40

THE WAR WITH CHINA,

1840-1842.

WHEN the trading charter of the East India Company expired, large quantities of opium were smuggled into China. The Emperor of China, and many of his chief officers, perceived the pernicious effects of the inordinate use of the drug among the population, and also that a vast amount of silver went out of the country to pay for it. This last consideration, probably more than the former, weighed most with them. Though the introduction of the drug was prohibited by law, the local authorities assisted in its importation. Complaints were made to the British government, and Lord Napier went out to China with authority to arrange the difficulties which had arisen. The Chinese authorities, however, treated his overtures with contempt, and him with insults; endeavouring to obtain their object by procrastination. He died from the effects of annoyance, and the climate, and was succeeded by Captain Elliot, R.N.

The Chinese now conducted themselves with still greater hostility towards the English. They shut up the merchants and Captain Elliot in the factories, threatening their lives, and destroyed a quantity of opium, British property, at Chunhow, near the Boca Tigris. Her Majesty's representative, therefore, applied to the Governor-General of India for assistance, and an expedition was immediately despatched, under

Brigadier-General George Burrell, of the 18th Royal Irish. It consisted of the 18th, 26th, and 49th regiments, detachments of artillery, and sappers, and a native corps of Bengal volunteers.

As it was necessary to secure a station on the Chinese coast, from whence operations might be carried on early in July, the governor of the island of Chusan, of which the chief town is Ting-hae-hien, was summoned to surrender, On his refusing to do so, preparations were made to compel him. The junks and forts were soon silenced by the British squadron under Admiral Elliot, and the troops and marines then landing under Brigadier-General Burrell, took up a position before the city, and after sustaining a sharp fire, compelled the enemy to take to flight. Unfortunately the island proved to be most unhealthy, and numbers of the soldiers died in consequence. Negociations followed this success, but the Chinese procrastinated to the utmost. This movement, however, was considerably expedited by the active ope rations of the fleet; and early in the next year, 1841, they undertook to pay an indemnity of six million dollars, and to give up the island of Hong Kong to Great Britain.

Possession was accordingly taken of the island, but the Imperial Commissioner, Keshen, soon showed that he had no intention of fulfilling the other stipulations of the treaty. An expedition was accordingly organized to attack Canton, and early in February the troops embarked on board the fleet, which proceeded up the Canton river, having been joined by Sir Hugh Gough as commander-in-chief. The batteries of Wantong were soon silenced, as were the far-famed Bogue

forts and others in front of the city itself. The Chinese once more petitioned for peace, but as they continued to pour in more troops into the place, their hostile intentions became very evident. The troops therefore landed on the 24th of May, and on the following day the fortified heights to the north of the city were carried in the most brilliant way by the 18th and 49th regiments, each being emulous which should first gain the summit. Here the British colours soon waved triumphantly. The 49th and a company of marines then advanced against the Chinese camp, which had been established to the northeast of the city, and from which a large body of the enemy issued forth to attack them. The Chinese were met and repulsed, and the fugitives being followed along a causeway, the entrenched camp was entered in gallant style, and was afterwards burnt. On preparation being made to storm the city, the Chinese agreed to pay six millions of dollars for its redemption, and to open the ports for trade.

The Emperor, however, again broke through all the engagements into which he had entered. Hostilities were again commenced. On the 25th of August Amoy was attacked, and on the 5th of September Chusan was again reduced, and on the 10th the force proceeded against Chinhae, an important place, the troops employed being the 18th, 49th, and 55th regiments.

The fortified city of Ningpo, in the province of Che-Keang, containing three hundred thousand inhabitants, was next captured without resistance. A small garrison was left in it, when on the 10th of March, 1842, a sudden attack was made on it by an

army of Tartars and Chinese, who escaladed the walls and forced some of the gates. The garrison behaved with admirable courage and spirit. A small guard of twenty-three rank and file, with one serjeant, under the command of Lieutenant Anthony Armstrong, of the 18th Royal Irish, stationed at the west gate, were attacked by a force which appeared overwhelming. The gallant little band, however, fearlessly charged the enemy, driving them back, and capturing two banners, the bearers of which had been shot at the gate. Lieutenant Armstrong was highly spoken of in the public despatches.

Leaving Ningpo, the force proceeded up the river to attack the enemy's forts. On the 15th they were engaged at Tsekee, the heights of Segaon were stormed, and the Chankee pass was forced. Ningpo was finally evacuated in May, when the British proceeded to attack the strongly fortified city of Chapoo.

A landing was here effected on the 18th of May. The right column, consisting of the 18th and 49th regiments, under Lieutenant-Colonel Morris; the left, of the 26th and 55th regiments, under Colonel Schoedde; the centre, under Lieutenant-Colonel Montgomerie, of detachments of the Royal and Madras Artillery, and the 36th Madras Native Infantry. The ships of war took up their positions, to occupy the batteries, and to cover the landing of the troops.. Sir Hugh Gough landed with the first, or right column, from the Nemesis, and at once occupied a height which commanded the landing-place, without meeting with any opposition. As usual, the Chinese had neglected their flanks, as if an enemy could only think of attacking them where they were most prepared for

defence. When the troops were formed, the left column and centre were ordered to move rapidly round the base of the heights, through a valley leading up to the walled town, by which the retreat of the enemy would be cut off. Sir Hugh Gough advanced with the right column, driving the enemy before him along the crest of the heights, from one point to another. As soon as the advance was sounded, the ships of war opened fire on the enemy's right flank, and after a few rounds the Chinese fled from their field-works and from a joss house, on the summit of the hill.

The Chinese had prepared mines to destroy their enemies, but fortunately their works were carried before they had time to spring them.

Many of the Tartars, who fought most bravely, took refuge in tombs on the sides of the hills, from which they defended themselves till the last.

The most desperate defence was, however, made in a large house at the end of a valley about a mile from the town. The number inside was not known when two parties of the 18th, under Lieutenant Murray, and of the 49th, under Adjutant Browne, attempted to follow them in, but were unable to do so. Of the 49th party, Adjutant Browne and Lieutenant Mitchell were the only two who escaped untouched, one man being killed, and the rest wounded.

Colonel Stevens, of the 49th, who came up, on perceiving that the house was full of the enemy, and that they were firing from the windows and doors, wisely ordered the troops to be withdrawn under cover till the guns could be brought up. Unfortunately, Colonel Tomlinson, of the 18th, did not wait for this, but making a charge at the head of