CHINA.

Southland Times, Volume 2, Issue 80, 11 August 1863, Page 5 (Supplement)

CHINA.

The following account of the capture •of the city of Tai-isan, from the Taepjng, by the Anglo-Chinese force under Major Gordon, is from the Overland China Mail -of 13th May :—

Wo have to 'report another defeat. at Tai-tsan, a city .which had been held by the Taepings 'for a long time- previously, and which they had successfully defended against the Anglo.-, Chinese force on a former occasion. It appears that Major Gordon had left Ins head-quarters with a strong force, on an expedition, the object of which he. very wisely kept secret ; but, receiving intelligence 'o'f an act of treachery that had been .practised by the Tai-tsan ' garrison, he 'turned aside with his force v to avenge it. The Taepings of that city made a show of>khing to give in their allegiance to'thelmperialcmise, and, deceived by appearances, the Fuhtai sent •a force of native -soldiery to occupy^ the city, and take it over in the name of the Emperor. It was a snare. Five hundred men were led into an ambush, and taken prisoners, nearly half the number being immediately afterwardsbeheaded. This intelligence induced. Major Gordon to turn his force against Wai-tsan, which he captured after a, desperate fight. The usual mode of forming a breach and mounting storming parties was adopted on this occasion. The rebels were, of course, emboldened with previous success, and they fought hand to Land in the breach, and repelled the first assault. Gordon then played his guns for a short time, in orde/to give his men breathing time I and a little more room to storm. Again the tiained Chinese pressed forward to thetissaulf. At first the -success seemed doubtful ; but .finally the besieged gave way, the attacking force stood on the walls, and the enemy fled without offering further assistance. The numbers engaged were about 3000 on either side. Major Gordon took care that no blunders should occur to stagger the confidence of those under him. He appears to be an officer of the very highest promise. Private accounts give numerous details of his ability, and of his perfect fitness for the duty entrusted to him. The number of killed on the Im- ! perialist side was between 200 and 300. ! Captain Bannon fell mortally wounded while mounting the breach at the first ! assault. Two other European officers of the force were severely wounded, and one slightly. Lieutenant Wood, R.A., who was standing at a distance as a spectator, criticising Gordon's manoeuvre?, was reminded by a spent shot that he had no business there. Seven Europeans, says the Worth China Herald, from which we glean the particulars of this affair — and four Sepoys were in the city and defending f .he breach. Of these, three of each were killed, two of whom were Frenchmen wearing: gold medals for their conduct in Holland's defeat. !Of the Other four Europeans three escaped, and one, a deserter from the 3lst, was captured. The latter, who confesses to have deserted to his subsequent deep regret, wHI be able to give , useful information regarding the internal Rconomy of the rebel camp. As ; regards the rebels, Major Gordon has , turned his attention to a Taeping city ■ called Quin-san, which is said to be well garrisoned, and under the command of Chun- wang himself. The place has not yet been attacked, Major Gordon having reconnoitred it and determined upon delaying until he is fully prepared to commence the siege with a reasonable prospect of success. Canton. — It will be remembered that. a body of troops left Canton some time ago', under command of the Provincial Judge, for the purpose of chastising the Hakka insurgents at Kwanghai. The latest accounts to hand say that the insurgents still continued in possession of the city, and have not been attacked by the Imperial force sent against them. This, if not looked to in time, may prove the germ of another rebellion. Why not allow those troops who were reviewed last week to proceed with tbeir artillery and put their instructions into ! practice? It would do them good to [ smell powder in the field. i From a correspondent of the Shanghai I Trade Circular, of the 22nd May, we | learn the following further particulars : —

I send you a short account of the siege of Tai-tsan, as although no doubt an^aceount of the affair has already reached you, some of the particulars I can mention have probably not jet been made public. The bombardment commenced on the 3rd instant, with a respectable artillery, 'including two 32---pounders and two 8-inch mortars, which made excellent practice. Fire was opened at 'about half-past 12, at a distance of some 700 yards from the walls, but the guns were gradually advanced during the day, under cover of skirmishers, and by 4.30 two breaches were reported practicable. The storming party, consisting of the 3rd Regiment, under Major Rhode, and the sth or Ningpo regiment, were now ordered to advance, which they did most gallantly, supported by the firing of the Rifles. Several mishaps occurred, but without checking their career. The most serious was the, swamping the bridge of boats over the creek running round the city, from which it is feared several men are drowned. The breach was most, obstinately defended; notwithstanding the murderous fire which had been poured in by our artillery ; but^ the gallant fellows mounted it unhesitatingly, and a hand-to-hand encounter ensued for upwards of twentyr minutes, a tremendous fire of musketry being kept up the while, and spears^ bricks, fi.eballs, and \every imaginary missile maje use of by the defenders. The bravery of our\ men, however; in the end carried the day, and the Imperialist flagWw seen waving in the breach. The Bicrthat 2000 of the best rebel

troops from Soochow were among the defenders, and the Chief Mandarin of the city was among the slain, adds to the merit of, perhaps, the most hardlywoq victoi-y the disciplined Chinese have yet gained over the Taepings. The conduct of both officers and men of the force . was most praiseworthy. Aroong the former, Major Murrantand Captains Williams, Brooks, and Cherikoff particularly distinguished themselves. The first officer, I regret to say, has been obliged to have his right arm amputated, and Captain Williams is wounded in the head by a spear. Capt. Bannon, who was leading the first stormingparty, was shot while crossing the moat. It is a matter for congratulation that Major Gordon himself escaped unhurt, as he was constantly exposed ; and his staff — Lieutenant Stephens, 09th liegimeiit, Officiating Adjutant-Genpral, Captain Gibbon, of the Soon-Kjong Force, and Captafn Sudlum, of the Zmgari— had no sinecure^ The following is an accurate return of the casualties : — Killed — Captain Bannon, 4th Regiment. Wounded —^Captain Robertson, 2nd "Regiment, mortally; Major Murrant, 2nd Regimeiat, Captain Chidwidk, 3rd Regiment, Captain Chapman, Ist Regiment, and Captain Sudlum, Zingari, severely.-; 'Captain WiUiaais, 2nd Regime-fit, and Lieut Baffet, Ist Regiment, slightly-. Non-comm issioned officers and rank a-Jid file — Killed, 25 ; wounded, 20 mortally, 63 severely, and 20 slightly. Total, 103. There are besides several men missing, sotce of whom it is feared were drowrred in crossing the creek to the assault. After the city Was taken, Major Gordon issued the following general order: —

"General order by IVlajor Gordon R.E., commanding the Soon-kiong Force. Tai-tsan, May 3, 1863. The officer commanding thanks the artillery and infantry for their gallant exertions during the late operations. In spite of a most determined and desperate resistance, they carried this city, which had a garrison of five times their numbers, and have done whaD could not have been surpassed by any troops in the world. The commanding officer assures the officers and men that he has never seen such a determined fight, lasting as if did hand-to-hand for nearly a quatcr cf an hour. Tie regrets the untimely death of the gallant Captain Bannou and the wounds received by the other officers, and will hope to see the latter Well eared for and capable c.f again joining their regiments and taking the field. The force has now claims which will be pushed to the uttermost, and it may rest assured that the officer commandixig will leave nothing undone to have everything placed upon a satistory and proper footing. He cannot too deeply express his appreciation of the gallant conduct of the force. Reorder, J. F. Stephens, Lieut. 9. f )tn Regt., officiating Adjutant-General, Soonkiong Force.

Yfe learn that after leaving Tai-tsan, Major Gordon marched with the entire force to Q,uin-San, which he reconnoitred. Hut as supplies of ammunition for which he had s<. j nt to Soon-kiong did not arrive, he retired on that city, which he reached two days ago, having met the ammunition about fifteen miles from it on his way. Later accounts from this city state that nearly all the men and stragglers have returned to duty. The reports which were set afloat as to the prevalence of a degree of disorganisation in the force in consequence of the " loot" taken at Tai-tsan are unfounded. A few absented themselves during the march to Quin-san, wit!) the object of bestowing their " 100t 1 ' in Soon-kiong, but the number was small, and not at all sufficient to atfect the success of the expedition, had not other reasons prevented it from being persevered in. We are informed that, in addition to the officers we have already mentioned, Major Brennan particularly distinguished himself in the breach, and Dr. Moffat in hi* attention to the wounded. Majors Wood and Tapp, of the Artillery, as also Murphy, M'Guinness, and Doyle, of the same arm, did excellent service. During the stay of the Soon-kiong troops the Mandarin soldiers threw up strong stockades outside of Quin-San, which they garrisoned in fojee. The garrison have a mortar in the city, probably the one which was taken from Vincenti at Fooshan, and discharged several shell from it at some of the Soon-kiong troops who passed within range. It is believed that Chung-wang himself is in Q.uin-San with a large force. He is said to be highly surprised and disgusted at the fall of Tai-tsan, which, with the aid of the 2000 choice troops he had sent from Soochow, he had deemed safe.