Historical Record of the Eighteenth, or the Royal Irish Regiment of Foot: Containing an Account of the Formation of the Regiment in 1684, and of Its Subsequent Services to 1848.Cannon, Richard
History
Historical Record of the Eighteenth, or the Royal Irish Regiment of Foot: Containing an Account of the Formation of the Regiment in 1684, and of Its Subsequent Services to 1848.
Cannon, Richard
Great Britain. Army -- History; Great Britain. Army. Regiment of Foot, 18th (Royal Irish)
On the following day the regiment traversed the island to
Tsin-kong, and afterwards proceeded to Sahoo; but returned to
Ting-hae-hien on the 4th of October, and on the 6th embarked with
the expedition against the city of _Chinhae_, the military depôt
of the province, situate on the mainland opposite Chusan, and
surrounded by a wall of extraordinary height and thickness. The
troops landed on the 10th of October, advanced through a difficult
country towards the city, and stormed the works covering the
approach to the place, overthrowing all opposition. "The EIGHTEENTH
charged up a deep gorge to the left, and broke through the central
encampment, carrying everything before them."[32] The city was
captured, and in it was an extensive arsenal, and cannon foundry,
with military stores. The EIGHTEENTH crossed the river and entered
the city on the same evening: their loss was one man killed and
three wounded.
From Chinhae the ROYAL IRISH proceeded up the river on the 13th
of October, against the fortified city of _Ningpo_, where no
resistance was met with. The troops landed and formed on the
ramparts, the band of the EIGHTEENTH playing "God save the Queen,"
and they took possession of the second city in the province of
Che-Keang, containing a population of three hundred thousand souls.
The regiment was afterwards stationed in the city of Ningpo some
time; and the Chinese having garrisoned several forts up the river,
the flank companies embarked on the 27th of December, with an
expedition to dislodge the Chinese and Tartar soldiers from their
posts, but the enemy fled without waiting to be attacked, and the
companies returned to Ningpo.
[Sidenote: 1842]
The flank companies proceeded to You-You on the 10th of January,
1842, and were engaged in routing the enemy, and destroying their
encampment the day following.
During the first three months of the year 1842, four companies of
the regiment were stationed at the city of Ningpo, under Major
Nicholas R. Tomlinson, and five companies at Koolangsoo, under
Major Jeremiah Cowper.
On the 10th of March a numerous army of Tartars and Chinese made
a sudden attack upon _Ningpo_, escalading the walls, and forcing
some of the gates, with great spirit, and the few British forces in
garrison were enveloped by crowds of assailants; but the bravery of
the British was conspicuous, and they triumphed over their numerous
opponents. A guard of the regiment, consisting of Lieutenant
Anthony W. S. F. Armstrong, one serjeant, and twenty-three rank and
file, stationed at the West-gate, being attacked by large numbers,
behaved steadily, and gallantly drove the enemy back, capturing
two banners, the bearers of which had been shot at the gate: the
spirited behaviour of Lieutenant Armstrong was commended in the
public despatches.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account