The Express.
London, England, 1860-11-07 00:00:00

CAPTURE OF THE TAKU FORTS.

(Isom uar NIGHT'S ors)
ADMIRALTY, Nov. 5.
Despatches, of which the following are copies,
have been received from Vice-Admiral Hope, C.B.
the Commander-in-Chief of her Majesty's ships and
vessels in China.

CAPTURE OP THZ PORTS AT THE ENTRANCE or THE PIE-HO.
Coromandel, in the Pei-ho, Ang. 27, 1860.
My Lord,—You will be pleased to acquaint the Lords
Commissioners of the Admiralty that ou the 12th inst. the
alliediroops moved out of the village of Pebtang, sod oc-
cupied that of Sinho, driving back a considerable body of
the enemy, and taking two entrenched positions on their
march, and that on the 14th they attacked and captured
the fortified village of Tang-kon, the enemy retiring across
the river and into the forts on its northern bank. To the
despatches of the lieutenant-general in command I beg to
refer their lordships for the details of these and other purely
military operations.
The lieutenant-general in command having acquainted me
with hie intention of attacking these forte on the 21st, the
French and English gunboats, with the rocket-boats of the
fleet, were moved into the Pei-ho on the day previous, in
order to shell the outer north fort with those of light
draft, while those of larger size should be held in reserve
for the purpose of checking the flank fire of the southern
fort, should it open on the troops during their advance.
The attack of the troops on the inner fort commenced
about daylight, and that of the gunboats, which had been
delayed for want of water in the position assigned to them,
about six • halfambour later the magazine of the tuner
fort exploded, as did that of the outer fort shortly after.
At nine the allied flags were shown from the inner fort, and
et eleven the firing ceased, flags of truce being displayed on
all the remaining forts.
During the afternoon the outer north fort was taken pos-
session of by the troops without further resistance. In the
evening the south fort, being deserted by the enemy, was
occupied, and the booms across the river were removed ;
but the iron stakes, of which there were two double rows,
being fixed with much firmness, a passage through wee not
opened till noon of the following day, when the gunboat'
passed up and anchored off Taug-kou.
On the following day, a force of English and French gun-
bowie left for Tien-tein, and, on their arrival next morning,
finding that the town was destitute of troops, and the
authorities anxious to make their unconditional submission,
in concert with Admiral Chimer, I placed in the
forts and on the city gates, hoisting the allied in token
of its military occupation. It is the intention the lies-
tenant-general in command to place an adequate force in
the town or its vicinity, the infantry and artillery portion l'
of which are now being forwarded in the gunboats.
The fire of the gunboats and rocket-boats,} which I
placed under the orders of Rear-Admiral Jones, to whose
emistsuce on all occasions I have been much indebted, was
well directed and serviceable ; that of the French gunboats
attracted attention by its precision. Being placed well in
on the mud on the northern bank of the river, at high
water, only one English gunboat was within long range of
the south fort and all being more or less out of the line of
fire of that which they attacked, the enemy, after a few
shot, which fell short, ceased to fire on them, and conse-
quently they sustained no casualties whatever.
While, therefore, I have not on this occasion to draw
their lordships' attention to conduct such as that which
distinguished both effluent and men in the attack of last year,
I yet cladly avail myself of this occasion to express the
sense I entertain of their unwearied exertions, not merely
is effecting the landing of the army here, an operation con-
tinued without interonssion until it was completed, brat also
in the fitting out of the transport fleet ; the embarkation at
Hong Kong, as well as the disembarkation and embarkation
at Talien-whan Bay, all of which, together with the keeping
up the supplies of the army, has involved much heavy
labour.

I am indebted to Commander Ward and the surveying
alone under his directions for a chart of Talien-when bay,
and the coast line of the extreme of tho Gulf of Peohih,
made early in the year, notwithstanding much had weather,
for accurate surveys of the Pehtang and Pelho rivets,
while still in the possession of the enemy, anti for much
seal and ability displayed in subsequently buoying those
rivers.

I am unwilling to conclude this despatch without acknow-
ledging the cordial cooperation on all occasions of my col-
leagues, and more especially of Vice-Admiral Charner, on
whose suggestion the effective position assigned to the gun-
boats was adopted. —I have, &c., J. Hors,
Vice-Admiral and Commander-in-Chief.
The Right Hon. Lord Clarence Paget, C. 8., ALP.,
Secretary of the Admiralty.

[lnclosers to No. 287 of ISW.]
The undersigned, Hang-fah, viceroy of the province of
addresses the following communication to the English
and French (French and English) Military and Naval (Naval
and Military) Commamlers-m-Chief.
On the Stb day of the prompt month (21st August), the
Honourable Commanders-in-Chief advanced upon the forts,
both by sea and land, and took those on the northern bank ;
this &mom proves the efficiency of the troops of the
Honourable Commanders-in.Cbief, and the Chinese army
being defeated tender their submission. The latter have
accordingly withdrawn from all the forts on the southern
bank, endure now willing to surrender into the poesetsion
of the Honourable Commanders-le-Chief all these forts,
together with the whole of their munitions sad any fortified
camps or entrenchments. The undersigned further engages
to depute oftioers to point out to ()dicers on the p.trt of the
Coma anders-in Chief the position of any mines that may ho
In the forts, and of all secret defences placed in the river, in
order that uo injury may be occasioned thereby to the
honouiable allies. It is understood that the delivery of the
forte as soon as effected shall be followed by the cessation
of hostilities in this locality, and also that no injury shall
be done to the inhabitants, who shall be efficiently protected
both in person nail property.
A necessary communicative, dated Ilecufun;, ISth year,
7th month, day (August 21), 1804
Tran4ated by
(Signed)

HARRY PARES.

True Copy.
(Signed) IL lion CREALOCC,
Lieuteneut-Colonel,
Military Secretary to her Britnenic Majesty's
Special k.:mbessy to Chins.

FROCEEDI2IOB OP BATTALION OF MARINES BE3VINO WITH