51 CHAPTER III. DISEMBARKATION NEAR PEH-TANG ADVANCE WATER-SIR HOPE THROUGH ON 26th July 1860, our fleet got under way. It consisted of 73 vessels, some of which were sailing ships, and the others steamers, drawn up in two lines. The French fleet, composed of 40 transports and men-of-war, formed the third line. On 27th and 28th July we anchored within 20 miles of the Taku forts, which loomed large in the distance; and on 30th we approached to within 10 miles of Peh-tang. We had intended to cross the bar the following day, and to anchor within 2000 yards of the forts; but owing to the storminess of the weather, we deferred our further advance until 1st August. The depth of water over the bar proved to be only 13 feet, and at low tide only 3 feet, in consequence of which large vessels could not cross; and the admiral determined to ship the troops in men-of-war boats, towed by gunboats. This was effected with admirable precision, and we anchored on 1st August just out of fire of the batteries. It had been originally settled to land on the left bank of the Peh-tang river; but on further examination the muddy state of the beach deterred us, and the troops disembarked on the right or south bank. Even here the ground appeared to be little better than slush; and General de Montauban, just as he had set foot on shore, suddenly found the river rising, and the water surrounding him. There were close at hand two or three high mounds of earth, apparently serving as a guide for navigation, and on one of these the French general placed himself; but even here he was in a few minutes surrounded by 1 About a mile and a half east of Peh-tang. a sea of water extending for miles. The two forts on the river-banks looked very imposing. They were constructed of mud and straw, with a high cavalier in the centre of each. That on the right bank was armed, so far as we could see, with 13 guns; the one on the left bank with II guns. No notice was taken of our approach beyond that of a few "Braves "2 looking at us from the parapets. A total of 2000 troops, in equal numbers of French and English, were forthwith landed; and as we had the prospect of wading through at least two miles of mud, I took off my boots and stockings, tucked up my trousers, and pushed forward at the head of my men towards a raised causeway, which led apparently from the gate of Peh-tang to the Taku forts. On our way we came across a deep water-course, concealed by the high tide, and many were our cooling tumbles therein. The French Chief of the Staff had landed on his pony, and both came to terrible grief in this briny bath. Some Tartar cavalry were seen moving along the road, but on our approach they retired in the 1 A raised terreplein with parapet. * The term adopted for themselves by the Chinese army. |