Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1857-02-12

looking very pale and excited, and wishing
TO see the Admiral. Sir Michael, however,
declined to receive TO him. l suppose he
came simply as a citizen, and not in his off
c al capacity. What his errand was | have
not been able to ascertain.
On Wednesday, the firing was renewed
early in the morning, and kept up with a
good deal of spirit until two o'clock P. NJ,
by which time the shot from the forts, with
the assistance of yesterdays fire, had made
sufficient breach in the wall, and cleared
way toward the palace, sufficiently to jus
tify the Admiral in landing his forces. The
landing party was only 25O strong, and
consisted altogether of sailors and marines.
They marched rapidly towards the walls,
the Admiral himself accompanying them,
and planted their flag on the walls of Can
ton-the first time that European flag
has ever been unfured in this great city,
The honor Of planting the flag was the
good fortune of Capt. Bate, of the brig
Bittern, who remained for as much as five
minutes entirely unsupported and exposed
to tremendous fire from the Chinese sol
diers in the streets and on the tops of the
houses. The party rushed on, however,
part of them clambering through the break
in the wall, and Others blowing up the city
gates, and entering more easily with the
field pieces. They andvanced under Sc
we're fire (the more dangerous and Calling
from its unregularity) from the Chinese on
the house-tops and in the by-streets-and
themselves returned it with much spirit,
and probably with much execution, al
though from the nature of the circumstances
it is impossible to say what the loss on the
other side has been. After planting field
piece before the place, and battering the
walls few moments, they entered without
further opposition, and occupied it for an
hour or two, until nearly sunset, when they
retreated for the night As they retired
the Chinese returned, re-opened upon them
with some effect. The total loss of seamen
and marines is three killed and twelve
wounded, four of them perhaps mortally
so.
regret TO add that one Or two American
officials We're very unduly conspicuous in &C
companying the attacking party, and must
make special mention of our Consul from
Hong Kong, General Keenan,, who was not
only present himself, but took with him
one of the seamen from the Leyant, and
bore with him also an American flag, dis
playing it publicly within the walls, and
with the personal courage and bravery for
which he is distinguished, advancing further
towards the heart of the city than any
other foreigner, narrowly escaping with his
life from murderous fire which the Chi
nese opened upon him. Several other
American citizens also accompanied the ex-
pedition, and joined, very improperly, in
the pillage of the Governors palace. The
display of our flag was so public, and APP
parently committed us so fully against the
Chinese, that Captain Foot, very promptly
and judiciously issued the following paper,
copies of which were sent to the British
and American Consuls, and to Admiral
Seymour, as well as to General Keen HIM
self:
"The undersigned has been informed
that the American flag was this day borne
upon. the walls of Canton, through the
breach effected by the British naval forces
This unauthorized act is wholly disavowed
by the undersigned, in order that it may
not be regarded as compromising in the
least degree the Neutrality of the United
States.
The United States naval forces are here
for special protection of American interests;
and the dislay of the American flag in any
other connection is hereby forbidden.
ANDREW III. FOOT,
Commander U. S. Navy, senior off
Ger present, commanding U. U. Naval For
ces, Canton.
Canton, China, Wednesday, Oct. 30, '56.