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

Viz.:--

British.—Euryalus, Tartar, Conqueror, Barossa, Leo-
pard, Argus, Pert-eus, Coquette, Bouncer, and the battalion
of Royal Marines.

French.—Semiramis, screw, 35 guns, flag cf Rear-Ad-
miral Jaurez ; Dupleix, screw, 10 guns ; Tancrede, screw, 4
guns. despatch ♦essel.

Dutch.—Metalen Kruis, screw, 16 guns, senior officer's
ship; D'Jambi, screw, 16 guns; Amsterdam, paddle, 8
guns; Medusa, screw, 18 guns; and the United States
chartered steam vessel Takiang, with an officer, a party of
men, and a gun of the United States corvette James Town.

3. The whole squadron, having assembled at the island
of Ilime Sima, in the inland sea (the appointed rendezvous)
left that anchorage at 9 a.m. on the 4th inst., and steered
for the entrance to the Straits of Simono Seki, anchoring
in the afternoon out of range of the batteries.

4. The accompanying 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, Royal
Engineers—the batteries being referred to in this despatch
by numbers corresponding with those on the plan.
5. Having, in company with Rear-Admiral Jaures, re-
connoitered the position of the batteries belonging to the
Prince of Choshiu, it was arranged that the attack should
be made on the sth inst. as soon as the tide served, and at
2 p.m. the signal was made for the ships to take up their
position.
As soon as this was accomplished the action was com-
menced from the bow gun of the Euryalus, and the fire
was smartly returned and kept up with much spirit by the
Japanese batteries. At about 4.30 pm. the fire from Nos.
4 and 5 batteries evidently slackened, and shortly afterwards
ceased altogether; and by 5 39 batteries Nos. 6,7, and 8
were also silenced. The day was now two far advanced to
admit of the landing parties being disembarked, but the
Perseue and the Dutch corvette Medusa being very closeto
battery No. 5, and it being too dark to signalise for instruc-
tions, Commander A. J. Kingston, with Lieut. F. J. Pitt,
and a party of men from the Perseus, followed by Captain
de Casembroot and Lieut. de Hart, of the Medusa, 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 position taken up by the allied squadrons in this
afternoon's engagement were as follows :—The advanced
squadron, under the command of Capt, J. M. Hayes, con-
sisting of the Tartar, Dupleix, Metalen, Kruis, Barossa,
D'Jambi, and Leopard, moved into the Lay off the village
of Tanoura, as shown on the plan, within easy range of
batteries 3 to 9 inclusive, whilst the Euryalus and Semira-
mis opened fire upon the same works. The light squadron,
under Commander Kingston, consisting of the Perseus,
Medusa, Tancrede, Coquette, and Bouncer, were directed
to take the batteries in flank ; the Argus and Amsterdam,
being at first kept in reserve to render assistance to any
ship . that might be disabled or grounded, w(re
afterwards ordered to close and engage; and the
Conqueror, having the battalion of marines on board,
was, in consequence of the difficult navigation, directed to
approach only sufficiently near to admit of her Armstrong
guns bearing on the nearest batteries. During this opera-
tion the Conqueror grounded twice on a knoll of sand, but
came off again without assistance, and without sustaining
any damage. The Takiang also fired several shots from her
one Parrot gun, doing good service. The Coquette, towards
the close of the engagement, was withdrawn from her posi-
tion from the flanking squadron, and sent to assist the tore-
most of the advanced corvette squadron--a service which
Commander A. G, R. Roe performed with great promptness.
7. At daylight on the Gth inst. No. 8 battery again opened
fire upon the advance] squadrc n, doing some damage to the
Tartar and Duplex ; but on the squadron returning the fire
the battery was soon silenced, and only an occasional
straggling shot was fired from it afterwards. The arrange-
ments for the disembarkation having been completed, the
Allied forces, composed of the small atm companies of the
Eurylaus and Conqueror, under the command of Capt. J.
11. J. Alexander, of the Euryalus, the battalion of Mat ines
and Marines of the squadron under that of Lieut.-Col. W.
G Sather, and detachments of 2.50 French and 200 Dutch
seamen and marines; the former under the command of
Capt, du Quills and Lieut. Layrle, Chef d'Ecat-Mojor,.and
rho latter under that of Lieut. Binkis, were distributed in
boats of the squadron, and towed to the opi.csite
shore by the Argus, Perseus, Ccquette. Tancredo,
Atn,terdam, Medusa, and Takiang, the Bouncer assisting
to cover the landing, which was effected wiqtout accident,
under the able superintendence of Capt. W. G. Luard of the
Conqueror, assisted by Commander E, T. Nutt, of that ship,
and the force proceeded, under my personal directions, to
assault and take possession of the principal batteries, which
was accomplished with only trifling opposition. All the guns
having been dismounted and spiked, carriages and plat-
forms burst, and magazines blown up, and deerniug it in-
expedhnt, from the very 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 wore already in
their boats, Len the Naval Brigade, stationed at Battery
No. 5, was suddenly attacked by a strong body of Japanese
assembled in the valley at the rear of the battery. Colonel
Siather's battalion of Marines coming up at this moment, a
joint attack was immediately organised, and the enemy
driven back upon a strongly placed stockadel barrack,
from which they were dislodged after making a brief but
sharp resistance, leaving several small guns in our posses-
sion. I regret to say that Capt. Alexander, whilst gallantly
leading his men to the attack of the stockade, received a
severe wound in the foot, and many other casualties also
occurred in this attack. The whole force having then been
ordered to embark, reached their ships without accident,
notwithstanding the violence of the currents, which present
serious obstacles to any operation in these straits.

9. During this day's action I noticed with great pleasure
the coolness and gallantry of the Naval Brigade, under Cap-
tain Alexander, the excellent di3eipline and steady bearing
under fire of the battalion of Marines under Colonel Suther,
ably supported by Lieut.-Colonels P. C. Penrose and C. W.
Adair; and I obsorved with satisfaction the readiness wi. h
which the French and Dutch brigades occupied their as-
signed positions. It, was, however, a source of regret to me
that the embarkation of our allies prevented their takitg
part in the gallant affair at the enemy's at .clta le.
10. The Perseus, whilst covering the landing on the morn-
ing of this day, was driven on shore by a strong eddy of the
current, and, resisting all effrrts to get her off, she re-
mained fast until midnight of the following day (7(13),
when, having been considerably lightened, she was towed
off under the julicious managem2nt of Commander John
Moresby, of the Argus, and apparently without damage.
11. The batteries, from Nos. 1 to 8 inclusive, being now
entirely in our possession, large working parties were landed
early on the morning of the 7th, and commenced embarking
the guns captured on the previous days ; and during the
afternoon the Tartar, Matalen,Ktuis, D'Jambi, and Dunleix
moved round to the westward of Me zi Saki point, prepara-
tory to an attack on batteries Nos. 9 and 10.

12. On the Bth instant I shifted my flag to the Coquette
(Admiral Jaures accompanying me), and proceeded, in corn •
pany with the four ships named in the last paragraph, then
composing the advanced squadron, to open fire upon batteries
Nos. 9 and 10. The fire not king returned, parties wore
shortly afterwards landed from the squadron to destroy the
batteries and embark the guns, the whole of which was
effected by the evening of the 10th, and all the guns are
on board the ships of the allied squadrons ; the embarkation
of the guns, consisting of G 2 pieces of ordnance, of various
sizes, a work of much labour and difficulty, was very effi-
ciently performed, under the directions of the captains of
the allied squadrons. Captain AV, M. Dowell, of the Ba-
rossa,who had charge of the embarkation at one of the prin-
cipal batteries,haa brought to my notice the ze dons assist-
ance rendered by Lieuts.W, 11. Cuming, of theßarossa, and
It. E. Tracy of the Euryalup, and by Lieut. Costa of the
Semiramis, which contributed largely to the success of the
undertaking.

13. I forward, for their lordships' favourable notice,
copies of letters I have received from Captain Hayes and
Alexander, Lieut.-Color el, Sutler, Con.manders Moresby
and Kingston, and the surgeon of my fli,g-ship, and would
beg leave to draw attention to the testimony borne by them
respectively to the conduct of various officers and men
whose duty Was performed under their immediate direc-
tions, and in which I desire to assure their lordships that I
fully concur.
14. In addition to these reports it is my pleasing duty to
record the high sense I entertain of the skill and gallantry
displa3 ed by the entire force under my command during the
operations above described. Of the fire maintained by the
Tartar, in the conspicuous position I had assigned to Capt.
Hayes, as the senior captain, and of the gallant manner in
which he was supported by Capt.Franclieu, of the Dupleix ;
Capt. de Man, of the Metalen Kruis; Capt. W. M. Dowell,
of the Barossa . Capt. van Rees, of the D'Jarnbi ; and Capt.
C.T. Leckie, of the Leopard, I cannot speak too highly.
I bog leave also to bring under their lordships' notice the

zeal and activity displayed by Captain W. G. Luard, of the
Conqueror ; Captain J. H. Alexander, of the Euryalus ;
Lieut-Colonel W. G. Suther, commanding Royal Marine
battalion ; Commander John Moresby, of the Argus: Core.
tnander Augustus J. Kingston, of the Perseus; Commander
E. T. Nutt, of the Conqueror ; Commander Jas. E. Hunter,
of the Euryalus ; Commander A. G. Roe, of the Co-
quette; 'Ault H. L. Holder, commanding the Bouncer,
aud Lieut. R. 11. Har;ngton, of the Euryalus, who sue-
c:,.cdcd to the command of the Naval Brigade on Captain
AleYander being wounded ; as well as Captain du Quills, of
the Semiramis; Captain Muller, of the Amsterdam ; Cap •
taiu do Casesubrout, of the Medusa; and Lieut. Pallu, com-
mending the Tancredc ; and I have to thank Lieut. Pear-
sou, of the United States Navy, for the efficient assistance
rendered 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.

15. To the hearty co-operation and the cordial goodwill
displayed by Ilear•Admiral Jaures, during the preparations
for and the progre4s of these operations, I am deeply in-
debted; I have endeavoured to express to that officer the
satisfaction I have felt in having been associated with him
in the conduct of this affair, and my appreciation of the good
service rendered by the able and efficient force under the
Rear-Admiral's command. I have also conveyed to Capt.
do Man, the senior officer of his Netherlands Majesty's ships,
my thanks for the efficient co-operation and assistance of
the squadron under his command, as well as to Licut. Pear-
son, of the United States Navy, for the readiness with which
he has sought to carry out my wishes on all occasions.
Without the cheerfully rendered and able support of these
officers, and the perfectly good understanding which has
prevailed throughout the allied squadron, the very rapid
and brilliant successes that have attended our operations
could scarcely have been secured without greater losses and
considerable delay ; and I 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 manoeu-
vred amongst numerous difficulties, and particularly to Mr
George Williams, master of my flagship, and Mr John C.
Solfleet, of the Conqueror, whose zeal and intelligence have
deserved my special notice ; and the praiseworthy conduct
of Mr James G. Liddell, of the Bouncer, the senior second
master on the station, has been brought favourably before
me by Lieut. Holder, commanding that gunboat.
17. Mr D. L. Morgan, surgeon of my flag-ship, 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,

18. I should wish also to bring under their lordships'
favourable notice my secretary, Mr Hemsley H. Shanks,
and Flag-Lieutenant Robert P. Dcnnistoun, who accom-
panied me on shore and afloat throughout the operations,
And rendered me valuable assistance.

19. To Major Wray, Royal Engineers, whose 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
officer throughout the operations, and in the destruction of
the batteries and magazines. Lieutenant Crowdy, Royal
Engineers, who accompanied the expedition at my request,
with the permission of Lieut.-Colonel Browne, commanding
her Majesty's troops at Yokohama, also rendered valuable
service with his men, both whilst attached to the Naval
Brigade, and subsequently in the embarkation of the heavy
guns.

20. Mr J, F. Lowder and Mr Ernest Satow, interpreters,
attached to the squadron by Sir Rutherford Alcock have
afforded me every assistance and have been most zealous in
the performance of their duties.

21. Since the conclusion of these operations I have satiss
fled myself, by personal eximination of the entire Straits,
that n 9 batteries remain in existence on the territory c,f the
Prince of Choshiu, and thus the passage of the Straits may
be considered clear of all obstructions.

22. On the Bth instant, whilst the demolition of the bat-
teries and the embarkation of the guns were in progress, an
Envoy of the Prince of Choshiu came on board my flag-ship
under a flag of truce, charged, as he informed me, with
instructions from the Prince to negociate for the termination
of hostilities. He produced documents said to have been
written by command of the Prince of Choshiu, and stated
that no opposition would henceforth be offered to the free
passage 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 Prince had acted under the direct authority of the Mi-
kado and the Tycoon.

23. Having conferred with Rear-Admiral Jaures, who
was present at the interview, it was determined that to
convince us of the sincerity of the Prince's desire for peace,
it was indispensable that we should receive a written requi-
sition, 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 suspension of
hostilities fcr that time was agreed upon, and the squadrons
were immediatel3 directed to hoist flags of truce. It was,
however, stipulated that the armistice should not interfere
with the work of embarking the guns from the ha:Aeries,
then in progress, and it was accordingly proceeded with
and completed, as previously described.
21. True to the time named, at noon on the 10th instant,
the Chief Councillor of the Prince of Choshiu (Mori Idzumo)
came on board the Euryalus, and placed before me a de-
spatch from the Prince (identical despatches being also
brought for the senior officers of the allied squ tdrone).
25. The very satisfactory character of the Prince's written
communication, and its humble tone, afford, in the opinion
of Rear-Admiral Jaures and myself, reasonable grounds for
the presumption that, rival t from the brilliant success
achieved in a military point of view, and the great extent
et the injury inflicted upon the Prince of Choshiu, his power
and prestige, advantages of an important nature iu a poli-
tical sense may very possibly result from the presence of
the allied squadrons in these Straits. I have duly informed
Sir Rutherford Alceck cf these events, and have placed at
his disposal the means of communicating with mo here
should he desire to do so.

26. 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
inland or on any portion of the mainland in the vie'nity of
the Straits. Ido not, therefore, purpc se carrying into effect
that portion of the programme of the diplomatic representa-
tives forwarded with ray letter of the 28th ultimo, No. 328.
It is, however, my intention to maintain possession of the
Straits by leaving here an Eng a French, and a Dutch
vessel-of•war, until the relations between the Tycoon's Go-
vernment and those of the Treaty Powers with regard to
this portion of the terrace y of the Prince of Choshiu have
been arranged on a satisfactory footing ; the presence 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 undertaken. I have subs.; quently 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 cessation 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.

27. In conclusion, I have only to express my hope that
the operations I have had the honour of describing, and
the results obtained, may receive the approbation of their
lordships and of her Majesty's G3vernment.—l have, &e.,
(Signed) Anuos•rus L. KUPER,
'Vice-Admiral and Commander-in-Chief.
The Secretary of the Admiralty, London.

Her Majesty's Ship Tartar, Simono Seki, Sept. 9,15G4,
Sir,--You. having haen pleased to entrust a division of
the squadroß to my command :luring the late hostilities in
the Straits ct Simono Soki, and the operations having so
far terminated with such satiztactory results, I beg to re-
port, Lr your information, the proceedings of the advanced
squadron since noon of the 4th last,

2. Having taken up the position directed by your General
Order of the 31 inst., the squadron under my orders was
held in readiness for immediate action. On the first gun
having been fired from your fl ig ship, the batteries imme-
diately opened on us with shot and shell, the first discharge
striking the Tartar in several places.
3. The advanced Equadron instantly replied to the fire of
the batteries, but it would be needless for me to enter into a
detailed account, as the whole engagement occurred under
your immediate observation; still I cannot allow this oppor-
tunity to pass without bringing to your notice the valuable
support I received from the able management and precision
of the rifled guns of his Imperial Majesty's ship Dupleix,
which ship invariably replied to the guns which wore strik-
ing the Tartar, and showing an energy which reflected the
highest credit on her commander.

4. Tho assistance rendered by his Netherlands Majesty's
ships Metalin Kruis and D'Jambi, and the preparations
made by them beforehand, showed that they spared no
trouble in preparing their ships for any emergency; their
rifled guns also telling on the nearest fort.

5. I need hardly mention what pleasure I felt in finding
that the commander-in-chief had given to the advanced
squadron the services of so valuable and experienced an
officer as Capt. Dowell, of her Majesty's ship Barossa ; the
judicious and cool manner with which that ship was handled,
and the precision of her fire, while replying to the enemy's
guns, more particularly when directed on the Tartar, was
fully appreciated by myself and all on board.

6. At 5 25 a.m. on the morning of the 6th, the Long Bat-
tery again opened fire, and I am sorry to say with unfortu-
nate off: ct, the first discharge killing two and wounding
several on board the Dupleix, which vessel during the night
had drifted between ourselves and the fort. She immediately
slipped her cable and moved to her former position, when
the Tartar again was instantly and repeatedly struck by the
fire from the fort, dangerously wounding my first lieutenant,
Lieut. W. A, De V. Brownlow, a valuable and steady offi-
cer, whose services I desire to bring under your favourable
consideration. My second lieutenant, Lieut. C. B. Powell,
immediately took his place, showing that cool aptitude fur
work which is so valuable in an officer.
7. Having been directed to take up an advanced position
on the afternoon of the 7th, I anchored the ship for the night
in the position pointed out by yourself, advancing the next
morning while shelling the two last forts on Point Kibune
to a position within 3,000 yards, when we again anchored,
and from thence shelling the forts, which had the effect
of making the enemy abandon them without firing a gun,
probably in coheeqaence of a barrack taking tire in the par,

near a magazine containing a large amount of powder and
upwards of 700 or 800 shell, which soon after exploded, also
from feeling the impossibility of coping with guns of such
superior power, and the moral tElLet produced by the fleet
on the two pi cvious days.
8. Throughout the whole of these proceedings Mr John
E. Chapple, the master of the Tartar, showed the greatest
coolness and judgment in the pilotage of the ship.
9. The Prussian officer, Mr Von Blanc, lately appointed
to this ship,proved his skill and worth in several ways, and
I consider him an intelligent and valuable officer, certain to
do credit to any position in which he may be placed.
10. The remainder of the officers and ship's company
conducted themselves throughout entirely to my satisfac-
tion,--I have, &c ,
(Signed) JNO M. HAYES, Captain,
Her ➢lajesty's ship Tartar,
Commanding the Advanced Squadron.
To Vice-Admiral Sir A. L. Kuper, K.C.8.,
Comtna:der-in-Chief,

Her Majest3's ship Euryttlus,
off Simono Seki, Sept 10.

Sir,---I have the honour to state, in compliance with your
directions to report as to the proceedings of the naval
brigade landed under re) command from her Majesty's ships
Euryalus and Conqueror, in the Straits of Simone Saki, on
the morning of the 6th

That, having formed on the beach in the order prescribed
by you with reference to the other landing forces, the naval
brigade ascended the heights immediately abovd a succes-
sion of small terraces, to capture a one•gun battery at their
summit ; and after reaching the crest of the boulder, descend
its western side to overlook the heavy battery at its foot,
and cover, if necessary, the flank of the combined column
then advancing along the beach to the westward.

The one-gun battery was found to be deserted, the gun
removed, the carriage only remaining, which was immedi-
ately destroyed.

In crossing this battery the right flank became exposed to
the enemy's riflemen, concealed in the dense bush on the
opposite (east) side of the ravine.

The leading company immediately deployed in skirmish.
ing order, and returned their fire, while the column pushed
on and gained the cover of the upper bluff, though not be-
fore the force had suffered the loss of three wounded.

On descending, with much labour, through tho dense
brushwood on the western side, a detachment of French
sailors was found in occupation of the upper battery on the
right hand side of the valley.

The remainder of the force, excepting a company of Royal
Marine Artillery (Lieut. Dodgin, Royal Marine Artillery,
in command), left to join my command, had continued its
march westward.

Not conceiving the assistance of the brigade required b 3
the main force, and as immediately on arriving at the foot
of the hill, parties of the enemy had shown themselves at
intervals between the trees on either side of the valley, and
opened fire with field and mountain pieces and musketry,
which they withdrew out of sight towards the head of the
valley whenever my men advanced, I determined to hold the
batteries on either side of the valley, and occupy the men in
dismounting the guns, destroying the carriages, and in ex-
ploding the magazines, &c. ; after which, if not rrquirod to
join the remainder of the force, I intended attacking the
enemy's stockade at the head of the ivalley, and capturing
his guns.

The former part of ray intention was carried out, and the
men had had halt an hour for such dinner as they could get,
when I received intelligence that the main body was return-
ing, at the same time an order from yourself to embark, in
accordance with which the Royal Marine Artillery Com.
pany had shoved off, when about half-past 3 I received your
orders to retain possession of the batteries, the Perseus being
aground beneath that to
,the eastward.
I now considered it more than ever advisable to dislodge
the enemy at the end of the valley, and the head of the
marine column appearing at this minute, I sent a request to
Lieut. Col. Sucher to co-operate for that object, to which
he agreed, selecting the right side of the valley for his
attack.

The naval brigade, in order to take the left, instantly, but
with some difficulty, crossed by the ridges between the rice
fields, and on reaching the narrow roadway on the left of
the valley commenced ascending it at the double.
The enemy had already commenced firing, but observing
from this and the approach of the Marines our intention
was to attack, his fire became extremely hot. Oar men con-
tinued at the double and returned it with steadiness and
visible effect, and when distant about 2UO yards, with a loud
cheer from all, the leading company rushed on, the suc-
ceeding company, whilst still advancing, returning the
enemy's fire, which he continued from the parapet of the
moat and top of an eight-foot wall, backing the front side
of the palisade, till the leading men were within 50 yards,
when he threw down his arms and ran in all directions.
I regret to state that at this moment a musket shot
through the ankle joint of the right foot totally incapaci-
tated me from proceeding; and, on a stretcher arriving, I
was carried to the rear, leaving the brigade under the orders
of Lieut. Harington.
I have also to regret that this operation was not effected
without a severo loss, viz., 7 killed and 2G wounded in the
naval brigade ; but I trust its successful termination and
the moral as well as physical effcct of the rev,rse inflicted
on the enemy, may justify, in your opinion, its under-
taking.

It gives me much pleanuro to bring to your favourable
notice the marked merit displayed in Cie following in-
stances

le. Mr D. G. Bones, midshipman, of the Euryalus, who
carried a colour with the leading company, kept it with
headlong gallantry in advance of all, in taco of the thickest
fie, his colour-sergeants having fallen, one mortally, the
other dangerously wounded, and was only deiained from
proceeding yet further by the orders of his superior
officer. The colour he carried was six times pierced by
musket balls.

2nd. Lieutenant Frederick Edwards, commanding the
third company, has called say attention to :ho intelligence
and daring exhibited by William Seeley, ordinary seaman,
in ascertaining the enomy's position, and afterwards, when
wounded in the arm in the advance, continued to retain his
position in the front,
Lieutenant R. E. Tracey rendered mo most valuable
assistanco throughout, and when disabled myself, conducted
the advance with great gallantry and ability.
Lieutenant Edwards' company, which was in advance,
was most gallantly led by him,

Lieutenant Harrington's company efficiently
him. supported

Lieutenant Alfred. Jephson's company, through my mis-
take only in giving him the wrong route, did not arrive as
soon as nu doubt it otherwise would have done.
The Conqueror's companies followed in support of Lieu-
tenant Harrington's, and oftle.rs and men showed zeal and
alacrity, and far more steadiaess than could be expected
from men together for so short a time and under their cir-
cumstances.

The medical officers, Messrs E A, Birch, S.Arauel M'Bean,
p4iirodmTp and
.t
J. Comerford,
in Assistant
attention
aBeeiurtenll
Surgeons,
were exceedingly
the wounded.
Mr R. N. May, Clerk, accompanied me throughout the
day, and Messrs henry 11. Dyke and E. P. Hume, mid-
shipmen, acted as my aides-de-camp.
Lieutenant Crowdy, Royal Eagineers, with four of the
Royal Engineer Corps, and having also under his direction
the pioneers of the Naval Brigade, afforded active and useful
assistance in exploding magazines, destro3ing gun-car-
riages,their rifles.
&c., at the same time the were very ready with

Mr Satow, of her Majesty's L9g,ation, Yokohama, accom-
panied me on all occasions, and in the thickest fire, to act
as interpreter if required.

batants, during this long hot d ,y, with exceedingly hard
combatants and non-com-
weirnktcaoniaacluusnidoenr,
vthe!ywthr3o,linegfocricrec,uinstarices,
behaved in such
a-manner as to merit the highest praise, officers and men
universally exhibiting gallantry, zeal, energy, and A9adi-
ness, their only fault being a times a too reckless exposure
of themselves unwarranted by necessity
;and all that their
conduct leaves me to hope is, that I may ever be fortunate
enough to have the honour to command such on similar
occasions.—l have. &t.,

(Signed) J. 11, J. ALEXANDER,
Captain, her majesty's ship Euryalus,
Commander Naval Brigade.
To Vice-Admiral Sir Augustus L. Kuper, K.C-B ,
Commander-in-Chief, &3. •
Her Majesty's hip
Conqueror, Straits of
------
Simone Seki, Japan, Sept. 7, 1884.
Sir,—ln compliance with your orders I was yesterday
disembarked at 8 o'clock a.m., and placed in command of
the brigade landed for the demolition of the enemy's bat-
teries.

As soon as the force had been formed the battalion of
English sailors, under the command cf Captain Alexander,
mounted the heights for the purpose of destroying a three-
gun battery, situated about 100 feet above the beach, and
with the rest of the brigade, viz., a battalion of French
sailors, two battalions of Ro3;1 Marines (the first under the
command of Lieut.-Col. Penrose, and the second of Lieut.-
Col. Adair), a detachment of Royal Engineers, under the
command of MajorWray,
and a battalion of Dutch soldiers
and sailors, I marched along the lino of batteries, and un-
cler your personal observation dismounted the guns, burnt
the carriages, and blew up the magazines.
On returning from this duty, and after the French and
Dutch portion of the brigade had re-embarked, the enemy
opened fire upon us from a three-gun stockaded barrack
building, situated in a ravine not easily approachable, and
very illsuLed to military manoeuvring.
I directed the two battalions of Royal Marines to storm
the building upon its right approach, whilst the battalion of
sailors stormed upon its left; after a sharp resistance the
enemy fled from his position.
Having spiked the guns and set fire to the buildings, I
ordered the brigade to return. to the place of embarkation,
In the execution of this duty I very much regret that
several casualties occurred.

Captain Alexander, while gallantly leading his battalion
was severely wounded and carried to the rear. So also were
Captain N. W. De Courcy and Lieut. J. W. Inglis, of the
Royal Marines.

Where all performed their duties well, it is difficult to in-
dividualise, but I feel it incumbent on me to mention the
high bearing of the commanding officers of battalions, Lieut.
Col. Penrose, Royal Marines, Lieut. Col. C. W. Adair,
Royal Marines, and Captain J, 11, J, Alexander, Royal

Navy ; to these officers I am greatly indebied for their zeal
and gallantry.

The senior captain of the Royal Marines, Capt. N. 7.
de Courcy, who was severely wounded when at the head of
his compeny, holding a difficalt position near the stockade,
Captain and Brevet Major Ambrose Wolrige, Acting Bri-
gade Major, and First Lieut. J. C: }lore, my ordezly offi-
cer, I am bound to bring particularly to notice for their zeal
and intelligence.

The medical staff of Royal Marines, under Dr C. K. Ord
were most active and prompt in their attendance to the
wounded,

I beg also to state that I received much assistance,
when in the stockaded barrack building, from Lieutenant
R. E. Tracy, Royal Navy, who carried out, some orders it
was necessary for me to give in a zealous and efficient man-
ner.—l have, & 3.,
(Signed) W. G, SUTIIEtt,
Lieutenant-Colonel Royal Marines, Commanding
Allied Forces, disembarked on the 6th inst,
To Vice-Admiral Sir Augustus L. Kuper, K,C.B.

Commander-in-Chief, &a,
[A. list of the killed and wounded appeared in The Sun of
Thursday.]

SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS.

Tieess.—Five years ago the Americans bad no
history, and were half disposed to complain of the
want. They are now amply provided with the re-
cords they desired, and-can discover the value of the
attribute they have lost. Rarely has the life of a nag
tion been more eventful than theirs since the election
of Abraham Lincoln to the Presidency, nor can any..
body forecast the chapters of history whioh are yet
to come. That the.ir war is like no other war, not
even like other civil wars, has been already observed,
thoughethere is little, perhaps, in the novelty of its
character which ought to surprise us. The Americans
even by their own estimate of themselves were like
no other people;and they began to fight under condi-
tions never witnessed before. It was the first great
war of the State, and yet the State was not in its
infancy or in any phase of primitive ignorance or
barbarism. The inhabitants of the Union consia
dered themselves superior to all the nations of the
world in wealth, education, enlightenment, and
power. President Lincoln at an early stage of the
war asserted confidently that no army ever sent
into the field comprised so many persons of good
social position as the Federal army then serving,
and there was probably a good foundation for
the beast. Yet it is said that the American
war has not only been sanguinary and expensive
beyond all known precedents, but has been
conducted with signal barbarity and with a disre-
gard of that forbearance which usage imposes on
belligerents in the Old World. Two incidents espe-
cially in the present campaign have been stigmatised
as disgraceful to any Government or people pre-
tending to the dignity of civilisation. One of these
is the devastation of the Shenandoah Valley by
General Sheridan; the other the depopulation of
Atlanta by General Sherman. We feel bound,
however, to say that these operations might
possibly have been justifiable by the exigencies
of war. Within certain limits, unhappily but too
broad, war excuses all things, and it is obvious,
indeed, that he who goes out to kill and slay
may by the same warrant destroy, burn, and
ravage. If Grant was justified in undermining
a fort and blowing it into the air with its gar-
rison, he might be justified also in desolating a
district from which the subsistence of his enemy
was derived. If the order for devastation had not
this strategic warrant, and was based simply on
vindictiveness or cruelty, it was undoubtedly dis-
graceful ; but on this point we can hardly yet be
judges. Similarly, if General Sherman conceived
that the exigencies of his situation in Georgia de-
manded the expulsion of the inhabitants of Atlanta
from their homes, he had a right to enforce their
departure. It was an act of extreme severity,
and, perhaps, under the circumstances really with-
out parallel, for, though such measures have been
adopted before, it has always been with obvious
reason according to the customs of war. Had At-
lanta, for instance, been a fortified town, in which
Sherman and his army were exposed to invest-
ment, it would have been competent to him to order
the withdrawal of noncombatants from the place for
the sake of economising provisions and supplies. But
this does not seem to have been the case. At the date
of the order—September 7—Sherman could hardly
have expected to be besieged, and we now know in-
deed that he soon marched out of Atlanta with all his
forces except a single division, and took the field
once more. Nor did he pretend to justify his pro-
ceeding by any such pretext. He simply said, in his
letter to Gen. Hood, that he had " deemed it in the
interest of the United States that the citizens now
residing in Atlanta should be removed," and with
this mere expression of his will and pleasure he
drove the entire population of the town, old and
young, men, women, and children, from their homes.
Gen.. Rood protested,/in the name of God and hu-
manity, against the atrocity of the proceeding; but
Sherman sneered at his appeal as sacrilegious and
hypocritical, and gave no heed to his remonstrance.
There seems to be more reason in the Confederate
than in the Federal view of the matter, but it must
still be remembered that war is war, and that it Ge-
neral in command must be judge of his own position,
though a day of reckoning may await him afterwards.
Perhaps, when we recollect that the President of
the Confederate States did actuaily, in the name
of his Government, remonstrate with the Federal
Government some time ago, and urge that the war,
if war there must be, should be carried on at least
with less inhumanity, we shall be disposed to con-
clude that the Northern armies must have strained
the rights of belligerents in the States they are in-
vading. The Federals, however, have grievances of
their own. A pamphlet lies before U 9 professing to
nerrate the privations and sufferings of Northern
prisoners in the hands of the rebel authorities,' and
other stories of the same kind might doubtless be
found. Some explanations, probably, of these com-
plaints and recriminations might be found in that
inexperience of war which characterises both sides
alike. A. town in Georgia is not like a town in
Flanders. The Americans, it is true, have now
been fighting for four years, but in their enormous
territories, and with their evenly balanced forces,
war travels slowly. Georgia had hardly felt the
scourge till the other day; South Carolina, except
a t Char lc sten, has never felt it yet ; the North-
Western States know it only by the conscription---
the North-Eastern States are actually thriving by it.
A Confederate army in Ohio or a Federal army in
South Carolina would naturally excite horror among
the inhabitants, and every act of war, however in-
evitable, might be stigmatised as barbarous. The
question is not whether misery follows in the track
of the armies, for that must only be too certainly the
fact, but whether the calamities inseparable from
war have been aggravated by wanton inhumanity
on the part of commanders of their troops. We are
inclined to hope that this has not been the case, at
any rate as regards the regular armies. As far as our
information goes, the actual combatants appear to
have learnt instinctively the courtesies of war. We
read of slaughter enough, beyond doubt, but not of
massacres. It seems, indeed, as if the opposing
armies were possessed with less animosity than the
parties they represent. The most tyrannical and
barbarous abuses of powers have been committed
by military governors placed over disaffected popu-
lations, and guerilla leaders bound by no tics of
discipline. Unarmed and defenceless citizens have
suffered terribly under both these scourges, and
sentiments of the most atrocious inhumanity have
been openly proclaimed by public men in the North-
Eastern States. But regular war has not, we trust,
been rendered worse than it need be by the ferocity
of the combatants, and some allowance is perhaps
due for a natural exaggeration in the descriptions of
those who have never seen war before. In fact, the
characteristics of civil war, as distinguishable from
other wars, are least prominent in the. field of
battle. Soldiers soon learn to be soldiers, and
nothing more ; it is when soldiers meet civilians or
civil factions meet each other that the exasperation
of feeling is visible. The Federals regard the
Confederates as rebels, and are indignant that
Europe should have recognised them even as belli-
gerents. They are inclined therefore to more than
ordinary severity in dealing with them, and though
this is no excuse for the barbarities which have been
advocated in New York, or perpetrated in Kentucky
and Virginia, it contains an explanation of events
which should not be disregarded. The carelessness
of life shown by the Federal commanders expresses
in a manner one of the national characteristics, for
though the Americans were humane in their laws
and kindly in their ways, they always exposed
themselves to death or danger with singular reck-
lessness. But terrible as the carnage has been, it
has not, we believe, been increased, unless in excep-
tional cases, by coldblooded cruelty. It appears to
have been occasioned rather by faults of strategy
acting on armies of great numerical strength and
provided with the most deadly instruments of war-
fare. Such at least has been the case hitherto, and
we may still trust that a contest which in its best
of aspects is deplorable, may not bo aggravated by
any deviation from the usages by which war is mi-
tigated.
POST.—The time has arrived at which the main
features of the forthcoming session cannot fail to
have been chiselled out by the Administration,which
has before it the prospect of meeting Parliament in
little more then two months' time. We believe
that among the most prominent of the measures
which the Government will recommend to the con-
sideration of the House of Commons, will be one
which will in a marked degree conciliate the good
will of the British taxpayer. The period in which
we are writing is one of profound and uninter-
rupted tranquillity ; and, as far as any human fore-
sight can extend, it would seem that the year 1865
will be as peaceable as the present autumn. Whether

we look to the policy and attitude of our own coun-
try, or to the condition of the continent of Europe,
the same happy augury for the future appears to
present itself. it seems, therefore, that if every
apprehension of collision in Europe, or of our being
ourselves required to take part in any differences
that may occur elsewhere, is really at an end, there
remains no sufficient reason for our maintaining
extensive naval and military forces in actual sere
vice at a great and certain cost, and with hardly
CVCII a contingent advantage in view. Accordingly,
there is reason to believe that very great reductions
will he found to have taken place in the forthcom-
ing estimates for all the services. when Parliament
meets in February next. It appears to have been
felt that, however great our national wealth and ree
sources may be, there is no necessity why we should
he taxed under any other rule or proportion than
that of what is absolutely necessary fc,r the safety of
our empire, and for the maintenance of the position
which we aspire to hold in Europe. The events of
last spring could not fail, indeed, to have exerted
considerable influence on the question of our future
armaments. At that time it was a question
whether we should not have openly taken up
arms in behalf of Denmark, or not. Parties
were divided in opinion ; but the course which
the British Government and the British nation
then took is well known, and it is felt that that
instance formed the nearest approximation to
a case for an assumption of hostilities that had arisen
for many years, or was likely to arise in the future.
But we then determined to remain neutral ; and it
cannot be doubted that a pacific decision taken tins
der such strong incentives to hostilities must exert
considerable force for the future on the question of
the practical utility of armaments maintained only
at a great cost. What we find that we really re.
quire is to maintain the machinery for defensive
efficiency; we need this much more than an exten-
sive naval and military organisation that shall at
every moment be ready for active service. At pre-
sent the expenditure of the country is nearly
£68,000,000 per annum. Of this something over
£28,000,000 forms a permanent charge—chiefly as
interest on the National Debt, but also in part as
the charge of the Consolidated Fund. The remain-
ing £40,000,000 are in their nature arbitrary and
fluctuating charges. The army, according to the
estimates for 1863, cost £l6,o6o,ooo—the navy cost
£10,760,000 ; and there was besides a charge of
nearly £9,000,000 under the head of " Miscellane-
ous ;" together with £4,700,000 charges under the
head of expense incurred in revenue collection. It
has, we believe, been found that in the present cir-
cumstances of Europe both the army and navy may
be maintained in sufficient efficiency at a very much
less cost. However numerous the former may be,
it must be borne in mind that the £15,000,000 a
year which are charged for its support include
simply such parts of the British army as are in this
country, or in those colonies in waich the cost falls
on the mother State. The British army in India, for
example, amounting to some 70,000 men, are paid
exclusively out of the Indian revenue. The most
important expenses of the navy again relate to ship-
building, and the maintenance of an adequate naval
reserve; and this more so than to the maintenance of
an expensive naval fleet in perpetual commission. In
looking therefore in the face of the inevitable reduc
tion that now awaits us, we must make it a point
of great importance to secure the services of our
veterans. Itaw troops are at almost any time to be
obtained through a liberal appeal to the labour
market; but it takes many years of :service to ob-
tain highly disciplined troops; and it is therefore
of the utmost consequence to retain the flower of
our army; to diminish our military arrangements
with great discrimination ; and the same may be
said, with nearly equal force, of the sailors in the
fleet. But the reductions in all our establishments,
taken as a whole, cannot fail to he very extensive.
Such a comprehensive measure as this may be de-
scribed, in a word, as a policy of financial economy.
The counterpart of the picture is of course to be
found in a corresponding reduction of taxation ; for
the expenditure as it has hitherto stood has fallen
much within the annual revenue, which for the
year ending the Ist October last amounted to more
than £70,000,000. At present we are drawing
more than £23,000,000 a year from the custom
dues, near £17,000,000 from the excise, and hard
upon £11,000,000 from the property and income
tax at 6d. in the pound, independently of other
charges. It can hardly he matter of doubt that the
revision of expenditure that is now decided upon
will enable the Government to abate much that is
onerous or unpopular in the scale of taxation.
That the income tax shall remain at its present
amount, that the malt tax shall continue as it
stands, that the custom dues will not undergo fur-
ther modification in the interest of free trade, may
be looked upon as very improbable events. Mean-
while, there appears to be some reason to entertain
a hope that the continental Powers, hardly less
anxious than ourselves to remain at peace, may
follow the economical example which we propose
to set at home, and thus render at once more solid
and more permanent the retrenchments of expene
penditure on which we are understood to have re-
solved.