Directory_and_Chronicle_1842 — Page 253

1842

Journal of Occurrentes

235

was reason to believe they intended to refine on Pikwan forty miles distant, in consequence of the repulses sustained by the Chinese forces at Ningpó and Chin- hái où the morning of the 10th March, their excellencies determined to make a rapid movement in the hope of bringing them to action before they could re- trogade. The troops, seamen and marines were accordingly embarked in the Ne mesis, Phlegethon, and Queen steamers, towing a number of boats of the squadron, early on the morning of the 15th, and after proceeding 16 miles by the river, and marching five, reached Tsz'kí at half past three o'clock, when a fire was opened or them by some guns from the ramparts, and a considerable body of matchlock men, who retired on receiving a few rounds from two small pieces, and the walls were immediately escaladed without resistance.

The chief body of the British troops, &c., marched round outside the town, and were joined at the east gate by the escalading party, where the whole had an excellent view of the Chinese forces cntrenched on two distinct lofty hills in front, and on the left. Arrangements were directly made for advancing to attack and dislodge them as nearly as possible at the same instant. This manoeuvre suc- ceeded admirably, and although the enemy disputed the possession of their steep and difficult position so obstinately that many instances of hand to hand combat occurred, H. M.'s forces gallantly and steadily persevered in their ascent under an unceasing fire, until their summits were gained, and the rout of the Chinese army became complete at all points, and was followed up by a pursuit which was continued till sunset.

Whilst these operations were going on upon the heights, the small steamers, Phlegethon and Nemesis accompanied by some of the boats of H. M. ships, pro- ceeded up a branch of the main river leading in the direction of the intrenched camp, where they destroyed a number of gun-boats and fire vessels; and shortly after, on the fugitives from the Chinese camp passing near them, they landed their small crews, and pursued them in various directions, putting a number hors de combat. It is estimated that the enemy could not have lost fewer than 1000 men killed, in these different affairs, independent of a great number that were carried off wounded, and amongst whom are known to have been many man- darins and officers of rank.

Her majesty's plenipotentiary has not received the return of casualties in her majesty's land forces, but he regrets to mention that three were killed and fifteen wounded (most of them severely) in the naval brigade.

The British forces remained the night of the 15th in the Chinese deserted camp, and the next day, after the necessary delay of embarking the wounded, destroying the guns, wall-pieces and matchlocks, as well as the useless provisions and am- munition, and burning the camp and barracks; the commander-in-chief pushed forward to a second entrenched camp about seven miles from Tsz'ki at the Chángki pass, but it was found that it had been evacuated during the night, and atter destroying the works, and burning everything that was ignitable, including the joss-house and other buildings, which had been converted into magazines or barracks. H. M.'s forces returned to Tsz'kí the same evening, and to Ningpò on the 17th.

God save the Queen.

HENRY POTTINGER, H. M. Plenipotentiary. Dated at Hongkong Government House, 8th April, 1842.

The slaughter made among such of the Chinese troops as pene- trated into the streets of Ningpò in this bold attack to surprise their cnemies, seems to have been so great and disastrous as to completely paralize the whole force, so that those who were able thought only of escaping from immediate destruction. Four or five dollars were found in the dress of most, if not all, of those killed. The force which was driven from Tsz'kí contained a large portion of remarkably ath- letic able-bodied men, and the corps as a whole was much superior to what had been met on previous occasions. The Chinese officers too had chosen their position with considerable military skill. A pawn- broker's shop of great extent was found at Tsz’kí, similar in many