Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1857-1858, 1857-02-07
The Americans in China.
Details OF the Capture of the Barrier
Forts by the Americans.

Forts by the Americans.
"The future plan of operations having been
agreed upon by the three commanders, early on
Friday morning the Cum-fa towed the Levant into
position much nearer the FORTS the Barrier stakes
alone preventing further progress The boats of
both ships were then manned with storming par.
ty and the capture Of the fort at the entrance OF
Elders Reach resolved on. At a m, the little
Cum>fa (under the able direction OF Volunteer Capt
w. NJ. Robinet,) with the launches and cutters in
tow started for the fort under cover of the Lee
wants guns, and in the face of a CALLING fire from
the three forts. The shot whistled and reared over
and around her, but she escaped without injury,
and returned TO the ships unseatEed, after having
been exposed to a sharp fire for upwards of On
hour, amid the hearty cheers and congratulations
of all hands. But not so with the boats. A large
inch shot struck the San Jacnto's launch, in
charge of FIRST Lieutenant Lewis of that ship, on
the starboard bow, killing one man instantlay NOR
tally wOunding two Others, who died shortly after
wards, and wounding two, or three slightly The
shot was hollow one, and after striking the bread
bag in the stern Of the boat quietly reposed there,
and remains a captive to the boats Company
The landing was effected without further trouble,
and, although the men had to cross deep ditch
up to their knees, and some to their aist bands,
the stars and stripes were upon the fort in ten
minutes. The landing party reached the fort with
but one man injured by a rocket from the retreat.
ing Chinese.
The party entered the fort at about o'clock.
and the work Of destruction commenced The
buildings were all set fire TO and destroyed, powder
aud shot thrown into the river, and everything
that could be burnt was destroyed. Such guna as
could be burst we're sent into fragments; those
that could not were spiked, trunnions blown off,
and so defsced as to be made useless. This fort
mounted 48 guns, none less than 24.pounders,
:. 4
beautiful brass guns, which the landing party
turned upon the opposite forts with much effect,
10 which the Chinese replied with vigor, but with.
out loss to the American side. The work of de-
molition occupied till past oon,-when it became
necessary to take for further proceedings
and the capture of the Island, or Round Fort, was
then determined upon. Through the sole advice
of gentleman volunteer present, well skilled in
Chinese warfare and local information, a plan was
decided upon, and at about p. IN. the troops sal
lied out of the western gate and under Of the
raised bund or road along the rivers side, marched
up to point opposite to the'southern door Of tie
Round Fort aud in the line OF the Square Fort
while the boats were being tracked up along the
shore. While here, waiting for the boats to come
up, some Chinese soldiers made q sally from be-
hind the hill at the Lob Creek Pagoia, aud dis
charged vOlleys OF arrows and rockets, but with no
effect. They were speedily driven back By the
marines anu tue 1OrtsmoNlns nOWltzGr, and maQ9
good their retreat to Honam Island. BY this time
the boats had arrived at the embarcation, seeing
which she Chinese troops in the Round Fort know.
ing that il was all up with them, speedily took 10
their heels and the forces landed without oppOsi.
lion at 4 D. m. Thus three Of the forts were cap.
tuFed with the loss of five killed and FIVE wounded
on boat and shore-duty, and two wounded on board
the ships. The Levant suffered but little, two
shots in her hull one through into her berth deck,
mAinstay shot away, and one S2spoander materials
ly il jured by a round shot striking the muzzle Of
the gu5 AID splitting il 20 the muzze ring. Ono
man lost the calf OF his lsg by cannon ball. This
last tort contained s6 guns some Of which OF
emo nous Galore, aud the approach from WhAmpoa
wa defended by a vcritable leviathAn gun, made
Of brass OF copper inches 10 the bore aud "a feet
IN epg,h, its construction showing marks Of being
OF recent casting tNthn few years), and upon
an improved model. IL would well repay oneito
yist il aud il Is TO be hoped that the vlctors viii
use every effort % tear away such magnificent
prize. Everything appertaiang to this fors va,
destroyed as far as practicable. but the work was
no, accomplished there remained eue more forth
heation TO be captured, and the Chinese could be
seen reinforcing t with powder and shot during
the day, aud shosing every determination TO
maintain vigorous resistance.
The commanders, Immediately determined upon
their plan OF operations. BY IL o'clock At night
the Elders Reach ort VAS vacated the total Tor
quietly bivouacking in the Island Fort. About
miinsht the moon arose, and although Chinese
soldiers might DO seen hurrying 20 and nom the
square Fori not SIX hundred yards opposite, at
Hour A. 81 on Saturday morning ell hands were
called, after few hours reposr the cold granite
f5ots OF the fort, and tho separate divisions urre
ordered quietly toto their respective boats All
preparations were made for she attack BY The dawn
Of day; three howitEers, with their ctews and am
muniiion, s.atoned 10 the ports on lhe nortll-
ern side commanding the Square foft and AZ 5h.
45m the boats pushed on
As they opened out from tho fort The order vas
given 70 Gre, aud, under cover Of the three hows.
Iers, which Kept Up q witherlng fire Of shrappnei
spon the opposite fot into is centre, through che
poss,holes, and upon the Ferusting troops, The
boata touched the share after having been expos
"a 10 The raking Gre Of eight guns loaded with
round shot and ersPe, and Is minutes from the
smbareason. Ehe noueFy Gag wss upon the ram.
parts Of their last stronghold. Although il vas &
perfect shoser OF grape, over, about aad around