The Sun.
London, England, 1842-01-07 00:00:00

//2 Z7Y,2
( •

E VENING SUN

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line of works on Amoy under a smart fire, . were inthor- .....1
s.
led by the stern about half-past twkl*,4linirably 1,'4,,,
placed by Captains Maitland and Herligiftslp fesiirathoinlW
water, within 400 yards of the prim • 4ttetts..-,:ks/s:sitsl,
l ;,
eisely in the position allotted diem, 7 t ~ittm,k,4 4.,.,-,...:;
P.ylades. columbine, and Algerine, t ' :s" ':: -,:t,),
,iptif,
with equal judgment. Wr'gt'
The Blonde, Druid, and Modeste, rea '
..rrV'.i. r"
tions against the batteries on Koo-lang-s ismin e
earlier, but their Captains found such difficulty from the
shallowness of the water in placing them satisfactorily, -
that to effect, this object they very spiritedly carried their
ships into almost their own draft.
The Bentinck had been appointed to sound the channel
ahead of the Wellesley a ~ WO ran in, which Lieut. Collin-
son very skilfully performed, and then gallantly anchored
the brig within the entrance of the harbour, where she
was joined by the Sesostris, which was placed by ;;apt.
Ormsby in a very judicious situation for relieving her
and the other ships from a flanking fire.
The tire of the Chinese soon slackened under the ex-
cellent gun practice of the squadron. At half-past three
I had the satisfaction of seeing the marines and the 26th
regiment land on the island of Koo-lang-soo' and the 13ri-
tish colours planted on the batteries. The Modeste and
Blonde then weighed and stood into the inner harbour,
and, after silencing„ they passed the town batteries,
which were out of our reach ; they anchored completely
inside, and abreast of the city, taking possession of 26
war junks, with 128 guns on board, in a state of prepara-
tion for sea, deserted by their crews.
About the same time the first division of troops were
landed under the able direction of Commander Giffard, of
the Cruizer, and headed by their gallant General Sir
Hugh Gough, escaladed and took possession of the works
at the barrier wall.
An outwork beyond this point (which had been pre-
visusly silenced), was also entered, and the British
colours hoisted by the crew of a boat from the Phlege-
thon ; and the batteries immediately opposite the Wel-
lesley and Blenheim -being nearly demolished, a party of
seamen and marines were landed from those ships, under
the command of Commander Fletcher, and the officers
under-mentioned, by whom the Chinese, who had taken
shelter in an adjoining building, were put to flight, after
discharging their matchlocks, and possession taken of
the works. Wellesley—Acting Lieutenant Carmichael,
Lieutenant White,- Royal • Marines ; Mates, Lord A.
Beauclerk, S. S.• L. Crofton, L. G. Halsted ; Midship-
man, W. F. F. Jackson. . Blenheim—Captain Whitcomb,
Royal Marines ; Mates, R. C. Revern, T. A. St. Leger.
The General having cleared the intermediate space of
sueli of the Chinese as remained, pushed forward and
occupied the heights immediately above the town for the
night, every point being -thus completely in our power.
In detailing this service to your Lordship, I have the
highest satisfaction in reporting the gallantry, zeal, and
energy cinch has been manifested by every officer and
than of her Majesty's Navy and Royal Marines, as well
as those of the Indian Navy under my command. They
have vied with each other in the desire to anticipate and
meet every object for the public service, and are fully
entitled to my best acknowledgments, and the favourable
consideration of the Board of Admiralty and Indian Go-
vernment. I have no less pleasure in witnessing the
anxiety which pervades all ranks to go hand in hand
with our gallant companions of the Army.
Ilis Excellency Sir Henry Pottinger and suite were
with me on board the Wellesley during the operations of
the 26th.
Captain Bouchier's own Report (Enclosure No. 2) will
best describe the proceedings of the little squadron
placed under his orders for the attack of Koo-Lang-soo,
which was admirably executed ; and I can only add my
meed of praise on this additional instance of the gal-
lantry of Captain Ellis and the officers and men of the
Royal Marines under his command, as well as of Major
Johnstone, and the detachment of the 26th acting with
them.
The accounts we have received of the force of the
Chinese for the defence of Amoy vary from 5,600 to
10,000 troops ; and it is with sincere pleasure I am en-
abled to transmit to your Lordship so small a list of casu-
alties amongst the crews, and mates, and rigging of the
squadron. (Enclosures Nos. 3 and 4.) The resistance
made by our opponents would have justified the appre-
hension of greater injury. Under the protection of
their well-constructed casemated works, they stood on
some points firmly to their guns. We have no know-
ledge of their actual loss. More than sixty dead bodies
were, I believe, found in the batteries ; but nearly all
their wounded, and many of the slain, were carried off
by their countrymen.
His Excellency the Commander of the Forces will pro-
bably give your Lordship an account of the munitions of
war and Government stores which have fallen into our
hands, including a large quaatity of gunpowder and a
foundry for cannon, where some guns of very large
calibre, newly cast, have been discovered.
We have been constantly employed in destroying the
guns, and, as far as it has been practicable, the batteries
taken on the 26th. • The last two 'days Commander
Fletcher, with a party of seamen and marines, has been
also detached in the Nemesis, and, with very commend-
ablezeal, has completely disabled the guns en every bat-
tery on the north-east and south-west sides of the bay
and the fortified islands at the entrance, of which your
Lordship will find official returns enclosed. (Enclosures
Nos, 5 and 6) ,_ .

The superiority of the bay and inner harbour of Amoy
has much exceeded our expectations. The anchorage in
the former appears excellent ;an the latter, as far as
our hasty surveys have gone, affords perfect security for
ships of any class, and to a great extent, with a rea-
sonable prospect of proving a healthy situation. Sir
Hugh Gough and myself have, therefore, entirely con-
; curred with his Excellency Sir Henry Pottinger in the
expediency of retaining possession of the island of Koo-
lang-soo, which will at any time give us the command of
Amoy, until your Lordship's wishes, or the pleasure of
her Majesty's Government, is known. For this purpose
a sufficient garrison will be placed on the island by the
General, and I propose to leave. Captain Smith, of the
Druid, with the Pylades and Algerine for their support.
The wind is unfortunately at present adverse, but your
Lordship may be assured that the expedition wag proceed
to the northward the moment it is. practicable, ifi the fur.
ther execution of our instructions.,---I have the honour
to he, my Lord, your Lordship's most obedient servant
(Signed) W. PARKER, Rear-Admiral.
(Enclosure No. 1.)
On board her Majesty's ship Wellesley, off Amoy,
Aug. 26, 1841. . .
The undersigned, Sir Henry Pottinger, Bart., her
Majesty's Plenipotentiary ; Sir William Parker, com-
manding in chief the naval forces ; and Sir Hugh Gough,
commanding in chief the laud forces of the British nation
in these parts.
TO HIS EXCELLENCY THE ADMIRAL COMMANDING IN
CHIEF THE NAVAL FORCES OF THE PROVINCE OF
FURICON.
There being certain differences subsisting between the
two nations of Great Britain and China, which have not
been cleared up, the undersigned Plenipotentiary and
the Commander-in-Chief have received the instructions
of their Sovereign that, unless these be completely re-
moved, and secure arrangements made, b' accession to
the demands last year presented at Ticatsm, they shall
regard it as their duty to resort to hostile measures for
the enforcement of those demands.

But the undersigned Plenipotentiary and Commanders-
in-Chief, moved .by compassionate feelings, are averse to
causing the death of so many officers and soldiers as
must perish, and urgently request the Admiral command-
ing in chief in this province forthwith to deliver the town
and all the fortifications of Amoy into the hands of the
British forcff, to be held for the present by them. Upon
his so doing, all the officers and troops therein will be
allowed to retire with their personal arms and baggage,
and the people shall receive no hurt ; and whenever
these difficulties shall be settled, and the demands of_
Great Britain fully granted, the whole shall be restored
to the hands of the Chinese.

If these terms be. acceded to, let a white flag be dis-
played from the fortifications. (Signed)
11. POTTINGER, her Majesty's Plenipotentiary.
WA!. PA aliElt, Rear •Ad in iral.
Ikon GoUGH, Major-General.
(Enclosure, No. 2.)

HIS EXCELLENCY REAR-ADMIRAL SIR IT/J. PARKER,
K.C.8., COMMANDER-IN-CEIEF, ETC., ETC., EAST
INDIA STATION.
Her Majesty's ship Blonde, Inner Harbour of Amoy,
August 27, 1841.
SlR—The operations 4 the force you did ;no the ho-
nour to place under my command for the attack of :he
island of lioo-lang-sou, were so inimediatqly under your
01,,ervtition that little remains to me beyoTid the agree-
able 40, conduct
bringingluuetof every
etvoy;o icunrerand
Excellency's
man notice
the
r,ihhad the
honour to commute!.

The squadron was led into action by Captain Byres,
commanding her Majesty's ship Modesto, with the most
perfect skill and gallantry. The Blonde and Druid fol-
lowed, and were placed as near as the shoalness of the
water would admit to•the three principal batteries, which
they succeeded in silencing after a fire of one hour and
twenty minutes, when the Marines, under the gallant
Captain Ellis, were landed, and carried the heights with
their accustomed bravery.
The distance of the transports prevented the 26th
(Cameronian) Regiment from being sent on shore at the
same moment with the Marines, but they were promptly
after them ; and the detachment of that distinguished
corps, under Major Johnstone, assisted in clearing the re•
mewing batteries and dispersing the enemy.
From Captain Smith, of her Majesty's sidle Druid, I
received the most able support. That ship was placed
with exeellent judgment, and her conduct such as was to
be expected from her high state of discipline. This
island being now completely in our possession, I left the
Druid to protect it, and pushed the Modeste and Blonde
into the inner harbour, silencing their war junks and bat-
teries on the. opposite .shore as we passed ; and I have
herewith the honour to enclose a return of the vessels
captured and ordnance destroyed. The officers and crew
of this ship .merit my highest praise, es well as the party
of Royal Artillery serving on board under the command
of Lieutenant the Hon. geli. Spencer. I should be
wanting in justice were I to close this letter without
bringing to your notice the merits of Lieutenant Sir
Frederick Nicholson, first of this ship, to whose valuable
assistance I am much indebted ; and I must also beg to
name to your Excellency the senior mates of this ship,
Messrs. Walker, Rolland, and Anderson, young officers
of much promise.
I have great pleasure in adding that this service was
performed without. loss of life on our part, although the
ships have suffered considerably in their masts, sails, and
rigging.
The Captains of the Druid and Modeste sPeakin th©
hightest terms of their officers and ships' com Pries•
enclose the report of Captain Ellis of the Royal Marines.
(Signed) T. BOUCHIER, Captain.
(Enclosure in Captain Bourchier's Letter.)
TO CAPTAIN BOURCIIII:R, R.N. Lt.C. HER MAJESTY

SHIP BLONDS.

Military Quarters Royal Marines; Island of Koo-lang.
soo, near Amoy, S•
27, 1841.
Sit—llarin., yesterday. received your 'directions to
and fr9ml her'MaiestY's '145 Diode awl Druid,nider