Our last news comprised the capture of the city of Chapoo, a large place, carrying on an extensive trade with Japan; and we have now to announce further important successes. The extensive batteries at the mouth, and on the banks, of the Woo-sung river have been taken and destroyed, and the city of Shang-hai occupied by our troops, its public buildings burnt, and its rich granaries, the property of the government, given up to the people. The opposition offered at the entrance of the river was considerable, an incessant cannonade being kept up for two hours ere the enemy showed any symptoms of submission. This engagement took place on the 16th June; and, on the following day, some of the lighter vessels of the squadron advanced up the river, and captured a deserted battery mounting fifty-five guns. The city was taken on the 19th, the Chinese deserting it after receiving two broadsides. The operations were concluded on the 20th, by the capture of two additional field-works, at a place some fifty miles higher up, whither the admiral had himself proceeded, with two iron steamers, for the purpose of reconnoitring
Two hundred and fifty-three guns (forty-two of them brass) were taken in the batteries, most of them of heavy calibre, and upwards of eleven feet long. The whole were mounted on pivot carriages of new and efficient construction, and it was likewise observed that they were fitted with bamboo sights.
We are here enabled to present our readers with the following sketch of one of these guns, for which we are indebted to the courtesy of the authorities at the India House.
The Illustrated London News, London, England, Week Ending November 12, 1842
