Directory_and_Chronicle_1841 — Page 554

1841.

Bengal Governmental Notifications.

537

9. I have already informed your lordship, that I was totally unacquainted with the country which I had to pass over, the amount of the enemy's force, or the dif ficulties that might present themselves at every step; but I had the proud con- ciousness of feeling that your lordship had placed under me a band, whom no dis. parity of numbers could dishearten, and no difficulty could check. They nobly realized, by their steadiness under fire, their disciplined advance, and their animated rush, my warmest anticipations.

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10. Having at 8 o'clock got up the rocket battery, with two 54 inch mortars, two 12 pounder howitzers and two 9 pounder guns, a well directed fire was kept up on the two western forts, which had much annoyed us by a heavy fire, I now made the disposition for attack in echelon of columns from the left, and directed the 49th regiment to carry a hill on the left of the nearest eastern fort, supported by the 37th Madras native infantry and Bengal Volunteers, under lieut.-colonel Morris of the 49th regiment. The 18th Royal Irish, supported by the royal marines, under major-general Burrell, I directed to carry a hill to their front, which was strongly occupied and flanked the approach to the fort just mentioned. This `movement was to cut off the communication between the eastern forts, and cover the advance of the 19th in their attack and storm of the nearest. Major-general Burrell had directions to push on and take the principal square fort, when the 49th made their rush. Simultaneous with these attacks, the brigade of seamen was to carry the two western forts, covered by a concentrated fire from the whole of the guns and rockets.

11. During the whole of the advance, my right had been threatened by a large body of the enemy which debouched from the western suburbs, and just as I was about to commence the attack a report was made, that heavy columns were advanc. ing on the right, I was therefore compelled to detach the marines under captain Ellis, to support the brigade of seamen, and to cover my right and rear.

12. At about ♣ past 9 o'clock, the advance was sounded, and it has seldom fallen to my lot to witness a more soldier-like and steady advance, or a more animated at- tack. Every individual, native as well as European, steadily and gallantly did his duty. The 18th and 49th were emulous which should first reach their appointed goals; but, under the impulse of this fecling they did not lose sight of that disci. pline which could alone insure success. The advance of the 37th M. N. I., and Bengal Volunteers in support, was equally praiseworthy.

13. The result of this combined movement was, that the two ferts were captured with comparatively small loss, and that, in little more than half an hour after the order to advance was given, the British troops looked down on Canton within 100 paces of its walls.

14. The well directed fire of the artillery in the centre was highly creditable, and did great execution.

15. In cooperation with these attacks, I witnessed with no ordinary gratifica- tion the noble rush of the brigade of seamen under their gallant leader, captain Bourchier, exposed to a heavy fire from the whole of the northwestern rampart. This right attack was equally successful, and here also the British standard proudly waved on the two western forts, while the British tars looked down upon the northwestern face of the city and its suburb.

16. During the great part of the day, a very spirited fire from heavy pieces of ord. nance, ginjals and matchlocks, was kept up on the different columns, occupying the heights and forts.

VOL. X. NO. X.

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