The Sun.
London, England, 1842-11-24 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, ITHURSDAY MORNING, NOVEMBER 24, 1842.

OVERLAND MAIL

;), CHINA AND INDIA.

_

SECRET DEPARTMENT.

SIMLA, SEPT. 23.
GENERAL ORDERS HY THE RIGHT HON. THE GOVERNOR-

GENERAL OF INDIA.

The Right Honourable the Governor-General of India
has directed the publication of a disratch this day re-
ci-ived from Vice-Admiral Sir W. Parker, K.C.8., Naval
Commander-in-Chief on the coast of China, inclosing
copies of his Excellency's reports to the Admiralty of
the successful operations of the combined forces in China,
in the capture of Woosung, Paoushan, and Shanghae.
By order of the Right Hon. the Governor-General of
India.
T. bl. MAI)DOCK, Secretary to the Governor-Gene-
ral of India, with the Governor-General.

FROM HIS EXCELLENCY VICE-ADMIRAL SIR W. PARKER,
K.C.8., NAVAL COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF, CHINA, TO THE
RIGHT HON. LORD ELLENBOROUGH, GOVERNOR-GENE-

RAL OF INDIA.

CORNWALLIS, AT WOOSUNG, -JUNE 26.
My Lord,—l have the honour to enclose, for your
Lordship's information, copies of my dispatches to the
Secretary of the Admiralty, reporting the capture of
Woosung, Paoushan, and 6hanghae, on the 16th and
19th instant, with a total of not less than 400 guns, and
a large quantity of arms and military stores, with com-
paratively small loss I and I beg to offer my congratula-
tions to your Lordship, on these events.
Sir 11. Pottinger returned to the expedition on the
20th instant, and nearly the whole of the expected rein-
forcements of troors and ships of war have arrived in
this quarter, with ample supplies of provisions and stores.
As I believe his Excellency Sir Hugh Gough sends
your Lordship the copies of our late correspondence with
Elepoo, I do not trouble you with another set, and have
only to add, that no time will be lost in advancing the
expedition up the Yang-tse•Kiang in prosecution of fur-
ther operations.—l have, &c.
W. PARKER, Vice-Admiral.

FROM HIS EXCELLENCY VICE-ADMIRAL SIR W. PARKER,
H.C.R., NAVAL COMMANDER•IN-CHIEF, CHINA, TO THE
SECRETARY OF THE ADMIRALTY, &C.
Sir,—l did myself the honourof apprising the. Lords
Commissioners of the Admiralty on the 26th ult. from
Chapoo, that his Excellency Lieutenant-General Sir
IT. Gough and myself had it in contemplation to make
our next descent at Woosung, situated at the entrance
of a large river of that name, branching from the Yang-
tse-Kiarg ; and I have now the gratification of report-
ing to their Lordships, that after a severe cannonading
yesterday from her Majesty's squadron and the steam-
vessels of the Indian navy under my command, and a
spirited resistance on the part of the Chinese, the whole
of their numerous and heavy batteries, defended by se-
veral thousand men, were carried with little compara-
tive loss by the seamen and marines, and a practicable
place for disembarking the troops having been thus se-
cured, the combined forces under Sir H. Gough took
possession of Paoushan, a city of the third class, at the
northern extremity of the sea-line batteries, without fur-
ther resistance. _ _ _

In detailing these. operations, I beg to inform their
Lordships that, as soon as the guns, arms, and military
stores of every description taken at Chapoo were effec-
tually destroyed, not a moment was lost in re-embark-
ing the troops.
The fleet sailed thence on the 28th of May, and
on the following day reached the Rugged Islands, lying
14 leagues distant to the eastward, where Commanders
Kellett and , Collinson had recently discovered a safe and
extensive sound, conveniently situated as an anchorage
for the expedition, pending the further examination of
those officers, assisted by L cotenant Maitland, of the
.Algerine, to ascertain a safe channel for the large ships
into the Ystng-tse-Kiang ; but it was not until the 4th
inst. that they were able to rejoin us with a satisfaCtory
report of their investigation. • •
The fleet proceeded to tare northward on the following
day ; but from the strength of the tides, calms, fogs, and
the necessity of anchoring during the nights, we did not
arrive at the appointed rendezvous off the Amherst Rocks
before the•Bth, when the .Modeste, with the Nemesis and
Phlegethon steam-vessels, were immediately detached off
Wreosung to intercept- any conimunication, with that
place ; and six of the small vessels were at the same time
placed as beacons at the edge of the shoals on the north
side of the channel leading into the Yang-tse-Kiang ;
this highly important duty was executed most skilfully
by ComManders Kellett and Collinson, as no landmarks-
are visible on the low ,banks of the river by which the
dangers can be defined, and the Ariadne iron steam-
vessel very narrowly escaped foundering, by striking on
the point of a rock before unknown, near the position
taken up by the Algerine. This rock is awash at low
water, and had not more than four or five feet on it at
the time ; the bottom of the steam-vessel was completely
perforated, and the compartment which contains the en-
gine instantaneously filled with water ; but by prompt
assistance from the squadron, and a sail being got ;under
her bottom, the leak was sufficiently absorbed to enable
her, with the assistance of the Sesostris, to reach Chusan,
where I trust her damages will be made good in a fow
weeks.

The weather continued too thick for the ships again to
break ground before the 13th, when I am happy to say
the Cornwallis, conducted by Commander Kellett, and
accompanied by the squadron, viz., the Blonde, Colum-
bine, Jupiter troop-ship, Phlegethon, Tenasserim, Me-
dusa, steam-vessels, and twelve transports, succeeded in
reaching the anchorage off Woosung under sail without
a single accident, though running for a distance of 30
miles in water, which only exceeded by three feet the
draught of this ship.
1 found that Commander Watson, with Mr. orster,

the master of the Modeste, had been indefatigable since
their arrival in making observations and sounding the
narrow channel, by which alone the Woosung river can
be approached. The banks at the entrance were lined
with strong batteries, the western side presenting for
three miles an uninterrupted' fortified embankment,
mounting 134 guns, between the city of Paoushan and
the village of Woosung. This village is bounded by a
creek, on the opposite bank of which a semicircular bat-
tery, mounting ten 24-pounders, was erected to flank the
entrance of the river. A strong fort, mounting 21 guns,
at the eastern entrance of the Woosung, completed the
sea defence, making a total of 175 guns, which were all
placed in judicious positions.
The distance between the last-mentioned fort on the
east side and the main battery on the west lineis scarcely
a mile, and the channel which runs between them on the
west side in a curved direction is not more than 320 yards
wide.

A close reconnaissance was made by Sir Hugh Gough
and myself in the Medusa steam-vessel on the 14th ; but
we were unable to discover any spot where the troops
could be landed, except under the guns of the ships ; and
I could not entertain a doubt of soon effecting the object,
if they could be placed in good positions for cannonading
the works.
Although the weather was unfavourable, every diffi-
culty was overcome by the zeal and perseverance of
Commanders Kellett and Collinson, assisted by the
masters of her Majesty's ships—viz., the Cornwallis,
Mr. J. Coaker ; the Blonde, Mr. H. A. Thomas ; the
Modesto, Mr. J. T. Forster ; the Columbine, Mr. B. G.
Wills, who during the nights sounded and buoyed the
channel with admirable accuracy. The Medusa was

then advanced as near the batteries es we could venture
to anchor her, supported by guard-boats, to prevent the
Chinese removing the buoys, and by the vigilance of
Lieut. Hewitt, none of them were disturbed.
The Sesostris returned from Chusan on the 15th, and

the wind being adverse for the ships taking up their po-
sitions under sail, I determined on placing them against
the batteries by the aid of the steam-vessels, and the
following morning being from the state of the weather
and tide favourable for our purpose, they were lashed
alongside her Majesty's ships at dawn of day, and at six
o'clock the whole proceeded to the attack in the following
order:—The Blonde, towed by the Tenasserim; the
Cornwallis, towed by the Sesostris; the Modeste, towed
by the Nemesis; the Columbine, towed by the Phlegethon;
the Clio, towed by the Pluto; the Algerine to get in as
far as possible under sail, the Medusa being reserved to
meet any unexpected contingency.
The Blonde and Cornwallis were directed to anchor
against the heaviest batteries at 'the entrance on the
western side, and when placed, the sloops were to pro-
ceed higher up under the cover of their fire, to attack
those adjoining the village of Woosung, and the flanking
hattery.immediately opposite to it, which it was evident
could be passed and enfiladed if the depth of water marked
on the charts in our possession proved correct.
The Blonde was kept ahead of the Cornwallis, to be
ready to support the sloops should they require it, the
narrowness of the channel in which we were to anchor

naiking it doubtful in that event whether there would be
space for her to pass this ship.
Captain Bourchier led in with his accustomed gal-
lantry and ability, closely followed by the Cornwallis,
bearing my flag, under a heavy fire from the batteries
on both sides, which we were obliged to approach. Com-
manders Kellett and Collinson handsomely volunteered
their assistance as pilots ; and about half-past 6 o'clock
the two ships were anchored by the stern, in excellent
positions, within COO. yards of the batteries, the sloops
passing on successively to their stations.
The Algerine was obliged to bring up astern of the
Cornwallis, and the Sesostris, after casting off this ship,
in proceeding to take a station to enfilade the fort on the
eastern side, unfortunately took' the ground, but in a
position which enabled Commander Ormsby to render
very essential service, of which he ably availed himself.
Before the Tenasserim could take up her assigned
station the North Star was observed outside endeavouring
to enter the Channel; the former vessel therefore was
dispatched to tow her into position,, sanpdlaueenddeirea the
ggetend-
dance of Commander Kellett she eras
berth, ahead ofh ethrrss
the
(Bn Blonde,
theta p
efi time a
attempted
participate i inse ourthe
operations. The
eastern battery, but
with which the Sesostris and some of
the larboard guns of the Cornwallis engaged,were
in
doing so she likewise took the ground, although in a si-
tuation to render very effective service.
It is but justice to say,-that the Chinese evinficreed
much
firmness at their guns, and kept up a smart
fur a
considerable time,, although it gradually slackened after
the ships opened on them.
The gun practice of the squadron equalled the most
sanguine expectations, and by eight o'clock our opponents
were all driven from their batteries, those opposite to the
ships being reduced to a ruinous state. Large bodies of
troops, however; were still observed from our mast-
heads collected in different directions to oppose our
hlanding,
llNebreutthtn9he?v,nu,•,eirtehaet lxeeelnlegitll d
ti
priesepiseir(smedbyby
the
the officers of the Cornwallis and Blonde, withtle guradi--
dition of some rockets from the former ship.
During the proceedings at the entrance of the river,
the Modeste, Columbine, and Clio, led on with great
spirit by Commander Watson, and skilfully conducted
by the steam-vessels respectively attached to them, gal-
lantly and coapletely achieved the service assigned
them. The Modeste pushed at once into the creek at
the village of Woosung, while the Columbine and Clio
approached the OppoSite flank of the semicircular bat-
tery, which was immediately abandoned, and, the guns
adjoining the village being soon silenced, the three
commanders landed at the head of their men about eight

r o'clock, and took possession of it, but not without some
resistance from the Chinese troops in that quarter. On
perceiving this movement, the main body of the seamen
and marines, who were already in the boats, immediately
disembarked opposite the Cornwallis and Blonde, under
Captain Bouchier, supported- by Captain P. Richards
and Sir J. E. Mine, and, forming a junction with Com-
mander Watson's party, the whole line of the western
batteries were completely in our hands. •
The Chinese in the eastern battery, which also suffered
considerably,. retired shortly afterwards, when Corn.
mander Ormsby promptly landed with a party of men
from the Sesostris and_ Tenasserim, and destroyed the
guns and works.
The smaller steam-vessels equally contributed to the
success which attended Commander Watson's division,
and when the NeMesis•and Phlegethon were disengaged
from the Modesto and Columbine, Lieutenants Hall and
M'Cleverty proceeded with- their usual activity in chase
of 13 war junks which had fired on. them in their ad-
vance ; these were totally destroyed, each mounting
about three guns besides small arms, but the crews after
sustaining much loss made their escape. Three small
junks, newly constructed with paddle-wheels to work by
hand, were also taken. In performing this service the
Nemesis took the ground and remained some hours On
shore, but got off without injury .; and I must not omit
to notice the exertions of the Medusa and Pinto.' with
similar approbation,
No time was lost in dispatching the available steam-
vessels for the troops, and before one o'clock I had the
satisfaction of seeing the whole of the land forces disem-
barked without accident under their gallant General op-
posite to the Cornwallis, and in the afternoon the com-
bined forces entered Paoushan without resistance. •

I now gladly acquit myself of a very gratifying part
of my duty in bearing testimony to the gallantry and
satisfactory conduct of the captains, commanders, offi-
cers, and men of all ranks in the Royal and Indian navy
andiloyal Marines under tny command.
It would be almost invidious to particularise where all
have displayed the most emulative spirit of enterprise
and zeal, the whole being entitled to my unqualified com-
mendation ; but from the special position of my flag
captain, I may be allowed,. without prejudice to these
sentiments, to express my acknowledgments for the very
valuable assistance which I at all times derive from the
unwearied exertions and good judgment of Captain P.
Richards, and I may acid that my secretary, Mr. B.
Chimmo. and flag-lieutenant, C. E. Tennant, have inva-
riably attended me on every occasion of service with most
praiseworthy
I transmit herewith for their Lordships' information
lists of the killed and wounded, the damages sustained in
the respective ships, the names of the officers who were
attached to the landing parties on the 16th, and au ac-
count of the guns which have been taken.
It is impossible to state accurately either the force or
loss of the Chinese, as they are quick in removing those
who have suffered; but, from the number of bodies found
in diffeient directions, I cannot estimate their killed at
less than 100, and a proportionate number of wounded ;
and, from various accounts, they must have had from
5,000 to 10,000 men for the defence of Wroosung and
Paoushan.

Many additional guns have fallen into our hands at
and to the northward of the city ; a considerable num-
ber of those taken are of copper, which we are now em-
barking in the ships of war and transports, and as soon
as the destruction of the Chinese military stores is
completed, the General and myself propose to advance
on the city of Shanghae. I have, &c.,
W. PARKER, Vice-Admiral.
From a return of the killed and,wounded on board
her Majesty's shipS and vessels, and those of the Indian
navy in the attack on the batteries of Woosung, the 16th
of June, it appears, that -two only, both of the Blonde,
were killed, and 25 in all wounded.

FROM HIS EXCELLENCY VICE-ADMIRAL SIR W. PARKER
NAVAL COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF, CHINA, TO THE SECRE.
TARY TO THE ADMIRALTY, &C.
Cornwallis, off WoosungHarbour, June 24.

Sir,—ln anticipation of our advance on Shang,hze,
communicated in my letter of the 17th inst., I beg to
acquaint 'you, for the information of my Lords Commis-
sioners of the Admiralty, that the Phlegethon and
Medusa were dispatched up the river on that day with
Commander Kellett, to ascertain if any obstruction
might be expected, either from the Chinese forces or
want,of water fin• the steam-vessels in their passage with
the troops ; but they returned in a few hours, having
been stopped by two strong batteries on each side of
the river, about six miles above Woosung, that on the
left bank mounting 46, and on the opposite 14 guns;
the latter opened a distant but ineffectual fire on the
steam-vessels.

The Modesto, Columbine, and Clio, towed by the Ne-
mesis, Phlegethon, and Pluto, were therefore immediately
sent in advance, with directions to Commander 'Watson
to take up a position as near as possible to these bat-
teries, without drawing their fire, until the expeditionary
forces joined ; but to destroy the guns and stores in
them, if the panic caused by the attack of the 16th should
induce the Chinese to quit them without much resist-
ance ; am! I now transmit a copy of Commander Wat-
son's report of his having taken possession of both these
works without opposition.
The expeditionary forces were joined on the 16th by
the Dido, with eight transports, containing the 2d Madras
Native Infantry, and other reinforcements from India,
and, 'the destruction of the guns and military stores at
Paoushan and Woosung being now completed, the troops
were embarked, on the morning of the 19th, in the Te-

nasserim,,Nemesis, Phlcgethon,and Pluto, which respec-
tively took the North Star, Modeste,Columbine, and Clio,
in tow, and proceeded up the riser, the marines of the
squadron being put on board the Medusa, in which the
General and his staff did me the honour to accompany
me, together with Captains Bourchier, Richards, and
Koppel, and a few boats from their respective ships to
assist in landing the troops. A force of about 500 men,
- including some Horse Artillery, were also despatched
by the General' by land towards Shanghae, which is
about twelve miles above Woosung.
With the exception of one or two narrow channels we
found no difficulty in navigating this splendid river, and
by half-past one o'clock had approached within sight of
the city, when the North Star, which was leading, ob-
served a range of batteries at the north end of it, which
soon afterwards opened a distant fire without doing any
mischief ; the squadron were then directed by signal to
cast off the steamers and engage, when the ships
promptly shot in to close positions, and on the discharge
of two well-directed broadsides from the North Star and
Modeste (by which four guns were dismounted) and a
few guns from the steam-vessels, the Chinese fled with
precipitation, and Captain Bourchier immediately landed
with the seamen and marines, and took possession of
the batteries, on which 49 guns (17 of brass) were
mounted, and a considerable quantity of arms of different
descriptions, the whole of which, with the exception of
the brass guns, were destroyed.
The troops disembarked in the city from the steam-
vessels nearly at the same, when they were joined by the
party that marched from Woosung, which had previously
entered can the west side, but the mandarin authorities

had all fled, and the principal inhabitants were departing
as fast as possible in every direction.

The Columbine and Medusa were sent to the south-
ward of the city to endeavour to check this depopulation,
but although the river at Shanghae is not less than 650
yards wide, it was literally covered with junks and boats
of ail sizes, carrying off furniture and goods. The re-
spectable inhabitants, however, who did remain, ap-
peared to regard us with less apprehension than I had
anywhere before seen, and they freely produced the sup-
plies of provisions, &c., that were required. We were
informed that the day before our arrival a serious affray
had occurred between the inhabitants and a mandarin
party, and several lives lost, in consequence of the heavy
exactions of the latter, for the avowed purpose of de-
fending the place, and their hasty
.abandonment of it on
our approach.
A large number- of guns, arms, and other munitions
of war, as well as an abundant store of rice, were found
in the arsenal and magazine at Shanghae,-and while the
land forces were occupied in examining and destroying
them, and the ships in getting off the brass guns, &c.,
feeling it very desirable to ascertain, as far as it was
practicable, the navigable course of ie river and other
water communications of the interior, Captain Bour-
chier and Commander Kellett proceeded on the 20th
with the Phlegethon and Medusa, the barge, and some
marines of the Cornwallis, and a boat of the Colum-
bine, for 30 miles without interruption, when two hat-
teries of five guns each were observed on the left bank,
in the supposed vicinity of Sungkeang ; they were,
however, abandoned on the approach of the steam-
vessels, and Lieutenant Wise, with the boats and Ma-
rines of the Cornwallis, landed and destroyed them
without resistance, although a considerable body of
troops had assembled within a short distance.

Ctptain Bourchier's report of his progress up the
river was so satisfactory, that I determined to prose-
cute the examination still further, and accordingly pro-
ceeded, on the following day, with the addition of the
Nemesis, and we succeeded in ascending 37 miles in a
direct line, and 47 miles including the sinuosities of
the river above Shangbae, where we were stopped by
the shallowness of the water at the entrance, of a large
lagoon ; but having spoken with some small junks
loaded with coal, which left Suchanfu only on the pre-
ceding day, we satisfactorily ascertained that there is
a water communication from the Woosung river with
that rich and populous city, and that we had actually
reached within 25 miles of it, with encouraging hopes
that.,g2the small steamers may convey troops within a
short distance of it, should it be desirable.

Commander Kellett's zeal on this service, and every
other in which he is engaged, exceeds all praise ; and I
have the satisfaction of herewith transmitting, for their
Lordships' information, a sketch, which he has drawn
with much ability, of the coast of the Woosung, from its
entrance as far as we have proceeded. It will convey to
their Lordships the best idea of the locality in which we
have been Operating, and, I trust, prove a satisfactory
addition to our present geographical knowledge of these
parts.
. _

The troops were all re-embarked at Shanghae early
on the morning of the 23d, when the squadron drooped
down the river, and they were in the course of the after-
noon transferred to their respective transports at the an-
chorage of Woosimg.

The sqrveying-vessels and light-ships of the squadron
will now proceed up the Yang-tse-Kiang, and their Lord-
ships may depend that no time will be lost in proceeding
wills the expeditionary forces in ,prosecution of further
operations.—l have, &c.,
IV. PARKER, Vice-Admiral.
P.S.—I enclose a list of guns taken and destroyed in
the batteries between Woosung and Shanghae, in the
arsenal and batteries at Shanghae, and above that city
on the banks of the river.
(True copy.) W. PARKER, Vice-Admiral.

FROM COMMANDER R. B. WATSGN, HER MAJESTY'S SHIP
MODESTE, TO VICE-ADMIRAL .SIR W. PARKER, K.C.8.,
COMMANDER -IN-CHIEF, &C.
Modesto, Woosung River, June 18, half-past 1.
S;r,—ln pursuance of your Excellency's order of yes-
terday's date, I have placed the ships under my corn-

ninnd (except the Clio, which unfortunately got aground
on her way up, and has not as yet- been got afloat) out
of gun-shot of the batteries.
Finding this morning that the batteries on the star-
board,
and larboard sides above us had been deserted by
the enemy, I dropped the Modesto nearer, and landed
and tr)ok. possession of them with the Marines and small
arm men of the-Mod?ste and Columbine.
I found the gum—viz., on the larboard side, 8 copper
guns, 33 iron ditto ; on the starboard side, 8 copper guns
6 iron ditto—had been dismounted, tents destroyed, and,
carriages most of them taken away. Above the batteries
I found 8 war junks, all of which were burnt, except a
small one, in which I hope this evening to have all the
copper guns embarked.
I have also the honour to enclose.to your Excellency a
copy of Mr. Forster's remarks, who has been sounding
about a mile above the batteries in our boats.
I have also to inform your Excellency, that the chop
intrusted to me was forwarded to the city, of Shanghae
by a Chinaman, who undertook 'to `delrver'it' tlidee on the •
payment of a few dollars. I have, &c.,
R. B. WATSON,
Commander, her Majesty's ship Modeste,
(True copy.) W. PARKER, Vice-Admiral.
No less than 135 guns of different calibre were de-
stroyed in the batteries between Woosung and Shanghae,
at Shanghae itself, and above the town.

Grand total of killed and wounded, A officers and
men, 6 horses.
Officer wounded—Ensign Stannus, 16th Regiment
Bengal Native Infantry.

- W. NOTT,
Major- General, Commanding Field Force.
Examined, T. POLWN ELE, Captain,
Deputy-Assistant Adjutant-General.