The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1857-02-03
UNITED STATES AND CHINA

UNITED STATES AND CHINA.
Our foreign files by the Arabia reached us on Saturday
night The mails received yesterday morning The
following important and interesting details of the latest
from China is the only Intelligence which the papers
furnish not already given by telegraph:
THE CHINESE WAR.
From the China Mail Extra, Nov al
The clipper steamer Laneehed, TO leave tomorrow the
2oth will reach Calcutta doubt before the despatch
thence Of the first overland mail in january and we avail
ourselves OF the opportunity to furnish our readers with
reprint OF the published by us since the
the mail on the 18th inst The most stirring Of events
Deen an insane attack by mperaists boats from
United States shipsowar and the well-mered punish
ment which followed the firing them
The barrier forts being entirely demolished the Aner-
cans intend TO retire from the quarrel it is said and wait
the issue OF Admiral Seymours demonstration before
operating The French have also withdrawn their
wars men from the factories and report has have taken
OF the pat forts of the branches of the
river These they intend holding pending the arrangement
OF some matters which they too have present to the
government of China the recent cruel and murder
Of the missionary Chapdeane having yet be explained
to the authority qualified TO receive the expanationM
de Montigny-now on his way here from Cochin China
Disappointed in the hope of bringing the Canton gov
eminent to proper sense of duty by the harsh
ported in our last summary Admiral Seymour now relies
and with reason, coercion by the people
With this such view his exceency is entrenchng
the foreign quarter has had captured unks filled with the
parts of the river where danger from fire RATS has to be
apprehended-bo of those tracks which 1t may be
found necessary to open on an early occasion Every
tive boat that approaches the factories is fred on though
few since the Niger has been guardship have had the
temery to come within reach of her unsparng sharp
shooters.
corner of the city wall is in contemplation too it s re-
ported rendering the next attack ON the city work of
comparative ease and safety In place of the withdrawn
French and American guards companies of her Ma
,ut
required 100 English bayonets properly disposed
ing quite sufficient keep at bay many Chinese
be brought against them the land side and it would be
quite possible for Admiral Seymour with the force at
present under his CONTROL take possession of and hold
curey all that quarter OF the new city extending west from
wall of the old city distant but few yards from the ex.
tremity of the building spoken Of
CAPTURE OF TIE BARRIER FORTS BY THE AMERICANS.
The future plan of operations having been agreed upon
by the three commanders early Friday morning the
Cumfa towed the Levant into position much the
forts the Barrier stakes alone preventing further progress
The boats OF both ships then manned with storning
party and the capture of the fort at the entrance of Fd
ders Reach resolved on. At the Cum-fa (under
the able direction Of Volunteer Captain w. NJ Robinet
with the launches and cutters in tow started for the fort
under of the Levants guns in the face of gall
log fire from the three forts The shot whised and roared
and around her but she escaped without injury and
returned to the ship unscathed after having been exposed
to sharp fire for upwards of hour amid the hearty
cheers and congratulations Of all hands But with
launch in charge of First Lieutenant Lewis of that shp
on the starboard bow, killing instantly MORALLY
woundng two Others, who died shortly afterwards and
wounding two three slightly. The shot was hollow
one and after striking the bread bag in the stern Of
the boat quietly reposed there and remains captive
to the boats company The landing was effected with
deep ditch up their knees and some to their waist
bands the stars and stripes upon the fort in ten min
utes The landing party reached the fort with but
injured by rocket from the retreatinp Chinese
he az ahOu q ojcl nd tIo
work OF destruction commenced The buildings all
set fire to and destroyed powder and shot thrown into
fire. and everything that could be burnt destroyed
Such guns could be burst were sent into fragments
those that could not spiked trunnions blown and
deaced to be made useless. This fort mounted 4s
guns Of which less than 24pounders and some
high 40 catties Two of them were beautiful brass
guns which the landing party turned upon the opposite
forts with much effect to which, however, the Chinese
piled with vgor but without loss the American side
The work of demolition occupied till past noon when be-
necessary to take for further proceedings
and the capture of the island Round Fort then de-
termned upon Through the able advice Of gentleman
volunteer present we'll skilled in Chinese warfare and local
information, plan decided upon and at about g. D.
the troops sailed out of the western gate and under
cover Of the raised bund road along the rivers side
marched point opposite the southern door OF the
Round Fort and in the line of the Square Fort while the
boats being tracked up along the shore While here
waiting for the boats to come up some Chinese soldiers
made sally from behind the hill at the Lob Creek pago-
and discharged voeys Of and rockets but with
effect They speedily driven back by the marines
and the P0rtsmouths howitzer and made good their
treat to Honam island.
By this time the boats had arrived at the embarkaon
seeing which, the Chinese troops the Round Fort
ing that II all up with them speedily took to their
heels and the forces landed without opposition D. M
Thus three of the four forts captured with the loss of
five killed and five wounded boat and shore duty and
two wounded on board the ships The Levant suffered
but e two shots In her hnl through into the berth
deck, mainstay shot away and thiry-two FOUNDER
injured by round shot striking the muzze Of
the gun and splitting 1t to the muzze ring One lost
the calf of his leg by BALL This last fort con-
and the eastern ebrasure approach from Whampoa
defended by gun made of brass cop
per- inches in the bore and "a feet in length its consruc-
ton showing marks Of recent casting withn few years
and upon improved model. 1t would we'll repay one
visit it, and it is to be hoped that the victors will use
thing appertainng to this fort destroyed tar
but the work accomplished there re-
manned fertilization to be captured and the Chi
could be reinforcing it with powder and shot d
ring the day and showing every determination to make
vigorous resistance.
The commanders Immediately determined upon their
plan of operations and by IL o'clock night the Fders
Reach Fort vacated the total force quietly biyouackng
IN the Island Fort About midnight the moon arose and
although Chinese soldiers might be hurrying to
and fro from the Square Fort not 600 yards opposite at
M Saturday morning all hands were called after
few hours repose the cold granite floors Of the fort
Ind the separate divisions ordered quietly into their
espectvc boats All preparations made for the at
ack by the dawn Of day. three howtzers with their crews
md ammuniton stationed in the forts the north
I'm side commanding the Square Fort and at Oh a5m the
'oats pushed off, As they opened out from the fort the
rider given to fire and under of the three how
TIERS which kept up whitening fire of schrapnel upon
he opposite fort into the centre through the portfolios and
lite shore after having been exposed the raking FIRE
ight puns loaded with round shot and CRANE and liz