1841.
Progress of the Expedition to China.
623
5. The major-general; therefore, feels it but justice thus to record his senti- ments, and to beg commanding officers of corps, and the heads of departments, to accept his thanks, and to convey them to the officers, non-commissioned of- ficers, and soldiers, under their respective commands.
6. Sir Hugh Gough has much pleasure in expressing his sense of obligation to captain · Giffard of the royal navy, for his valuable services and judicious ar- rangements at the disembarkation and embarkation of the troops.
By order.
(Signed)
ARMINE S. H. MOUNTAIN, Lieut.-colonel. Dep. Adj.-general, Expeditionary Force. A garrison, of detachments from the 18th and 26th regiments, and the Madras artillery was left at Amoy, with H. M. ships Druid, Py- lades and Algerinc. On the 5th, the fleet were steering for Ningpo. After clearing the Formosa channel, the wind chopped round to the north, and dispersed the fleet. They afterwards rendezvoused at the island of Just-in-the-way, in the mouth of the Ningpo passage.
-
Chusan was the first point of attack, and thither the fleet directed their course. On the 29th, they arrived off the city of Tinghae. The batteries on this island have been very much extended and strength- ened since it was given up. The brass guns were quite new and ad- mirably constructed; though there was no improvement in their car- riages. With the exception of four large 24 prs., which were on tra- versing carriages similar to those in the steamer, all the others were even more rude than those found on the former visit to the island. On the afternoon of the 29th, lieutenants Spencer and Barrow of the artillery lauded on Melville island, and a battery was thrown up for the purpose of shelling Pagoda hill, on which strong fortifications had been raised, and which appeared to be well garrisoned. This bat- tery was thrown up under a very heavy and admirably directed fire from the hill.
us.
On the 1st of October, the troops landed at Sapper's point; during the landing a very heavy fire was opened upon us from the long shore battery. The shot fell around the boats on all sides, several from the ginjalls hit the men, but they were too far spent to do mate- rial damage. The Chinese were strongly posted on the heights above The landing, was covered by the Columbine and Phlegethon. The 55th, were the first on shore, sir Hugh Gough and staff with them. They found it impossible to await the landing of the other troops, there being no cover from the incessant fire the enemy pour- ed down upon them. The advance was sounded, and away they went up the hill, major Fawcet leading in gallant style. The sight was now very animating, the Chinese, coming down to meet them in the most determined way, and firing their matchlocks and ginjalls, till the
hill blazed with fire.
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