Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1841-01-14
FOREIGN. VIEW 3.
LATER FROM ENGLAND.

the CAPTURE OF The CITY AND Island OF IHLSAN,
or the Eastern coas, Of China, by the British feet;
the adjustment Of the Syrian question, by the sub
mission Of the Pacha Of Egypt 10 The terms of the
Allies and the defeat Of Dhost Mahomed by the
British forces in AHghanistan.
The news from China il down TO the 4ih Of Au-
gust, with later dates from all pats OF India.
The debates in the French Chamber Of Deputies
en- the Ministerial Address, in reply to the speech
Of the King. at the commencement Of the session,
have been followed BY the adoption Of the address
BY q large mejorify--ihus securing The predomi-
Of the peace party in The councils OF the ma
ton.
The export Of goods for America bad greatly in.
eesed, and there brisk trade
There has been another dreadful explosion at
Acre, on the coast of S,dn, by which, about 2so
persons lost their lives including number Of Bit
ish seamen and soldiers
OFFICIAL ACCOUNT OF THE CAPTURE
Or. CHuSAN.
brigade Head quarters cityof Tingbae heen
July 18Th, 1910. )
To His Exceency, the Right Hon. Earl Ackland,
q. c. b., Goycrnor-Gene,ai of India, &c.
MyLord--I have the honor to acquaintyour Lord.
ship that on the Al instant Her Majesty's ships
Wellesley, Conway and Alligator, TO the former
Of which bad transferred 5rigade-head quarters IN
compliance with the wishes Of Sir Gordon Bremen
with the troop ship I,at,lesnake and two trans
tho ships of taking up position in front of "a
hill, upon which there was large temple or JOSS
house.
In the evening summons sent to the Admi-
raj, who also governor OF the Chusan group OF |
islands, cslling upon him TO surrender the island,
and soliciting him to do 50 tina; blood might not be
shed in useless opposition.
The officers bearing the summons returned with
the Chinese Admiral to the Wellesley, accompanied
by two mandaiins, and, although they acknowledge
ed their incapaeity TO resist, they attempted 10y |
evasions and requests obiain time, and left tine
ship without any satisfactory result but perfectly |
understanding that if submission tot made be- |
fore daylight noxt day, hostilities commence.
On the morning Of the 9Th the Hill and shore were
crowded with large body of troops and from the
nastheads Of the ships, the city seen at the dis
lance Of mile from the beach, the walls OF which |
were also lined with troops. On Tempe-hili, the I
landing place wharf, ard round tower ada |
cent, there were "a guns Of small caFbre ndePen-
dent of number Of war junks, and from their pto-
oeedings it appeared that resistance was to be of
Tered. As both wind and tide against the |
Transports and only $50 men, including marines,
were in the harbor, availed myself Of the time of.
fered to reconnoiire tho beach beyond TemPlo-hil
with view Of landing at some distance trom the
batteries, but which abandoned, il opposed
there, the shipping must have opened their fire on
the different batteries and the result have been the
same with respect to the loss of life as of opening
on the batteries at once beside which 1t was not
considered expedient take from the ships Of war,
under The prospect of action, many hands as
were required to the boats.
About 2 O'Clock, p. NJ Her Mejcsty's ships
Cruiser and Algerine got into position, und as the
transports then entering the barbour, the sig
nal was gwen for landing in rotation as boats could
be suppliedn the following order
lst Diyison--The 18Th Royal Irish, Royal Ma
fines, two nine Founders, and The 26h Regiment.
Cd Division Volunteer Corps and 49th Regi-
nent. and detachment of Sappers snd Miners.
On the 18th and ROYAL Marines quitting their
ships aud boats the waving of flss aud beating of
songs and drums, gave further iutimaon OF tho de-
'idedly hostile intentions the part of the Chi
neSe.
As previously arranged with his Excellency Sir
3. Bremen, COMMANDMENTS Chief, gun fred
rom the Wellesley, after the 9Th and Royal Ma
ines in the boats, with view Of ascettanng
whether resistance was Intended The gun was
ired the round tower most correctly, and no iH
liyidua injured thereby, IA the whole Of the gun,
On shore were manned, return FIRE :mmedi.
given from them and number of war junks, which
brought fire upon the batteries and )unks from
the whole OF the ships of war, but of very short dn
ration the guns and hill. being abandoned, and So
enrbs evacuated in very tew minutes.
The beach and wharf ard Temple-hill beirg
cleared The troops landed without opposition, and
which good view OF the city is Obtained, at the
distance of about 500 yards. a. soon as the
landing Of the Goth Regiment was completed,
pushed forward advanced posts from the 18Th and
10Th Regiments TO within $50 yards Of the wal' If
tho CITY, which, although in dilapidated state, are
extremely formidable and difficult Of access, being
surrounded on three sides with deep canal Of
about 25 feet wide, end costnued fiat of inunda-
ted paddy land.
Having consulted with Lieut.. Col, Montgomere,
G. B. OF tho Madras artillery and Capt. Pearsc, /
the senior officer Of the Engineers decided upon /
preaching the walls Of th- city near the west gate,
aud throwing shells into the west angle, 40 that in
the Of the ordnance being inadequate to /
breach the point already specified, the northwest
angie, which | meant 10 attempt by escelcade !
might be easily carried from the FIRE kept up
on that point having weakened the defence. On |
tho advance post taking up this position, fire was
opened upon them from the walls Of the city, and |
kept mp at Intervals till nearly midnight.
4 few shots, not exceeding eight or nine, were |
fred from battery, which tended to silence their
firing withou. doing any Injury. Whilst was Wis
ting them several shots were fred without any o.
Their effect than proving that the Chinese "ete utter
ly ignorant OF gunner.
The second division, consis'iag Of the Madras
Sappers and Miners Bengal Volunteers, and 46th
Regiment, we're landed without 4el'y and having
taken up their positions, threw out advanced posts
TO the front the latter corps protecting the left of
the suburbs.
Early the morning Of the 9th, was happy 10
ind from the very great exertions Of lieutenant
Colonel Montgomere, that during the ght he had,
in addition TO the nine Founders aUded with
the troops, got into position six other guns of the
same size, two 5s'howitzers and two morlars, max
ing total Of 10 gups, in position within four hun
dre1 yards Of the walls. From the stiffness Of the
city apprehended change had taken place there,
and waited for daylight before issuing orders for
offensive oaorl,9os; the FIRST dawn tho Aass
were seen 90 sne walls, as they were The preceding
a9pear ,9s'- p.-soe whore there had been thou
sands the preceding vaaing, which gave reason 10
suPpase that the city was evacuated, and sent for.
ward LlsateHant Colonel Montgomere. Major
Mouqian. Dtnuty AJw'ant General and Captain
Pearse Fold Engineer, with a small escort, to re-