Directory_and_Chronicle_1841 — Page 503

486

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Reminiscences of Chusan.

SEP.

The Chinese troops were still firing from the walls near the south- ern gate, and threw one ball very near our outpost, when the British artillery came up, and with shells quieted these brave fellows. The commandant was killed by the first shot, and the whole host of at- tendants, when they saw him a lifeless corpse, immediately dispersed. The night passed away tranquilly, but on the next morning a ge- neral storining of the city was to take place, and besides the three regiments and Volunteers, a party of blue jackets was to assist in this affair. But alas! the city was mute, and only the suburbs show-` ed that some miscreants had been at work. A fire raged amongst the dense hovels, formerly the seat of filth and vice, and were in a very short time reduced to ashes. By the exertions of the English, however, the fire was soon extinguished.

When the stillness of death reigned throughout the city, the staff approached closely. Happily a ladder had been left, perhaps on pur- pose to scale the walls; and a few planks from the adjacent houses served as a bridge over the ditch; and thus the invaders got directly into the city. At first not a living being was to be seen; after long waiting, there crawled forth a poor frightened creature, begging hard for his life; and when others ascertained that no harm was done him, they gradually ventured out. In a short time a small number had assembled and read the proclamation, whilst one individual offered his services to post up the remaining copies throughout the town; these were read with great eagerness, but were soon torn down, pro- bably by some myrmidons of government. Before the doors of several houses a large inscription, spare the lives of intelligent creatures,” was stuck up. Upon the walls of the southern gate was found a tablet, evidently placed there by the officers, intreating the enemy to spare their children, the people. Banners, bows and arrows, powder, shot, &c., were found thrown about in extraordinary confusion, thus showing that their owners had fled in the utmost trepidation. What most attracted attention, were the guns with immense touch- holes, loaded with stones and grape to the very muzzle.

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"At length the poor inhabitants gained courage, and to show their confidence they boiled large quantities of tea, which they served out to all who passed by, they themselves first tasting it, to show that it contained nothing poisonous.

The admiral's house was found in great confusion, the silks strew- ed about in confusion; two very valuable caps were placed on a shelf, and many curious articles covered the ground. It was unfortunate, indeed, that the soldiers first discovered the library of this veteran,