their hands into the barrel of their pieces, washed and dried them. They were then enabled to fire a few volleys in succession, and as each shot told with great effect in the crowd, the enemy was forced to retire; our small party were then enabled to proceed a considerable way homewards, followed however, though at a respectful distance, by the enemy. The rain again returning, encouraged the Chinese to advance; nothing therefore was left for our men, but a third time to form a square, in which position they made up their minds to remain till morning. But they had not been there more than two hours when the marines came up.

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During the whole of the period this small party was so much ha- rassed, no body of men could possibly have been steadier, or behaved with greater coolness and bravery. The eagerness with which they obeyed the orders of their officers, their agility in warding off every blow, and resisting the sudden rushes on the square, their deter- mination in saving the lives of their comrades, who more than once