Directory_and_Chronicle_1842 — Page 521

1842.

Repulse of the Chinese at Tsiki.

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gone of his men, before the hill was carried: and the man body of seamen and marines, as they advanced in support, perceiving its fate, pressed round the sides, and inflicted a severe loss on the fugitive soldiers, the pursuit being continued until sunset, when our advanced party was halted ou a bridge about two miles beyond the city.

During these operations the hills on our right were simultaneously carried in admirable style by our gallant general, and his brave troops; the rout of the Chi- nese at every point was thus complete, and I must not omit to notice the good services of the Phlegethon and the little party landed from her in a branch of the river, on the flank of the fugitives, as reported in lieutenant McCleverty's inclos- ed'letter; and she was closely followed to the judicious position by the Nemesis after the troops were disembarked.

From the best accounts we have been able to collect, the Chinese cannot have lost less than 800 to 1,000 men slain, independently of great numbers carried off wounded. Among the former were several officers, supposed to have held important positions in the army. Many prisoners also fell into our hands, and some interesting papers relative to the present position of their affairs; and from accounts previously received, and the amount of sycce silver afterwards found on the bodies of the dead, there is no doubt that a considerable sum had been paid to them as an encouragement to resist her majesty's forces, and that the troops we encountered were composed of the élite of their army.

It is with pain I have to transmit a list of 3 killed and 15 wounded in the naval brigade; and amongst the latter many are severcly hurt. I am not in possession of the casualties which have been sustained by the troops; but I hope none were killed, though several I fear, are severely wounded.

It is impossible for me to extol too highly the animating example set by captains Bourchier and Richards, commander Watson, and every officer and man who was fortunate enough to be in advance in the assault of the encamped hill; their names are especially transmitted for their lordships' information, and my best and cordial thanks are also justly due to the gallantry and exertions displayed by captain Uniacke, and all the officers and men of the royal ınarines, and to every individual of her majesty's squadron, and the Indian navy attached to the naval brigade, whose conduct was as exemplary for steadiness in their quarters as in the field.

I have no less pleasure in noticing the gallantry of captain Whittingham, aid-de-camp to sir Hugh Gough, who, having brought a message from his ex- cellency at the moment of the assault, very handsomely ascended the hill, and remained with our people, until it was carried, as did lieut. Barrow of the Ma. dras artillery (commissary of ordnance), who, having mingled with them as a volunteer, was conspicuous for his intrepidity, and broke his sword in cutting down a Chinese soldier who opposed him. Mr. Hodgson, mate of the Corn- wallis, was also wounded m parrying the thrust of a spcar, when bravely ad- vancing amongst the foremost on the hill.

Our people were quartered during the night in the captured camps, and north part of the city, where a considerable quantity of arms and a large store of rice was on the following morning discovered and destroyed; and as a very strong fortified encampment was known to be formed on some mountams about «ax or seven unles to the northwest of Tszki. comprising the post of the maj