The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1858-12-23
A htncse Review

The Aonitet1 de Ia Fl9tte publishes the follow.
ing description of grand review of the Chinese
= my, supplied by an eye witness:
The Chinese army may be estimated at 600 600
men and nore iucGdiuS what may be called the
reserve. The purely Chinese element NAV be
counted among them for 100000 or 100000 men,
The Mantchous, who are all compelled to serye in
the army, arc divided into nine bodies. The Mon.
gols do not tsuppy more than 100000 men. re-.
view, by torchiight took place previous to the
late war, in tbs plains of Yau. .chea.ra, at the
gates of Pekin The lights were attached to the
horns of oxen. There were twenty-oue divisions
of the army, extending from east to west Enor,
mo1s lsuter Ds were suspended in front of each di
visoD, which indicated the pane by means OF
letters Of fose-colored paper The soldiers passed
6ackwal ds and forwards in confusion, each en-.
deavnring To fud his place. An immense tent.
painted blue, WAS placed on q bill, which com
manded view Of the entire plain, and indicated
the places allotad to tue officers. The artil.
lery, consisting of brass cauuou, three feet
in length, were placed ia front of the tent -
Each gun Tss mounted on carriage with
four wheels, by means of Enotted ropes
same of the guns were .oadsl, aud some not, 10
consequence, perhaps. OF their imperfect condi
tion, Indicated by the IRON hoops with which thew
were held together The morning dsxned before
the troops were formed in line. Tue lanterns
were removed from the horns of the oxen and
shortly afterwards appeared the individuals com
missi0ned by the Emperor to review tho army -
pslauquins, and entered the large blue tent A
few minutes afterwards all the trumpets sound
ed, and the cannon fl for service were fired The
manner in which the Chinese charge their euus
is worthy UeTemark. They Fl tst load with larg.
quantity of day" powder composed of charcoa,
mixed with small portions cf nitre and sulphur
they then fill the touch hold with ii ne powder
and finally they set fire to it with a match OF
twisted paper; the cannon advances and recedes
aod some seconds eiapse before the explosion
takes place. 0ne may judge by that, of the pre-.
cisiop OF the fire, aud the effect produced by
the cannon bas-when they are bails, aud not
stones-which are pref acted from snca. machines
The firing OF the infantry succeeded THAI of the ar
tllery. Tho soldiers fired twenty at time. com,
mencing with the centre, and ending with the
flanks; those who fired, advanced a few steps in
the midst of a confusei noise OF drums beating
This species of mauoAnvre was repeated six times,
aud Immediately after wards the fire ceased aiop z
the entire line the soldiers firing the last shots 10
the air, fearing, no doubt, To wound their conn
rAdes. 1t is tcessary TO observe that their musn
ksts ara far from being supplied with the in.
gsnious mechanism OF ours. What they call gun
is nothing more than large iron cylinder about
ten inches long, fixed 10 stock, without either
lock or r'mrod. smah iron rod to the end Of
which 10 applied match stepped in salt petre,
serves d. lock, and sets fire to the powder pIaced
in a cavity of the barrel, and which is uncovered
After the ufantry exercise. Came that Of the caval-
Fy, which was grouped round the large blue tent
aud was charged with the guard of the principal
colors. When the signal was given by bugles the
cavalry marched forward in the greatest disorder.
and advanced ss fast as their hcrses were able
This race, for it deserved no other name, con
cuded the review. The inspectors returned to
their pasnqnus, the generals aud officers quilted
the ground, and the soldiers did the same, with
out order to object.