Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-03-13
THE AMERICAN WAR IN CHINA.
l.. S. STEAM FKlGArE san JAcl.ro.

L. S. SIEAM FRIGArE san JAcl.To.(
WHAMpOA, Dec. ), 1856.
1t appears that | an isi.d 10 participate IN ali the
fighting the United States government hns 10 do
We have had q nice little skirn;sh with the Chinese.
I will now give you I'll the particulars.
The Engiish had cImn-nccd hustiiiiies some two
O. three months since, and held the city Of Canton
in a stat. of siege. The Governor OF Canton re-
daested all Americans IN withdraw, I'D that he
would make restitution for oil property destroyed
from the effects OF The war, belonging to them. ~ he
intended 10 fight the English To the deafh.
This ship, the Portsmouth aud the Lsvant, compri
sing the Who'll. American squadron, were lying nj
| Whsmpoa, twr.v- miles below Canton. On the 18th
| November, Capt. Foots, Of the sioup Of war Ports
mouth, attempted TO 90 up TO Canton in his gig, by u
| channel that leads past four Chinese forts. As soon,
however. "a he came within reach of their guns they
commenced firing ut HIN, aud compelled him t. re.
turn To his ship again. He then immediately &C
cusin;ed commodore Armstrong "t the fact.
On the morning Of the lGIi November = boat from
the San Jacinto, IN charge oil Lieutenant WinInmsou,
was sent up tho same channel 10 sound; the forts
op.ued fire VII her and struck Ter with u CANTON shut,
which killed one Ut the crew INSTANTLY, and they had
10 return to the ship, lnmedia;. preparations were
now made 10 take Satisfaction tor the death Ui one OF
our men and the insults offered TO the dag. Az the
San JeciItu d:aws TOO much water ~ Get up any tar
fheT. the most Of our crew were armed aud trGusirr-
red TO the sloops Portsmouth and Levant, and n
steamboat chartered 10 tow Them up within range "i
the forte, 20 that by three O'Clock III The afternoon Tho
| 1uTlSl.DItn DpfUtu q ShI'lu5 c'SI' hNA ShbN
upon the lower fort. The Ls"nnt got aground going
up, and was OF no service until the next day.
The bombardnant was continued unit! TIE morn
ing Of the 18th, when lhs order was given 10 land
and storm the fort. As soon no our men landed Inc
en-my evacuqted il, and We took possession.
Early on the morning Of the list II was decided
10 take tEe second fort. The boat. were filed with
men, aud under cover Of the ships batteries pulled
IN for shore. When within about twenty yarGs oil
In. beach n twenty four pound shot from the fort
.tr,,rL "a. San .Jpcinto's launch, klIiuS one mai IN
s,aDtiy, ana vomiting three Others; two ciei shorty
after, bu, The other is fast recovering. AS soon rs
tho boats landed the men, the Chinese began 1" re-
trra, from the fort, but our men rushed on them with
n fuzzy indrscrioable, and unGde'eo az tue dea1h oi
their shipinate,, gave 40 quarters
In the afternoon the third fort was taken.
Early on the morning Of the I'D The attack on Tie
la.t fort commenced. The broadaides 81 inc shlps
weru accordingly brought 10 bear upon u, and also
cover TIE boat. while landing the storm!nc party -
There were at least 900 Chiuunen In and ab"utit |.
and it wa. evideu, they intended 10 maks d last aud
desperate staud. Sill our little party 0. a6ou: 2Jo
pulled bravely In to the shore under showers oi grape
from the fort, which fortunately TOR tbum We're nor
we'll aimed, una succeeded in landing without the loss
Of q single man. The enemy refrea:ed As soon as we
landed, a. they know nO'hlng can s'aEa ihs charge
o. O party Of sailors. Capt. Bell was as via US any.
body else; lie killed several with his own hand, grab
bling them ard running his sword through them. lie
narrowly escaped being killed himself, AS II fellow
made a full charge on nm with II pike, but be struck
it aside with his sword aud run him through.
Here you see republicauism. There sru Captains
Bell, Foute and smith Of the three ships sittiDg down
on a log by q hrc some Of the crews are Roasting
some eggs or brn;iug a chicken on The Goals with
rotatoe. they have fnrnged ~oInewhe'r. ''ne OF ne
in.n takes O chicken by The leg: Here, Captain, will
you have a piece r. '.Th.,I will. nnd thank You zoo,
as | uu very hungry" So The Captain takes hold OF
q lex aud pulls for his share. This is another par OF
III. play from the clean deck. elegant uni'n'al' silver
plate to emt out Of, Sc. In place OF his tne cabin
Captain Bell la. hsd nothing but q ouGch OF sra"
and a blanket tina: oue Of tbs Men gave ni1n 10 ITO On
nigh, G.:cr night. -,
We have blown he walls of The forts down with
gunpowier.
Our total loss is i've killed aud ten wounded.
The walls Of the for, wers o. the fne.t granite
ever SAW, Is TO 20 feet high and 10 y feet thick. nna
mounting los guns in all. There wa. one gun ~ ise'
long and III inch bore! suppose The IarSes; IN tue
world. .
We look back now surprised at our own f%oolhardi,
ness iu attacking fort. that in proper hands wouio
have blown the chips gu! Of the water.