The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1842-02-11 00:00:00

INDIA AND CHINA

Our last publication contained a few brief particulars of
the operations of our troops in China, and we now supply the
details connected with the interesting and important events
of the capture of Chusan and Chinhae.

CAPTURE OF CHCSAN.
The Chinese have been indefatigable in erecting batteries
since the British forces were withdrawn in February last ; and
it is almost inconceivable that so much has been done by
them. From the western extremity, outside Guard Island,
to the eastern termination of their works, which extend half
a mile beyond the commanding position of the Joss-bouse
or Temple-hill, (now greatly strengthened,) there is a conti-
nued line of strong battery on the sea-face, principally con-
structed of mud, comprising 267 embrasures of guns, and 95
of various calibre, actually mounted on different points, in-
dependently of 41 planted on the ramparts of the city, and
numerous ginjalls in every direction.
The rapidity of the tides in the different channels of Chusan
harbour is so great as to render large ships frequently quite
unmanageable, even with the assistance of steam-vessels ; and
the chance of placing them in any precise position for action
so uncertain, that it was at once seen our object would be
best effected by landing troops, seamen and marines, to the
westward of the sea defences, and take them in reverse.
Our resources in boats did not admit of more than one co-
lumn being landed at a time, including a portion placed in the
Phlegethon and Nemesis, and finding these small vessels had
scarcely time to tow the boats with the troops against the
tide, I was compelled to keep the Sesostris to facilitate their
disembarkation. With this additional assistance it was
nearly half-past ten o'clock before the first column, under
the gallant commander-in-chief, reached the shore, when
they were assailed by a heavy discharge ofjingalls and match-
locks from the heights, but immediately formed. and sup-
ported by the fire of the ships, the advance quickly ascended
the hill, and gallantly carried every thing before them, al-
though a more resolute stand was made by the Chinese than
had been previously made in any encounter with them.
The marines and part of the seamen were landed as fast
as the boats could return from them, but before the second
column got on shore the Chinese abandoned the western end
of their sea defences, which were entered by part of the
troops of the first column, who 'completely cleared the line
of batteries, and took possession of the Joss-house-hill.
The steam-vessels moved into the inner harbour as soon
as the troops were landed, to assist in the reduction of
Tinghae, on which the main body was rapidly advanced ; the
walls were escaladed without opposition, and by two p.m.,
the British colours were flying in every direction.
Thirty-six new and well cast brass guns are mounted in
the batteries, and will be shipped in one of the transports. I
believe a considerable store of government rice has been
found in the city.
I fear the troops have suffered a loss of one ensign and one
private killed, and about 24 men wounded. The casualties
in the squadron are confined to one seaman in the Cruiser
severely wounded, (since dead,) another slightly wounded,
and one man of the Phlegethon slightly wounded. The
Blonde had one of her quarter deck guns disabled. but no
further mischief was sustained.