TA-KOU

l tliink it mosl probable llial when Iho nortb forts arc in our possession, the obstacles in tbe river can be rcinoved ; but, o' course, Ibis may be doubtful. At ail events, wc ougbt to be able to silence any tire tbey can bring to bear on our working parties. In short, tbe case résolves itself to tins: tbe bridges over the Peiho will not be completed l'or tbree or four days at tbe soonest. Should we wait for tbis, and make tbe greal movement dow n tbe rigbt bank, the troops vvould be exposed to sucb severc fire from tbe nortb forts, tbat tbe losses would be increased to a verv serious extent-losses not only serious, but unnecessarv. Nor could tbe tleets act with any better elTect by tbis plan. I imagine rather the reverse.

I hâve alrcadv expressed rày opinion tbat tbe co-operation of tbe navv is not a militarv necessity — tbeir object can onlv be to harass the enemy and divert bis attention. No risk should therefore be run by tbem of losing vessels. It is true that after the capture of T'ang-ku I mentioned my opinion that a move to the south bank vvould be good, but that was before anv reconnaissance had been made to the front; and it is still niv wish to cross the river as soon as the bridge is completed. and co-operate with your Exccllcncy in the attack of the south forts.

Much as I regret that my opinion should differ from that of vour Excellency, I must still remind vou that I never agreed to anv plan to which the présent is opposed ; and I can only repeat that mv obiect is to cause the forts to fall speedilv and with little loss, and to avoid that hazard which everv day's delav at tins late season of tbe year must incur, when it is taken into considération how much yet remains to be done by the allies before the end of the season. — I bave the honour, <xc.

.1. Ilope (îr\>t ' .

PRISE DES FORTS DE TA-K.OU, 21 AOUT l86o.

Le 21 août fut donc fixé pour l'attaque du fort de la rive gauche le plus rapproché de Ï'ang-Kou et les généraux Sir Robert Napier etCollineau furent chargés de l'opération. La journée du 20 fut employée en préparatifs.