BATTLE OF PALIKAO



    With British and French reenforcements the allies re-
sumed hostilities with a cavalry charge on the Chinese posi-
tion. The French stormed the bridge with its twenty-five
guns by a dashing bayonet charge. It was there that General
Montauban won his subsequent title of Comte de Palikao.
Meanwhile the British flanked the Chinese position. Their
success in this manceuvre, and the dispersion of the Chinese
imperial guards by the French infantry, completed the dis-
comfiture of the Chinese. Pekin now lay almost at the mercy
of the allies.
    At this juncture Prince Kung, the Chinese Emperor's
brother, arrived at the front and requested a temporary sus-
pension of hostilities. On behalf of England Lord Elgin re-
plied that there could be no negotiation until Parkes and his
fellow captives were delivered in safety at the British head-
quarters. Prince Kung gave assurances that Parkes and
Loch were in safety at the Kaou Meaou Temple in Pekin,
but would be retained as hostages pending the conclusion of
an armistice. Lord Elgin at once requested Sir Hope Grant
to resume his march.
   During the parleys, lasting nearly a week, more reserves
had been brought up from Tien-tsin and the Sikh cavalry
had reconnoitred to the very walls of Pekin. On their report
that the walls were strong and in good condition, it was de-
cided to concentrate the attack on the Tatar quarter of Pekin.
In execution of this plan the allied forces marched around the
great city to the northwest corner of the walls converging on
the Emperor's summer palace, some four miles out of the
city. Emperor Hsien-Feng fled from his palace, and sought
shelter at Jehol, the hunting residence of the Emperors be-
yond the great Chinese wall. The French and British sol-
diers began a squabble over the rich loot in the palace, in the
course of which some of the choicest Chinese art treasures
were ruthlessly destroyed, while others were torn asunder
                           850



1860