British attack on and capture of French Folly Fort on 6 November 1856 in the Pearl River in what is now Guangzhou, China
An early engagement of the Second Opium War in which British forces seized a Chinese fortification on the Pearl River near Canton.
Key Facts
- Date
- 6 November 1856
- Duration
- Nearly one hour
- Chinese war junks dispersed
- 23 junks
- Location
- French Folly Fort, Pearl River, Canton
- Conflict
- Second Opium War
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The Second Opium War erupted from ongoing tensions between Britain and China over trade rights, the rights of foreign nationals, and the enforcement of earlier treaties. British authorities sought to assert control over the Pearl River approaches to Canton, bringing them into direct confrontation with Chinese fortifications along the waterway.
On 6 November 1856, British forces attacked the French Folly Fort on the Pearl River near Canton. They dispersed 23 Chinese war junks and captured the fort in a battle lasting nearly one hour. British consul Harry Parkes noted the Chinese mounted 'a very hot resistance,' crediting bravery on both sides.
The capture of French Folly Fort gave British forces greater control over the Pearl River approaches to Canton. The engagement was an early military success for Britain in the Second Opium War and demonstrated that Chinese defenders, despite determined resistance, could not hold fortified river positions against British naval assault.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Harry Parkes.
Side B
1 belligerent