, quiet, and respectful;
and often I remarked to my staff the high state of discipline Sir W.
Peel had got them into. From the cessation of active operations until I
was detached to Azimghur, I commanded all the troops in the city; and
all measures for the repression of plundering were carried out through
me, and, of course, every irregularity committed was reported to me.
During that period, not one irregularity was reported to me. Indeed, in
the whole course of my life, I never saw so well-conducted a body of
men... All I have written about the good conduct and discipline of the
_Shannon's_ men would, I am convinced, be confirmed by the unanimous
opinion of the army at Lucknow. Poor Adrian Hope and I often talked
together on the subject; and many a time I expressed to Peel the high
opinion I had of his men, and my admiration of their cheerfulness, and
happy, contented looks, under all circumstances of fatigue and
difficulty.

"Believe me, my dear Vaughan, sincerely yours--

"Edward Lugard.

"Captain Vaughan, C.B."

Another naval brigade was formed from the officers and ship's company of
HMS _Pearl_, which did good service, and won the respect of all
associated with it.

CHAPTER TWELVE.

THE SECOND CHINESE WAR--1856-1860.

The Chinese Government, forgetting the lesson they had received in the
former war with Great Britain, or believing that they could follow the
bent of their inclinations with impunity, committed a series of
aggressions on British subjects, which demanded our immediate
interference. Sir Michael Seymour, the admiral on the station,
commenced vigorous measures, without loss of time, to recall them to
their senses, with the squadron and marines under his command. He began
by opening fire on Canton in October. On the 5th of November he
destroyed several Chinese war-junks; and on the 12th and 13th of that
month, the Bogue Forts, mounting 400 guns, were captured. On the 12th
of January 1857, the marines, with a detachment of the 59th Regiment,
attacked the suburbs of the city of Canton, when a few casualties
occurred both among the seamen and troops.

We now come to the month of May, when more active operations were
commenced. Near Canton several creeks run into the Canton river, with
which the English were but slightly acquainted; up these the war-junks
had to take refuge whenever the British ships approached. Commodore
Elliot heard that a large number of war-junks were collected so