The North Fort at Taku Fort, China, 1860

Photograph by Felice Beato (1825-1907), 2nd China War (1856-1860), 1860.

The British and French captured the Taku Forts, at the mouth of the Peiho River, on 21 August 1860. The Chinese defenders put up a strong fight, but their lances, crossbows and outdated muskets and cannon were no match for the firepower of the Allies and they soon surrendered. In this image the interior of the fort is strewn with Chinese dead and French scaling ladders are still in place.

From an album of 39 photographs.