The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-06-26

ments, behind which the beseged were crsuched,
and awaiting the advance of the assanaulA By
this 6rt return fro upon our forces. who wore en-
tely uncovered and exposed to its full sweep, Mr..
Giisw' Id Gray. of the howitzers, who was svely
charging in the front ranks, was so seriously
wounded as to render the immediate amputation Of
Of his legs necessary. for the preservation Of bis
life. Captain Pearson. Of the American ship sc
Stondish fell severely wounded in the face, and one
of the Plymcuths sailors was instantly killed;
whilst their more fortunate companions in arms
were dischsrging volley after volley into the en-
campment, with almost incosceivable rapidity. At
this juncture. Passed Mdshipman Gray. who had
charge Of guard Of merchant sailors who were
stationed at the L. s. Consulate hearing the firing.
broue his men to the field and participated in the
engagement. The enemys fire lasted but few
minutes, and severely rounded two marines and
one Of the sailors OF the Plymouth. After the ilr,t
two OF three volleys, the forces we're ordered TO
cross small dyke which aanked the road, aud TO
advance to several mounds. (cose to the Yap-King-
Fan creek,) which commanded the inside of the en-.
csmrment from whence the attack was SO vigorous
ly carried to give the besieged no tiiaeto rally
to disodge them entirely from their entrench-
ments, ard cause their precipitate fight into the
county.
The American forces fought under the disadvan-
taee of an eminently exposed position and being
separated from the eDemys Notifications by the
Yam Kirg-Pan creek. which is impossible ut high
tide, (Which was then at the food,) and unbgids,
anywhere near their point of attack; yet their in
ceesant iie drove the enemy from the encampment
and kept them in check. while the English detach-
ment, having crossed bridge near their position.
aud taken and fired the encampment, against which
tier attack had been so successfully directed, ca.
tered and fred this also, without any resistance.
The conflict was Of short duration, and terminated
IL the disodgement Of barbarous soldiery from en-
trenchcd encaInpments, in such dangerous proximity
to the foreign settlement, that neither the lives
the property Of the community were in any safety.
The whole number Of mperalists, within the several
encampments which were destroyed is variously es-
timated, but by no one at less number than seven
thousand. The aggregate combined force to dis
lodge them only three hundred! The American flag
was planted by Lieut. Guest on the nearest mound
to the encampments, where it told Of triumph !;
while the flags and banners, the tents and camp
equipments Of the dispersed enemy, fed the flames,
whose reflected light made it no brighter than it's
countrys greatness and glory ever render 1t in tho
estimation Of the gallant spirits who marched to
victory under its folds on the 4th of April 1854.
The heroic spirit with which the detachment led on
by Commander Kelly, Lieutenant Guest, and Passed
Midshipman Haxton, advanced to the attack, and
their steadiness under the appalling fire they en-
countered, cannot be too highly eulogzed. Nor
can I, in tbus narrating events which occurred
under my own immediate observation, being in the
ranks Of the American Forces omit to render great
praise to the gallantry Of the howtzer company,
(wbose small corps experienced one Of the saddest
casuaties,) who stood at their pieces like veteran
arterists, rendering effective service during the
whole action; and who have received the grateful
acknowledgements Of Commander Kelly for their
confidence evinced in him by placing themselves
under his command and for their important assist
ance in storming the Imperalist entertainments.
The breastworks having been taken, and the camp
set fire to by the English, Captain OCalaghan re-
quested Captain Kelly to cover his retreat at the
bridge. Accordingly, the American forces advanced
about half mile to the right and gained new
position. Here the Americans found the British
rear guard retreatng and large body of imperial
Its advancing under cover Of the batteries of
war junks in Sou Chow creek. These we're soon
checked by the fire of the three American field
pieces and fell back to their derences. The main
body Of the British now rejeined the Ameri
cans; and it was acknowledged that our forces,
being where they were, prevented tho British from
being entirely surrounded, aud their retreat cut off,
The action having thus gloriously terminated. he
combined forces marched back to the river bank,
where they were greeted with enthusiastic cheers
from the shipping. The number Of the imperialsts
killed and wounded is unknown. Individualizing
is scarcely to be expected in detailing such events
as have induced this letter, but cannot omit pay
ing passing compliment to DR.. Otis, the Assistant
Surgeon of the Plymouth, for his GOODNESS and &C.
tivity in attending to the wounded on the field of
action; and to Mr.. Norris the Captains Clerk, who
bravely accompanied the forces throughout tine en-.
gagement.
As matter Of security, and to prevent their re-
occupation, the breastworks OF the late entrench.
ments were RACED to the ground, under the protec-
ton Of detachments from the Plymouth and Eng
sh men of war, and picket guards stationed on the
outskirts Of the settlement to keep both the rebels
and imperialists beyond defined limits. They may,
and doubtless will, have many encounters, and their
struggle may long continue, but 1t Is to be hoped,
that so far as foreigners are concerned,
Grim visaged war has snoothcd his wrnklcd front.
And so ends this strange, eventful history!
YOUNG AMERICA.
Our China Correspondence.
SHANGHAE, April Up. M.
The Affdck on the Inperiaiist F6r:c--G Gallant Con-
duet Of the B,i tish and american Forces Flight
~,
ofthe Chinese-On q the Americans Riaed-Fa'-
thr Ne,cs IF The hnpriaiists-Rumorcd Flight Of
the Emperor. &c, &c.
Since my last several engagements have taken
place between the Taoutacs Imperial army and
the rebels in the city; butt as usual, more powder
has been burned than lives lost.
But for the past two weeks the army Of the Impe-
ria Taoutae being encamped on the limits Of the
race course, which belongs to the foreigners, have
been committing various dcpredaions, now and then
shooting at the foreigners as they pass along.