Directory_and_Chronicle_1841 — Page 555

538

Bengal Governmental Notifications.

Ocr.

17. A strongly entrenched camp of considerable extent, occupied apparently by about four thousand men, lay to the northeast of the city upon rising ground se- parated by a tract of paddy land from the base of the heights. Frequent attacks were made upon my left by bodies sent from this encampment, but were as fre. quently repulsed by the 49th. This, however, exposed the men to a heavy fire from the walls of the city.

18. About 2 o'clock, perceiving that officers of consequence were joining this force from the city, and had occupied a village in rear of my left, I directed the 49th to dislodge them. This was instantly effected in the same spirited man- ner that had marked every movement of this gallant corps. About 3 o'clock, it was evident that some officer of high rank had reached the encampment, (I have since understood that it was, Yang, the Tartar general) and that prepara- tions were making for a fresh attack. I ordered down the 18th, therefore, with one company of the royal marines to reinforce the 49th, and directed manjor- general Burrell to assume the command, to repel the projected attack and instant- ly to follow up the enemy across a narrow causeway, the only approach, and take and destroy the encampment. This duty was well and gallantly performed, but I regret to say with rather severe loss from the difficulty of approach, exposed to a heavy fire from the guns and ginjals on the northeast face of the city wall. The enemy were driven at all points and fled across the country; the encampment was burnt, the magazines, of which there were several, blown up, and the permanent buildings of `considerable extent set on fire. I had as much pleasure in witness- ing, as I have in recording, my approval of the spirited conduct of captain Grat- tan, who commanded the two leading companies of the 18th, across the causeway. These companies were closely followed by the 49th, the remainder of the 18th and company of royal marines, who passed along a bank of the paddy field to their left. The enemy not appearing inclined to move out of the town to support this point, I directed the force to return to the heights.

19. Having reconnoitred the walls and gates, I decided on taking the city by assault, or rather upon taking a strong fortified height of considerable extent within the city wall, before the panic ceased, but the hill in our rear being peculiarly rugged, and its base difficult of approach on account of the narrowness of the path between the wet paddy fields, I had only been enabled to get up a very few of the lightest pieces of ordnance, and a small proportion of ammuni- tion. I therefore deemed it right to await the arrival of this necessary arm to make the assault.

20. The following morning, the 26th, at 10 o'clock, a flag of truce was hoist- ed on the walls, when I deputed Mr. Thom (whom captain Elliot had sent to me as interpreter,) to ascertain the cause. An officer stated that they wished for peace. I had it explained that, as general commanding the British, I would treat with none but the general commanding the Chinese troops-that we came before Canton much against the wishes of the British nation, but that repeated insults and breaches of faith had compelled us to make the present movement, and that I would cease from hostilities for two hours to enable their general to meet me and sir Le Fleming Shenhouse, who kindly accompanied me throughout the whole operations, and to whose judicious arrangements and unceasing exertions for the furtherance of the united services (and I am proud to say they are united in hand and heart.'` I cannot too strongly express my sense of obligation. I fur.

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