The Sun.
London, England, 1860-11-21 00:00:00

THE WAR 1N BINA.

A letter just received at Plymouth from a young
officer on board a Government transport at the seat
of war says,—" I have been inside one of the forts
at the Peiho, and have had a good view of all four.
They are built almost entirely of mud and the guns,
which are numerous and of heavy calibre, are for
the most part fixed, but suchtas are not are clumsily
worked by capstans on each side. The north fort
was taken with great difficulty, the Chinamen
standing to their guns, and defending themselves to
the last, when they were overpowered and
bayoneted. After the north fort was taken the
allies turned one of the guns on the other forts,
which soon after surrendered. The forts are very
little elevated, except a kind of inner fort inside
each. They are surrounded by two, and, in some
places, three ditches, the strip of land between the
ditches being stuck as thick as possible with sharp-
pointed sticks about two feet high—a most
valuable protection from attack in that di-
rection, as the Chinese could easily have
shot down their opponents while embarrassed
among the sticks. There is nothing to see
ashore but mud—everlasting mud. The first
time I landed the tide was low, and there was about
four miles of mad, which rose so gradually that in
our boat we did not know but that it was water till
we stuck on it, and then with difficulty managed to
get off again. I saw the very place where the troops
were landed in the mud and massacred at the former
attack on the forts. My last letter was directed to
you from the Peiho. Since then we have sailed
round to Odin Bay, and are now taking in water,
with which we are to fill up. Everything is very
cheap hue-except dollars, which, I believe cost much
mere than they should. We can get 150 eggs to
the dollar, and a fine full-grown bullock, in good
condition, for 30 dollars, Similar bullocks-at home
would cost from £lB to £2O. Calves from 4to 7
dollars, and so on upwards. Peaches, pears, and
apples are plentiful and cheap. Fowls at the rate
of four large or six small to the dollar.
captain
nitilss
also are as plentiful as can be. We have fresh meat
very often while we are here, a
going to take some bullocks to sea with him for us.
When we left the Peiho the troops were at Tien-
tsin. A rumour is afloat here, in Odin Bay, that
the Chinese have broken out in all parts again, and
that the troops will have to fight their way to Pekin,
but I cannot vouch for the truth of it. It appears
to me that if the negotiations are not carried on
quicker we shall be like the French army at the
taking of Moscow—that is to say, cold weather is
gradually coming on, and is likely to nip us. The
Magicienne, in company with the despatch-boat
Sparrow Hawk, is lying at anchor here, the former
in charge of our division, which is watering as fast
as possible ; the latter is stationed here on the look
out, at least I think so. It is said that all the
soldiers and sailors in Odin Bay are to keep holiday
some day next week. The captain of the Magicienne
has headed a subscription with 40 dols., and the
captains of the different vessels and the military
officers are likely to follow his example. I suppose
they will have boat racing and jumping in sacks,
donkey racing, &c., and perhaps a public dinner."

SOUTHAMPTON, Tuesday Night —The steamship
Dublin, of Waterford, bound from London to Bordeaux!
with
a general cargo, has put into this port for repairs, be-
ing in a leaky condition. Tho captain reports that, when
off the Isle of Wight and near St. Katharine's Head, the
ship struck upon what he supposed to be a sunken wreck.
Finding the vessel had sustained damage in the after run,
and was making about four inches of water per hour, he
unmediately bore up for this port. She is taken into the
inner dock, where she will discharge her coals and the
greater part of her cargo.