The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1854-07-12
The Americans in China.

obJecuon.
The Americans in China.
SHANGHAI, Tuesday. April 4. 1854.
For the past two weeks the army of the
Imperial Taoutae being encamped on the
limits OF the race.course, which belongs
to the foreigners, have been committing
various depredaiions, now and then shoot
ing at the foreigners as they pass along.
These various outrages had been men.
toned to the Taoutae by both the British
and American Consuls: the necessity OF
their prevention had been urged upon
him, on the ground that if any foreigner,
should be injured by his lawless soldiers.
they, the Consuls could not be then held
responsible for the protection which for
eigners might afford themselves.
Thus things passed on. till last evening.
about s o'clock, an English lady. escorted
by gentleman, was attacked by band
of Taoutae's men; the gentleman was
wounded severely by several sword cuts.
heving nothing but cane to defend him
self, while the lady escaped with fright
only, although the chair in which she was
riding was cut badly in several places.
Other Englishmen were attacked at diff
fercnt points on the course, but none
were killed. Upon the news reaching
the ciy, great excitement prevailed.
The Consuls Of the United States and
England in consultation with Capt. Kelly,
Of the United States sloop-ofwa Plymouth,
and Capt. o O'Callaghan, Of Fl. B. Nj. stea.
mer Encounter, and Capt. Kane. Of H.
B. NJ. brig Grecian. concluded to land
their forces and by shell 10 destroy the,
tort from which the Imperial soldiers had
come who had committed the outrages
Ii just alluded 10. This was done; and
leaving a strong patrol on shore, We
passed the rest Of The night without any
further disturbance.
On this morning note was addressed
by the English Consul to the General Of
the Imperial army, ordering him to evacu.
ate the forts which he had erected within
the limits Of the ground occupied and
owned by foreigners. This was urged
from the fact that his soldiers being new
leyies, were undisciplned and ungoverna- a
BILE. showing decided disposition TO at
tack and iniure foreigners; that If the evac-
uation Of these forts did not commence at
8 o'clock to-day. and was not completed
at 4, the forces would bombard them out
with shell and canister.
| After this communication had been sent,
joint consultation was had with the
United States Consul and Capt. John Kel-
iy. u. S. sloop.of-war Plymouth. and they
being of opinion that the active settlement
was in imminent danger from the hordes
Of undisciplined soldiery composing the
Imperial camp, unless their quarters were
removed to distance, agreed to lend
their aid and assistance in compelling
them so to do.
Accordingly. at o'clock, P. NJ. on the
4th inst. the forces were landed from the
British steamer Encounter and brig Gre
clan, in number one hundred and fifty
men. and one howi,zer, and they were
joined by the Shanghai volunteers. with
SO men under command of Mr.. Wade
II. B. Ms vice cousul. Captain Kelly
landed seventy United States seamen and
marines, with one field howi,zer, and he
was joined by 80 American volunteers
with two field howitzers. The forces stood
200 Englishmcn. under command OF Capt
O'Callagan Of H. B. Ms steamer En-.
Kelly. U. S. sloop-oi:war Plymouth.
4 For greater security, the United States
Consul had called upon the different mer'
chant captains in port to send on shore
all the men they could spare from thei
respective ships, armed and equipped
and placed them under the order Of Mid
shipman Grey. of the Plymouth, Will,
large force proceeded to the Imperial forts
This force was about 80 men.
1t was now o'clock, and no answer
had been received from Taouiae to whe,he
he would remove the soldiers who had at
tempted TO attack the settlement. Th'
t race course is distant bu, half mile from
: the river. The troops reached it in a few
D sight they halted.
The commanding officers reconnoiter
/. ed and saw no movement on their pal
e indicating their intention 10 remove; Of
5 the contrary, they were fortiiyipg in som
8 places.
) At minutes to 4, (the hour fixed a
q the limit,) a note was received savin
: that The forts could not be evacuated. =
/. The method Of attack was then determin
Q ed upon. Capt. O'Callaghan, with hi
English force, 200 men, was 10 follow tn
: race course to the right. ard Captain Kel
: ly. with 100 Americans. was TO march l.
$ the left. and attack separate forts.
8 We marched off TO our respective n a
], tional airs. and after coming upNwithi
, three hundred yards oi the fort, we un
limbered our three howitzers. loaded wit
5 shell. and at precisely tour o'clock. com
, menced firing. For 80 minutes this fiji