Expecting to make the flag of the Commander-in-Chief, I came up with a convoy at anchor, under Frederick Grey in _Endymion_, who caused me to anchor and join company; so spoilt my little game of joining flag in time for Chusan. [Sidenote: June 14.] Arrived with both convoys off Chusan. _Endymion_ having no orders to proceed, anchored outside. Had the painful satisfaction of hearing heavy cannonading in which I could take no part. [Illustration: Dido _at Chusan_.] 6 P.M.--Saluted flag, but found I was just in time to be too late to share in the capture of Woosung. In future movements the General paid me the compliment of preferring my six-oared gig to one of the transport boats. [Sidenote: Woosung, June, 17.] Landed a party to assist in destruction of forts and Government buildings. Dined with Admiral Sir William Parker. [Sidenote: June 18.] Waterloo Day. General Sir Hugh Gough landed in my gig, when I witnessed the horrors of war. Mutilated carcases of men and horses by hundreds. Houses burning, villages deserted, etc. Struck by the prevalent feeling so strong for destruction. Sir Hugh Gough, attended by a small staff and orderlies of his favourite regiment, the 18th Royal Irish--I mounted on his pony--directed an orderly to ascertain whether a Chinaman separated from others was dead or alive. The corporal turned the body over with his bayonet in it, answering, “Did, your Honour,” which he certainly was _then_. [Sidenote: June 19.] Flag hoisted on board _Medusa_. Ordered by Admiral to accompany him in the gig, and to land forces to attack forts at Shanghai, which were easily carried. Brass guns embarked, iron ones spiked, trunnions knocked off. Town taken possession of. All this on the Sabbath! [Sidenote: June 20.] Further expedition up the river with steamers. No opposition for sixty miles. Country thickly populated, and natives astonished rather. [Sidenote: June 23.] Troops at Woosung were re-embarked. Preparing for further advance up the Yang-tse-Kiang. CHAPTER XXV _DIDO_--CHINA [Sidenote: 1842. July 6.] The force collected at Woosung to proceed up the Yang-tse-Kiang consisted of seventy-three sail, men-of-war and transport, three of them being line-of-battle ships. The whole, anchored in single line--with room to swing, required space. It was a beautiful sight. On a signal from Flag for fleet to weigh, in a few minutes you would see a white cloud, three miles in extent, moving up the river. While the seamen went aloft to loose sails, troops manned sheets and halyards. Wind heading, the reverse took place, and a forest of masts succeeded the white cloud. The half-dozen small steamers were constantly on the move surveying. The smaller craft were detached in various directions to collect cattle and other food for the use of the fleet. [Sidenote: July 12.]