ART. IV. Capture of Amoy: Official Reports of their excellencies, Governor-general, &c., &c. } MY LORD, I am happy to be enabled to report to your lordship the complete success of the operation against Amoy with very trifling loss-my anticipations in regard to the enemy have been fully realized, but I did not calculate on so feeble a resistance. 1. The expedition left Hongkong on Saturday, the 21st August, but in consequence of light winds, the fleet did not clear the Lemma passage until Monday the 23d, and on the evening of the 25th we arrived in the outward anchorage of Amoy, a few shots only having been fired, as we were running through a chain of islands, which form the mouth of this anchorage, and most of which the Chinese had fortified. As it was blowing very fresh, I could not get on board the flag ship until the following morning, when I accompanied their excellencies sir Henry Pottinger and admiral sir William Parker, in the Phlegethon steamer, to reconnoitre the defences, with a view to the commencement of immediate operations. The enemy allowed us to do so without firing a shot, and the plan of attack wasat once decided upon, a summons having been previously sent in requiring the surrender of the town and island of Amoy to her majesty's forces. 2. The enemy's defences were evidently of great strength, and the country by nature difficult of access. Every island, every protecting headland, from whence guns could bear upon the harbor, was occupied and strongly armed. Commencing from the point of entrance, into the Inner harbor on the Amoy side, the principal sea-line of defence, after a succession of batteries and bastions in front of the outer town, extended for upwards of a mile in one continuous battery of stone, with embrasures roofed by large slabs, thickly covered with clods of earth, so as to form a sort of casement, and afford perfect shelter to the men in working thir guns. Between some of the embrasures were embankments to protect the masonry, and 96 guns were mounted in this work, which terminated in a castellated wall, connecting it with a range of precipitous rocky beights, that run nearly parallel to the beach at a distance varying from one fourth to half a mile. Several smaller works were apparent at intervals amid the rocks. 3. The entrance to the Inner harbor is by a channel about 600 yards across between Amoy and the island of Kúláng sú, upon which several strong batteries were visible, and some of those flanked the sea-line and stone battery. It.appeared expedient therefore to make a simultaneous attack on these prominent lines of defence. 4. It was proposed that the two line-of-battle ships with the two large steamers, should attack the sea defences on the island of Amoy nearest the town, and that some of the smaller vessels of war should open their fire to protect the landing of the troops, which was to be effected below the angle formed by the junction of the castellated wall with the sea-line, while the remaining vessels should engage several flanking batteries that extended byond these works. 5. At the same, the two heavy frigates and the Modeste were to run in and open their fire upon the works of Kúláng sú, where I instructed major Johnstone, with a company of artillery, and the three companies of the 26th regiment, supported by 170 marines under major Ellis, to land in a small bay to the left of the batteries, which they were to take in reverse. 6. About hast past one o'clock, the attack commenced, the enemy having previously fired at the ships as they proceeded to their stations. Sir William Parker will no doubt communicate to your lordship, the very conspicuous part taken by her majesty's ships on this occasion. From the difficulty of getting the boats collected in tow of the steamers, the troops did not land quite so soon as I could have wished, notwithstanding the judicious arrangements of captain Giffard of H. M. sloop Cruizer, who conducted the disembarkation. The 18th and 49th regiments however landed about 3 o'clock, with very little opposition. The former regiment I directed to escalade the castellated wall, while the 49th were to move along the beach and get over the sea face, or through the embrasures. These two operations were performed to my entire satisfaction, and the greater part of these corps were soon in position within the works, and rapidly moved along the whole line of seadefence, the enemy flying before them. Upon reaching the outskirts of the outer town, they were joined by a party of marines and seamen, whom sir William Parker had most judiciously landed in support, and whom I directed to occupy a rocky hill in our front in the neighborhood of which firing was still heard. This duty was promptly and ably performed by capt. Fletcher, of H. M. S. Wellesley, and captain Whitcomb of the Royal Marines. 7. While these operations were going on upon the Amoy side, the island of Kúláng sú was ably attacked by the frigates, and the troops landed. Major Ellis, with some of the marines and Cameronians who first landed, climbed up the rocks to the left of the easternmost battery, and, gallantly driving the enemy from the works on the heights, which were defended with some spirit, continued his progress to the north side of the island, while major Johnstone, who closely followed up with the rest of the troops, proceeded across it and carried the remaining works, thus -putting us in possession of this very important position. Major Johnstone reports that brevet-captain Grigg had an opportunity of distinguishing himself in driving a large body of the enemy from a battery, upon which he came unexpectedly with a detachment of 12 men. 8. On Amoy, a chain of steep rocky hills running from the range already men. tioned, transversely to the beach, still intercepted our view of the city, though the outer town lay beneath my advanced post. The guns having been landed by the exertions of the Artillery and Sappers, and brought on far enough for support, had a strong force opposed our advance, I decided upon forcing the position in my front which appeared extremely strong, and well calculated to he held during the night. Having made the necessary disposition, I directed the 18th regiment to advance up a precipitous gorge, where the enemy bad two small works, while the 49th were to pass through the outer town by the road to the same hills, extending their left, after gaining the pass, to the works above the breach, so as to open communication with the shipping. This movement was also executed with spirit, the enemy merely firing off their guns and flying; and at dusk, I found myself in position close above the city, and perfectly commanding it. 9. Owing to the boisterous state of the weather, and the delay in the return of the steamers, the 55th regiment had not yet landed, but this was effected at daylight the following morning, I regret to say not without loss, a boat having been swamped, and 5 men unfortunately drowned. Thus reinforced, I pushed strong parties of the 18th and 49th regiments down to the outskirts of the city, in the northeastern quarter of which, upon irregularly rising ground, and closely surrounded by a dense mass of buildings, appeared the walled town or citadel. Having carefully reconnoitered the place, I satisfied myself that, although there was a conconrse of people passing and repassing at the northern gate, the walls were not manned; I therefore thought it advisable to take advantage of the prevailing panic, and having sent a small party with captain Cotton, the commanding engineer, to reconnoitre the approach to the eastern gate, which he promptly effected, I directed, upon his return, the 18th to advance, having the 49th in support, and the 55th in reserve. The advanced party of the 18th escaladed the wall by the aid of ladders found on the spot, and opened the castern gate, which was barred and barricaded from within by sacks filled with earth and stones. The remainder of the regiment passed ́through it and manned the other gates, the enemy having previously abandoned the place, leaving it in possession of the mob, which had already begun to plunder the public establishments. 10. I occupied the citadel with the 18th and Sappers, placing the 49th regiment in an extensive building without the public office of the intendant of circuit, from whence they could give protection to the northern suburb and command the communication to the interior by the only road on this side the island. The Artillery, I placed in a commanding position upon the top of the pass between the city and the outer town, with the 55th in support, occupying a range of public buildings, in which the sub-prefect of Amoy held his court. 11. Amoy is a principal third class city of China, and from its excellent harbor and situation appears to be well calculated for commerce. The outer town is divided from the chain of rocks I have mentioned, over which a paved road leads through a pass, that has a covered gateway at its summit. The outer harbor skirts the outer town, while the city is bounded in nearly its whole length by the Inner harbor and an estuary, which deeply indent the island. Including the outer town and the northeastern suburb, the city cannot be much less than ten miles in circumference; and that of the citadel, which entirely commands this suburb, and the inner town, though commanded itself by the hills within shot range, is nearly one mile. The walls are castellated, and vary with the inequality of the ground from 20 to 30 feet in height; and there are four gates, each having, in an outwork, a second or exterior gate at right angles to the inner gate. The citadel contained five arsenals, in which we found a large quantity of powder, with store of materials for making it; ginjals, wall-pieces, matchlocks, and a variety of firearms of singular construction; military clothing, swords of all descriptions. Shields, bows and arrows, and spears, were also in such quantity, as to lead to the conclusion, that these must have been the chief magazines of the province. Within the sea-defences first taken, there was a foundry, with moulds and material for casting heavy ordnance. 12. All these have been destroyed, and this so much occupied my time, considering too how much the troops were harassed by patroles to keep off Chinese plunderers, and by other duties incident to the peculiarity of our situation, that I abandoned my intention of visiting the interior of the island. These plunderers flocked into the city and suburbs, to the extent, as the Chinese themselves reported, ot many thousands, and I regret to say, that several gangs penetrated into the citadel and committed much devastation. Indeed with the prospect of leaving Amoy so soon, I doubt that our marching through the island might rather have frightened away the peaceable householders, and led to further plunder by the mob, than have been of any advantage. Such indeed was the audacity of these miscreants, that I was in some cases obliged to fire, in order to disperse them; but I am glad to say but little loss of life occurred. 13. I am most happy to be enabled to state that the conduct of the troops has been exemplary; some instances of misconduct have no doubt occurred; but when it is considered that they were in the midst of temptation, many of the houses being open with valuable property strewed about, and many shops in every street deserted, but full of samshoo-it is matter of great satisfaction that these instances were so few. 14. During our stay upon the island, I did all in my power to prevail upon the respectable merchants and householders, who had so much at stake, to aid me in protecting property, which they readily promised-but their apprehension of appearing to be on friendly terms with us was so great, that I could obtain no effectual assistance from them, and was unable even to get a Chinese to remain with the guards at the gates, and point out the real owners of houses within the citadel, for the purpose of granting them free egress and ingress. 15. Our departure being determined upon, I could take no measures for permanent occupation, and as the wind was strong against us, we were kept on shore four days in a state of constant watchfulness, until yesterday at balf past 2 P. M., when the preconcerted signal for embarkation was given by the admiral. By half past 6, every soldier and every follower had been embarked (without a single instance of inebriety occurring) on board the steamers, which transferred the troops on board their respective transports during the night. 16. The three companies of the 26th regiment have remained upon the island of Kúláng sú, which her majesty's plenipotentiary has determined to hold for the present-and I have strengthened major Johnstone, who is in command, with a wing of the 18th regiment and a small detachment of artillery. This little force amounting to 550 men, will, I trust, together with the ships of war also left behind, be sufficient to hold this small but important possession. 17. To the commanding officers of corps and detachments, lieut.-col. Craigie, 55th regiment; lieut.-col. Morris, 49th regiment; and lieut.-col. Adams, 18th regiment; major Johnstone, 26th regiment; major Ellis, royal marines; capt. Knowles, royal artillery; capt. Anstruther, Madras artillery, and capt. Cotton, commanding engineers, my best thanks are due; and I have received the most cordial and active support from the officers of the general and my personal staff, lieut.-col. Mountain, deputy adjutant-general, capt. Gough, acting deputy quarter mastergeneral, major Hawkins, deputy commissary-general, Dr. French, superintending surgeon, and lieut. Gabbett, my aid-de-camp... 18. I cannot too strongly express to your lordship, in conclusion, my sense of obligation to his excellency rear-admiral sir William Parker, for his ready support and judicious arrangements upon every occasion, as well as for having given at the disembarkation and embarkation, and during the whole period of our stay at Amoy, thre able assistance of capt. Giffard, to whom my best thanks are due. me, 152 Official Reports of Capture of Amoy. MARCH, 19. I have the honor to inclose a list of ordnance captured, and a return of the wounded on our side upon the 26th ultimo, and have no means of correctly estimating the killed and wounded of the enemy, but it must have been severe, and we know that several mandarins were amongst the former. (Signed) I have the honor to be, my lord, Your lordship's most obedient humble sernant, [INCLOSURE.] Return of ordnance mounted on the defences at Amoy, when stormed and captured on the 26th August, 1841. Island of Amoy, 211 (Signed) J. KNOWLES, captain, Royal Artillery. N. B. Fifty pieces of ordnance of small calibre captured in the citadel, not included in the above. A. S. H. MOUNTAIN, Lt.-col., D. A. G. (Signed) Expeditionary force, Head-quarters, Amoy castle, 1st Sep., 1841. Return of killed and wounded of the force under the command of major-general sir Hugh Gough, K. c. B., &c., on the 26th of August, 1841, at the capture of the batteries, heights, city, and citadel of Amoy.. 18th Royal Irish regiment, rank and file wounded (Signed) Total wounded 2 7 - 9 A. S. H. MOUNTAIN, Lt.-col., D. A. G. Major-general sir Hugh Gough, K. C. B., commander-in-chief, Wellesley, in the bay of Amoy, 31st August, 1841. To the Rt. Hon. the Earl of Auckland, G. C. B., &c., &c., &c. MY LORD-It is with much gratification that I have the honor of announcing to your lordship, the capture of the city of Amoy, and the island of Kúláng sú, (which forms the west side of the harbor,) together with their strong lines of batteries and sea defences, mounting above 223 guns, by the combined forces of her ma. jesty, after a short, but vigorous attack, on the 26th instant, with very trifling loss on our part. The expedition, comprising the ships of war hereafter named, and 21 transports containing the land forces, military and victualing stores, &c., under the command of his excellency major-general sir Hugh Gough, sailed from the anchorage at Hongkong on the 21st, and fortunately arrived off the islands at the entrance of Amoy by sunset on the 25th; it was then beginning to blow strong, but favored by a fair wind, and good moonlight, with the advantage of the local knowledge of eaptain Bourchier of the Blonde, the fleet were pushed into the bay, and anchored in security for the night. A few shots were discharged at her majesty's ships as they passed between the fortified islands, but no mischief was done. It blew too hard during the night to admit of any boats leaving the ships to sound, or make obser vations; but no time was lost after daylight in reconnoitering the Chinese positions, in which the general, and sir Henry Pottinger did me the favor to accompany me, in the Phlegethon steam vessel. |