Part 9 (2/2)

The Ti-pings fought their battery against the overwhelming fire from the heavy pivot guns of the smaller vessels and the broadsides from the _Encounter_ until every gun was dismounted and the work knocked to pieces. When the British and French storming parties carried the walls of Ningpo, the defenders offered a determined resistance; but sh.e.l.l and Enfield rifles at last overcame it; though not until both the generals Hw.a.n.g and Fang were severely wounded did they evacuate the city, leaving about 100 dead within and around the walls. The British loss was only 3 killed and 23 wounded.

Even Consul Harvey termed the conduct of the Ti-pings when they captured Ningpo ”wonderfully moderate.” What will the British public think of the following account of the behaviour of Captain Dew's allies when re-established in the city? Contrasting the events which followed the Ti-ping seizure of the city with those which occurred on its subsequent capture by the British and French, can any question arise as to which was the most civilized and merciful? The correspondent of the _China Mail_, under date the 22nd May, 1862, states:--

”The rebels retreated through the west gate--the pirates then entered the city and began the work of destruction, and in a few hours did more damage than the rebels did in the whole of the five months that they had possession.... On _Sunday_ the reinstated Taoutae was busy chopping off the heads of the unlucky rebels that he caught, and otherwise torturing them. I saw some fearful sights; such as a boy with his entrails cut right out, from a great gash across the stomach, carried round the back--a man with all the flesh torn off his ribs, leaving them quite bare--a man whose heart had been torn out and his head cut off; together with others equally revolting.... On Monday the same scenes were enacting.... One of the princ.i.p.al murderers and torturers of the poor fellows found in the city was one A-f.o.o.k, the _British Consul's_ boy or personal attendant, who was dressed up in silks, and who, stuck upon a pony, paraded the city with attendants, ordering them to execute unfortunates, and issuing orders (which were actually obeyed) to the English soldiers.”

Now it can safely be declared that the Ti-pings have _never_ committed similar atrocities to the above. They have, it is true, often killed large numbers at the capture of obstinately defended towns, but their prisoners were never tortured to death as their comrades, captured by British troops and then delivered up to the cruel Tartar mandarins, have been under the shadow of the Union Jack.

The _China Overland Trade Report_ of October 14, 1862, states:--

”So much mystery and double-dealing has been practised by the allies to wrest this port from the Taipings, and so little regard for veracity pervades the official despatches regarding their doings, that the truth is most difficult to arrive at, and has certainly never yet been published.... The possession of Ningpo by the Taipings was peculiarly adapted to thwart those schemes for aiding and abetting the Imperial cause, which have so peculiarly characterized the British minister. The Taipings held the province, and it is evident that the possession of a seaport would have enabled them not only to have deprived Shanghae of the greater proportion of the customs duties,[17]

but to have diverted the same into their own exchequer. Now Mr.

Lay was acting Chinese amba.s.sador in London, and the absorption of these duties would have entirely frustrated the object of his errand[18] and indeed have destroyed the main stay of the Imperial cause. Besides, the possession of Ningpo would have enabled the Taipings to have obtained all the munitions of war which they stood so much in need of. It would have dispelled the _illusion_ of their being inimical to foreign trade.... Admiral Hope ... from some such cogent reasons as are above named, fell into the British minister's views, and clearly resolved on the recapture of the place by fair means or foul. The mode of accomplis.h.i.+ng this design reflects _indelible disgrace_ on British prestige....

”Admiral Hope detached a portion of his fleet to Ningpo under command of Captain Dew, of H.M.S. _Encounter_, clearly to act in concert with this piratical squadron, with which daily communications were established. The day before the Taoutae arrived at Ningpo, the British s.h.i.+ps had taken up their stations, and had cleared for action. Captain Dew had opened a correspondence with the Taiping chiefs, the drift of which was a demand that they should remove a certain battery on some absurd pretext, which they refused to do. The night prior to the attack, a council of war was held on board the _Encounter_, and a private note was seen by several Europeans at Ningpo, written by a certain British official, which stated that the city would be attacked the following morning. The pirate fleet arrived accordingly, and proceeding in driblets _between_ the British men-of-war and the city, opened fire. This could not possibly be returned without directing the guns towards the men-of-war. The result is known and need not be repeated.”

The _Hong-kong Daily Press_, in a long article upon the capture of Ningpo by the Anglo-Franco-Manchoo-piratical fleet, makes precisely similar statements to those quoted from the _Overland Trade Report_, and commences with the following paragraph:--

”There never was a falser, more unprovoked, or more unjustifiable act than the taking of Ningpo by the allies from the Taipings. It should, in fairness, be recorded _to the eternal disgrace of Captain_ RODERIC DEW, _of H.M.S.

Encounter_.”

FOOTNOTES:

[4] Lord Palmerston's Government had one great quality--it manfully supported its subordinate officials whether right or wrong; it is at least doubtful whether his successors will have courage to pursue the same policy.

[5]

The forces consisted of:-- French, under Rear-Admiral Protet:-- Small-arm men and Marines; field-piece party and 4 guns 410 English, under Brigadier General Staveley:-- Royal Artillery, 6 guns 78 5th Bombay N. I. 440 H.M. 99th Regiment 56 22nd Punjaub N. I. 519 Under Captain Borlase, R.N.:-- Field-piece party, 3 guns 45 H.M.S. _Pearl_ small-arm company 60 Axe party 16 Under Captain Willes, R.N.:-- H.M.S. _Imperieuse_ small-arm company 189 Marines of Squadron 94 -----1,497 Disciplined Chinese of General Ward's legion 300 ----- Total 2,207

[6]

The force consisted of:-- British Naval Division, with 3 howitzers 350 Royal Artillery, with 4 howitzers 90 H.M. 99th Regiment 80 22nd Punjaub N. I. 400 5th Bombay N. I. 400 French Contingent, with 5 rifled guns and 2 field-pieces 700 Disciplined Chinese of Ward's legion 400 ----- Total 2,420

[7]

The allied force consisted of:-- British troops, under General Staveley:-- Royal Engineers 22 Royal Artillery, with 7 guns and 6 mortars 100 H.M. 31st Regiment 552 H.M. 99th and 67th Regiments 280 5th Bombay N.I 350 22nd Punjaub N.I 350

French force, under Admiral Protet:-- Algerian Infantry, Cha.s.seurs, Marines, and Seamen, with 8 guns 900

British Naval Division, under Captain Borlase, R.N.:-- Seamen and Marines, with 9 guns 330 Ward's disciplined Chinese 1,000 ----- Total 3,884 a.s.sisted by Imperialist troops under Manchoo General Le 5,000

[8] _See_ Note, p. 509.

[9] Italics are by the Author.

[10] _Vide_ ”Further Papers relating to the Rebellion in China,” 1863, p. 43; Inclosure in No. 27; Brigadier-General Staveley to Sir C. Lewis.

[11] This and all following extracts are taken from the Official Correspondence presented to both Houses of Parliament in Blue Book form.

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