Today in History - Nov 20 - The Invasion of Canton

November 20 is the anniversary of The Invasion of Canton in 1856. During the second Opium War, the US officially declared neutrality, but still managed to invade China and kill hundreds.

At the outbreak of the war, the US sent in a pair of navy ships loaded with marines to "protect Americans". In late October, they landed in Canton and started waving their flags and pointing guns. Miraculously, the peace was kept for weeks, and Commander Foote managed to get the flag waving to cease.

Trouble started on November 15th. While pulling out from Canton, the commander rowed his boat a little too close to one of the Chinese forts, and drew a few shots. Nobody was hurt, but Foote was very angry about the "gross insult to the flag", and vowed to destroy all four forts guarding the entrance to Canton.

He spent the next day shelling the forts and preparing for a ground invasion. The attacks finally came on November 20. After days of fighting, they were successful in taking all four forts, and destroying them as best they could. They once again waved their flag on Chinese land in blatant violation of the US' stated policy at the end of a completely needless battle that killed hundreds.

The Secretary of the Navy had this to say for the crime of committing an act of war against a neutral nation:

This trifling with our flag would probably have been repeated and led to still more serious consequences.…I approve, therefore, of the course pursued by you and those under your command. The brave and energetic manner in which the wrong was avenged is worthy of all praise. The gallantry, good order and intelligent subordination displayed by all engaged in the various conflicts with the enemy; the precision and admirable success with which the guns were managed, are highly creditable to the service.

The US would however, manage to stay out of the war for another 3 years, until they attacked another fort in support of the British. Still officially neutral.