The Sun.
London, England, 1842-02-08 00:00:00

GENERAL ORDEAS TO THE EXPEDITIONARY FORCE

Hrad-quarters, Tinghae City, Oct. 3, IS4I.
Major-General Sir Hugh Gough has again the pleasure to
congratulate the troo s under his•command upon their success
in the recapture of th.c island of Chusan and city of Tinghae
on the ist ina._ _

-2. The conluct a the 55th, whcse Bond fortune it was to
land fist, an-I who gallantly gained and &eared the heights
under brisk and sustained fire from the enemy, was most credit-
ab'e to the corps, and gave it the further advantage ei being
the first to scale the city wall.

3. That of the hith Irish, who landed next, was
cqu Ally praisexor by in driving the enemy before them despite
of his resi,tan2e from the lung line of sea batteries, until the
regiment gained and re-,Jecupied its old s'ati.,n on the Pagoth-
hilr:

4. The well-directed fire of the detachment of Royal and
Madras Artillery from Trumball Island, arid thu exertions of
the Madras A tillery on Causan ia getting their guns over
a moat impracticable ground, a.d their tire from successive
points, Were alike distinguished.
5. The Major-General was also gratified by observing the
spirited manner in which the Madras Rifle Company advanced
in extended order over the hills to the city, and the active ze►l
of the Madras Sappers and Miners in carryin:f the scaling
ladders over thex steep and difficult heights, and planting them
against the walls.
6. Circumstances which it was impossible to foresee having
hastened the attack, the 49th Regiment and Royal Marines
were not landed in time to perform all that had been allotted
to them, but. the Major-General noticed with much satisfaction
the rapidity with vihich they moved off to support the advanc3.
7. Sir Hugh Gough addresses himself therefore to all, in
expressing his thanks to corninand.ng officers of columns and
corps, and to the general and personal staff, and directing that
his sentiments be made known to all of every rank under their
respective command. By Order,
(Signed) ARMINE S. H. YOUNTAIN,
True copy. Lieut. Col. D.A. G.
ARMINE S. H. MOUNTAIN,
Lieut. Col. D. A.G.

Return of Officers and Men Killed and WouncH of the Force
under the command of Major-General Sir Hugh Cough,
K.C.8., at the re-capture of the Island of Chusan on the
Ist instant.
Killed--Sappers and Miners, 1 rank and file; 55th Regi-
ment, 1 officer.
Wounded—Sappers and Miners, 1 sergeant, severely; 18th
Royal Irish, 1 rank and file dangerously, 1 sPrgeant and 1
rank and file severely, and 4 rank and Rte slightly ; 55th tie-
giment, 3 rank and file dangerously, 5 rank and file severely,
1 1 rank and file slightly.
Name of Offiver Killed-55th Regiment, Ensign R. Duel.
ARMINE S. H. MOUNTAIN, Lieut.-Col., D. A. G.

Return of Ordnance captured in Chusan. and mounted on the
Defe'ices in the Action of the Ist October, 1841.
On Temple-hill redoubt, 12 on guns.
Battery to the eai,t t f Temple-hill redoubt, 10 iron guns;
ditto 10 brass.
Batt,ry to'the west of Temple-hill redoubt, 8 iron guns.
On ths western line, 40 iron guns; ditto, la brass.
(hi tl.e ramparts of the city, 40 iron guns; ditto, 1 brass.
Grand total, 110 iroa; 2ti brass.
Gingalls, MO; carrying balls from 1,2 lb. to 1 lb.
Matchlocks in considerable numbers lying on the works, but
all deStroyed.
Gkuipoviller tubs, 554.
Rockitts,. Bamboo, 30.
11-Ocliets: alirow cases, 20.
BiITS; leaden, boxes and tubs, 100.
N.B.—The brass guns are remarkably well bored, and al-
thob!t of great thleknes3 of the metal, yet evidently show con-
siderable advance on the part of the Chinese in casting.
Some of the gun carriages are superior to those hitherto in
use with the Chinese, particularly one on which a brass gun
is mounted ; and the models of gun carriages and sweeps which
have been found, prove that the Chinese are quite ready to
introduce improvement..
J. KNOWLES, Captain, Comminding Artillery Brigade.
Chtfsan, October 3, 1841.

FIE RIGHT /lON. THE EARL OF AUCKLAND,G.C.B., COVER-
NOR-GENERAL OF INDIA, &c.
Head-Quarters, October 18, 1841.
My Lord—With feelings of the deepest thankfulness I have
the honour to acquaint roar Lordship that, under the protec-
ti in cf a gracious and allivise Providence, perfect success has at-
tended her 'Majesty's combined forces in all our projected ope-
rations. Considering the extent of the enemy's preparations,
the' strength of his different posi'icns, and his overwhelming
numbers, the loss on our side has been surprisingly small, while
thavon the part of the Chinese has been almost appalling.
My last dispatch will have informed your -Lordship of
ourproposed movement of Chinghae and Ningpo. On the
Bth instant, I accompanied their Excellencies Sir Henry Put-
singer and the Admiral in a steamer, for the purpose of recon-
noitring the former place. For the period of the monsoon,
upon a lee-shore, the wea•her was singularly favourable : both
on this and the following s the enemy allowed us to come
within short range without firing a shot, and the Admiral and
I were thus st once enabled to make our disposition..
3. The fortified city of Chinghae, the great military depot
in this province, is situated on the left bank of the Tahia or
Ningpo river, occupying, with its suburb, the whole space be-
tween the river and the sea. The walls are nearly three miles
i circumference, and their sea f•ce runs for about a mile along
a masive stone embankment, that ex' ends for three or four
miles further up the ecast. At the south-eastern extremity,
separated only from the walls by a narrow gorge, a precipitous
rock-rises abruptly from the sea, throwing out a steep and
rugeed spur, at the point of which is the entrance t i the river.
Upon the summit of this rock there is a large joss-house, ex-
tending along the coast of the ridga, and forming a sort of cita-
del, the several buildings being loop-holed and connected by
castellated walls, audio front of the outer gate, commanding the
spur before mentioned, a battery, armed with some pieces of
heavy ordnance, has been recently constructed. From infor-
mation-I obtained, it would appear that the joss 'house was oc-
cupied by 400 men, while 3,000 held the city and various small
encampments without the walls.
4. The same information led me to believe, and the recon-
noisances confirmed the statement, that the great body of the
troops were strongly posted on the right bank of the river upon
a range of steep hula ovei basking the city and Joss-house with
heavy batteries, armed for the most part, with new brass guns,
commanding the entrance to the river, which was staked across..
All these heights were fortified, and presented both a sea de-
fence and military position of great strength, corsisting of a
cha d of entrenched camps on all the prominent points difficult
of approach from the natural steepness of the hale, which had
been further scarped in several places; field redoubts crowned
the summits, and hill and ravine bristled with gingalls. A low
swampy Pat, rea;;hing to the s!. ore, and only to be crossed by
narrow winding causeways, lay in frost of the left of this priSi-
tion, Which was also protects d by a deep canal, that, after
skirthkg the, hills, ruris through the flat into the sea • but I as-
certained that there were two bridges over this canal.
5. We returned to Chusan the same evening, and the troops
which'i had ordered for this service having been previously am-
barked; as thick as they could stow on board the transports se-
leeted bythe Admiral as fittest in regard to the extraordinary
currents on this coast, the squadron arrived the following even-
ing off the mouth of Tahea river.
6. I beg herewith to enclose for your Lordship's information
the disPositien for landing. It appeared to use advisable, in
which Sir William Parker concurred, that we should make a
conjoint attack on both banks of the river, first drawing the
attention of the enemy to the right bank ; and the dispositions
were accordingly made for attacking in three columns, while
the two line-of-battle ships. with the Blonde and Modeste,
were to cannonade the Joss house-hill, and sea line of the city
defence ; the smaller vessels of war and the steamers to cover
the 'lauding and to support, when practicab'e, the advancing
columns by their fire. Sir William Parker wit detail to your
Lordship the truly spirited manner in which the several ships
of war and steamers took up their positions and fulfilled his
orders. It only remains for me to say that the cordial co-ope-
ration and powerful support which I•have received upon the
present, indeed upon every occasion, from the ships of war
under the direction of their gallant chief, is matter of the
warmest thankfulness.
7. At daylight, on the morning of the 10th, the left column
consisting of a wing of the 18th, five companies of the 55th,
the Rifle company of the 36th Madras Native Infantry, a
company of Madras Artillery, and one of Sappers, in all 1,040
men, with four light hotnitzers and two 5i inch mortars, was
embarked in the steamers. This column I placed under Lieut,-
Colonel Craigie, but accompanied myself, and at eight o'cl,,Ck
the steamers, having run in close to the shore, the troops were
promptly landed, without any opposition, under the judicious
superintendence of Cap'ain Giffard, ably aided by Lieut. So-
merville, of the Royal Navy, at a rocky point, having the low
flat and the canal already mentioned to their right.
8. The centre column was soon a'ter landed about a mile
to my right, under a detached rocky hill, near the mouth of
the canal, but on the opposite bark, having in its front a part
of the low flat between it and the enemy's position, my object
being to threaten a front attack, and to doter the enemy from
weakening his centre to support his right, which the left column
under my own superintendence was dead ed to burn. The
centre ceiumn consisted of the 40th regiment, detachments of
the Royal and Madras Artillery; under Captain Knowles, of the
firmer c irps, and fifty men of the Sappers, ansouroirg alto-
ge her to 440 men, with two 12-pounder hov.itzers, and two
9.pounder field guns, under L'eut.-Colenel Morris
9. Immediately after landing the left column moved rapidly
ever a tucces3ion of steep hills that skirted the intervening flat
in front of the enemy's position, until it reached a point from
whence I hail a full view of the whole position and of the two
bridges over the canal—that to my front I ordered the Rifle
ing a few houses on our side, sup.
company
to
protest
by
°ceur
t nart-C ' C • •
ported by fhe 18th, 'find I irected ten e o.one Craigie
with'the 155th, accompanied by Captain Pears, commanding
smithe+i; ttl`riiMie eufekly Orr the sett:Md bridge, which was
the-
hill' a milefurther up. the flat,: cross if; and push on for
tnealog the, .estretne right of the enemy's
to- cwt.. off his retreat. By this time
the centre co
IThllkkliii*Xlf4ii•ata 'showed its head at the oppo-
• • •

site side of the flat just out of gingall range, threateningthaefr
artlyt
attack. Captain Simpson very promptly performedviinth
jared, but had been barricaded b
entrusted to him, and I ascertainedya cid al
athiat the bridge
o
f masonry, asuri
v
soldier could not pass
with some difficulty removed, a single
merely an aperture so narrow that soon after the gate was
through without unstrapping his greet coat. Having assem-
bled the 18th at the foot of the bridge to cover the Rifles, that
company passed over in Indian file, in face of a large body of
the enemy, assembled in an advanced redoubt upon the sum-
mit of an eminence within 150 yards of us, who cheered our
advance, but most unaccountably reserved their fire. Having
placed the Rifles behind a hill just beyond the bridge, I di-
rected the 18th to cross and form, and finding the 55th had ar-
rived at its point of attack, sent orders for the 49th to advance,
which they did with a spirit worthy of that gallant corps.
10. From the rapidity of these movements and the difficulties
of the ground, the guns could not be brought forward enough
to act, but Captain Anstruthrr, of the Madras Artillery, with
the usual alacrity of that corps, brought up the rockets, which
now began to play. The moment the advance of the 49th got
into action, the 18th and Rifl-s rapidly moved forward, and
the 55th having crossed the upper bridge, pressed the enemy's
right. I have seldom witnessed a more animated combined
attack, the Chinese cheering until we got close to them,
now poured in a very heavy but ill-directed fire, and
displayed in various instances acts of individual bravery
that merited a better fate ; but nothing could withstand the
steady but rapid advance of the gallant little force that assailed
them ; field-work after field-work was cleared, and the colours
of the 49th were displayed on the principal redoubt above the
sea and river batteries; while the 18th, who had charged up a
deep gorge to the left, broke through the central encampment,
carrying every thing before them. From 12,000 to 15,000 of
the enemy, that had stood longest, were driven down the
heights into the river, their retreat. being cut off by the flank
movement of the 55th ; many were drowned in attemp.ing to
swim across to the city, others sought concealment on a rock in
the stream, and were afterwards picked up by the boats of the
Qaeen, and nearly 500 surrendered as prisoners.
11. I feel a difficulty in naming any individual where all so
well merit my warmest meed of praise, but I cannot avoid
bringing to your lordship's special notice, as having fallen un
my own personal observation, the conduct of Captain Reynolds,
of the 49th, and Lieutenant and Adjutant Browne, of the same
crape, whose bold advance up the first hill, the one with his
company, the other with a covering party of his regiment, was
most conspicuous. Lieut.-Colonel Morris reports most favour-
ably of the spirited manner in w' ich Captain Tabor, with his
light company, covered his right flank.
12. The operations on the right bank having thus termi-
nated, I had a full view of the effect of the fire from the ships
of war and steamers on the Joss-house-hill, and of the landing
of the right column. This column, which consisted of the
seamen, battalion of Royal Marines, a detachment of Royal
Artillery, and fifty sappers, in all about 700 men, with two
five and a half inch mortars, I had intrusted to Captain Her-
bert, of her Majesty.'s ship Blenheim, whom Sir W. Parker
placed at my disposal, s-ncling with him Captain Cotton, of
the Madras Engineers. Captain Herbert was instructed to land
at the extremity of the Spur under the Joss-house, and to
storm and take it by the spa front, whenever the fire fro:n the
ships should make it practicable, and it was left to his discre-
tion to push on and take the city, if the effect of a plunging
fire fenn the hill, aided by a powerful cannonade from the ships
of war, should justify the advance.
13. I had it only in my power, as the flying enemy had car-
r'ed off every boat from the right bank of the river, to aid the
operatons on the left bank by turning such of the captured
guns as our artillery could at the moment bring to bear
upon the city, and by a well. directed tire of rockets; but
it appeared to me evident that more 2i.1 was necessary, as
the admirable fire of the ships of war and steamers occa-
sioned fearful devastation on the Jose-house-hill. The right
column landed a little after eleven o'clock, and the seam n
with characteri tic spirit dashed up the face of the near'y
precipitous rock, supported by the steady advance of
the Royal Marines. A magazine in the new battery be-
fore the Dater gate exploded. The way was thus cleared,
and the column entered, the garrison escaping into the
town, and the Union Jack was displayed en the Joss.
house walls. Captain Herbert, with his usual sound
judgment, instantly determined upon taking a:dvan age
of the general panic, quickly followed up the retreating
enemy, and cleared the city rampart in his front by a
sharp fire of musketry. At this moment a tremendous ex-
plosion took place in a battery below the hill, by which the
Chinese suffered severely, and a dh ummer of the marines re-
ceived so severe a wound that he soon after died. The coluinn
escaladed at the south-eastern angle where the city wall is
about tar) feet high, the enemy flying before it, as it rapidly
pushed along the ramparts, and escaped through the western
gates. I cannot omit to mention here that Sir William Parker
accompanied this column, and with the true spirit of a British
sailor, was amra g the first to scale the walls. Thus, the ferti-
firdcity of Chinhae, with the several shore batteries, as well as
the enemy's works end fortified encampments on the right
bank of the river, all of which they had been for the last year
busily employed in strengthening at an immense expense, fell
into our possession. Of the principal Mandarins, some are re-
ported to have been killed, others to have destroyed themselves,
and the Chinese army dispersed, the fugitive soldiers throwing
away their arms and military clothing.
14. Captain Herbert speaks in high terms of the zealous and
spirited conduct of every individual under his command, and
particularly calls my attention to the able assistance he received
from Captain Bourchier of the Blonde, commanding the batta-
lion of seamen ; Major Ellis, commanding Royal Marines, and
Captain Whitcomb of that corps, an old and zealous officer ;
and Captain Cotton, of the Madras Engineers. I beg, there-
fore, to bring these officers to your Lordship's favourable not.ce.
15. The obstructions at the river's mouth having been re-
moved by the boats from the ships of war and the steamers, the
latter came in, and I passed over in the afternoon, leaving a
sufficient force on the right bank to collect the arms, protect
the brass, and destroy the iron guns.
16. I have not been able to ascertain the actual strength of
the Chinese army, but from the heavy masses collected at differ•
ent points upon the right bank, from the numbers I saw upon
the walls of Chinhae, as well as from the multiplicity of arms
found over the whole face of the hills and on the ramparts and
in the streets of the city, I am led to conclude that my infor-
mation before stated, as to the force on the left bank was cor-
rect, end that from eight to nine thousand men occupied the
works and position on the right, where the bodies of several
Alas-Matins were found amongst the killed, while others, sup-
posed to be Mandarins, were seen to drown themselves whets
their retreat-was intercepted.
17. We found Chinhae to be, I may almost say, one great
arsenal, with a cannon foundry and gun- carriage manufactory
in active operation on improved works, together with warlike
stores of various descriptions. In a battery upon the river one
of the caronades of the Kite was found, with an excellent imi-
tation alongside it, and many of the new Chinese brass guns are
very efficient.

19. It having been determined to push on with the least pos-
sible delay to Ningpo, Sir William Parker proceeded on the
12th, in the Nemesis steamer, to ascertain the practicability of
the river, and actually reached, without the slightest attempt at
opposition, the bridge of boats, which connects the city with
the opposite suburb. Upon his returning in the eve3ing, ar-
rangements were made for the attack on the following morning,
lest the enemy, by his apparent submission, should intend to
entrap us. Having left the 55th, with the exception of the
light company, 100 of the Royal Marines, with detachments of
artillery and sappers in Chinghae, the rest of the force, about
750 bayonets, exclusive of the artillery and sappers, in steamers,
by eight A. 11., on the 13th, and we reached Ningpo at three
o'clock. No enemy appeared, and it was evident that no am-
buscade was intended, as the inhabitants densely thronged
the bridge of boats, and collected in clusters along both
banks. The troops landed on and near the bridge,
and advanced to the city gate, which we found barri-
caded, but the walls were soon escaalded, and the Chi
nese assi.ted in removing the obstructions and open-
ing the gate. This little force of soldiers, seamen, and marines

—.—
drew up on the ramparts, the band of the 18th playing "-God
save the Queen !" The second city of the province of Cie-
Keang, the walls of which are nearly five miles in circumfer.

ence, with a population of 300,000 souls, has thus fallen into
our hands. The people all appear desirous to throw them-

selves under Bri6sh protection, saying publicly that their
Mandarins have deserted them, and their own soldiers are
unable to protect them. I have assembled some of the most
respectable and influential of the mercantile class that have re-
mained, and have as,ured them of ay anxiety to afford them
all protection consistent with our instructions to press the
Chinese Government. Proclamations have been issued, call-
ing upon the people to open their shops, which I have engaged
shall not be molested. This they have done to some extent,
and confidence appears to be increasing. It affords me very
great gratification to he enabled to report to your Lordship that
the orderly conduct of the troops calls for my warmest com-
mendations, evincing the constant attention of the officers, and
the true British feeling which exists in this little force.
19. 1 have placed the troops in two large public buildings,
as :comfortable quarters as I could find consistent with se-
curity. The duties to guard against any sudden attack, and
to protect'llie Chinese against- gangs of robbers of their own
countrymen, 'ire' necessarily very severe. Cholera has ap-
peared, I reg.ret to say, both in Cbinghae and in this city ; in
the fortnee•ant of the :marines have died; here all the cases
have recovered, and trust that, 'by the unremitting attention
aad judicious arrangements-of-Dr.-French, the superintending
surgeon, the progress of the disease has been arrested.
20. I have spoken of the 'forbearance of the troops to-
wards the inhabitants under temptations of no ordinary na-
ture, and it is with 'equal pride that I feel myself called
upon to bring to your Lordship's notice their excellent con-
duct in the field throughout the operations I have detailed.
every officer sad soldier has merited my approbation. I
will, therefore, only further beg leave to name the com-
manding officers of columns and corps : Captain Herbert,
R.N., commanding right column; Lieut.-Col. Craigie, 531 h,
commanding left column • Lieut.-Cul. Morris, 49th, eon-
manding centre column • daptain Bourchier, R.N., command-
ing seamen battalion ; Lieut.-Col. Adams, commanding 18th.
Royal Irish ; ;Major Blyth, commanding 49th Regiment;
Major Faucet, commanding 55th; Major Ellis, commanding
-
Royal Marines; Captain Simpson, commanding Rifles 36th
M.N.I. ; Captain Knowles, commanding Royal Artillery'
(senior officer of that arm), and Captain Anstruther, corn-,
mending Madras Artillery. From Captain Pears, the com-
manding Engineer, I have received every assistance. •
Lieutenant-Colonel Mountain, Deputy-Adjutant-General,
and Captain Gough, acting Deputy Quartermaster-General,
have continued their able and active services with unabated zeal.
This despatar, together with plans of Amoy, Chusan, and.
Chinghae, will be delivered by Lieut. Gabbith, Of the Madras
Artillery, my Aid. de-camp, whom I beg to recommend to your'
Lordship, and who will be able to afford any further information'
you may require.—l have the honour to be, my Lord, your
Lordship's most obedient humble servant,
H. GOUGH, Lieut.-General,
Commanding Expeditionary Land Force.

Return of the killed and wounded of the Force under the
command of Lieutenant-General Sir Hugh Gough, K. C. 8.,
at the Storming of the Fortified Heights and Citadel of
Chinhae, on the 10th of October, 1841.
Head quarters, Ningpo, Oct. 16, 1841.
Royal Artillery—One private, severely wounded.
18th Royal Irish Regiment—One rank and file killed, two
rank and file severely, and one slightly wounded.
49th Regiment—tine rank and file dangerously, one officer,
one serjeant, three rank and file severely, and four rank and
file slightly wounded.
Royal Marines—One drummer killed.
55th Regiment—One camp follower severely wounded.
Rifle Company 36th M.N.l.—One private killed.
RECAPITULATION.
Three rank and file killed, two rank and file dangerously
wounded, one officer, one serjeant, and six rank and file se-
verely wounded, five slightly wounded. One camp follower
severely wounded. Total-3 killed, 16 wounded.
Name of officer wounded.
Lieutenant J. M. Montgomery, 49th Regiment.
A. S. 11. MOUNTAIN, Lieut.-Colonel,
Deputy Adjutant-Gen., Expeditionary Force.

Wellesley, at the Anchorage of Just-in-the-way,
September 5, 1841.

My Lord,—l have the honour to transmit for your Lord-
ship's information, the copies of two letters from Mr. Hall,
commanding the Hon. Company's steam-vessel Nemesis, re-
porting the destruction of a Chinese battery on the island of
Quemoy, on the 31st of August, and of three, together with
three war junks, within the harbour of Shei-po, on the 17th
instant; and I have much pleasure in adding my commendation
of the spirit of enterprise and activity which is exhibited by
Mr. Hall, his officers and crew, upon every opportunity.-1
have the honour to be, my T,ord, your Lordship a most obe-
dient servant, Vir. PARKER, )tear-Admiral.