A Lease
Was Obtained In Perpetuity, Through The Skillful Negotiation Of Mr.
Parkes, Of Kowlun And Stonecutter Island, Where, From Their Salubrious
Position, It Was Proposed To Place The Troops On Their Arrival From India
Or England.
Chusan was occupied the following month without opposition by
an English brigade of 2,000 men.
The summer had commenced before the whole of the expedition assembled at
Hongkong, whence it was moved northward to Shanghai about a year after the
failure of the attack on the forts on the Peiho. A further delay was
caused by the tardiness of the French, and July had begun before the
expedition reached the Gulf of Pechihli. Then opposite opinions led to
different suggestions, and while the English advocated proceeding to
attack Pehtang, General Montauban drew up another plan of action. But the
exigencies of the alliance compelled the English, who were ready, to wait
for the French, who were not, in order that the assault might be made
simultaneously. Before that time arrived the French commander had been
brought round to the view that the proper plan of campaign was that
suggested by the English commander; viz., to attack and capture Pehtang,
whence the Taku forts might be taken in the rear. It is somewhat
remarkable to observe that no one suggested a second time endeavoring to
carry by a front attack these forts, which had in the interval since
Admiral Hope's failure been rendered more formidable.
At Pehtang the Chinese had made few preparations for defense, and nothing
of the same formidable character as at Taku.
Enter page number
PreviousNext
Page 474 of 704
Words from 128829 to 129090
of 191255
