The Sun.
London, England, 1842-09-07 00:00:00

march before half-past twelve o'clock, when the column
moved for the Changki pass, which I determined to
carry, in order to destroy this, as I understood, formida-
ble position, and capture the treasure chest. After a
rapid march of three hours, we reached the base of the
hill under this pass. The position appeared remark-
ably strong, indeed almost impracticable: from the
front, as the hills are lofty and exceedingly steep, and
the summits of the ridges were intrenched strongly.
But here again, as at Segaon, I perceived that
the position could be turned, and I at once
directed the Royal Irish to ascend the hills
on the left of the position, while I moved with
the 26th Cameronians, and 49th, supported by the
naval brigade, and occupied a wooded spur which
led up direct to the left of the encampment. On
reaching the summit of this spur, I found that the enemy
had retreated, taking with him his guns, and, I regret to
say, his treasure ; but a considerable quantity of good
bread was discovered, also some ammunition. We hatted
for a couple of hours, and, as there was not sufficient
cover for all the troops, the works were set fire to, to-
gether with the magazine and a large joss-house where
the Makidarins resided. The column returned Tsekee,
which we did not reach until nine o'clock that night ;
all the villages in the neighbourhood of our route were
apparently deserted by the inhabitants ; but lam happy 1
to say, in no one instance was a house entered on 001 1
_line of march, along which no trace was left betoken-
ing a movement of troops through a hostile country.
Indeed, with the exception of a very few killed in houses,
where the Chinese troops sought refuge the preceding
day, I did not see amid the slain one individual who was
not habited as a soldier, which, as the peasantry were in
many instances intermingled with the fugitives, goes far
to show the forbearance and discrimination of our men
even in the heat of pursuit.
" On the 17th I returned with the whole force to
Ningpo, with the exception of two companies of the
26th, which I sent under Captain Strange, accompanied
by Captain Pears, direct to Chinhae, with a view to
ascertain the fact of a canal communication between
that place and Tsekee, and to clear the country of any
straggling parties of the enemy. This duty was satisfac-
torily perormed, and the detachment rejoined me here
on the 18th.

" Permit me now to bring to your Lordship's favour-
able notice tne several officers commanding corps, who
were most zealous in executing and even in anticipating
my wishes—viz., Captain Bouchier, commanding the
naval brigade ; Lieutenant-Colonel Morris, commanding
the 49th Regiment ; Lieutenant. Colonel Pratt, com-
manding the 26th Rgiment ; Major Tomlinson, com-
manding the 18th Regiment ; Captain Watson, R.N ,
commanding the seamen ; Captain Uniacke, command-
ing the Royal Marines ; and Captain Simson, command-
ing the Rifles 36th Madras Native Infantry.
" From Lieutenant-Colonel Montgomerie, command-
ing the artillery, and Capt. Pears, commanding the engi-
neers, I received the most zealous support.
" I am greatly indebted to Lieutenant-Colonel Moun-
tain, Deputy-Adjutant-General, and Major Gough, De-
puty-Quarter-Master-General, for their valuable assist-
ance ; and I feel much obliged to Lieutenant-Colonel
Hawkins, Deputy-Commissary-General, and Major
Moore, Deputy-Judge-Advocate-General, who accom-
panied me and acted as my personal staff. Captain
Whittingham, my aide-de-camp, having been sent to con-
vey my wishes to Sir William Parker, ascended the hill
with his Excellency, who speaks most favourably of his
exertions. _

•' I cannot too strongly convey my approbation of the
zealous exertions of Dr. French, the superintending sur-

;eon.
" I send this despatch by Lieut. Alontgomerie, 49th,
who, I am sorry to say, will not from his wound be fit
for service for a considerable time ; he is a most gallant
officer.—l have, &c.,
" HUGH GOUGH, Lieutenant-General,
" Commandimr, Expeditionary Land Force."