The Express.
London, England, 1864-11-19 00:00:00

OPERATIONS IN THE STRAITS OF BIMONO SW.

Euryalus, Straits of Sirocco Sal, Sept. 15.
81r,-1 acquainted the Lords Commissioners of the Ad-
miralty. lirtrily, in my letter of the 10th instant, No. 312,
with the successful result of the operations of the allied
squadrons in the Straits of Simono Seki ; and I have now
the honour of reporting in detail, for their lordships infor-
mation, the progress of events subsequently to the 29r.1i
ultimo, the day of our departure from Yokohama.
•

The Perseus having joined my deg in the entrance to
the Boungo Channel, with a large collier in tow from
Shaughae;and the Coquette arriving at the rendezvous on
the 4th from Nagasaki, the force by which the operations
were conducted consisted of the tuidermentioned ships,
viz. :—British Euryalus, Tartar, Conqueror, &nose,
Leopard, Argun, Perseus, Coquette, Bouncer, and the bat.
telioa of Royal Marines. reach—Semiramis, screw, 35
guns, flag of Rear Admiral Jauris ; Dupleix screw, 10
guns • TancrZde, screw, 4 guns, despatch vessel. Datdt—
Moulin Kraig, screw, 16 guns, senior office?. ship;
D'Jambi, screw, 16 guns ; Amsterdam, paddle, 6 gam
Medusa, screw, 1$ guns ; and the United States chartered
steam-vessel Tkiang, with an officer, a party of men, and
a gun of the United States corvette Jamestown, _ _

3. The whole squadron having assembled at the island of
Rims Sims, in the inland sea (the appointed rendezvous),
left that anchorage at nine a.m. on the 4th instant, and
'steered for the entrance to the Straits of Simono Seki, an-
choring iu the afternoon out of range of the batteries.
4. Thesicompanying tracing of the chart of the straits
will explain to their lordships the position and strength of
the batteries as described thereon by Major Wray, /loyal
Engineers, the batteries being referred to is this despatch
by number, corresponding with those on the plan.
J. Hiving, in company with Rear-Admiral Jeun.s, recon-
noitred the position of the batteries belonging to the Prince
of Choshiu, it was arranged that the attack should be made
on the nth inst. as soon as the tide served, and at two p.m.
the signal was made for the ships to take up their position'.
A.l soon as this was accomplished the action was com-
menced from the bow gun of the Euryalus, end the fire was
smartly returned and kept up with much spirit by the
Japanese batteries. At about 4.30 p.m. the fire from NO4. 4
and 5 batteries evidently slackened, and shortly afterwards
ceased altogether ; and by 5.30, batteries Nos. 6,7, and 8
were also eilenced. The day was now too far advanced to
admit of the landing parties being disembarked, but the
Perseus and the Dutch corvette Medusa being very close to
battery No. 5 and it being too dark to signalise for in-
struction', Commander A. J. Kingston, with Lieutenant
F. J. Pitt and a party of men from the Perseus, followed by
Captain de Casembroot and Lieutenant de Hart, of the
Meduaa, gallantly landed, spiked most of the guns in that
battery, and returned to their ships without casualties of
any sort, thus rendering very valuable service.
6. The positions taken up by the allied squadrons in this
afternoon s engagement were as follows:—The advanced
squadron, under the command of Captain J. M. Hayes,
consisting of the Tartar, Dupleix, Metalen Kruis, Barron,
D'Jambi, and Leopard, moved into the bey eff the village
of Taeonra, as shown on the plan, within easy range of
batteries 3to 9 inclusive, whilst the Euryalus and Semi-
ramis opened fire upon the same works : the light squadron,
under Commander Kingston, consisting of the Perseus,
Medina, Tanorkle, Coquette, and Bouncer, were directed
to take the batteries rn flank ; the Argus and Amsterdam,
being an first kept in reserve to render assistance to any
ship that ',light be disabled or grounded, were
afterwards ordered to close and engage ; and
the Conqueror, having the battalion of marines on
board, was, in consequence of the difficult nay
directed to approach only sufficiently near to admit of her
Armstrong guns bearing on the nearest batteries. During
this operation the Conqueror grounded twice on a knoll of
sand. bat mane off again without assistance, and without
sustaining any damage. The Taksing also fired several shots
from her one Parrot.•tin, doing good service. The Coquette,
towards the close of the engagement. was withdrawn from
bee position with the flanking squadron, and soot to assist
the foremost of the advanced corvette squadron, a service
which Commander A. C. B. Hoe performed with great
promptness...

r 7 At
daylizht, on the 6th inst., No. 8 battery again
opened fire upon the advanced squadron, doing some damage
to the Tuts and Dupleix, but on the squadron returning
the tire the battery was soon silenced, and only an'ocaiaion4
'Unsling shot was bred from it afterwards. The arrange.
menu for the disembarkation having been completed, the
allied fcrces, composed of the 'melba= companies of
the Eurvalus and Commerce, under the command of Captain
J. H. J. Alexander, of the Ettryalus, the battalion of
merinos and marines of the squadron under that of Lieu.
tenant-Colonel W. G. Bother, and detachments of 350 French
and 200 Dutch seamen and marines ; the former under the
command of Captain do Quilt' and Lieutenant Layrle, chef
d'etat major, and the latter under that of Lieutenant !kakis,
were distributed in the boats of the squadron, and towed to
the oppaaite shore by the Argus, Perseus, Coquette, Tan-
anlei, Amsterdam, Medlin, and Talcum& the Bouncer
erbium to cover the landing, which was effected without
accident, under the able superintendence of Captain
W. G. Lutist, of the Conqueror, assisted by Commander
E. T. Nott, of that ship, and the force proceeded, under
my personal directions, to Result and take posse lion
et the principal batteries, which was accomplished with
only trifling opposition. All the guns having been dis-
mounted and spiked, carriages and platforms burnt, and
'magazines blown up, and deeming it inexpedient, from the
wiry rugged and almost impenetrable nature of the country
to retain possession of any post on shore during the night, I
directed the whole force to re-embark at four p.m.
8. The French and Dutch detachments were already in
their boats when the Naval Brigade, stationed at Battery
No. it, was suddenly attacked by a strong body of Japanese
assembled in the valley in the rear of the battery. Colonel
Bather's battalion of Marines coming up at title moment,
a joint suck was immediately organised, and the meaty
driven back upon a strongly placed Socloded barrack, from
which they were dislodged after making a brief but sharp
resistance, leaving seven small gnus in our possession. I
regret to say that Captain Alexander, whilst gallantly lead-
ing Lis men to the attack of the stockade, received a severe
wound in the foot, and many other casti;lties also occurred
is this attack. The whole force having then been ordered
to embark, reached their ships without accident, notwith-
standing tb, violence of the currents, which presents serious
obstacles to any operations in these straits.
9. During this day's action I noticed with great pleasure
the coolness and gallantry of the Naval Brigade, under
Captain Alexander, the excellent discipline, and steady
bearing under fire of the battalion of Marines under
Colonel Slather. and supported by Lieutenant-Colonels P.
C. Penrose and C. W. Adair ; and I observed with satis-
faction the readiness with which the French and Dutch
brigades occupied their assigned positions. It was, how-
ever, a sour,e of regret to me that the embarkation of our
allies prevented their taking part in the gallant affair at the
enemy's stockade.

10. The Verbena, whilst covering thelanding on the morn-
lag of this was driven on shore by a strong eddy of the
current, and, resiating all efforts to get her off, she remained
fiat until midnight of the following day (7th), when, having
been considerably lightened, she waa towed off under the
judicious management of Commander John Moresby, of the
Argue, and apparently without damage.
11. The batteries, from Noe. 1 to 6 inclusive, being now
entirely in 0.. r possession, large working parties were landed
early on the orning of the 7th, and commenced embarking
the gone ea pt ti red on the previous days ; and during the after-
noon, the tartar, 31stalen Kruis. D'Jambi, and Impleix,
Slaved tuunti to the westward of Mori Saki point, prepare.
tory to au attack ou Batteries Nos. 9 and 10.
12. On the sth inst. I shifted my flag to the Coquette
(Admiral .!.w. a accompanying me), and proceeded, in corn-
piny with the four chips named io the. last paragraph,
then composing the advanced squadron, to open fire upon
Batteries No. 9 and 10. The fire not being returned, parties
were shortly afterwards landed from the squadron to de-
stroy the batteries and embark the guns, the whole of
which was effected by the evening of the 10th, and all the
guns are now on bowed the ships of the allied squadrons ;
the embarkation of the guns, consietiog of sixty-two pieces
of ordnance, of various sizes, a work of much labour and
difficulty, wa very efficiently performed, under the dire.,
bons of the ~ptains of the allied midterm. Captain W.
M. Dowell, .4 the Barrow, who had charge of the cutback-
&bon at one of the principal batteries, bas brought to ,my
notice the zealous assistance rendered by Lieutenants W.
14. Coming.. f the Barrow.. sod R. E. Tracey, of the
Zuryalus, and by Lieutenant of the Semiramis, which
contributed ..irgely to the a..cceils of the undertaking.
1.1. I forviiird, for their lordships' favourable notice,
Oopie. of lettere I have received from Captains Hayes and
Alexander, Lieutenant t'olonel Mother, Commanders
Moresby ni l Eincd.on, and the surgeon of my flagship. and
would beg 1.0, to draw attention to the testimony borne
by thew respectively to the conduct of various officers and
men whose duty was performed under their immediate
directions, and in which I desire to assure their lordship.
that 1 folly concur.

14. In addition to these reports it is my pleasing duty
Ito record the high sense I entertain of the skill and
gallantry displayed by the entire force under my command
during the operstions above described. Of the fire main-
tained by the Tartar, in the conspicuous position I
Lad noniine-1 to Captain Hayes as the senior cap.
taM, soil of the gallant manner in which be was sup-
ported by Captain Franclieu, of the I .upleix, Captain de
Man, of the Menden Krais, Captain W. M. Dowell, of the
Barrows, 'set •n Van Kew. of the W.lambi, and Captain C.
T. Geckle, of the Leonard, I cannot speak too highly. I beg
leave also to hr ins ender their lordships' notice the zeal and
activity disp'..iverr by Captain W. G. Luarsl, of the Con-
queror, Capt■in .1. H.. 1. Alexander, of the Eury►lua, Lieu-
tewant-Colonel W. 0. Sutber, commanding Royal Mario.
Battalion, Commander J. Moresby. of the Argos, Corn-
gonads, Augustus J. Kiriptoo, of the Perseus, Commander
7.. T. Nott, of the Conqueror, Commander doors F.. Hunter,
of the Euryalus, Commander A. G. IL Hoe. of the Coquette,
Lieutenant 11. L. Holder. commanding the Bouncer,
sad Lieutenant kd. H. Hariogton, of the Euryalus,
who succeeds.' to the command of the Naval Brigade
es Captain Alexander being wounded, as well as
Captain do guild, of the Semiramis. Captain Muller.
et the An.sterdam, Captain de Caaerribroot, of the,

THE EXP:

Medusa. and Lieutenant Palin, commanding the Tam:ride
and I have to thank Lieutenant Pearson, of the United
States navy, for the efficient assistance tendered by him in
the chartered steam vessel Takiang, in towing boats, and
for subsequently consenting to receive on board the wounded
men of the squadrons.
lb. To the hearty co-operation and the cordial goodwill
diiplayed by Rear-Admiral Janres, during the preparations
for sod the progress of these operations, I am deeply in-
debted ; I have endeavoured to express to that officer the
satiafaction I have felt in having been associated with
him in the conduct of this affair, and my appre-
ciation of the good service rendered by the able
and efficient force under the Rear Admiral's command. I
have also conveyed to Captain de Man, the senior officer
of his Netherlands Majesty's ships, my thanks for the
efficient co-operation and assistance of the squadron
ender his command, u well as to Lieutenant Pearson of
the United States navy, for the mediums with which he has
sought to carry out my wishes on all ootesices. Without
the cheerfully rendered and able support of these °Sun,
and the perfectly good understanding which has prevailed
throughout the allied squadron, the vary rapid and brilliant
increases that have attended oar operations could scarcely
have been secured without greater losses and considerable
delay ; and 1 trust that the satisfactory result will receive
the approbation of their lordships.
16. Much credit is due to the masters of the squadron for
the skilful manner in which the various ships were ma-
meowed amongst numerous difficulties, and particularly to
Mr. George Williams, master of my flagship, end Mr. John
C. Sollleet, of the Conqueror, whose zeal and intelligence
have deserved my special notice ; and the praiseworthy amp
duct of Mr. James G. Liddell, of the Bouncer. the senior
second master on the station, has been brought favourably
before me by Lieutenant Holder, commanding that
gunboat.
17. Mr. D. L. Morgan, surgeon of my flagship, has called
my attention to efficient service rendered by the Medical
Staff employed on shore under his directions, and to their
devotion and attention to the wounded.

I. I should wish also to bring under their lordships'
favourable notice my secretary, Mr. Hawley H. Shanks,
and Flag Lieutenant Robert P. Dennistoun, who mown-
pao ied me on shore and afloat throughout the operations, and
rendered me valuable assistance.

19. To Major Wray, Royal Engineers, whcee services
have been placed at my disposal by the War-office, I am
indebted for much useful information as to the nature and
position of the batteries ; and I have much pleasure in re-
cording my sense of the energy and zeal displayed
by this ofEcer throughout the operations, and in the destine-
tion of; the batteries and magazines. Lieutenant Crowdy,
Royal Lnensers, who accompanied the expedition at my
request, with the permission of Lientenant•Colonel Browne,
commanding her Majesty's troops at Yokohama, also ren.
dered valuable service with his men, both whilst attached to
the Naval Brigade, and subsequently in the embarkation of
the heavy gum
20. Mr. J. F. Lowder and Mr. Ernest Satow, interpreters,
attached to the squadron by Sir Rutherford Alcook, have
afforded me every insistence, and have been most zealous in
the performance of their duties.
21. Since the conclusion of these operations I have satis-
fied myself, by personal examination of the entire Straits,
that no batteries remain in existence on the territory of the
Prince of Choshiu, and thus the passage of the Straits may
be considered cleared of all obstructions.

22. 04thel8th iset.,whilst the demolition of the batteries
and the embarkation of the guns were in progress, an envoy
of the Prince of Chcehiu came on board my flagship, under
a flog of truce, charged, as be informed me, with inatrucr
time from the Prince to negotiate for a termination of hos-
tilities. He produced document* said to have been written
by command of the Prince of Choshiu, and stated that
no opposition would henceforth be offered to the free pas-
of the Straits. The envoy also exhibited copies of letters
to substantiate the statement, that in the various acts, of
hostility towards foreign flags recently carried into effect
the Priem had acted under the direct authority of the
Mikado and of the Tycoon.
23. Having conferred with Rear Admiral Janda, who
was present at the interview, it was determined that, to
convince us of the 'enmity of the Prince's desire for peace,
it was indispensable that we should receive a written requi•
aitioo, under his own hand, to that effect; and the envoy
having observed that an interval of two days would be re-
quired to obtain the desired communication, a stuipsseion
of hostilities for that time was agreed upon, and the squad-
rons were immediately directed to hoist flags of trues. It
was, however, stipulated, that the armistice should not
interfere with the work of embarking the guns from the
batteries, the in progress, and it was accordingly proceeded
with and completed, as previously described.
24. True to the time named, at noon on the 10th inst., the
chief councillor of the Prince of Choshin (Mod Idrumo)
came on board the Euryalne, and placed before me a de-
spatch from the Prince (identical despatches being also
brought for the senior officers of the allied @gumdrops).
25. The very satisfactory character of the Prince's written
communication and its humble tom, afford, in the opinion of
Rear-Admiral Jamie end myself, reasonable grounds for the
presumption that, apart from the brilliant success achieved in
a military point of view, and the great extent of the injury
inflicted upon the Prince of Choshin, his power and pres-
tige, advantages of an important nature in a political sense,
may very possibly result from the presence of the allied
tomatoes in these Steads. I have duly informed Sir Ru-
therford Alcock of these events, and have placed at his dis-
posal the means of curnmunioating with me here, should be
desire to do so.
20. A personal inspection of the Straits of Simone Seki
has convinced me of the inexpediency, with the means at
present available, of holding any position either on an
island or on any portico of the mainland in the vicinity of
the Straits. 1 do not, therefore, purpose carrying into
effect that portion of the programme of the diplomatic
represettativee forwarded with my letter of the 2Sth
ultimo, No. 328. It is, however, my intention to main-
tain possession of the Straits by leaving here an English, a
French, and a Dutch vessel of war, until the relations
between the Tycoon's government, and those of the treaty
powers, with regard to this portion of the territory of the
Prince of Mishit' have been arranged on a satisfactory
footing ; the pretence of the ships will, at the same time,
afford a guarantee against the erection of batteries, which
the Prince has engaged should not be again under-
taken. I have subsequently had a further interview with
the envoys of the Prince of Choshiu, who have agreed, on
behalf of the Prince, to the terms proposed to them as the
conditions of the ommtion of hostilities, which will ensure
the Straits remaining open for the future : the ratification
of the Prince being now all that is required to complete the
object for which the allied forces came to these Straits.

'IT. In conclusion, I have only to express my hope
the operations I have had the honour of describing, and the
results obtained, may receive the approbation of their lord-
ships and of her Majesty's government.—l have, Ica.,
(Signed) A CUVIITCS L. Korn,
Vies-Admiral and Commaoder•in•Chief.
The Secretary of the Admiralty, London.

ADICRALTT, Nov. 18.
With referee°, to Vice-Admiral Sir Augustus L.
Super's foregoing despatch of the 15th September, report-
ing the successful result of the operations in the Straits of
Simono Seki, the following promotions have been this day
made :—Commanders John Moresby and Augustus John
Kingston to be captains ; Lieutenants Henry Lowe Holder,
William Henry Catalog, William Arthur de Vied &owo.
low, Richard Hastings Harington, and Richard Edward
Tracey, to be commanders ; Mr. James Greenwood Liddell,
Second Master, to be muter ; Mr. Richard Lovell Biwa
Head. Assistant-Surgeon, to be surgeon.

THE SCNNINGHILL BIERDEE.—Within the last
few days Mr. Superintendent Iremonger has been busily
occupied in investigating the circumstances in coonezion
with the murder of Mrs. Butler, in the lodge at Sunning-
bill-park. After much patient search in the oewly•ploogbed
field on Mr. Creswell's farm at Great Marlow, BoeMughain-
shire, the clothes which were diso3vered in the adjoining
hedge to the field cootaining the ricks under which the two
tramps slept the night previous to their being taken into
custody on the charge of mgrancy, have been dug up and
recovered. The clothe., which at the time of their con-
cealment had been tied up in a bundle, were afterwards
scattered on the field and ploughed into the soil They
consist of an old black cloth jacket with pockets at the side,
ac old pair of light striped trousers, and the lining of • pair
of trousers. These articles of wearing apparel are supposed
to belong to one or other of the two tramps, Thomas Gueat
and William Smith. now prisoners in Aylesbury gaol,
the former prisoner having received the largest
sentence (three month). for, it is understood, re- j
among the police when they attempted to ap-
prehend him. Immediately on the reception of the
clothes, Mr. Superintendent lremouger thoroughly exa-
mined them, but could find no marks of blood, and they
now remain in the hands of the police for further exa-
mination.
In the meanwhile, all the leonine. made by the '
Berke constabulary would appear to maks suspicion point
towards one of the tramps (whose characters are extremely j
bad), now incarcerated at Aylesbury. Other valuable in-
formation has been obtained by the police, but as its pub-
lication at present might probably defeat the ends of justice,
it is better to withhold it just sow. It, however, seems
dear that the tramps must have changed their clothes
somewhere in the neighbourhood. Notwithstandiog the
vary little grounds which the Berle polies have had to work
upon, the information glesned daring the week will, it is
sincerely hoped, tend to draw the net still closer round the
real criminal, the safety of the scattered population of the
rural districts demanding the swift punishment of the per-
petrator of this barbarous murder upon the person of an
aged and defenceless women, cruelly killed upon the very
threshold of her borne, close to the public highway, for no
apparent motive but momentary revenge.
FATALITIES AT LIVERPOOL FROM THE GALE...-.
LI% LEPOot. FHIDAT.—A strong south-westerly gale com-
menced last night, and has continued at intervals during the
day. t .aly a few minor shipping disasters have as yet been
reported, but it is feared that some heavy casualties Lave
occurred in the Chancel. This afternoon the ship Per-
severance fouled the ship Monsoon in the river, and lost her
mainmast. Early this morning a esd accident took place
at the North Haymarket. The roof of • new drill shed,
which was being erected for the volunteer service, give way
in consequence of the wind having loosened .ome defective
timbers, and fell with a terrific crash, killing two of the
workmen, and wounding several others. The Liverpool
coroner Into hold an Inquiry into the case to-morrow. The
abed was 150 feet long where the breakage took place, with
• span of till feet.

OHYSTAL PALACH. ONZ SHILLING DAT.—
FRIDAY. Nov. lA.—Admiwoa oa mammal, 496; ditto by
wawa tickota, 711 ; total, 1,214.