Indian Defence Review

In consequence of the Chinese government having commenced summary measures without sufficient previous notice, the British superintendents of trade applied to the Governor-General of India for a number of ships of war and armed vessels for the protection of life and property. Although the introduction of opium into China was prohibited, the local authorities did not enforce the law. Ultimately Captain Elliot and the merchants at Canton were confined to the factories as prisoners, and in June the Chinese High Commissioner and other officers proceeded to Chunhow, near the Bocca Tigris, and commenced destroying vast quantities of the prohibited drug, besides offering insult to Captain Elliot, R.N., the Queen’s representative. Hostilities became unavoidable, and the 18th., 26th., and 49th. regiments, a native corps of Bengal volunteers, and detachments of artillery and sappers from the presidency of Madras, were embarked under Brigadier-General George Burrell, of the Royal Irish. It became important to gain possession of a portion of the Chinese territory as a point d’ appui for subsequent operations; and the governor of Chusan, an island lying off the coast, was summoned to surrender in the beginning of July. He, however, made dispositions to defend the place, and on the morning of the 5th. of July the shore, landing-place, wharf, and adjoining hill were crowded with Chinese troops. The British shipping silenced the war-junks and batteries; and the right wing of the 18th. regiment, commanded by Major Henry William Adams, with the Royal Marines of the fleet, forming the advance, landed. They were followed by other corps, and the British troops, commanded by Brigadier-General George Burrell, Lieutenant-Colonel of the 18th., took up a position in front of the fortified city of Ting-hae-hien, whence a sharp fire was sustained for some time; but before the following day the Chinese soldiers fled in a panic, and the city was taken possession of, but the climate proved injurious to the health of the troops.

This success was followed by negotiations; the tardy councils of the Chinese being expedited by the activity of the British naval force, and in the early part of 1841 they agreed to give up the island of Hong-Kong, pay an indemnity of six million dollars, and open a direct intercourse for trading upon an equal footing. Accordingly the island was occupied; but the authorities appeared to have had no intention of fulfilling the other stipulations of the treaty. Hostilities were in consequence resumed, and the force embarked in February with the expedition up the Canton river. In less than an hour the fleet silenced the batteries of Wantong, and a body of troops, consisting of detachments of the 26th. and 49th. regiments, Royal Marines, and the 37th. Madras Native Infantry, and Bengal volunteers, commanded by Major Pratt, of the 26th., landing, the island was captured without the loss of a man, thirteen hundred Chinese soldiers surrendering prisoners of war. Continuing the voyage, the fleet arrived at the bar, destroying the war-junks, the works being stormed and captured by the marines and seamen. As the expedition pursued its way up the river, the Chinese abandoned several batteries and armed rafts, and solicited terms of peace; but procrastination seemed to be their only object, and the British fleet advanced. The forts in front of Canton soon fell under the fire of the artillery, the Chinese flotilla was destroyed, and peace was again requested. While negotiations were pending, bodies of Tartar troops were arriving at Canton, which shewed the object of the enemy; and on the 24th. of May the troops landed, and on the following day they advanced against the fortified heights on the north of the city, when dispositions were made for the attack. About half-past nine o’clock the advance was sounded, and by a spirited effort the heights were carried,—the 18th. and 49th. being emulous which should first reach their appointed goals,—and the British colours waved triumphantly on the captured forts.

A fortified Chinese camp had been established on the high ground on the north-east of Canton, and from this bodies of the enemy advanced against the British troops. The 18th., 49th., and a company of marines, met and repulsed the principal attack, and, following the fugitives along a causeway, stormed and captured the entrenched camp in gallant style. It was afterwards burnt, and the magazines destroyed.

On the following morning (26th. of May) a flag of truce was seen on the walls, and hostilities were suspended; but delay still appearing to be the object of the Chinese, preparations were made to attack the city by storm, when six millions of dollars were agreed to be paid for the redemption of Canton, and opening the port for trade.

Disregarding the stipulations of treaties, the Emperor of China issued a mandate for the extermination of the British who dared thus to insult his coasts and capture his towns, offering, at the same time, immense rewards for the heads of the commanders, and even a large sum for that of a private soldier. His decrees were responded to by depriving him of a further extent of territory; and on the 22nd. of August an expedition proceeded against the island and city of Amoy, situated in a fine gulf in the province of Fokein, the great tea district of China. On the 25th. of August the fleet arrived before Amoy, which was defended by five hundred pieces of cannon and a numerous force; but nothing could withstand the combined efforts of the British naval and land forces. On the following day the works were bombarded for two hours, and a landing was effected about three o’clock, when the Chinese and Tartar soldiers fled in dismay, after firing a few shots. The small island of Koolangsoo was captured on the preceding day.

On the 5th. of September the expedition sailed for the recapture of Chusan, which island had been given up in consequence of the stipulations of the first treaty. The place was found more strongly fortified than before, and a resolute but unavailing stand was made by the Chinese. A landing in two columns was effected on the 1st. of October; the first, about fifteen hundred strong, was accompanied by Major-General Sir Hugh Gough, and was under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Craigie, of the 55th. Foot. The second, about one thousand strong, was commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Morris, of the 49th. regiment.

The expedition proceeded on the 6th. against the city of Chinhae, the military depot of the province, situated on the mainland opposite Chusan, and surrounded by a wall of extraordinary height and thickness. The troops landed on the 10th. of October, advanced through a difficult country towards the city, and stormed the works covering the approach to the place. In this city an extensive arsenal, and cannon foundry, with military stores, fell into the hands of the captors. The force employed consisted of detachments of the 18th., 49th., and 55th. regiments, and of the Royal and the Madras Artillery.

From Chinhae the expedition proceeded up the river on the 13th. of October, against the fortified city of Ningpo, where no resistance was encountered. The troops landed, and formed on the ramparts, and possession was taken of the second cityin the province of Che-Keang, containing three hundred thousand inhabitants.

On the 10th. of March, 1842, a large army of Tartars and Chinese made a sudden attack upon Ningpo, escalading the walls, and forcing some of the gates, with great spirit, when the few British in garrison, triumphed over their numerous opponents. A guard of the 18th. Royal Irish Regiment, consisting of Lieutenant Anthony Armstrong, one sergeant, and twenty-three rank and file, stationed at the West-gate, being attacked by large numbers, behaved steadily, and gallantly drove them back, capturing two banners, the bearers of which had been shot at the gate: the spirited behaviour of this officer was commended in the public despatches.

Five days afterwards the troops embarked from Ningpo, and sailed up the river to attack the enemy’s posts. On the 15th. of March they were engaged at Tsekee, and the heights of Segaon, which were captured; the Chankee-pass was also forced, and the expedition, of which the 18th., 26th., and 49th. formed a portion, returned to Ningpo on the 17th. of March. This place was evacuated by the British in May, and an expedition proceeded against the fortified city of Chapoo, where a landing was effected on the 18th. of May. The 18th. and 49th. regiments composed the right column, under Lieutenant-Colonel Morris; and the 26th. and 55th. regiments were in the left, under Colonel Schoedde; the centre column under Lieutenant-Colonel Montgomerie, comprised detachments of the Royal and Madras Artillery, and the 36th. Madras Native Infantry. Lieutenant-Colonel Tomlinson met a soldier’s death at the head of his regiment, the 18th. Royal Irish.

In June an expedition sailed up the Yangtse-Keang river, and the fortified posts of Woosung and Poonshau were captured. The city of Shanghae was afterwards taken possession of without opposition. Reinforcements arrived, including the 98th. regiment from England, and the expedition proceeded against Chin-Keang-foo, one of the strongest and most important cities of China. The fleet left Woosung on the 6th. of July, the Chinese troops were driven from Suyshan, and on the 20th. of July the armament approached Chin-Keang-foo. On the following day, after the reconnoissance had been completed, and the ships were in position, the landing commenced. The first brigade, consisting of the 26th., the Bengal Volunteers, flank companies of the 41st. Madras Native Infantry, and the 98th., was under the command of Major-General Lord Saltoun; the second (centre) brigade consisting of a detachment of the Royal Artillery, 55th., 6th. Madras Native Infantry, 36th. Madras Rifles, 2nd. Madras Native Infantry, and a detachment of Sappers, was commanded by Colonel, now Lieutenant-General Sir James Holmes Schoedde, K.C.B., (55th. Foot;) the third brigade comprised the 18th. and 49th., and the 14th. Madras Native Infantry, and was commanded by Colonel, afterwards Sir Robert Bartley, K.C.B., (49th. regiment,) both these officers having the local rank of Major-General.

Major-Generals Lord Saltoun and Schoedde commenced landing the troops before daylight, but considerable delay occurred from the rapidity of the current and the scattered state of the ships. The guns were next landed, followed by Major-General Bartley’s brigade. Lord Saltoun moved forward with the troops of his brigade first landed, the 98th. under Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell, (now Lord Clyde), and some companies of the native regiments, to destroy the encampments, and cut off the enemy’s communication with the city, between twelve and fifteen hundred of whom had shewn themselves. The soldiers drove them over the hills and destroyed the encampments. Major-General Schoedde escaladed the city walls at the north angle and carried the inner gateway, which was obstinately defended.

The 55th. highly distinguished itself on this occasion.¹ Lieutenant Cuddy, of that regiment, was the first to mount the walls, and was shortly afterwards severely wounded. Major (now Major-General Charles Warren, C.B.,) Warren, commanding the 55th., after he was himself wounded, cut down two of the enemy, and was personally engaged with a third. Every angle and embrasure had to be carried at the point of the bayonet. Brevet-Major Maclean commanded the storming party, and Captain Greenwood the Royal Artillery.

Meanwhile the west-gate had been blown in by Captain Pears, the commanding engineer. A body of Tartars having been driven into one division of the western outwork, refused to surrender, when most of them were either shot or destroyed in the burning houses, several of which had been set on fire by the enemy, or by the British guns. Major-General Bartley subsequently proceeded with a body of troops, consisting of the 18th. and part of the 49th. regiment, when a hot engagement ensued with about one thousand Tartars, who, under cover of some enclosures, opened a destructive fire on the soldiers as they were filing round the walls. The leading division of the 49th. dashing down the ramparts on their left, while the 18th. pushed on to turn their right, they were soon dispersed, although some fought with great desperation.

From the sun becoming so overpowering, it was found impossible to move with men already fatigued by their exertions, many of whom died from the intense heat.² The troops therefore remained in occupation of the gates until six o’clock, when several parties were pushed into the Tartar city and to the public offices. On passing through the city and suburbs the painful spectacle presented itself of hundreds of the dead bodies of men, women, and children, lying in the houses, numerous families having destroyed themselves sooner than outlive the disgrace of their city being captured by foreigners.

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In the attack on the entrenched camp, and storm and capture of the city of Chin-Keang-foo, the total casualties were three officers, two sergeants, and twenty-nine men killed; fifteen officers, four sergeants, one drummer, and eighty-six men wounded. Of these numbers one gunner of the Royal Artillery, two men of the 49th., and thirteen men of the 98th., were killed by a stroke of the sun.

The Royal Artillery, 18th., 26th., 49th., 55th., and 98th. regiments shared in this service.

Sir Hugh Gough proceeded to carry his victorious troops into the heart of the empire, and attack Nankin, the ancient capital of China, wherein the fugitives from Chin-Keang-foo had sought refuge. By the 9th. of August the British naval and land forces environed Nankin, and a great portion of the troops landed. This decisive step produced the desired results, and conditions of peace were acceded to; the Chinese paying an indemnity, and ceding a portion of territory to the British crown.

In consideration of the gallantry displayed by the troops employed on the coasts and rivers of China, Her Majesty was graciously pleased to permit the 18th., 26th., 49th., 55th., and 98th. regiments, to bear on their colours and appointments the word China, and the device of the “Dragon.”

1. “The grenadier company of H.M. 55th. Foot, and two companies of the 6th. regiment of M.N.I. with the Sappers carrying the ladders, under the command of Brevet-Major Maclean, 55th. Foot, advanced against the north-east angle. The Sappers, commanded by Lieutenant Johnstone, with the greatest steadiness and gallantry reared their ladders against the wall, and in a few minutes the grenadiers of the 55th. had mounted, and dividing into two parties, proceeded to clear the ramparts, one party turning to the right, under Brevet-Major Maclean, and another to the left, under Lieutenant Cuddy, 55th.”–Major-General Schoadde’s despatch.
2.  Lieutenant-Colonel Stephens, commanding the 49th., Colonel Bartley being on the staff, with the local rank of Major-General, died in consequence of the great fatigue, and exposure to the sun.