The Express.
London, England, 1858-10-16 00:00:00

THE AFFAIR OF NAMTOW.

(MOM LAST NIOZT'S OAZITTL)
War-Office, Pall-Mall, S.W., Oct, 15, 1858.
The Secretary of State for War has this dazzeei
calved a despatch, of which the following is a copy, ad
to him by Major-General C. T. Van Stesubenzes, C. 8., com-
manding her Majesty's land farces in China :
Head-quarters, Canton, Aug. 21, 1858.
Sir.—By last mail I had the honour to report that a naval
and military expeditions wee to proceed the next day to
exact retnbation for tiring upon a Bag of truce sent to Nam-
tow, at the request of the Governor of Hong Kong.
I have now the honour to report the result of that torpedi-
don, which was assembled .1 Tyahan Island on the afternoon
of the 10th instant, when, with Commodore the lion. Keith
Stewart, I went as close in shore as was practicable, from
the state of the tide, to moonnoicre, and decided that the
landing on the following day, which could not take plane
before 10 a.m., in consequence of the tide, should be to the
S. W. of the walled city or fort, under cover of the gunboats,
Sm.

On the morning of the 11th, soon after nine o'clea, I
found the gunboats getting under weigh, and hammed, *a
my 'mil, to join the Commodore, and found that in time-
quence of the rocky natured the western side of the bay, end
greater shoelaces of the water the Commodore had directed
the landing to be in the villagei or suburb south-east of the
city. This obliged our moving through the suburbs, and I
at once decided to move, as far as practicable, in two parallel
lines, one along a canal or wet ditch, which intersected the
suburb, the other close to the se+, the boats keeping slightly
in rear of the heads of these columns.

I mart here remark that, as the gunboats, &c., were
moving towards the shore, several shots were fired from a
newly-erected battery to the south-west of the walled town
of Namtow, and does to the beach, which was soon silenced
by the stimirable fire from the gun-boats, the precision of
which was moat striking.
The landing was effected before eleven o'clock, end the ad-
vanced party consisted of the Naval Brigade, under Captain
bar Majesty's ship Banspareil, who was very soon en-
gaged, a heavy tire of Oceans and matchlocks being opened
in front and from the streets running at right angles with
those by which we were advancing, the Chinese retreating as
we advanced. During this advance, • most geilmat and
promising officer, Commander Madden, of her Majesty's ship
Clansmen, was most dangerously wounded, with several
men. The inner line wee composed of the 69th Regiment,
led by Brevet-Major Romer and Captain Bush% of that
corps ; the Royal Marino Light Infantry being in reserve,
but constantly under fire from the right flank, as also the
14th Madras Native Infantry.
The heat being fearful, I halted frequently wherever the
trees or sheds afforded oover horn the sun, and where the men
were not exposed to the enemy's fire.
Lieutenant-Colonel Clifford, Assistant Quartermaster-
General, having reported to me shortly after one o'clock that
the ladders were ready, and having well reeennoltred the
wall, I directed Captain Slight, of H.M.S. Bensperell, and
Commander flatimeree. of H.M.S. Cormorant, to lead their
men to the assault, covered by the 69th Regiment, sad sup-
ported by the 12th Madras Native Infantry, under Captain
Mach, our right flank being protected by the Royal Marines,
under Brevet-Major Foote, Colonel Hope Graham, C. 8.,
having disposes' direction.
Before two o'clock the fort was in our possession.
Commander Saumerez's party was accompanied by Captain
lAmbert, of the Royal Reposers, who was mortally wound
by the accidental discharge of a firelock of one of the mem
crowding up the ladder after him. Hs was a most gallant
and talented offloer, and his lots to the service andlo his
triton& is deeply to be deplored. During the escalade of the
walls, the force under Colonel Graham wee attacked by'
several hundred Braves, who were gallantly repulsed by
Brevet-Major Foots end the Royal ]grimes though sot
without lose.

The well pewit the inesey fled, leaving the interior
almost wholly imenni; the place was gives up to destrec-
Soo, end the prbelpal gates 13 own in.
The tows bivouacked in the tort that night, and the re-
embarkation which wits most satisfactorily sesieMed aim
Captain Hand, of her Majesty's ship Bespedi, sad Comm-
soader Lacy, of bar e ship Adelman% sift Dent.-
Wesel lion. H. ass effected by ten i.e.. tbe Mow-
ing areidsg, briaglag sway tee large bruin gum
I owe wig exam se ell esiestnel lib gallant little
air, tame, sen-eassiestemel aims, aid mem sr both
earrkes. and mks this morpoitral easemlleg the MIMS et
▪ premisantly eroplop Limatess Ilikeplessess,
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H. bliffordi.V.C., amissep giereenpaeltp, gni
Lintesaat girl, Royal Mig esdn~ne* se
my aidirde-amp.
Colonel Rope Graham, C. 8., 60tb lisgissat, who sin-
trent tir sientspsay me as rased In eamesesti ;
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pimied.—l/aues.
C. T. Vas flafan slurs Major. General.
Commailleg belt Majesty's Forces in Cbisa.
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Wer, Re., Pall.meL
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A Paris letter in the Word states that a difference
has trims between Proem end Bravl. A FMK& merehent
haviag diet at Perambulate leaving ohgdren leder cgs, the
Pres& Weer, Count de Lomat, eased the noel
camel ie pat wee on hie premium The keel Rothstein
mistalset that he bad no right to do so, as by Bonilla
law the &Aires of keeigmere tom la &eta ace Brodihme,
sad icelablet io the law of We orman7. Os appeal le the
Poem of the pee*, he &Weal that the legal +amides
went in the right, sad the was were removed. lea mass.
areas Coat de Lomat struck his deg, in aim to lemit
hi. laminations of the Preach govennasat.
Prior to the departure of the twenty musette at
the genie= et Pere, the he et ell at the will ensue
to-morrow (ilientle)), at two o'ineek, is the Palen of L.
&miry, a rend =finery oriole, in which 1,200 nemitlees
ealimikapiet. The weals of Ile fee are &Wad Mite
emagenee of asixtuaste artists.