Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-02-06

tenants Lewis, Watmsush. Gurhrop, Davenport.
English, Carter and Simpson, f"- the gallant manner
in which they led their separate divisions into action;
or Masters Adams, Shepard, and Lieutenant Belknap
for their very able performances on that musical in
strument called howitzer. which sounded the death
knell 10 many n toei on Captain Smms and his gal
liant corps OF Marines, Who were ever ready 10 nete
out to the foe hi, DESERTS and preserve the honor
OF that flag uptarnished and lastly on the remaining
defenders of ths ships, who did their part aud
eager for the fray"
ANOTHER ACCOUNT.
CANTON, Nov. l9, l356-Ou Saturday, the 18th
inst. the frat Gutter Of the United States ship Ports
mouth, containing Capt. FOJte and others was pro-
ceeding from Whampna 10 Canton, when she wa.
fired upon by the Barrier Forts. 1t was halt-pasr
IN the afternoon when this occurred. The American
nag WAS IN position that does away with all chance
OF plea Of mistaking il, willie ess than two round
shot and three charges OF grape after the round shot,
were tired into the boat by the Chinese braves"
Al the first discharge OF grape the boat was turned
tor the ahips where abe arrived AZ o'clock aud az
| tcr an hour Commodore Armstrong decided upon
taxing possession Othe two forts aud then advising
the governor of Canton OF what had occurred. The
insult having been avenged, the properly" might
have been returned to its rghtful owner or retained
according as thereby from Gov. Yeh might indicate
| wlsh tor war or peace with the Americans.
AT daylight On Sunday, the San Jacinto's cutter
commenced sounding the river from Whampoa TO The
! Barrier, which was accomplished after the loss of a
man from sshot while throwing the lesd At4P. NJ.
"a nours after the POrsmnufhs boat had been fired
into, that ship and the Levant nearly pos."
| tn open fire. With only water enough to apat 'he
Portsmouth she WAS towed up to her berth by the
Willamette, in the most gallant Capt. Curry
| part who was for many minutes in the midst Of a
hot hre from the forts, which mad opened long before
the ship was near enough TO Gut Captain Foote. al.
ter the steamer had been ordered to seas oil aud ,i
care OF herself" Captain Foots dropped win tie
Hood for five minutes until within i5I yards distance
OF the nearest fort 1.-THE large at the right end Of
the Barrler having then been under heavy fire for
some time. "Starboard' 60 anchor "-"hsulin in
sprin, ,"-"fre" came in quick succession, and, to
cut story short the ship fred 220 Snch shells in
| the {. lowing two hours and fifteen minutes.
Ali were well placed at their nearest neighbOr and
at the Round Fort the left, some ,40U yards dis
tant AT dark firing ceased. the forts keeping it up
till ID minutes before the chip stopped, and giving
sample of what is in store at the French Folly this
time The two forts said to be filled with English
guns AND junkmen crews, and certainly we have
never seen anything ia the way of Chinese gunnery
before equal to them.
During this time the Levant was aground, out OF
fire, and could not lake par, in the action. The Ports
mouth was hulled three times, marine mortally
wounded, and her rigging badly cut
After the fre il was not deemed prudent TO eend
away boats from the ship the latter required their
whole crews 10 take of them in the position they
held, aud having no steam TO move down with. On
Monday morning the Cum.fa embarked the balance
OF men from Canton, for The purpose Of manning boats
and taking possession.