Directory_and_Chronicle_1842 — Page 80

K

62

Journal of Occurrences

JAN.

The imperial rescript transmitted thorugh the Council is nearly as follows:- Yükien this day reports, that Tinghái has fallen, and that he is in the first place vigorously arranging for the defence of Chinhái, at the same time preparing to send forth a force to advance offensively. From this report, it appears that, on the 27th of September, the foreigners advanced to Chúshán-inun (the channel off Forty-ninth Point), when the general Kó Yunfei (commanding the forces of the island, and having his post on Joss-house hill) opened fire on them, and strik- ing the mainmast of a foreign vessel, caused them immediately to sneak off again. That on the 28th, they landed on Forty-ninth Point, when the general Chin Kwohung (commanding a detachment, posted on the heights) opened a ginjall. fire, and killed numberless foreigners. That on the 29th, they pitched some tents on the Wukwei shán (Trumball island), when our soldiery killed more than ten of the rebels. That, finally, on the 1st of October, they advanced to the attack of Tinghái, when general Kó Yunfei himself aimed a gun, the shot from which struck in the magazine of a foreign vessel, and it was forthwith blown up. The rebels advanced in three columns. As the front ranks of our soldiery fell, the rear ranks advanced to take their place, till their ginjalls and field-pieces would no longer serve, when it was left to them only to throw away their lives on the battle-field. For six days and nights, they had fought with heavy toil, and had found success; but unfortunately the wind had been for several days contrary, and the sea violent, -so that the reserved reinforcements were hindered from arriving from Chinhái. Our soldiery were no longer able to withstand the enemy, and on the 1st of Octo- ber, Tinghái was lost.-Yükien requests that his demerits herein may be punished with severity; let the Board with rigor determine the penalty. The generals Wang Sipáng, Ching Kwohung, and Kó Yunfei and the acting magistrate of Tinghai and sub-prefect of Shipú, Shú Kungshau, who fell in the battle, are to receive the funeral honors, &c., by law established. And let Yükien ascertain and inform the Board of the names of the subordinate officers and soldiers who fell in battle. Respect this.'

No. 3.

The governor Liú, having, on the 12th of October, reported the loss of Chin- hái, the imperial autograph reply, in similar language of indignation, and his or- ders thereupon, of date the 18th of October, were received about the 24th. His ma- jesty's first orders are to the Board of War, to make an immediate financial report of what will be required for the military operations in Chekiáng. The next com- mands are to Chin Kiáiping (mentioned in a previous translation as one of the joint commissioners with Yiking), to proceed with all speed to Chekiáng, retaining still his rank of provincial commander-in-chief, Again, Yiking is appointed gener alissimo, and Halángáh and Hú Cháu, joint commissioners, and they are likewise commanded to repair with haste to Chekiang, Hú Cháu's appointment, trans- ferring him from one of the most distant provinces, appears to be owing to an earnest volunteer of his sent in upon his hearing of the capture of Amoy, wherein he states that he has been for some time exercising the troops under his command with an improved discipline, and has been employing skillful artificers in the im- provement of their weapons.

His majesty's next commands are addressed to Kímingpáu, the general com- anding the Tartar garrison of Hángchau, Liú Yunko. governor of Chekiang, Ya Púyun, commander-in-chief in Chekiáng, and Hánghing, lieut-general of the Tartar garrison, acquainting them with the appointment of the generalissimo and joint commissioners, directing that they remain at, and give their best attention to the defences of, Hángchau, and requiring of them the utmost exertions to collect together the scattered remnants of the Tinghai and Chinhái forces,-to show kindness to those of the people who adhere to the government,—and to use every prevention against those who traitorously abandon it, He approves of the arrangements reported to him for the defence of Shauhing, in sending thither the judicial commissioner of the provinces with a body of troops,—and for the assem- bling of volunteers and militia. for which purpose an officer had been sent out with a supply of money. Yû Púyun, the emperor commands to abide at Ningpo. and there, in concert with the civil officers of the place to collect militia for offensive operations. He ends with demanding more acemate particulars of the fall of Chinhai at the earliest possible period.