Directory_and_Chronicle_1841 — Page 57

40

Battle at Chutenpå.

་

JAN.

cleared by the advanced party of royal marines—who, descending juto the valley, drove the enemy from their entrenchments and from the field batteries behind them. Major Pratt then ordered two cóm- panies of the 37th native infantry (supported afterwards by another company), to circle round the other hill still more to the right of the guns which was also held by the Chinese.. These parties met with considerable opposition, but they drove all before them, killing and wounding not a few. Seeing that the guns on the ridge-the howitzer and two fieldpices, which had now been firing for twenty minutes were causing the Chinese to fly from their first and prin- cipal entrenched camp, the main column moved down the valley right upon it, the soldiers clearing the field batteries as they proceeded.

1

Two of the leading companies, the royal marines, were now ordered to drive the Chinese from a wooded hill which they still occupied, a little farther to the north, not far from Anson's Bay.

A small party, at the same time, passing through the first entrench- ment, already déserted, hastened up to the hill fort. Major Pratt, with only two men, was the first to reach it.' Finding the Chinese there at their posts, as he looked in over the walls, he ordered one of the men to fire, whereupon, they all fled in consternation. British flag was then hoisted on the fort.

|

The

Ere this was done, the guns in the lower fort had been silenced, by the ships which had taken up their position before that battery ; and now the guns of the ships also ceased firing, lest the shot might strike those who were advancing to attack the fort on the land side. Find ing themselves assailed from above by those in the hill fort, as well as from the ships, the main body of the Chinese had left the battery, and were retreating eastward, when they were met by the parties of royal marines and 37th native infantry that had circled round and taken possession of the wooded hill. At this unexpected encounter, they were mowed down with sad havoc those who escaped unhurt either hetaking themselves to the water, or retiring to the fort and there looking themselves in. Their pursuers, reaching the gate, applied their muskets to the lock, and so forced it open, dealing death in every direction as they entered. Resistance was unavailing; the Chinese were quickly overcome; their flag hauled down, and the Union Jack displayed from the ramparts. About a hundred, ac- cepting quarter, were taken prisoners; but were released by the com modore as soon as he landed. The rest, shutting themselves up in small out houses, or hiding themselves behind walls, and thence (when not perceived) attacking their captors, soon' drew down upon them- selves indiscriminate slaughter.

、

4

!

$4