Directory_and_Chronicle_1841 — Page 654

1841.

Journal of Occurrences.

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637

enemy were deserting it; a few shot were exchanged on their way down the op- posite side to gain the city, which they soon had possession of with little opposi- tion, narrowly escaping, in their impetuosity, an extensive mine, sprung by the enemy, one man only, a drummer of the Blenheim's marines, was killed by the explosion. During this short period, the troops had routed the celestials with great slaughter, the latter fought with a desperation scarcely before witnessed, with the exception of only a few cases; in several instances the pikes of the enemy crossed the British bayonet, with a determined resolution to conquer or die; but desperation could not compete with British courage and discipline; the sons of Han were entirely routed, with immense slaughter; the rifles here and elsewhere did great execution, every ball brought its man down; at this spot they were sur- prised by the 49th, and numbers were picked off as they endeavored to escape into the water; the bank was strewed with the dead and dying, and scores of bodies floated by us. At first little quarter was given, but soon a stop was put to the dreadful carnage. The engineers had surprised one battery, and turned the guns towards the city. That night the larger portion of the troops remained encamped on the seat of their conquest, a small party only crossing to the city for the purpose of supporting the marines.

"On the 11th at 6 A. M. landed and proceeded to the joss-house fort; it was but an apology for a temple. Images of all descriptions strewed our path; dead bodies were found intermingled with their hideous idols, most horrible to view. The entrance gate, looking towards the ships, was that in which the shell from the Wellesley had exploded; we had an opportunity of witnessing its effects: six men were lying down horribly mutilated, one nearly in halves. At 4 P. M., we again walked on shore and entered the city; in one house we saw a man and woman lying dead, a man with a shot through his thigh, and a poor woman with her leg shot off, since amputated and doing well; at another place we saw four poor chil- dren lying dead from the effects of our shot; God only knows where the poor mother was; the father was frantic, sometimes embracing his lost dear ones, at another rushing towards a large vase of water, attempting to drown himself, but being restrained by his friends. We retired; it was a scene too distressing to witness-several other scenes are on record-but enough of these miserable mise- ries, necessary, or rather unavoidable, evils of war.",

Our

4. Chusan, we understand, was reoccupied previously to the move on Chinhae, in consequence of the impracticability of at once getting the squadron up against the strong winds and current. dates from Tinghae are to the 2d of November. There had been some firing on the guards by Chinese secreted in houses, and one man had been caught armed. Besides these doings, everything was going on satisfactorily, though a great many complaints of thefts and robberies were daily brought to the office of the magistrate.

5. Some operations of the iron steamers, Nemesis and Phlegethon, in addition to what have been noticed already, we here introduce from the same communication before quoted in the Canton Register.

On the 3d September the ships with the exception of the Druid, Pylades and Algerine and three transports for the protection of the river, weighed and made sail for Buffaloe's nose, the first place of rendezvous; wind foul, and continued so nearly the whole way; it was evident the N.E. monsoon had set in, and it became a question if the transports would be able to beat up; the place of rendezvous was given, and every vessel made the best of her way up. We parted company and ran in shore, anchoring all night out of the heavy sea, taking advantage of the tides, thus we continued to pursue our course pleasantly. At one of our anchora- ges we landed and procured pigs, poultry, and vegetables; during the former part of the day we amused ourselves in strolling about the island; when from the top of the hill we espied several bullocks, we immediately concealed ourselves, returned to the ship, and after dinner landed, and by stratagem procured three fine ones, for which I paid $10, the owner of only one appearing. The following day at