However, the campaign had to be swift and successful before disease took its toll on British forces, which could also increase domestic opposition in Britain against the war.

Bombardment of the port began on 16 June, with Cornwallis and the other warships closed inshore, while the transports, laden with troops, stood 4 miles offshore.

[9] Though a majority of the garrison had fled halfway through the battle, the Qing commander, Jiangnan Admiral [zh] Chen Huacheng, continued to fight on until he was eventually killed.

Soldiers and landed sailors marched along the left banks of the Wusong River, while others moved in steamers towing small boats.

[11] By 18 June, after silencing another shore battery just downriver from Shanghai, the strong force reached the city and occupied it the next day.