Directory_and_Chronicle_1842 — Page 516

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Repulse of the Chinese at Tszkt.

SEP.

In furtherance of these views, directed the naval brigade, with a party of Kappers, covered by the guns and the Madras rifles, if opposed, to escalade the walls in my front, assemble on the ramparts, and move along them to the north gate. The 49th I instructed to move on the south gate, blow it open, and join the naval brigade on the ramparts. I had previously ordered the 18th to dislodge a body of the enemy that occupied a hill to the northeast of the city, after which they were to move round the walls, out of ginjal range, and threaten the north gate. Should the naval brigade and 49th meet with opposition, the 26th were placed in reserve, and were directed to move with, and protect the guns.

A few minutes placed the naval brigade on the walls unopposed, and the whole promptly formed on the ramparts. The Royal Irish meanwhile dispersed the enemy in their front, and rapidly moved on to the north gate. I accompanied the 49th, but finding that the bridge over the canal, close to the south gate, was destroyed, and that it would take some time to replace it, the corps passed along a canal under the walls, and I directed the naval brigade to move parallel with it upon the ramparts. The whole force thus soon arrived at the place of assembly, the north gate.

The city of T'sz’kı is surrounded on three sides with precipitous hills, and the north gate is on a low spur of one of these hills, which terminates in an eminence within the walls. At the northwestern extremity of a range of high hills, being a branch of the mountains that skirt the coast, are the Segaon or Siguen hills, on which were the encampments: both were of considerable extent, and the natural difficulties of the position strengthened by abattis. These camps, which as well as the summits of the hills beyond them, were thickly occupied, were within long range of the walls, the intervening space being a tract of paddy fields, with a few scattered houses. I at once perceived that the position was faulty, as the hills on our right commanded their left, while their left commanded their right, and I made my dispositions accordingly. The 18th with a rifle company, and 36th Madras native infantry, were ordered to move up a ravine and occupy a hill to the left of the position. The naval brigade was instructed to move under the walls, and occupy two rather large buildings in front of the right encampment, making a lodgment under cover ready to rush forward, when the 18th should reach the summit and turn the enemy's left. With the 49th I proposed to attack at the same moment the largest encampment in my front, my great object being to make a simultaneous attack with the three columns, pushing the 18th down in rear, while the naval brigade should cut off all communication with the city. So rapid were our movements that only one gun could be brought up, notwithstanding the praiseworthy exertions of lieutenant-colonel Montgomerie, who dashed the guns into the canal, and entered the city by a water gate. This gun was ably brought up, and did good execution under the direction of captain Moore of the Madras artillery, who with his party merits great praise for their extraordinary exertions in dragging it through paddy fields and across canals.

The steepness of the mountain gorge, by which the Royal Irish and riflca as. cended, notwithstanding the enthusiasm of their advance, occupied inure time in surmounting than I anticipated; and finding that the naval brigade might probably suffer more by the delay than in an inunediate attack, and that the enemy ap peared to gain confidence by this delay, I ordered the advance to be sounded, when the 49th, with their aeenstoned spirit, rushed up the hill, overcoming all op.