Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1857-03-20
From the Correspondence of the New York Herald
The American War In China.
U. s. STEAM FRIGATE SAN JAtINTo,

u. S. STEAM FRIGATE SAN JAEINTo,
WHAMPoA, Dec. 5, 1856. !
1t appears that am faed to participate in all the
fgh.ng the United States government has to do
We have had nice little skirmish with the Chinese
| will now give you all the particulars.
The English had commenced hostilities some two
or three months since, and held the city Of Canton in
state of siege. The Governor of Canton requested all
Americans 20 withdraw, and that he would make
restitution for all property destroyed from the effects
of the war, belonging to them, as he intended to
fight the English TO the death.
This ship, the Portsmouth and the Levant, compr
sing the whole American squadron, were lying at
Whampoa, twelve miles below Canton. On the 10Th
November, Capt. Foote, of the sIoop OF war Ports
mouth, attempted o go up in Canton in his gig, by a
channel that leads past four Chinese forts. AS soon,
however as he came within reach of their guns they
commenced firing at him, and compelled him to re-
turn to his ship again. He then Immediately &C
quanted commodore Armstrong of the fact
On the morning of the 10th November boat from
the San Jacinto, in charge of Lieutenant Williamson,
was sent up the same channel to sound the forts
opened fire on her and struck Ter with shot,
which killed of the instantly, and they had
to return to the ship. Immediate preparations were
now made to take satisfaction for the death of one
of our men and the insults offered TO the flag. AS
the San Jacnto draws too much water to get up any
farther, the most of crew were armed and trans
ferred to the sloops Portsmouth and Levant, and a
steamboat chartered to tow them up within range OF
the Portsmouth opened CALLING fire of she'll and shot
upon the lower fort. The Levant got aground 60
ing up, and was of no service until the next day.
The bombardment was continued until the morn
ing of the goth, when the order 6 ven to land
and storm the fort AS soon as our men landed the
enemy evacuated 1t and we took possession.
Early on the morning of the 2lst it Was decided
to take the second fort. The boats were filled with
men, and under cover of the ships batteries pulled
in for shore. When within about twenty yards of
The beach, twenty-four pound shot from the fort
struck the San JaCintO's launch, killing
stanty, and wounding three others two died shortly
After but the other is fast recovering AS soon as
the boats landed the men, the Chinese began to re-
treat from the fort, but rushed on them with
fury ndiscEibable, and maddened at the death OF
their shipmates, gave no quarters.
In the afternoon the third tort was taken.
EARLY on the morning of the 22d the attack on the
last fort commenced. The broadsdes of the ships
were accordingly brought TO bear upon it, and also
cover the boats while landing the storming party
There were at least 1000 Cinnamon in and about it.
and it was evident they intended 10 make last and
desperate stand. Still little party of about 200
pulled bravely into the shore under showers of grape
from the fort, which fortunately for them no
we'll aimed and succeeded in landing without the los
Of a single man. The enemy retreated as soon az
we landed % they know nothing stand the charge
of a party of sailors Capt Bell wild any
body else; he killed several with his own hand
grabbing them and running his sword through them
He narrowly escaped being killed himself as fellow
made full charge on him with pike, but he strucl
it aside with his sword and run him through,
Here you see republicanism There are Captain
Bell, Foote and Smith of the three ships sitting dowl
on log by fire some of the crews are roasting
some eggs or broIling chicken on the Goals, will
potatoes they have toraged somewhere One OF thu
men takes chicken by the leg: " Here, Captain
you too, as am very hungry" So the Captain take
hold of leg and pulls for his share. This is anoth
er part of the play from the clean deck, elegan
uniform, silver plate to eat out of, &c. In place
bis fine cabin, Captain Bell has had nothing but
bunch of straw and blanket that one of the mel
gave him TO lie on night after night.
We have blown the walls of the forts down will
gunpowder.
Our total loss is five killed and ten wounded.
The walls of the fort were of the finest granite
ever saw 18 to 20 feet high and TO II feet thick
and mounting 165 guns in all There was one gu
"A feet long, and 10 inch bore-I suppose the larges
IN the world.
We look back now surprised at our own foolhardi
ness in attacking forts that in proper hands woul
have blown the ships out of the water.