page_title: Battle of Taku Forts (1860)
section_title: Battle
hierarchical_section_title: Battle of Taku Forts (1860) / Battle
caption_attribution_description: Photograph; Photographs
context_page_description: The Third Battle of Taku Forts was an engagement of the Second Opium War, part of the British and French 1860 expedition to China. It took place at the Taku Forts near Tanggu District, approximately 60 kilometers southeast of the city of Tianjin.
context_section_description: Not wanting to have a repeat of the 1859 disaster, on 30 July 1860 the Anglo-French army began landing at Beitang 10 miles (16 km) to the north of the Forts. A few days later a reconnaissance force moved towards the Taku Forts for close observation, two British soldiers were wounded by bullets from a Chinese jingal. The whole force was ashore by 7 August and a few days later on 12 August, the allied force advanced.
  Pushing back enemy forces in front of them, including ~2,000 cavalry, the Anglo French expedition arrived at the Forts. There were four, two on the north and two on the south side. The French wanted to attack the southern forts, but the survey by Fisher indicated that the key was the main northern fort. On 17 August his plan was adopted.
  Five batteries were established during the night of 20–21 August with fascines made using the straw walls and roofs of nearby barracks.
  Battery - 6 x French field-pieces and 1 x 8-inch gun
  Battery - 3 x 8-inch mortars this battery platform was made from coffin lids which were 6 inches (15 cm) thick.
  Battery - 2 x 32-pounders and 2 x 8-inch howitzers
  Battery - 2 x 8-inch guns
  Battery - 6 x Armstrong guns
  Opening fire next morning, it took four hours to crush the fort's artillery. Then the major assault took place on the main Chinese fort, attacking as two columns, one British and one French.
  Heavy fighting ensued as the attackers crossed several Chinese ditches and spiked bamboo palisades.
  The Anglo-French force initially attacked the main gate of the fortifications, but it was found there were two wet ditches and many spikes. An engineer managed to cut the ropes holding up the drawbridge, but it was too heavily damaged by artillery to be effectively used as a route. The main attack was therefore made against the walls using the ladders. The French column managed to get onto the parapet first. The first British officer to enter the fort was Lieutenant Robert Montresor Rogers, who was later awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery that day. He was closely followed by a private, John McDougall who was also awarded the Victoria Cross.  Resistance continued inside the fort for three and a half hours before the fort was cleared of defenders.
  During the fighting, fourteen British soldiers were killed and Lieutenant Rogers was severely wounded. Forty-six other men were also wounded. The French forces suffered 158 casualties. Over 100 Qing defenders were killed, many more wounded and forty-five guns captured.
  A flag of truce arrived by boat from a southern fort, the envoy was not permitted to negotiate so the Anglo British force advanced, two fresh regiments, The Buffs and the 8th Punjab Infantry, being brought up to attack the second northern fort in heavy rain. Little resistance was offered and it was quickly captured. The two southern forts were untenable and capitulated.
  Southern Chinese coolies served with the French and British forces against the Qing: "The Chinese coolies entertained in 1857 from the inhabitants of South China, renegades though they were, served the British faithfully and cheerfully before Canton, and throughout the operations in North China in 1860 they likewise proved invaluable. Their coolness under fire was admirable. At the assault of the Peiho Forts in 1860 they carried the French ladders to the ditch, and, standing in the water up to their necks, supported them with their hands to enable the storming party to cross. It was not usual to take them into action ; they, however, bore the dangers of a distant fire with the greatest composure, evincing a strong desire to close with their compatriots, and engage them in mortal combat with ther bamboos.—(Fisher.)"
caption: After the Capture of the Taku Forts
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