American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1857-02-21

were then manned with storming par
'ty, and the capture Of the fort at the
entrance fliieller'S Reach resolved on.
AT s "A. Nj. the little DCumia, (under
the able direction of Volunteer Capt.
w. NJ. Robmet,) With the launohers s.
cutters in tow, started for the fort ,un-
der cover of the Leyant's guns, and in
the face of a calling fire from the three
forts. The shot whistled and roared
over and around her, but she escaped
without injury, and returned to the
ship unscathed, after having been ex-
posed to sharp fire forupwards of an
hour, amid the hearty cheers and con-
gratulations of all hands. But not so
with the boats. a. large eight inch
shot struck the San Jacinto' 5 launch,
in charge of first lieutenant Lewis, Of
that ship, on the starboard bow, killing
one man instantly, mortally wounding
two others, who died shortly afterwards
and wounding two or three slightly
The shot was a hollow one, and, after
striking the bread bag, in the stern of
the boat, quietly reposed there, and re-
mains q captive to the boats compa-
my. The landing was effected without
further trouble, and, although the men
had to cross a deep ditch up to their
knees, and some to their Wristbands,
the stars and stripes were upon the
fort in ten minutes! The landing par
ty reached the fort with but one man
| Injured by rocket from the retreating
| Chinese. .
The party entered the fort about 8
O'Clock, and the work of destruction
commenced. The buildings were all
set fire to and destroyed; powder and
shot thrown into the river, and every
thing that could be burnt was destroy
ed. Such guns rs could be burst were
sent into fragments; those that could
not were spiked, trunnious blown off &
SO defaced as to be made useless. This
fort mounted 4S guns, none of which
were less than "a Founders, and some
as high as 40 catties. Two of them
were beautiful brass guns, which the
landing party turned upon the opposite
forts with much effect, to which, how
ever, the Chinese replied with yigor,
but without loss to the American side
! The work of demolition occupied until
past noon, when it became necessary
to take measures for further proceed.
| ings, and the capture Of the Island, OF
Round Fort, was then determined up
on.
Through the able advice Of a gen
tleman volunteer present, well skilled
IN Chinese warfare and local informa.
ton, a plan was decided upon, and al
about ZIP. NJ. the troops sailed out ol
the western gate, and, under cover OF
the raised bund or road along the river
side, marched up to point opposite
to the southern door of the Round Fort
and in the line Of the Square Fort
while the boats were being tracked NJ
along the shore. While here waitin ]
for the boats to come up, some Chinese
soldiers made sally from behind the
hill at the Lob Greek pagoda, and dis
charged volleys of arrows and rockets
but no effect. They we're speedily dri
ven back by the marines and the Ports.
mouths howitzer, and made good theil
retreat to Honam Island.
"By this time the boats had arrived
at the embarcation, seeing which the
tChincSe troops in the Round Fort,
knowing that it was all up with them,
speedily took to their heels, and the
forces landed without opposition at 4
p. NJ. Thus three of the four forts
were captured with the loss offiyc Kill
led and five wounded on boat and shore
! duty, and two wounded on board the
ships. The Lcyant suffered but little;
/ two shots in her hull, one through into
| the berth deck, main stay shot away,
and one 80 FOUNDER materially injured
by a round shot striking the muSzlc of
The gun and splitting it to the muzzlc
ring. One man lost the calf of his leg
! by a cannon ball.
"This last fort contained 80 guns
some of which were of enormous cali
Ebre, and the eastern embrasure or ap.
Iproach from Whampoa, was defended
by a veritablo leyiathan gun, made of
brass or copper, 8 inches in the bore &
"a feet in length, its construction show
ling marks of being of recent casting,
(withina a few years. and upon an im-
proved model. IL would well repay
zone to visit it, and it is to be hoped
that the victors will use every effort to
| bear away such a magnificent prize
Every thing appcrtaining to this fort
was Destroyed as far as practicable, -
but the work was not accomplished;
there remained one more fortification
to be captured, and the Chinese could
lbe Seen reinforcing it withpowder and