OCCUPATION OF PEKIN. 13th. October, 1860.
Reading edition
Tientsin was reached by the allies on the 6th. of September, when the Chinese authorities as usual endeavoured to gain time by negociation. On arrival at the encamping ground, it was found occupied by a large Chinese army, while batteries had been hastily thrown up; Mr. Parkes, (accompanied by Lieutenant Anderson, of Fane’s Irregular Horse, Mr. De Norman, and Mr. Bowlby, the special correspondent of “The Times,” whose vigorous reports were of such universal interest), proceeded to Tang-chow to ascertain the reason of this threatening attitude.[102] Mr. Loch, accompanied by Captain Brabazon, Deputy-Assistant Quartermaster-General, were afterwards despatched under a flag of truce to order them to return. Meanwhile the Chinese line opened fire, and an action ensued, when their troops, far superior in numbers were dispersed, the enemy losing six hundred men, and seventy-five guns. This action was fought on the Chow-Ho on the 18th. of September, and another occurred on the 21st. of September, on which day the 1st. or King’s Dragoon Guards performed “very 296excellent service.”[103] The Chinese entrenched camp was taken, and they were driven back upon Pekin. Nearly six hundred pieces of cannon were captured by the allies during these operations. Continuing the advance on that city, a portion of the French army occupied the famed Summer Palace of the Emperor. On the 7th. of October the Chinese were informed, that if the prisoners were not restored, and one of the gates of Pekin delivered up, the city would be stormed. This was agreed to, and a force of two hundred French and British took peaceable possession of the gate at noon on the 13th. of October. This operation concluded the campaign.[104] The crowning result was that the former treaty was ratified, a large sum of money was paid by the Chinese, and such prisoners as survived were released. Some of them, however, died from the savage treatment they experienced, and amongst them were Mr. De Norman, Lieutenant Anderson, Mr. Bowlby, and Captain Brabazon. £100,000 were paid by the Chinese 297as a compensation to the relatives of the murdered prisoners; and Kowloon, a district at the mouth of the Canton river, opposite Hong Kong, was ceded to the British Government.
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