THE SECOND CHINESE WAR,

1856-1860.

THE Chinese Government, forgetting the lesson they had received in the former war with Great Britain, or believing that they could follow the bent of their inclinations with impunity, committed a series of aggressions on British subjects, which demanded our immediate interference. Sir Michael Seymour, the Admiral on the station, commenced vigorous measures without loss of time to recall them to their senses, with the squadron and marines under his command. He began by opening fire on Canton in October. On the 5th November he destroyed. several Chinese war-junks, and on the 12th and 13th of that month, the Bogue Forts, mounting 400 guns, were captured. On the 12th January, 1857, the marines, with a detachment of the 59th regiment, attacked the suburbs of the city of Canton, when a few casualties occurred, both among the seamen and troops.

We now come to the month of May, when more active operations were commenced. Near Canton several creeks run into the Canton river, with which the English were but slightly acquainted; up these the warjunks had to take refuge whenever the British ships approached. Commodore Elliott heard that a large fleet of war junks were collected some five miles up one of them, called Escape Creek, and accordingly early

on the 25th of May, he went on board the ‘Hongkong' gunboat, and got under weigh, followed by 'Bustard,'' Staunch,' 'Starling,' and 'Forbes,' towing the boats manned from the 'Inflexible,' ' Hornet,' and 'Tribune.' Steaming into the creek, they before long came upon 41 Mandarin junks, moored across the stream. Each junk had a long 24 or 32-pounder gun forward, and carried also four or six 9-pounders. The Hong-kong' gallantly led. No sooner had she got within range, than the Chinese with much spirit opened fire, the first shot striking her, and others came rattling thick and fast on board. The other gun-boats coming up, formed in as wide order as possible, and opened fire. It was wonderful, considering the exposed position of the Chinese guns, that the crews so long stood the return shower of shot sent at them by the gun-boats. In time, however, they began to show signs of not liking the treatment they were receiving. First one was seen to cut her cable, get out her oars, or hoist her sails, and falling out of the line turn her stern for flight up the creek.

The example set by one was quickly followed by others. The whole Mandarin fleet was soon in full flight, firing away, however, with their stern chasers; but they were guns of light calibre, and were not well served, so they did little damage. The junks were fast craft, and the crews pulled for their lives, to aid the sails, so that the steamers had to put on all speed to come up with them. They had not got far before the water shoaled. The gun-boats drew upwards of 7 feet, the junks less than 3. One after the other the gun-boats grounded. "On, lads, on!" cried the Commodore, leaping into one of the boats towing astern; never mind the vessels." Imitating his

66

example, officers and men jumped into the boats, each boat having a gun in her bows, and after the junks they pulled with might and main. Away went the junks up the creek, the boats hotly pursuing them. The guns in the bows of the latter kept up a hot fire on the enemy, and told with great effect. The speed of several lessened, and one after the other, numbers were overtaken. Though all hope of escape was gone, when a boat got alongside, the Chinesefired a broadside of grape into her, and then leaping overboard on the opposite side, swam towards the shore, and were soon beyond pursuit among the rice. fields which boarded the banks of the stream. In this way 16 junks were captured in succession, and destroyed in the principal channel. Ten more took refuge in a channel to the left, but a division of the boats was sent after them; no sooner, however, did the English appear than the crews, setting fire to their vessels, abandoned them, and swam to shore. They burned like touch-paper, and were quickly destroyed. Another turned into an inlet on the right, but some boats were quickly after her; and so frightened were the crew that they forgot to set her on fire, and she was thus towed out in triumph.

The heat of the sun was terrific, many men suffered from sun-stroke, and the casualties from the shot of the enemy were considerable. Thirteen junks escaped by dint of hard pulling, and the Commodore determined to have these as well as many more which he suspected were concealed in the various creeks.

Next day he accordingly blockaded the mouths of all the creeks. Captain Forsyth, in the 'Hornet,' was stationed at the mouth, to prevent escape; the In

flexible' at that of Second Bar Creek, and the 'Tribune' at the Sawshee Channel entrance. This done, the Commodore, with the gun-boats and a large flotilla of the boats of the squadron in tow, proceeded up the Sawshee Channel. For twelve miles no enemy were seen. At length, leaving the steamers, he pulled up another twelve miles, when suddenly he found himself in the midst of a large city, with a fleet of war-junks before him, one of large size, and richly adorned, while a battery frowned down on the invaders. It was not a moment for hesitation. Every gun and musket was discharged at the enemy ahead, and then, with a cheer, the British seamen dashed alongside the big junk. As they climbed up the side the Chinese sprang on shore, and immediately a hot fire from jingalls was opened on the boarders. The marines at the same time were landed from the other boats, and forming prepared to charge the enemy. As they were about to do so, flames burst out from the houses near the big junk. "To the boats! to the boats!" was the cry of the officers on board her. It was discovered that a quantity of powder had been left in her, and that a train was laid from her to the shore. Not a moment was to be lost. Her captors sprang into their boats— the crew of the last, a pinnace, were leaping from her sides, when up she went, with a loud explosion. Several of the seamen were singed, if not more seriously hurt. The other twelve junks were immediately set on fire, while the gallant marines charged down the streets, and put all the jingall firers to flight. No work could have been accomplished more effectually, though at severe loss, for one man in ten at least had been hit. The surgeons having attended to the hurts of the men,

the boats' heads were once more turned down the creek. The crews had fitted them, from the captured junks, with an extraordinary variety of sails, some of matting, others of coloured cloths, and any material which could be stretched on spars and hold wind. In this guise they returned to the steamers. The town thus unexpectedly entered was found to be Tunkoon.

BATTLE OF FATSHAN.

To the south of Canton, one of the numerous creeks of that river runs up to the city of Fatshan. Some considerable distance up this creek, and nearly south of Canton, is the long, low island called Hyacinth Island, making the channels very narrow. On the south shore of the creek is a high hill. On the summit of this hill the Chinese had formed a strong fort of 19 guns. A 6-gun battery was erected opposite it, and 70 junks were moored, so as to command the passage. The Chinese fully believed that this position was impregnable. The British squadron had rendezvoused a short distance below this formidable obstruction of the navigation. The Admiral was on board the little 'Coromandel' steamer, and before dawn on the 1st of June he led the way up the channel, towing a whole flotilla of boats, with 300 soldiers on board them. The other steamers followed, all towing boats with red and blue-jackets on board. The Coromandel' was steaming up the left-hand channel, when she ran on to a line of junks, which had been sunk across the passage. The Admiral had wisely chosen

the time of dead low water to commence the ascent.