Right column, to attack and hold the factories, in tow of the Atalanta, consisting of Her Majesty's 26th regiment, (15 officers and 294 other ranks,) an officer and 20 rank and file of the Madras Artillery, with an officer of engineers, under Major Pratt, of Her Majesty's 26th. Left column, towed by the Nemesis, in four brigades, to move in front. Fourth (left) brigade, under Lieut.-Col. Morris, 49th regiment.-Her Majesty's 49th, commanded by Major Stephens, 28 officers, 273 other ranks; 37th Madras Native Infantry, Capt. Duff, 11 officers, 219 other ranks; one company of Bengal Volunteers, Capt. Mee, 1 officer, and 114 other ranks. Third (Artillery) brigade, under Capt. Knowles, Royal Artillery.-Royal Artillery, Lieut. Spencer, 2 officers, and 33 other ranks; Madras Artillery, including Gun Lascars, Capt. Anstruther, 10 officers, 231 other ranks ; Sappers and Miners, Capt. Cotton, 4 officers, 137 other ranks. Ordnance-Four 12-pounder howitzers, four 9-pounder field guns, two 6-pounder field guns, three 5-inch mortars, and one hundred and fifty-two 32-pounder rockets. Second Naval brigade, under Capt. Bourchier, H.M.S. Blonde.-First naval battallion, Capt. Maitland, H.M.S. Wellesley, 11 officers, 172 other ranks; second naval battalion, Com. Barlow, H.M.S. Nimrod, 16 officers, 231 other ranks. First (right) brigade (reserve), under Major-Gen. Burrell.-Royal Marines, Capt. Ellis, 9 officers, 372 other ranks; 18th Royal Irish, Lieut. Col. Adams, 25 officers, 495 other ranks. 6. The right column reached its point of attack before 5 P.M., and took possession of the factories, when Major Pratt made the necessary, arrangements, strengthening his post, holding his men ready for offensive or defensive opera tions. 7. The left column, towed by the Nemesis, from the difficulties of the passage with such a fleet of craft as she had in tow, did not reach the Sulphur until dusk, which vessel Capt. Belcher had judiciously anchored close to the village of Tsing-hae, the point of debarcation, about five miles by the river line above the factories, I could therefore only land the 49th regiment, with which corps I made a reconnoissance to some distance, meeting a few straggling parties of the enemy. After placing the pickets, the corps fell back on the village of Tsinghae to protect and cover the landing of the guns, which was effected during the night by the zealous efforts of the artillery. The following morning the remainder of the column landed, and the whole proceeded soon after daylight. 8. The heights to the north of Canton, crowned by four strong forts and the city walls, which run over the southern extremity of these heights, including one elevated point, appeared to be about three miles and a half distant; the intermediate ground, undulating much, and intersected by hollows under wet paddy cultivation, enabled me to take up successive positions, until we approached within range of the forts on the heights and the northern face of the city walls. I had to wait here some time, placing the men under cover, to bring up the rocket battery and artillery. 6. I have already informed your lordship that I was totally unacquainted with the country which I had to pass over, the amount of the enemy's force, or the difficulties that might present themselves at every step; but I had the proud consciousness of feeling that your lordship had placed under me a band whom no disparity of numbers could dishearten, and no difficulty could check. They nobly realized, by their steadiness under fire, their disciplined advance, and their animated rush, my warmest approbation. 10. Having at 3 o'clock got up the rocket battery, with two 54-inch mortars, two 12-pounder howitzers, and two 9-pounder guns, a well-directed fire was kept up on the two western forts, which had much annoyed us by a heavy fire. I now made the disposition for attack en chellon of columns from the left, and directed the 49th regiment to carry a hill on the left of the nearest eastern fort, supported by the 37th Madras Native Infantry and Bengal Volunteers, under ENLARGED SERIES. NO. 11.-VOL. FOR 1841. 5 F Lieut.-Col. Morris, of the 49th regiment. The 18th Royal Irish, supported by the Royal Marines, under Major-Gen. Burrell, I directed to carry a hill to their front, which was strongly occupied, and flanked the approach to the fort just mentioned. This movement was to cut off the communication between the two eastern forts, and to cover the advance of the 49th in their attack and storm of the nearest. Major-Gen. Burrell had directions to push on and take the principal square fort when the 49th made their rush. Simultaneous with these attacks, the brigade of seamen was to carry the two western forts, covered by a concentrated fire from the guns and rockets. 11. During the whole of the advance my right had been threatened by a large body of the enemy, which debouched from the western suburbs, and just as I was about to commence the attack a report was made that heavy columus were advancing on the right; I was, therefore, compelled to detach the Marines under Capt. Ellis, to support the brigade of seamen, and to cover my right and rear. 12. At about half 9 o'clock the advance was sounded, and it has seldom fallen to my lot to witness a more soldierlike and steady advance, or a more animated attack. Every individual, native as well as European, steadily and gallantly did his duty. The 18th and 49th were emulous which should first reach their appointed goals; but, under the impulse of this feeling, they did not lose sight of that discipline which could alone insure success. The advance of the 37th Madras Native Infantry and Bengal Volunteers, in support, was equally praiseworthy. 13. The result of this combined movement was, that the two forts were captured with comparatively small loss, and that, in little more than half-an-hour after the order to advance was given, the British troops looked down on Canton within 100 paces of its walls. 14. The well-directed fire of the artillery in the centre was highly creditable, and did great execution. 15. In co-operation with these attacks, I witnessed with no ordinary gratification the noble rush of the brigade of seamen, under their gallant leader Capt. Bourchier, exposed to a heavy fire from the whole of the north-western rampart. This right attack was equally successful, and here also the British standard proudly waved on the two western forts, while the British tars looked down upon the north-western face of the city and its suburb. 16. During the greater part of the day a very spirited fire from heavy pieces of ordnance, gingals, and matchlocks, was kept up on the different columns occupying the heights and forts. 17. A strongly intrenched camp of considerable extent, occupied apparently by about 4,000 men, lay to the north-east of the city upon rising ground, separated by a tract of paddy land from the base of the heights. Frequent attacks were made upon my left by bodies sent from this encampment, but were as frequently repulsed by the 49th. This, however, exposed the men to a heavy fire from the walls of the city. 18. About 2 o'clock, perceiving that Mandarins of consequence were joining this force from the city, and had occupied a village in the rear to my left, I directed the 49th to dislodge them. This was instantly effected in the same spirited manner that had marked every movement of this gallant corps. About 3 o'clock it was evident that some Mandarin of high rank had reached the encampment (I have since understood that it was Yang, the Tatar General), and that preparations were making for a fresh attack. I ordered down the 18th, therefore, with one company of the Royal Marines to re-inforce the 49th, and directed Major-General Burrell to assume the command, to repel the projected attack, and instantly to follow up the enemy across a narrow causeway, the only approach, and take and destroy the encampment. This duty was well and gallantly performed, but I regret to say with severe loss, from the difficulty of approach, exposed to a heavy fire from the guns and gingals on the north east face of the city wall. The enemy were driven at all points and fled across the country; the encampment was burnt, the magazines, of which there were several, blown up, and the permanent buildings of considerable extent set on fire. I had as much pleasure in witnessing, as I have in recording, my approval of the spirited conduct of Capt. Grattan, who commanded the two leading companies of the 18th across the causeway. These companies were followed by the 49th, the remainder of the 18th, and a company of Royal Marines, who passed along a bank of the paddy fields to their left. The enemy not appearing inclined to move out of the town to support this point, I directed the force to return to the heights. 19. Having reconnoitred the walls and and gates, I decided on taking the city by assault, or rather upon taking a strong fortified height of considerable extent 'within the city walls, before the panic ceased, but the hill in our rear being peculiarly rugged, and its base difficult of approach on account of the narrowness of the path, between wet paddy fields, I had only been enabled to get up a very few of the lightest pieces of ordnance, and a small portion of ammunition. I therefore deemed it right to await the arrival of this necessary arm to make the assault. 20. The following morning, the 26th, at 10 o'clock, a flag of truce was hoisted on the walls, when I deputed Mr. Thom (whom Captain Elliot had sent to me as interpreter) to ascertain the cause. A Mandarin stated that they wished for peace. I had it explained that, as General commanding the British, I would treat with none but the General commanding the Chinese troops, that we came before Canton much against the wishes of the British nation, but that repeated insults and breaches of faith had compelled us to make the present movement, and that I would cease from hostilities for two hours to enable their General to meet me and Sir Le Fleming Senhouse, who kindly accompanied me throughout the whole operation, and to whose judicious arrangements and unceasing exertions for the furtherance of the united services (and I am proud to say they are united in hand and heart,) I cannot too strongly express my sense of obligation. I further explained that Captain Elliot, Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary, was with the advanced squadron to the south of the city, and that if I did not receive a communication from him, or had not a satisfactory interview with the General, I should at the termination of the two hours order the white flag to be struck. 21. As the General did not make his appearance, although numerous mesBages were received between this time (about noon) and 4. p.m., I hauled down the white flag. The enemy, however, did not, which was rather convenient, as it enabled me to get up my guns and ammunition, without exposing my men to fire. 22. During the night of the 26th everything was prepared on our side, with the exception of one 12-pounder howitzer, the carriage of which had been disabled. The guns, by the indefatigable exertions of the officers and men of the Royal Artillery, and Madras Artillery and Sappers, were placed in position. All was ready, and the necessary orders were given for opening the batteries at 7 o'clock on the morning of the 27th, and for the assault at 8, in 4 columns. 23. The right column, composed of the Royal Marines under Captain Ellis, had directions to pass through a deserted village to the right of the north gate, to blow the gate open with powder-bags if possible, and if not, to escalade a eircular work thrown up as a second defence to that gate. 24. The second column on the right, consisting of the brigade of seamen, under Captain Bourchier, was directed to make the assault by escalade on the opposite side of the circular defence, where the wall appeared comparatively low, covered by a heavy fire of musketry from the hill within pistol-shot of the wall. This column would have been exposed only to the fire of a few flanking guns, which I calculated would have been kept under by the fire of the covering party. 25- The 18th Royal Irish, under Lieutenant-Colonel Adams, were ordered to advance from the rear of a hill close to the five storied pagoda, and to escalade the walls behind this pagoda, which was not flanked, except by one gun, although they were very high, from 28 to 30 feet; but I hoped by the concentrated fire of the guns to have reduced an exceedingly high and apparently slight parapet. The escalade of this corps was to be covered by the Bengal Volunteers and a company of the 37th Madras Native Infantry. 26. The left assault was to be made by the 49th, under Lieutenant-Colonel Morris. This corps was directed to escalade by a bastion directly in front of, and commanded by, the principal fort in our possession, called by the Chinese Yung-Kang-Tai, the fire of musketry from which would have prevented the enemy from making use of their guns. To strengthen this attack, two companies of the 37th Madras Native Infantry were to occupy the heights and keep up a rapid fire upon the wall. 27. The ground was peculiarly favourable for these several attacks, and for the effective fire of the covering parties, without a chance of injuring the assailants. The heights which we occupied are from 90 to 250 paces from the city wall, with a precipitous glen intervening. On making a lodgement on the walls, each column was to communicate with and support that on its inner flank, and, when united, to make a rush for the fortified hill within the walls, on which the artillery was directed to play from the moment the advance was sounded. I directed Captain Knowles to ascertain as far as practicable, by the fire of heavy rockets and shells, whether it was mined, which alone I apprehended, the Chinese usually forming their mines so as to make them liable to explosion by such means. 28. The flags of truce still appeared upon the walls at daylight on the 27th, and at a quarter past 6 o'clock I was on the point of sending the interpreter tg. explain that I could not respect such a display, after my flag had been taken down, and should at once resume hostilities. At this moment an officer of the Royal navy, who had been travelling all night, having missed his way, handed me the accompanying letter from Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary. Whatever might be my sentiments, my duty was to asquiesce; the attack, which was to have commenced in 45 minutes, was countermanded, and the feelings of the Chinese were spared. Of the policy of the measure I do not consider myself a competent judge; but I say "feelings," as I would have been responsible that Canton should be equally spared, with the exception of its defences, and that not a soldier should have entered the town further than the fortified heights within its walls. 29. At 10 o'clock Yang, the Tatar General, requested a conference, when Sir Le Fleming Senhouse accompanied me, and a long and uninteresting parley ensued, in which I explained, that Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary having re sumed negotiations with the local authorities, I should await a further communication from him. At 12 Captain Elliot arrived in camp, and all further active operations ceased. 30. The following day at 12, in a conference with the Kwang-chow-Foo, under the walls, every arrangement was made for the evacuation of the city by as large a portion of the Tatar troops as could be got ready, and I permitted a Mandarin of rank to pass through my lines to procure quarters for them. I was now given to understand that the force amounted to 45,000 men from other provinces, exclusive of the troops belonging to the Quangtung province. At the request of Captain Elliot I acquiesced in the former passing out of the north-east gate to the left of my position, and permitted them to carry away their arms and baggage, on condition that no banner should be displayed or music sounded. 31. About 12 the following day I perceived numbers of men, apparently irregulars, and armed for the most part with long spears, shields, and swords, collecting upon the heights, three or four miles in my rear. As they continued rapidly to increase, detaching bodies to their front, I directed General Burrell to take charge of our position, and hold every man ready, in case a sortie or other act of treachery, under cover of a flag of truce, should be intended; and I advanced with a wing of the 26th (which corps I had withdrawn two days previously from the factories,) companies of the 49th, the 37th Madras Native Infantry, and the company of Bengal Volunteers, supported by the Royal Marines. The two latter corps I kept in reserve, ready to return and act on the flank, should an attack be made on our position from the town. When I descended the heights, about 4,000 men appeared in my front. I directed the wing of the 26th, under Major Pratt, supported by the 37th Madras Native Infantry, to advance and drive them from rather a strong position they had taken up behind an embankment along the bed of a stream. This duty the 26th and 37th performed most creditably; and, as the Chinese made a rally at what appeared to be a military post in my front, I directed that it should be destroyed, which was instantly effected by the 26th, and a magazine, unexpectedly found in the village, was blown up. These duties having been performed without the loss of a man, the Chinese throwing away their spears and flying the moment a fire was opened upon them, I directed the 49th, Royal Marines, and Bengal Volunteers to fall back on our position, and remain with the wing of the 26th and 37th Madras Native Infantry (about 289 men) to watch the movements of the Chinese, who had retreated to a range of heights in my front, having no banners, and apparently but few matchlocks amongst them. Within two hours, however, from 7,000 to 8,000 men had collected and displayed numerous banners. When I first moved, I had ordered Captain Knowles, of the Royal Artillery, to bring out a few rockets, but our advance was so rapid that he did not get them up until after the repulse of the first body. 32. At this moment the heat of the sun was hardly supportable, and both officers and men were greatly exhausted. I must here state, and with sincere sorrow, that Major Becher, Deputy-Quartermaster-General, a most estimable and willing officer, whose services throughout the previous operations were as creditable to him as they were satisfactory to me, fell by my side from overexertion, and expired within a few minutes. My Aide-de-Camp, Captain Gough, was also alarmingly unwell from the same cause, and I ordered him back to camp when the enemy were repulsed, but, hearing that the Chinese were again assembling, he returned, and meeting the Bengal Volunteers, very judiciously brought them back. 33, The Chinese having advanced in great force, some rockets were fired at them, but, although thrown with great precision, appeared to have little effect, and, as the approach of a thunder storm was evident, I became anxious, before it broke, to disperse this assemblage, whose approach bespoke more determination than I had previously witnessed. I ordered Major Pratt to attack a large body who were advancing through the paddy fields on his left, and to clear the hills to his front. Captain Duff, with the 37th Madras Native Infantry, supported by the Bengal Volunteers, under Captain Mee, I ordered to advance direct to his front, and dislodge a body which had re-occupied the post that we had previously burnt, and then push forward and clear the hills to his front, I witnessed with much satisfaction the spirited manner in which these officers executed my orders, and the enemy were driven in at all points. The right of the 37th being threatened by a military post at the foot of the hills to our right the Bengal Volunteers dispersed the occupants. This, however, separated them from the 37th Madras Native Infantry, and perceiving that this latter corps was advancing further than I intended, I requested Captain Ommenney, of the 3rd Madras Light Cavalry, who with Lieutenant Makenzie of Her Majesty's 90th Regiment, accompanied me as amateurs, and both were most zealous and useful in conveying my orders, to direct the Bengal Volunteers to move up to its support. Captain Duff, meanwhile, to open his communication with the 26th on his left, had detatched a company under Lieutenant Hadfield for that purpose. 34. The thunder-storm was now most awful, and finding that as our men advanced the Chinese retired, I considered that it would be injudicious to follow them further, and directed the whole to fall back. The rain continued to fall |