The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-12-21
A CHINESE RENIENN

The Noniteur de Ia FtoHe publishes the following
description OF grand review of the Chinese armv
supplied by an eyewitness:
The Chinese army may be estimated AFT I OOO OOo
men and more, including what may be called the
reserve. The purely Chinese element NAV be
counted among them for 500, 900 or 100000 men,
Inc Mantchous. who are all compelled to serve in
the army, are divided into nine bodies The Mon
g0ls do not supply more than 300, 900 men, A re-
view, by tOrchgnt took place previous to the late
war, IN the plains of 1an-chea-ra at the gates of
Pekln. The lights were attached to the horns of
oxen. Ihere were twenty-one divisions of the ar
my, extending from east to west. Enormous Ian
terms were suspended in front of each division
which indicated the name by means of letters Of
roSe-colored paper. The soldiers passed backwards
ana forwards IN confusion, each endeayoriDp to find
his place. An immense tent, painted blue was
placed on hill, which commanded view of the
entire plain, and indicated the places allocated to
the ocers: The artillery, consisting of brass cam
non, three feet in length were placed in front of
the tent. Each gun was mounted on carriage
with four wheels, by means of knOtted ropes Some
OF the guns were loaded, and some not. in conse-
quence perhaps, of their imperfect condition, in
dIcated by the iron hoops with which thew wera hold
together. The morning dawned before the troons
were formed in line. The lanterns were removed
from the horns of the oxen and shortly afterwards
appeared the individuals commissioned by the En-
peror TO review the army. These singular person.
ages descended from their palanquins, and entered
the large blue tent. A few minutes afterwards ali
the trumpets sounded, and the cannon fit for SER
'lCe were Hreu. ne manner IN which the Chinese
charge their guns is worthy of remark. They first
load with large quantity of ''day' powder com
posed OF charcoal mixed with small portions of nj
tire and sulphur;) they then fill the t0uch-hole with
hne powder, and finally, they set fire to it with
match OF twisted paper the cannon advances
and recedes, and some seconds eapse before the
explosion takes place. One may Judge by that. of
the precision of the fire, and of the effect produced
by the cannon balls-wh they are balls, and not
stones-which are projected from such machines
The firing of the infantry succeeded that of the r.
tlllery. The soldiers fired twenty at time, COM
mencng with the centre, and ending with the
Hanks; those who fired advanced a few step in the
midst OF confused noise of drums beating This
species OF man9uvre was repeated six times and
Immediately afterwards, the fire ceased along the
entire line, the soldiers firing the last shots in the
ar, tearing, no doubt, to wound their comrades
1t Is necessary to observe that their muskets are
Tar from being supplied with the ingenious mechan-
ism OF ours. What they call gun is nothing
more than large iron cylinder, about ten inches
long, fixed to stock, without either lock or ram,
rod small iron rod, to the end of which is an
Phed match, stepped in salt petre, serves as
lock, and sets fire to the powder placed in a cavity
OF the barrel, and which is uncovered After the
infantry exercise, came that of the cavalry, which
was grouped round the large blue tent and was
charged with the guard of the principal colors
W hen the signal was given by bugles, the cavalry
marched forward, in the greatest disorder and adj
Tanced as last as their horses able. This race
1or 1t deserved no other name, concluded the re-
Flew The inspectors returned to their palanouins
the generals and officers quilted the ground and
the soldiers did the same, without order or object.