Directory_and_Chronicle_1841 — Page 605

Directories & Chronicles 香港指南 All

Journal of Occurrences.

Oct.

everything at Chusan.

Regarding the retaking of Tinghae, our in- formation is as yet so incomplete, that we must refrain from saying more than, that the loss was severe on the side of the Chinese: 1500 men are reported to have fallen; and sir Hugh Gough himself, is said to have led on the attack.

On the 8th, the weather having become mild and fair, Chinbac was reconnoitered; the ships moved on towards it the next day, and the place was taken on the 10th. The fire-eating commissioner Yukeen, and general Yu Pooyun, were there during the action. The commissioner, seeing the odds turning against him, tried to kill him- self by drowning, but was taken out of the water by his attendants and carried off; and report says, what is yet doubtful, that he went as far as Yuyaou, and there died of poison, or of swallowing gold. The general, doubtless desiring to fighting another day, prudently retired to Ningpo, but not until he found his stronghold no longer defensible. The troops at Chinhae were numerous, and the works of defense extensive and as strong as the Cuinese could make them. Here too the destruction of life is supposed to Irave been great; among the killed were many officers, of whom several are said to have commit- ted suicide.

Ningpo, a beautiful city, and fully two thirds the size of Canton, was occupied on the 13th. Trusting to Chinhae-from which it is distant only a few miles on the same side of the river-the Chinese had prepared no defenses at Ningpo, except some men with jingalls and matchlocks, who fled as soon as they ascertained that the British forces were advancing. The steamers did not reach the town till near dark, when the officers had moved off, leaving behind them in the public treasury about $60,000. Ningpo is the chief city of a prefec- ture of the same name, and a fine specimen of Chinese cities; its streets are comparatively wide, and the place abounds with arches (par fang), chiefly of the Ming dynasty, affording some beautiful specimens of ornaments deeply cut in granite. Public agents, for the care of property detained or captured, were appointed, and they had already about $100,000 in specie or goods under their care. The inhabitants had many of them written over the doors of their houses 'submissive people.'

On the 20th and 21st, the Nemesis and Phlegethon moved up the river about 40 miles westward to Yuyaou (), without hin- drance or opposition. The scenery all along the river is described, by those who visited it, as being most beautiful. Yuyaou is the chief city of a district of the same name.

Captain Anstruther had taken up his head quarters in his old resi- dence, the prison of Ningpo, but now surrounded by his artillery, instead of lictors and turnkeys.

There is a great want of interpreters in the expedition, there being but four, excepting some Chinese: Mr. Gutzlaff at Ningpo, Mr. Thom at Chinhae, Mr. Medhurst at Chusan, and Mr. Morrison with the plenipotentiary.

The foregoing are all the particulars, of any interest, that have

Comments

Approved members can add comments, bookmarks, and private notes.

No comments yet.

Private Research Note

Private notes are available after approval.