The loss of the regiment at the capture of this place was Lieut.-Colonel Tomlinson, one serjeant, and three rank and file killed; Lieutenants Edward Jodrell and Alexander Murray, one serjeant, one drummer, and twenty-seven rank and file wounded. Major Jeremiah Cowper was promoted to the rank of Lieut.-Colonel on the 19th May, 1842, in succession to Lieut.-Colonel Tomlinson; and Brevet Major John Grattan received the Majority. These brilliant successes had taught the Chinese the true character of British skill, spirit of enterprise, and valour, yet, with unaccountable infatuation, the authorities of the "Celestial empire" still looked for success, and their resistance gave the EIGHTEENTH opportunities of gaining additional honours. In June six companies of the regiment were employed in an expedition up the Yangtse-Keang river, and took part in the capture of the fortified post of Woosung, and also in the capture of Poonshau; they afterwards advanced against the city of Shanghae, which was taken possession of without opposition.
The company of the regiment stationed at Chinhae was withdrawn to take part in active operations, and seven companies sailed with the expedition to carry on operations against Chin-Keang-foo, one of the strongest and most important cities of China. To proceed on this enterprise the fleet left Woosung on the 6th of July, the Chinese troops were driven from Suyshan, and on the 20th of July the armament approached Chin-Keang-foo. A landing was effected, and the EIGHTEENTH evinced the same intrepidity and valour in the attack of the enemy's entrenched camp, and at the capture of the city by storm, on the 21st of July, for which they had previously been distinguished. On passing through the city and suburbs, the troops witnessed the painful spectacle of hundreds of the dead bodies of men, women, and children, lying in the houses, numerous families having destroyed themselves sooner than outlive the disgrace of their city being captured by foreigners.
The ROYAL IRISH regiment had Captain Charles J. Russell Collinson and two soldiers killed; Lieutenant Scroope Bernard, one serjeant, and fifteen rank and file wounded.
This brilliant success of the British arms filled the Chinese empire with consternation and dismay, and the English General prepared to carry his victorious troops into the heart of the empire, and attack Nankin, the ancient capital of China, to which place the fugitives from Chin-Keang-foo had fled for refuge. Embarking on the 29th of July to carry out this important object, the armament proceeded against the celebrated city of Nankin, where the ROYAL IRISH and other corps arrived on the 9th of August, when a great portion of the troops landed, and the ancient capital of China was environed by the British naval and land forces. This decisive step produced the desired results; the court of China could no longer hope that its legions would eventually arrest the victorious career of the British arms, and conditions of peace were acceded to; the Chinese paying an indemnity, and ceding a portion of territory to the British crown.
Thus terminated a war in which the EIGHTEENTH, or the ROYAL IRISH, regiment, had acquired additional reputation; a hostile nation had been impressed with a just sense of the capabilities of the English arms; and important commercial and national advantages had been acquired for the British empire.
Her Majesty, in consideration of the gallantry displayed by the troops employed on the coasts and rivers of China, was graciously pleased to permit the EIGHTEENTH (ROYAL IRISH), twenty-sixth, forty-ninth, fifty-fifth, and ninety-eighth regiments, and Royal Artillery, to bear on their colours and appointments the word "China," and the device of the "Dragon," in commemoration of their distinguished services.
After the termination of the contest, the EIGHTEENTH sailed from Nankin to the island of Chusan, where they arrived in October: the head-quarters sailed for Koolangsoo on the 17th of November, leaving four companies of the regiment at Chusan.
1843
The regiment remained at Koolangsoo during the year 1843.