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Second Battle of Chuenpi

Coordinates:22°45′41.45″N113°39′30.58″E/ 22.7615139°N 113.6584944°E/22.7615139; 113.6584944
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Second Battle of Chuenpi
Part of theFirst Opium War

British forces advancing in Chuenpi
Date7 January 1841
Location
Humen,Guangdong,China
22°45′41.45″N113°39′30.58″E/ 22.7615139°N 113.6584944°E/22.7615139; 113.6584944
Result

British victory

Territorial
changes		 Charles Elliotdeclares cession ofHong Kong Islandto the United Kingdom
Belligerents

United KingdomBritish Empire

Qing China
Commanders and leaders
James Bremer Guan Tianpei
Strength
3 ships of the line
3 frigates
2 paddle frigates
1 corvette
2 sloops
1 bomb ketch

1,500 men
3 guns2		 15 junks

2,000 men
2 forts
Casualties and losses
38 wounded 277 killed
467 wounded
100 captured
11 junks destroyed
191 guns captured
2 forts captured
1Cession formally ratified in theTreaty of Nanking(1842).
2Involved in the Chuenpi landing force only.

TheSecond Battle of Chuenpi[a](Chinese:Lần thứ hai xỏ mũi chi chiến) was fought between British and Chinese forces in thePearl River Delta,Guangdongprovince, China, on 7January 1841 during theFirst Opium War.The British launched an amphibious attack at theHumenstrait (Bogue), capturing the forts on the islands of Chuenpi and Taikoktow. Subsequent negotiations between British PlenipotentiaryCharles Elliotand Chinese Imperial CommissionerQishanresulted in theConvention of Chuenpion 20 January. As one of the terms of the agreement, Elliot announced the cession ofHong Kong Islandto theBritish Empire,after which the British took formal possession of the island on 26 January.

Background

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In September 1840, theDaoguang Emperorof theQing dynastyfired Imperial CommissionerLin Zexuand replaced him withQishan.[2]BritishForeign SecretaryLord Palmerstoninstructed PlenipotentiaryCharles Elliotto have the ports ofCanton,Amoy,Fuzhou,Ningbo,andShanghaiopened for trade; to acquire the cession of at least one island (or if the Chinese refused, the establishment of a secure British enclave on the mainland); and to secure compensation for confiscated opium as well as military costs incurred in China.[3][4]On 1 December, Elliot wrote to Palmerston that these demands would be secured within ten days. Three days after the deadline, Elliot wrote toGovernor-General of IndiaLord Aucklandthat he had failed to get the concessions, but one was still in prospect. He then conceded that any settlement would be "far short of the demands of the government."[5]

In negotiations with Qishan, Elliot wanted $7 million over a period of six years and the surrender of Amoy and Chusan as permanentBritish possessions.Qishan offered $5 million over twelve years, so they agreed to $6 million.[3]However, Qishan refused Elliot's territorial demands. On 17 December, Elliot countered with an offer to abandonZhoushan,which theBritish capturedin July 1840, and for another port to be chosen later in its place.[5]After Qishan rejected the offer, Elliot told him, "There are very large forces collected here, and delays must breed amongst them a very great impatience."[6]The year passed with no final settlements. An opium clipper that subsequently sailed into Canton brought with it a rumour that the emperor had decided to wage war. On 5January 1841, Elliot prepared for an attack on Canton, informing Qishan that an attack would commence in two days if agreement could not be reached.[6]He allowed CommodoreGordon Bremer,commander-in-chief of the British forces, to make offensive operations.[7]

Battle

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British operations began at 8:00 am on 7January from Sampanchow Island, 3 miles (4.8 kilometres) below theHumenstrait (Bogue).[8]By 9:00 am, theEast India CompanysteamersEnterprise,Madagascar,andNemesisassisted in embarking the following forces who landed unopposed 2 miles (3.2 kilometres) below the Chuenpi Island artillery batteries:

An additional 30 seamen assisted in dragging the 24-pounder and two 6-pounders into position, and 15 sailors from theBlenheimwere employed in the rocket and ammunition service. MajorThomas Prattof the 26th Regiment commanded the land force of about 1,500 men.[9][10]After advancing 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometres), the British spotted the upper fort and an entrenchment comprising a deep ditch with surroundingbreastwork.The Chinese cheered when they saw the British, waved their flags in defiance, and opened fire from the batteries. In response, the British cannons on the crest of the hill commenced firing. The Chinese then returned fire for about 20 minutes.[9]The steamersQueenandNemesis,under CaptainEdward Belcherof theSulphur,fired shells into the upper fort while theCalliope,Hyacinth,andLarneships (under CaptainThomas Herbert) attacked the lower fort. In less than an hour, the combined bombardment silenced the Chinese batteries. By 10:00 am, the upper fort had been captured, and the lower fort surrounded and stormed by Royal Marines.[11]After the capture, theNemesisattacked a fleet of about 15 warjunksunder AdmiralGuan Tianpeiin Anson's Bay.[b]The junks mounted 7 to 11 guns of various calibre from 4- to12-pounders.[13][14]The ship fired aCongreve rocketthat struck a junk near the admiral, which a British officer described as follows:

TheNemesis(right background) destroying Chinese warjunksin Anson's Bay during theFirst Opium War,7 January 1841 (byEdward Duncan)

The very first rocket fired from the Nemesis was seen to enter the large junk... and almost the instant afterwards it blew up with a terrific explosion, launching into eternity every soul on board, and pouring forth its blaze like the mighty rush of fire from a volcano. The instantaneous destruction of the huge body seemed appalling to both sides engaged. The smoke, and flame, and thunder of the explosion, with the broken fragments falling round, and even portions of dissevered bodies scattering as they fell, were enough to strike with awe, if not fear, the stoutest heart that looked upon it.[15]

Nemesisand other British boats engaging Chinese junks at Chuenpi

At about 11:30 am, the Chinese on board the junks hauled down their flags.[16]At noon, twocuttersof theNemesissailed towards Admiral Guan's junk, described by an officer as "immensely large" and mounting 14 or 15 guns, some of them brass and "beautifully chased".[17]They found only one man on board who after seeing the crew board the ship, jumped over thebow.[17]Meanwhile, CaptainJames Scottof theSamarangcommanded the attack on Taikoktow Island (west of Chuenpi).[11]When the forts began firing on the British vessels at 10:20 am, theSamarangreturned fire ten minutes later after anchoring 200 yards (180 metres) away. TheModeste,Druid,andColumbinelater anchored in succession. Scott reported that "in a few minutes, so destructive and well directed was the fire of our ships, that that of the enemy was silenced, with the exception of an occasional gun or two."[18]At 11:20 am, the ships embarked their crewmen to storm the forts[18]where the Chinese remained inside until driven out.[11]The Chinese could not withstand the onslaught of Britishmusketsduring hand-to-hand combat. After capturing the forts, the Chinese guns were spiked and thrown into the river.[19]

A 17th century cannon "captured from a Chinese War Junk" byNemesisand now on display atWindsor Castle.

In total, 38 British were wounded, many from an explosion of an extensivemagazineafter capturing the Chuenpi fort.[13][20]Commodore Bremer credited the Chinese for fighting "with the greatest credit and devotion" in the batteries and reported their losses at 500 to 600 out of a force of 2,000 men.[21]Chinese records indicate 744 casualties (277 killed and 467 wounded).[22]The high Chinese casualties were due to the impression they had that British troops would giveno quarter.[23]100 Chinese prisoners who laid down their arms were released the next day.[24]11 junks were destroyed[16][25]and 191 artillery pieces were captured.[26]According to Qing scholarWei Yuan,Kuan sent Rear-Admiral Li T'ing-Yü to Canton to request more troops, which the "whole official body" supported except Qishan, who spent the night writing peace proposals.[27]

Aftermath

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Elliot sent a Chinese prisoner to Kuan, with a letter explaining "the usages of civilised warfare" and that if the forts did not hoist their colours the following day, they would not be attacked.[28]At 11:30 am on 8January, British ships led by theBlenheimsailed up the Bocca Tigris. As they approached Anunghoy Island (north of Chuenpi), a boat rowed by an old woman displayed a white flag.[29][30]A man from the ship was taken on board a British vessel to deliver a request from Kuan that hostilities be suspended for three days in order to contact Qishan.[31][32]Cancellation of the attack order prompted Lieutenant John Ouchterlony to note that it "certainly created a feeling of great disappointment throughout the fleet."[30]Elliot addressed the cancellation in a circular aboard theWellesley:"A communication has been received from the Chinese commander-in-chief, which has led to an armistice, with the purpose to afford the high commissioner time to consider certain conditions now offered for his acceptance."[33]

On 20January, after theConvention of Chuenpi,Elliot announced "the conclusion of preliminary arrangements" between Qishan and himself. They involved the cession ofHong Kong Islandto the United Kingdom, a £6 million indemnity payable to the British government, direct and equal ties between the countries, and trade in Canton to be opened within ten days following the Chinese new year.[34]They also agreed to the restoration of Chuenpi and Taikoktow[clarification needed]to the Chinese, and the evacuation of Zhoushan.[35]On 26 January, theUnion Jackwas raised on Hong Kong, and Commodore Bremer took formal possession of the island, under afeu de joiefrom the marines and aroyal salutefrom the anchored men-of-war.[36]On 29January, Elliot proclaimed that Chinese natives "shall be governed according to the laws and customs of China, every description of torture excepted" and that "all British subjects and foreigners residing, or resorting to the island ofHong Kong,shall enjoy full security and protection, according to the principles and practice of British law ".[37]

When the news reached the emperor, he ordered Qishan to be "degraded from his office" and to stand trial at the Board of Punishments.[38]Qishan faced several charges including giving "the barbarians Hongkong as a dwelling place".[39]In his response, he claimed, "I pretended to do so from the mere force of circumstances, and to put them off for a time, but had no such serious intention."[39]The court denounced him as a traitor and sentenced him to death. He was imprisoned for several months, but at the end of 1841 he was allowed, without authority or rank, to deal with the British.[40]On 21April 1841, Lord Palmerston wrote a letter of reprimand to Elliot and recalled him for not securing the earlier demands as ordered.[4]Palmerston dismissed Hong Kong as "a barren island with hardly a house upon it."[41]In May 1841,Henry Pottingerreplaced Elliot as plenipotentiary.[41]

Queen Victoriaaddressed the events in a letter to her uncle,King Leopold Iof Belgium, on 13April:

The Chinese business vexes us much, and Palmerston is deeply mortified at it.Allwe wanted might have been got, if it had not been for the unaccountably strange conduct of Charles Elliot... who completely disobeyed his instructions andtriedto get thelowestterms he could. [...] The attack and storming of the [Chuenpi] Forts on the 7th of January was very gallantly done by the Marines, and immense destruction of the Chinese took place. The accounts of the cruelty of the Chinese to one another are horrible.Albertis so much amused at my having got the Island of Hong Kong, and we thinkVictoriaought to be called Princess of Hong Kong in addition to Princess Royal.[42]

Notes

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Footnotes
  1. ^Charles Elliotwrote "Chuenpee" for what some have written "Chuenpi" and is called "Chuanbi" ( xỏ mũi ) inpinyin.[1]
  2. ^Anson's Bay lies between Chuenpi and Anunghoy Island, north of Chuenpi.[12]
Citations
  1. ^Hoe & Roebuck 1999, p. xviii
  2. ^The Chinese Repository, vol. 9, pp. 412–413
  3. ^abHanes & Sanello 2004, p. 117
  4. ^abLe Pichon 2006, p. 39
  5. ^abFay 1997, p. 270
  6. ^abHanes & Sanello 2004, p. 118
  7. ^Mackenzie 1842, p. 14
  8. ^The Chinese Repository,vol. 10, p. 37
  9. ^abBulletins of State Intelligence1841, p. 227
  10. ^Hall & Bernard 1844, p. 119
  11. ^abcBulletins of State Intelligence1841, pp. 223–224
  12. ^Hall & Bernard 1844, p. 125
  13. ^abMacPherson 1843, p. 267
  14. ^The Nautical Magazine1841, p. 415
  15. ^Hall & Bernard 1844, p. 126
  16. ^abHall & Bernard 1844, p. 127
  17. ^abThe United Service Journal1841, p. 242
  18. ^abBulletins of State Intelligence1841, p. 232
  19. ^The Chinese Repository,vol. 10, p. 41
  20. ^Bulletins of State Intelligence1841, p. 229
  21. ^Bulletins of State Intelligence1841, p. 225
  22. ^Mao 2016, pp. 206–207
  23. ^Ouchterlony 1844, p. 96
  24. ^Bulletins of State Intelligence1841, p. 226
  25. ^Belcher 1843, p. 144
  26. ^Bulletins of State Intelligence1841, p. 243
  27. ^Parker 1888, p. 25
  28. ^Bingham 1843, p. 30
  29. ^Mackenzie 1842, p. 25
  30. ^abOuchterlony 1844, pp. 100–101
  31. ^Mackenzie 1842, pp. 25–26
  32. ^MacPherson 1843, p. 72
  33. ^The Chinese Repository,vol. 11, p. 578
  34. ^The Chinese Repository,vol. 10, p. 63
  35. ^Bulletins of State Intelligence1841, p. 270
  36. ^Belcher 1843, p. 148
  37. ^The Chinese Repository,vol. 10, p. 64
  38. ^Martin 1847, p. 66
  39. ^abDavis 1852, p. 50
  40. ^Davis 1852, pp. 51–52
  41. ^abLe Pichon 2006, p. 40
  42. ^Benson & Esher 1907, p. 329

References

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  • Belcher, Edward (1843).Narrative of a Voyage Round the World.Volume 2. London: Henry Colburn.
  • Benson, Arthur Christopher; Esher, Viscount (1907).The Letters of Queen Victoria.Volume 1. New York: Longmans, Green, and Co.
  • Bingham, John Elliot (1843).Narrative of the Expedition to China, from the Commencement of the War to Its Termination in 1842(2nd ed.). Volume 2. London: Henry Colburn.
  • Bulletins of State Intelligence.Westminster: F. Watts. 1841.
  • The Chinese Repository.Volume 10. Canton. 1841.
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  • Hanes, William Travis; Sanello, Frank (2002).The Opium Wars: The Addiction of One Empire and the Corruption of Another.Naperville, Illinois: Sourcebooks.ISBN1-4022-0149-4.
  • Hoe, Susanna; Roebuck, Derek (1999).The Taking of Hong Kong: Charles and Clara Elliot in China Waters.Richmond, Surrey: Curzon Press.ISBN0-7007-1145-7.
  • Le Pichon, Alain (2006).China Trade and Empire.Oxford: Oxford University Press.ISBN0-19-726337-2.
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  • MacPherson, Duncan (1843).Two Years in China(2nd ed.). London: Saunders and Otley.
  • Mao, Hai gian (2016).The Qing Empire and the Opium War.Cambridge University Press.ISBN9781107069879.
  • Morse, Hosea Ballou (1910).The International Relations of the Chinese Empire.Volume 1. New York: Paragon Book Gallery.
  • Martin, Robert Montgomery(1847).China: Political, Commercial, and Social; In an Official Report to Her Majesty's Government.Volume 2. London: James Madden.
  • The Nautical Magazine and Naval Chronicle, for 1841.London: Simpkin, Marshall, and Co. 1841.
  • Ouchterlony, John (1844).The Chinese War.London: Saunders and Otley.
  • Parker, Edward Harper (1888).Chinese Account of the Opium War.Shanghai: Kelly & Walsh.
  • The United Service Journal and Naval Military Magazine.Part 2. London: Henry Colburn. 1841.
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