Directory_and_Chronicle_1842 — Page 517

1842.

Repulse of the Chinese at Tsz`ki,

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por...on, and crowning its height within a few minutes, driving everything before them. From this height it afforded me no small satisfaction to witness the spirited rush of the advance of the marine brigade led by their gallant chief (I am per. suaded sir William Parker will excuse this expression of my admiration), who was ably supported by captain Bourchier, commanding the naval brigade; captain Richards of H. M. ship Cornwallis and commander Watson of H. M. ship Modeste, commanding the seamen battalion. The whole brigade soon reached the sum. mit, carrying the enemy's works. At the moment when the admiral had nearly gained the height, I perceived a large body of Chinese ascending the back of the hill which he was attacking, apparently ignorant of the conjoint attack, and I directed major Gough, deputy quartor-master general, to push forward with the grenadiers of the 49th, supported by a battalion company, to cut off their retreat - The carnage at the foot of this hill was extraordinarily great; the 49th in rear, and the naval brigade in front, almost annihilated this body, while the remainder of the 49th pressed the retiring enemy (I cannot say his columns), as the whole plain was covered with the dispersed and flying foe. The 18th and rifles finding that they were too late to participate in the attack on the encampments, rapidly dashed ¡nto the plain and cut off the Chinese from their only safe retreat on the Chángkí pass, killing numbers; and one company under lieutenant Bernard followed up the pursuit for several miles towards Yũyáu. The 26th Cameronians, having left one company to protect the guns, pressed forward into the plain, and joined in the pursuit. It was 8 o'clock before the force re-assembled, when we occupied the enemy's encampment, where the men found ample bedding and comforts.

Sir William Parker has brought to my notice, in addition to the captains of the navy I have already named, the spirited conduct of lieut. Charles E. Tenant (flag_lient.); lieut. Goorge Elliot (slightly wounded); Mr. George H. Hodgson, mate (also slightly wounded in a personal rencontre with a Chinese); Mr. Wm. Bowden, volunteer lat class, and Mr. Henry D. C. Cunningham, secretary'n clerk, all of H. M.'s ship Cornwallis; also of lieut. Harriott, Royal Marines of H. M. ship Blonde The admiral also noticed (and it came under my own observa. tion), the judicious and well directed fire of rockets by a party under lieutenant James Fitzjames, and Mr. Charles Keats Jackson, mate, both of H. M.'s ship Cornwallis. These officers accompanied sir William Parker with the advance. Lieutenant A. J. B. Hambly of the Royal Marines was severely wounded at the head of his company in the advance to the hill.

I cannot too strongly express my entire approbation of the enthusiastic inauner in which the whole force maintained their character. Our loss, under Divine pro. tection, was wonderfully small, but the enemy's troops stood well and disputed the hills, until in many instances our officers and men came into personal contact with them.

The conduct of the 49th came more under my personal observation, and I witnessed with great satisfaction the zealous exertions of captain Reynolds (wounded); lieutenant and adjutant Brown, lieuts. Ramsay and Mitchell of the grenadier company; lieut. Lane (whose left arm was amputated on the field); and licut. Montgomery (severely wounded in the thigh). I must also mention with much approbation the conduct of brevet captain Balfour of the Madras artillery. I almost feel it invidious to name these officers, when I am conscious that every individual zealously did his duty; but as their conduct came under my own eye, I consider it a duty to express my sense of approval.