Museum Comment:
The fight on the Peiho River signaled a brief change in fortune for the Chinese. Up until this point, the Chinese had relied on skilled diplomacy and traditional face saving in their attempts to out maneuver the British. Prior battles in the Opium Wars had usually resulted in military victories to the British naval forces which enjoyed considerable supremacy of fire power. A game of cat and mouse would often ensue, with the Chinese offering a degree of concession, which would later be reneged upon. Ultimately the British forces would make small gains, whilst the mounting costs of the war would lead to increased political pressures in Parliament back home in London.
The military successes added to an air of arrogance amongst British commanders and therefore the disastrous 'Fight on the Peiho' would have undoubtedly have led to considerable embarrassment to the Governement, as Osborn's account testifies to in its attempt to salvage some little glory from the campaign.
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