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POSSESSION OF CANTON BY THE BRITISH.

- ' crucial. DESPA’I‘CBES. (Published in the

Extraordinary of Saturday

t - .. i ‘ ' Admiralty, Oct. 8, 1841.

. ,Dtgplicates of Despatches, addressed to Commodore Sir . J. Gordon Bremer, flbm the late Captain Sir H. Fleming Senhouse, were this day received at this oflice,

of which the following are copies ofextracts :—

-..Heigbts above Canton, May 29, 1841, continued on board her Majesty’s ship Blenheim, French River, June 2, 1841.

Srrt,—I closed my former with the detail of our pro- ceedings up to the moment the expdition was about to leave Hong Kong for Canton. I have now the gratifica- tion to enter upon the details ofa succession of opera- tio‘li’s highly honourable, I trust, to her Majesty’s arms, andby which the large and populous city of Canton has been laid in complete submission at the feet of the Queen’s forces.

.As soon as it was decided that the whole combined force should move up to the attack of Canton, the Major-General and myself were decidedly of opinion thatno minor attempts should be made until all was ready for accombined operation, when the whole force should be brought into play, and, having once corn- menced our measures, to follow them up with vigour slid energy until Canton was our own.

I, therefore, instructed Captain Herbert, who had charge ofthe advanced squadron, that he was to abstain fi‘btn all l‘ostile movements, until the arrival of the force under the command of the Major-General and myself, excepting such as might be merely defensive.

The surveying vessels, under the command of that able and intelligent officer, Commander Belcher, were senton,,on the 18m, to take up a position about the S'ankut flats, to aid in getting the large vessels over the shoals once more, where the Blenheim had already four times passed with great good fortune without injury.

It was my intention to take the Blenheim within sight, and in as close neighbourhood of the very walls of Canton as possible, to form a good depot for stores, quarters for the sick or wounded, and to forin the basis of our defensive operations. I pushed forward there, with every exertion, to prevent any delay ofthe Conway frotn the difficulties we might experience.

At twenty minutes past three in the afternoon, the Blenheim anchored ofl' Ligen Island, near the Sulphur, and the Atalanta was sent back to tow up the Major- General’s head-quarter ship. All the Chinese pilots had fled, and we failed in getting one; but on the morning ofthe2lst, the light breeze being lair, and the tide answering, Captain Belcher felt no hesitation in taking charge ofthe Blenheim; and, although it had been agreed to collect our forces at Wangtong, as another stage on our route, I thought it best to proceed with my own ship, and weighed at half-past seven, some ofthe transports collecting round me.

At half-past ten we were up to the second bar, where I expected to have found the Chinese bar boats to have buoyed off the channel, but they had all gone. The tide was not more than half expended; Captain Belcher felt confident he could take the ship over the bar after sounding and placing boats, which he did in the most rapid mariner, against a tide of great velocity. It was done in a masterly manner, and the Blenheim passed the second bar at noon. At two we were up to the first bar. Leaving it on the right, we entered the passage between Danes Island and the main land, continuing our route past French Island, until the fortified heights and walls of Canton were in sight, about eight miles distant; and the ships of the advanced squadron at the Macao Fort were in a direct line about five miles from us. At this position the Blenheim was anchored and moored in five fathoms at low water spring tides, where no line of battle ship of any nation had ever been be- fore, and ready to be the rallying point to our coming force.

By the indefatigable attention of Commander Rogers, ofthe Honourable East India Company’s steam vesSel Atalanta, who for three days was in almost constant motion, under the superintendence of Commander Belcher, on whom no fatigue or trouble seemed to have any other effect than to increase his zeal, all the trans- ports and ships of war were assembled, excepting two of the former; and these having grounded, without hope of getting off immediately, the troops were taken out and distributed in other vessels.

No overt act of hostility had taken place to this mo- ment, except reinounting the guns iii the Shamien battery; but the Chinese appear to have been perfectly ready for the attack.

All remained quiet in the river until about ten o'clock, p. m., ghen an attempt was made with fire-rafts to burn the “cod vessels.

This attack not only totally failed, but was followed up by a gallant attack on the Shatnieii battery, and the silencing of it by the vessels of the squadron under the immediate superintendence of Captain Herbert, ofthe Calliope; and the destruction ofa large flotilla of fire- vessels, which the Chinese had been preparincr and brought out of the branch of the river whiclibleads north of the town. For the details of this gallant de- fence and attack, I beg to refer to Captain Herbert’s own letter, of which I have the honour to annex a copy. About the same time, though later in the night, the Alligator was attacked ofl' Howqua’s fort; and to show how necessary it was to have been always on our guard, the tire junks came up with the flood tide in a direction with the merchant vessels at Wampoa, where all seemed to sleep in security.

Captain Kuper’s account of his prompt and decisive conduct in repelling the attack, I have also the honour to,forward.

To form some idea of the difliculties attending the contemplated attack, I must state that the extensive city of Canton, with a population said to be 1,200,000, defended by astrcng inclosing wall ofgreat thickness, extending sometimes to the height of thirty feet, with a body of troops assembled within and without it, amounting, at a medium calculation, to 30 or 40,000 men, rests on law ground, except on the north side where high conical hills extend up to, and rise alsri within, the walls commanding the whole city. Its front towards the river has. extensive suburbs with narrow irregular streets, renfiring it easily defensible and difficult to attack. Being also surrounded by rice culti- vation, which is at this time flooded, and only passable by footpaths about one to two feet broad, it is ex- ceedingly difficult of approach and the use of guns, except of the lightest calibre, is impossible. The great object was to gain possession of the heights to the north— ward of the town wall; and a branch of the river, which ran along the west side of the town to the northward, seemed tooffer the means of approaching sufficiently

near the line of connecting heights to make them at:- cessible.

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Opinions were uncertain as to the feasibility of enter- ing this river and of floating at low water. To de- termine this I availed myself once more of the zeal and great ability of Commander Belcher, who most hand- somely volunteered to explore it with his own boats, assisted with three others from the Pylades and Modeste, and Algerine, all placed under the command of thdt gallant and judicious oflicer, Lieutenant Goldsmith, 0f the Druid, who was attached to the Blenheim. 1" ‘ha‘ ship’s launch, and who had orders to protect Come mander Belcher in his surveying operations.

The Major-General and myself went to Canton to make a reconnoisance and personal inspection on the same day, the 23d. In our progress, we observed a firing and eXplosion in the direction of Commander Bel- cher's party; and Commander Belcher’s letter, a copy Of which I enclose, gives a detail of a gallant and spirited affair which took place in the creek. At eleven o’clock at night Commander Belcher returned with the gratify- ing intelligence that he had discovered an excellent landing-place on a pier, with water enough for the Sulphur, close to it, at low water. The ground directly around it rose in low hills, and a line of hills appeared to continue to the heights near the city, although there might be swampy grounds in the small vallies diViding them. _

About the same time other boats returned, With a collection of Chinese craft, sufficient to transport the whole force. I. therefore, at midnight, wrote a note to Sir Hugh, informing him of these favourable circum- stances, and asking his opinion as to an immediate land- ing. The gallant General entered into the suggestion instantly, " to land as soon as pessible,” for the purpose of preventing any opposition by new defences.

Our united force consisted of the ships and vessels named in the niargin,’ comprising, in their crews, of- ficers, seamen and marines, inclusive, about 3,200 inen; out of which about 1,000 officers, seamen and marines were landed, to serve with the army. The military force under that gallant, distinguished, and experienced officer, Major-General Sir Hugh Gough, consisted of about 2,223, besides the staff ofthe army and the camp- followers; and the whole force, taken collectively, ex- cepting the transports’ crews, including every individual in the fleet, could not have been more than 6,000 per- sons, of all ages and of all classes.

On the morning of the 24th, orders were given to be ready to land about noon,in two columns, with two days’ dressed provisions. '

The Major-General commanded the right column. I had intended to have taken the command of my naval- br‘igade in this column, but the Major-General begged I would remain at his side, and feeling it to be only a sacri- fice of my own gratification and desire once more to lead my brave fellows, and sensible that nothing could be lost to the public service by transferring the command on this occasion, I resigned it to my gallant and intel- ligent friend, Captain Bourchier, and joined the Gene- ‘ral’s staff with my own immediate assistants, Com- mander Belcher, Lieutenant Pitman. and Mr. Norman, mate ofthe Royal Navy.

I left to the judgment of Captain Herbert, of the Calliope, to act according to circumstances, in en- deavouring to drive the enemy from the French fort, and to endeavour to open the communication with the ships of war to the westward, and with the commanding officer ofthe left column, stationed at the factories. I beg to inclose a letter I have received from Captain Herbert, detailing the part he took in the affair that followed, when the usual gallantry and zeal were dis- played by her Majesty’s seamen and Royal Marines.

So effectually and vigorously did Commander Warren execute his instructions, that when the right column passed his station everything had been completed, and all was still. The detail of this gallant affair is annex- ed, in a copy of his letter, where I regret to observe the loss of men was more than had been ordinary.

The day chosen for the landing happened to be the 24th, the anniversary ofour Gracious Queen’s birthday. I issued a general order that the salute should be fired, though in the midst ofthe preparation, and it was done even under the muzzles of the enemy's guns.

The right column, piloted tip the creek by Commander Belcher, profiting by the local knowledge he had gained the previous day, arrived safely at its destination as the day closed in.

The General immediately landed with a wing of the 49th, and proceeded to throw out reconnoitering pic- qtiets. About nine o’clock, some detached parties of Chinese soldiers came around us with shouts, burning false fires, but they never came to the attack, and con- tented themselves with cutting off a poor camp-follower, who struggled a little, taking off his hand, and leaving both head and body on the ground. All remained quiet until daylight.

On the morning of the 25th, the troops marched on in extended lines, and a demonstration was made to the right, where the enemy appeared nearest and nu- merous in the adjoining villages. But they felt no inclination to approach, and the low grounds appearing more swampy and extensive iii that direction than to the left, the General drew off to that quarter, and we went most cautiously forward, to allow of the guns keep- ing up, the dragging being very laborious, the weather sultry, and the swamp between the hills precluding the possibility ofgetting any but small guns forward.

As we approached the city, four distinct forts were observed outside of the walls, on steep heights, all either square or round in their forms, and entirely enclosed. The city walls were armed with guns and jingals, and the three nearest forts were completely under their fire. The enemy’s troops were numerous-within and without, but they kept at a distance, and unwilling to close with the troops, although their distant fire was sufficiently exact. After occupying several heights successively on the advance, by many connected movements, the 49th were ordered, with the 37th Native infantry, to occupy a height on the left nearest the outer fort; the 18th and the Royal Marines on the heights opposite the square tower; and the naval brigade to take and occupy a height on the right, in front ofthe two oblong forts near the north gate. From these the different divisions ad- vanced ultimately to the storming. The Chinese came down in great numbers, crowding the ridges near the forts, but the 49th being a little in advance, pushed on and succeeded in entering both of the forts on the left W111] the native troops, but the 18th were united with them _; the Chinese fled towards the city, and the forts were immediately secured.

_ At this moment our situation was not the moat secure in face of a force which, by all accounts, mugt have amounted to 40,000 men. We had gained the exterior

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but a warm the soon came from 11;: 12:0 walls, and numerous bodies advancedfimdrgwogr .gates. came under the ridges Within pistol s 0 d below _ a A camp ofabout four thousand men appeare f men: :lp. smaller camp further off. A large body 0 unicafion proached the villages, commanding our comm, er soon with the beach. The skirmishers were, howev {00 s driven back, and in their retreat drawtrig our 1‘ mp after them, they gradually approached their large gange, and circumstances accomplished that, which pro 8 re would hardly at first have undertaken. Our men vac a warmly fired at from the heights, divided from theufi ya] rice field; two narrow paths only led to 1}, but the 0y Irish led in the most gallant manner by Captains Grattan and Sergeant on one pathway, the former of whomden- couraged his grenadiers amidst a heavy fire, prece ing them at some distance; and by Colonel Adams on .ano- ther pathway to the left. A company of Royal Marligelsl, under Lieutenant Maxwell ofthe Druid,joming the t , the Chinese abandoned the height, and began to leavlt: their camp; the troops followed on, a general run tood place, and the whole of that Chinese body disperse , and never assembled again. To the great regret od every one Captain Sergeant was severely wounded, an obeyed orders to lead on to the camp, Without acknow- 'no' his wound.

lediggtlpiirtial exchange ofguns and rockets took place dug ring the afternoon, our guns clannonadin‘g the towg an burning some houses, but during the night their riqg ceased ; at daylight no banner was to be seen on t e walls, and a very few persons about them.

About ten o’clock a white flag was shown on the walls; an interpreter was sent to inquire what was wanted ; to whom the Chinese officer stated, “they would fight no more,” and begged to see the General commanding thq troops. He was told that when the Chinese Genera made his appearance, the British commander by land and sea would treat with him, but they would meet no person of inferior rank; and it was arranged that the Chinese general should be under the walls by half-past three, p. m., failing which the fire would. recommence. The evening turned out squally, With rain, and no one appeared, but the firing was not renewed, and prepa- rations for an assault were continued during the even- ing. It would have been easy to have burned the town, and the Blenheim’s men brought up 200 carcase rockets that evening. But the general and myselfwere equally of opinion that such a measure should only be resorted to as a last resource, and that the storming of the walls, and the possession ofthe heights within,‘would be a suflicient and unquestionable proof of the city being at our mercy, and a complete security to the posmons we had in our actual occupation. _

On the morning of the 27th, the preparations were completed for the escalade, the guns in posttion, and the walls and heights within the city would have been in our possesion in two hours, when a dispatch arrived from Captain Elliot, proposing terms of agreement be- tween the Chinese authorities and himself, and pro- posing a suspension of hostilities until noon of that dav.

forts gallantly,

T rms were in opposition to the opinions ofthe Majo neral and myself, as they left the troops in a prec position for some days, when the conduct of

the Chinese hitherto was considered ; with whom delay had always been used to strengthen their defences, the result of which had always been a breach of faith. It gave another fair opening for Chinese treachery to work, and it took away the apparent symbol of capture, which would have been prevented by seeing the British banner floating within the city walls, and those walls lying crumbled before it. The fortified heights in the city once gained, the Chinese troops may have marched out and laid down their arms, and not a British soldier had any occasion to enter the populous part of the town.

That one ofthe first cities in the Chinese empire, whose population is 1,200,000, defended by 40,000 soldiers, in and without the walls, whose defences had been new a whole year in preparation ; strong in its natural position, and approachable only by an intricate and uncertain na- vigation, near 100 miles inland, should have in three days fallen before a force of not more than 3,500 efl'ec~ tive men, soldiers, Royal Marines, and seamen, I trust will be considered a circumstance gratifying and credit- able to the national feeling, and to her Majesty’s arms.

As soon as I had made my arrangements, 1 found that a strong demonstration of irregular troops had shown themselves to the northward of our camp; on the 30th, a detachment was sent to drive them off, but the rain pouring down in a deluge in the evening, the Chinese, knowing that our flint muskets would not be available under such a torrentof water, closed in on the troops with their latices, and came to close quarters with them boldly and bravely, which only served to show that such qualities cannot contend against discipline and united strength. .

A company of Sepoys of the 37th native infantry se- parated in the thick heavy rain, under the command of their gallant officer, Captain Hadfield, and as night came on were detained on their way. Being surrounded by a very numerous body ofthe Chinese lancemen, they with the greatest coolness and devotion oftheir lives, formed into square and awaited with perfect sang-froid the en- deavour to destroy them by the long lance over the char- ged bayonet. Now and then a musket from the centre was made to discharge its messenger of death with care by two of the oflicers, but they must have fallen if a com- pany of the. Blenheim’s Marines, with percussion mus- kets, and Lieutenant Whiting, of that corps, command- ed by Captaln puff, of the 37th native infantry, had not then .been sent in quest of them. A musket fired, was happily answered from the square, three cheers were ex- changed, the marines coming up, gave their volley— they reloaded and fired once more, and the brave sepoys were liberated. To show the superiority of the percus- sron muskets, these had been loaded since the 24th, a period of six days, yet only two missed fire; on the con- trary, all the dim muskets were rendered useless by the torrent of rain that fell.

At noon, on the lst of June, the troops left the forts that had been occupied, and proceeded to the village of TSlp00,.1n the most admirable order. I attended the Ge-' neral With the rearguard ; no armed enemy appeared - the unarmed peeple were friendly and useful; hundreds of them aSSlSllllg in dragging the guns through the difficult grounds, and carrying the materials and baggage, A sufficient number of Chinese boats had been procured to embark the whole body, and about five o’clock we left Lhe landing place, .not leaving a musket cartridge be-

ind . at half-past eight the whole force, soldiers and sea- men, were safely on board their respective ships without a single casualty occurring to disturb the succe’ssful tel- mination of an expedition, promptly undertaken I t . ab] d . , . , rust

. y execute , and happily terminated, With the 8

tion of a few brave pirits who had fall xcep- more who must still suffer some titn f en, land a few A return of the killed and a e iom lhe" “’°“"d" woun ed is here added, and

' /: Wary" v! VI) us suvur

d Army and