1476 THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 9TH SEPTEMBER, 1899.
been lent by the Commodore for the purpose, I landed a Force before daybreak on the Deep Bay side, and was completely successful in my operations, as the whole district was cleared at our approach, the insurgents being either driven into the Force operating under Col. THE O'GORMAN or over the border on to Chinese territory. This was really a very difficult operation even by day as the landing was extremely bad, and at night we went aground several times. It could only have been successful by perfect discipline and carefully thought out orders, each man knowing exactly where he was to go. These orders were so carefully conceived beforehand by Capt. LONG, that, although we made one or two false landings in the dark, yet the errors were discovered without confusion and the expedition as a whole resulted in the success I have mentioned.
On my way back on Wednesday, the 19th, I dropped a small part of 200 men under Major M. M. MORRIS, R.A., at Tsin Wan with orders to push North-West to the walled town of Kam T'in Hü, and to complete the destruction of the gates of this turbulent centre of disturbance.
The ubiquitous appearance of the troops, appearing simultaneously from all parts over a most difficult country and at considerable distances from each other, so completely quelled the insurrection that all the inhabitants gave in their sub- mission and surrendered a large quantity of arms, &c., &c.
As I write it is now only a question of Police protection, for which purpose, after consultation with His Excellency the Governor, I have left 100 men under the command of Lieut.-Colonel THE O'ĢORMAN whom I have directed to remain to assist, with his advice and experience, the Colonial Secretary who is taking up the threads of the Civil Administration of the district.
I have been obliged to write at some length of these apparently somewhat trivial military operations as I felt sure that you would desire a complete knowledge of the situation.
It is not my desire to write this letter as a despatch of great military importance, but I am confident that if this rising had not been so promptly met from all sides as it was, it would have assumed very formidable proportions, as it is now discovered that it had been most carefully planned beforehand, and a small success might have created very serious complications, if not a rising, in the whole Southern Provinces of China, which are always ripe for rebellion. As it is, a grave impression has been created, and that without any serious loss of life. It is only right therefore that I should bring to your notice the names of those officers to whom the credit of this is due. Lieut.-Colonel THE O'GORMAN first of all, who, by his untiring pertinacity in keeping touch with and following up the insurgents, contributed in great measure to the early quelling of the trouble; Captain C. B. Simmonds, R.A., and Captain BERGER, Hongkong Regiment, who were acting under command of Lieut.-Colonel THE O'GORMAN, both handled their men with marked ability having considerable dash and yet keeping them well in hand.
Major M. M. MORRIS, R.A.. carried out the small operation entrusted to him with considerable tact and judgment; Captain DES VEUX, R.E., deserves great credit for the rapidity with which he, under the greatest difficulty, laid a telephone line from Hongkong to Táipó H-a distance of over 13 miles in a hilly and difficult country.
Lastly, I would mention Captain S. S. LONG, my acting C.S.O., who not only carried out the somewhat difficult duties of supplying the several camps at great distances from each other but to whom the credit of the night operations above referred to is entirely due. I have no more able officer in my Command, and I wish to bring his name to the notice of the Commander-in-Chief.
In conclusion, I would point out that some expense has been incurred, but the extent thereof I will report fully later, as I presume the question will require decision as to who will bear the cost of the same.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
W. J. GASCOIGNE, Major-General,
Commanding in China and Hongkong.
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