Directory_and_Chronicle_1842 — Page 514

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Repulse of the Chinese al Tsz'ki.

SEP.

thus whether a soldier is endcavoring to obtain the relief he wants, or whether hic is about killing an enemy, that he may enrich himself with spoil, or sharing in danger for the sake of rest, he should do nothing with the rashness of an over-eager haste. It is incumbent upon officers to impress this upon the minds of their men from time to time, that all may know and fullfil their duty.

The eighteenth section winds up the book by reminding the sol- dier that he is bound to expend his strength for his country and his home. And if he should meet with a commissary who is not just and moderate, it is his duty nevertheless to maintain his own part, and not seek to gratify his desires by acts of disobedience. This the commanding officer ought to know, and to explain to his men by line upon line, precept upon precept. If an inferior officer be a sharper, how it is possible long to avert ruin? If a soldier has any moral crookedness in his nature, it is his duty to make it straight. If a man is moved beyond bounds, and angry without reason, he will be guilty of a great crime. Soldiers that garrison a city are placed there for the defense of their country and their homes, and ought to quash their enmities, and be civil and obliging towards one another. A daring spirit is to be used against an enemy alone. But if, instead of social habits, he delights in feuds and brawls, he must be put down by a strict execution of the law. It is the bounden duty of an officer before- hand to look into such matters and administer proper cautions.

ART. V. Dispatches of their excellencies lieut.-general sir Hugh Gough, G. C. B., and rear-admiral sir William Parker, K. C. B., relating to the repulse of the Chinese at Tsz'ki and vicinity, March 15th, 1842.

Head-quarters, Ningpó, March 19th, 1842.

My Lord, I have the gratification to inform your lordship of the total discom- fiture, and precipitate retreat of that portion of commissioner Yiking's force, which had been sent forward to exterminate us, and I feel most thankful to say, with wonderfully small loss on our part.

My letter of the 11th will have informed your lordship of the attacks on this city and Chinhái, on the night of the 9th and morning of the 10th. I deemed it right promptly to follow up these successful repulses, taking the attacking columns in detail, and understanding that general Ya Púyun was advancing from Funghwa with from 6 to 7,000 men, I moved out to meet him on the 13th, with 500 meu of the 18th and 49th regiments, and Madras artillery, with 2

guns and