Alfred Baker

Taku Forts

Letter from Lord Elgin to Lord John dated 26th August 1860, postmarked Tientsin.

Elgin starts off by regretting that he is not in Pekin already. Blames it on the wreck of the Malabar (presumably a troop shop) and the delays caused by French allies.

"Grant's operations against the Taku Forts were very well planned and executed. In it's operational features the advance on Tietsin in 1860 very closely resembled that of 1858. The martial crust under which China conceals her military weakening and disorganisation has been difficult and tough to break through ..... whether or no the collapse extends to the gates of Pekin we cannot of course yet say.

The great difference between the current defense of the Chinese Forts and that of 1848 has consisted of the fact that, the forts, instead of being, as always used to be the case, open in the rear, were in this instance closed in all around by stakes, palisades, ditches and all sorts of insuperable obstacles. This made it difficult for assailants to get in, and still more for the defenders to get outt.

After resisting the escalade of our troops with heroic bravery the Chinese soldiers were driven out by the bayonet and perished in their hundreds - shot down an impailed in their endeavours to escape." 

Letter from Lord Elgin to Lord John dated 9th September 1860.

"These Chinamen are strange people ... they had an admirable position for defense on their coast if they would only turn it for their account. But they suffered us to effect a landing at Pehtang - after which we had the means of taking their forts in revers and their capture was inevitable.

Will our army be met by hordes of Tartar cavalry or only by a submissive populatio bringing peace offerings?."

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