ORDER OF BATTLE // July 6, 1840
Capture of Chusan
Estimated force strength by side, with confidence labels per surviving record.
Forces engaged
1 sides catalogued · combined 1,540 estimated
Qing China
1,540
Medium-confidence figure
Battle context
The capture of Chusan marked one of the opening offensive actions of the First Opium War, with British forces seizing the largest island of the Chusan archipelago. The operation demonstrated British ability to project naval and land power along the Chinese coast early in the conflict, establishing a forward position that could threaten Qing supply and communication lines in the region. The Qing garrison of approximately 1,540 men was present on the island at the time of the British assault under commanders Bremer, Burrell, and Bethune.
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