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

the svillage braves" who are kind of rus
tic militia, holding regular meetings for
military exercises, and whose Falor an
proves are held in the highest estimation
by the Chinese, made an attack upon old
China street. They approached simultaue-
ously from two opposite quarters, through
two narrow lanes which meet each other at
the end of the street. They came brand
ishing their spears and turning somersets,
and daring the English soldiers come on.
They were warned by Mr.. Parkes, the Con-
sui, that if they continued to advance they
would be fired upon; and as their only re-
ply TO this announcement was a repetition
of their defiant actions, and further ad-
vance, the platoon of marines at once open
ed upon them. After the firing of one or
two volleys by the English, the Sbraves'
retreated precip:ately, leaving two or three
dead, and probably taking with them sew
eral wounded. The bodies of the dead
remained in the street till the next morn
ing, when they We're removed by their
countrymen. Previous to this attack, which
was made in the afternoon, several placards
had been posted about the streets, stating
that the English barbarians are in league
with the rebels and opponents of the Gov
ernment-that they are grasping and COW
etous in their character, and anxious to get
hold upon the Chinese territory; and init
mating that they have suffered reverses in
late troubles with the Russians, and are
anxious to repair their losses by making an
attack upon Canton. The plaeards also
call upon the Chinese to put no confidence
in the professions of the barbarians, but to
unite and resist to the death in the protec-
ton of their homes and families.
When the alarm of the approach of the
''braves" was given, the American forces
prepared for battle, the marines fell into
line, the word forward was given, and
everything made ready for an energetic de-
fence of American rights and property
We keep vigilant guard, and at every
alarm the same precautions are taken.
Itwas not till Monday, the 9th, that
the firing upon the city commenced. But
at one O'Clock on that day the steamer En-
counter, lying right abreast of the Facto-
ries, threw her first shell, which went a lit
tie beyond the Governors Palace, and fol-
lowed it up all the afternoon, sending sew
eral shells through the roof of the palace,
and no doubt doing great execution.
At the same time the Barracuda, lying
further up the river, commenced throwing
shells across the city into the fort and en-
campment of the Chinese troops, situated
on high hill, directly beyond the walls.
The firing which had been carried on very
leisllrely, at intervals of about eight min
utes between the shells, ceased at sunset.
On Monday appeared the following pro-
clamation which was posted about the
streets of the city. l am indebted to Rev.
j. B. French, one of the American Mis-
sionaries here, for this literal translation of
it:
"Yek, Governor General of the two
Kwangs, DC, issues his proclamation. Since
the English barbarians have made an at
tack upon the Provincial City, wounding
the troops and the people in the most ruth
less manner, |, as in duty bound, issue this
proclamation, that you may all unitedly
seize and destroy them. For this purpose
issue my commands to all the troops and
people in the Province, shopmen and citi-
zens, that you may fully understand. You
must, with united strength and heart, assist
the troops and militia. Every English ras
cal that you see coming to our shore, on
board the ships, making trouble, you must
exert yourselves and seize. Every one
that is killed in this manner, no matter
who, we promise reward of $50 for each
person. This sentence is somewhat OBJ
scure, but seems to include the people of all
countries. "The head must be brought to
my office for examination. Do not slight
this proclamation. Let every one tremb-
ling obey without opposition.
October 27, 1856"
On Tuesday, at O'Clock, the firing was
resumed from the "Dutch Folly" fort, and
directed with the purpose of effecting
breach in the walls of the city. The En-
counter also continued to drop shell or
shot every five or ten minutes in the neigh
borhood of the Palace. This firing had
been kept up about an hour, when fire
broke out in the vicinity of The Palace, and
began to rage with great violence. 1t
caught, undoubtedly, from some of the shot
fired, and, though not intentional, did most
excellent assistance to the English, by clear
ing a passage for them from their fort to
the walls of the city. A strong wind was
blowing at the time; happily it was north
wind, and blew the flame toward the river,
the Factories might have been
although half mile off, As
1t was, the English Immediately began to
destroy the houses in "Hog Lane" and in
the rear of the Factories, thereby removing
one great danger of the fires communica-
ting with them. The fire ragged till far
into the night, when the Chinese, who, by
the way, are excellent fremen, got it well
under. The firing ceased at sundown, but
was resumed with considerable vigor at
sunrise next morning.
During this day (Tuesday,) Mr.. Perry,
the U. tied States Consul, received from
Governor Yek a polite notification, that up
to this time he had refrained from making
any systematic resistance to the English on
account of his long friendship with them,
but that matters had now come TO such
pass that he must now measure strength
with them, and he should, accordingly, be-
gin. He feared, however, that he should
no longer be able to protect the property
Of Americans, and hoped that if any dam
age should accidentally be done TO it, he
would hold the English, who, by their OBJ