'N Fort Taku from centre south cavalier, 30.3.62'

Watercolour by Lieutenant George E L S Sanford, Royal Engineers, 1862.

The North Fort was one of several Taku Forts, strategically-placed defences guarding the mouth of the Peiho River, which flows through Peking (Beijing), the capital of China. Following the escalation of hostilities (2nd China War (1856-1860), the British envoy, Lord Elgin determined to conclude a peace treaty with the Chinese Emperor.

After forcing the Chinese to accept the Treaty of Tientsin on 26 June 1858, further hostilities led to the forts being besieged again, unsuccessfully, in June 1859. In another attempt on 21 August 1860, the North Fort was breached and the garrison surrendered after a fierce fight. The remaining forts later capitulated without further resistance. Sanford painting this view of the north fort some 18 months later.

Born in 1840, George Edward Langham Somerset Sanford served as a lieutenant in the Royal Engineers, and was posted to China in 1858. He participated in operations during the Taiping Rebellion (1850-1864) and the 2nd China War (1856-1860). After a period working in the Ordnance Survey Department in England, Sanford served in India, in the Indian Public Works Department. Sanford served with Sir Frederick Roberts in the 2nd Afghan War (1878-1880) and became Deputy Quartermaster-General. He worked on the preparation for the successful campaign in Egypt in 1882 and was mentioned in despatches during the 3rd Burma War (1885-1887). In 1886, Colonel Sanford was appointed Director-General of Military Works in India, until he was given command of the Meerut District in 1893. Sanford was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel in 1898.

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From a box of 81 watercolours by Lieutenant (later General) George E L S Sanford (1840-1901), Royal Engineers, 1859-1862.