On the following day the regiment traversed the island to Tsin-kong, and afterwards proceeded to Sahoo; but returned to Ting-hae-hien on the 4th of October, and on the 6th embarked with the expedition against the city of _Chinhae_, the military depôt of the province, situate on the mainland opposite Chusan, and surrounded by a wall of extraordinary height and thickness. The troops landed on the 10th of October, advanced through a difficult country towards the city, and stormed the works covering the approach to the place, overthrowing all opposition. "The EIGHTEENTH charged up a deep gorge to the left, and broke through the central encampment, carrying everything before them."[32] The city was captured, and in it was an extensive arsenal, and cannon foundry, with military stores. The EIGHTEENTH crossed the river and entered the city on the same evening: their loss was one man killed and three wounded.
From Chinhae the ROYAL IRISH proceeded up the river on the 13th of October, against the fortified city of _Ningpo_, where no resistance was met with. The troops landed and formed on the ramparts, the band of the EIGHTEENTH playing "God save the Queen," and they took possession of the second city in the province of Che-Keang, containing a population of three hundred thousand souls. The regiment was afterwards stationed in the city of Ningpo some time; and the Chinese having garrisoned several forts up the river, the flank companies embarked on the 27th of December, with an expedition to dislodge the Chinese and Tartar soldiers from their posts, but the enemy fled without waiting to be attacked, and the companies returned to Ningpo.
The flank companies proceeded to You-You on the 10th of January, 1842, and were engaged in routing the enemy, and destroying their encampment the day following.
During the first three months of the year 1842, four companies of the regiment were stationed at the city of Ningpo, under Major Nicholas R. Tomlinson, and five companies at Koolangsoo, under Major Jeremiah Cowper.
On the 10th of March a numerous army of Tartars and Chinese made a sudden attack upon _Ningpo_, escalading the walls, and forcing some of the gates, with great spirit, and the few British forces in garrison were enveloped by crowds of assailants; but the bravery of the British was conspicuous, and they triumphed over their numerous opponents. A guard of the regiment, consisting of Lieutenant Anthony W. S. F. Armstrong, one serjeant, and twenty-three rank and file, stationed at the West-gate, being attacked by large numbers, behaved steadily, and gallantly drove the enemy back, capturing two banners, the bearers of which had been shot at the gate: the spirited behaviour of Lieutenant Armstrong was commended in the public despatches.