Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1858-12-31
3xilt &irsiaiaa.



- Nbudnr q h F1seGs paelishss the follow
n 1Gn1p11sA e kraad review Of the Chinsss
arsy suple1 ~ - eyewitness
~1lo NAfhon nrmy nay b estimated ct LOCO,
o0o ~ and nugo, isslading whas may b called
~ f1eeise. Tke purely Chinese element may b
sous1sd anoae then for 600,0O or 100000 men.
The NanssAoaA Who ass Ill compelled 10 serve
Noueols de nss supply moro than 3O0,0Oo men.-
Arview ~ sorehliskt took place previous to the
laae vnr n he plains Of Yanchsn-ra At the gates
a Hukin. The lights ware attached 70 the horns
q oxen. Thsrv wsrs twenty-one divisions OF the
army, sxtsading iron east 70 west. Enormous
le.fsrns were saspendsd 10 front Of each DIVISION
which indioaasd the name by means Of letters Of
ross-ooiorsd paper, The soldiers passsd backward
and forward In confusion, each endeavorng to
find HE place. Aninmense tent painted blue,
was placed on bill, which commanded view of
the entire plain, and indicated the places allot-
ed 10 The oGcsrs The artillery, consisting Of
brass cannon three feet in length, were placed in
front Of the tent Each gun was mounted on .
carriage with four wheels, by means OF knottsd
ropes. Some Of the guns were loaded, and some
not, in consequence, perhaps, Of their imperfect
condition, indicated by the iron hoops with which
they were held together The morning dawned
before the troops were formed in line. The lam
terms were removed from the horns Of the oxen,
and shortly after appeared the individuals COM
missioned BY the Emperor TO review the army. -
These singular personages descended from their
palanquins, and entered the large blue tent A
few minutes afterward all tho trumpets sounded,
and the canons 81 for service were fired The
manner in which the Chinese charge their guns 10
worthy Of remark. They frst load with q large
quantity Of day" powder composed Of charcoal
mixed with small PORTIONS of nitre and sulphur,
they then fill the touch-hole with finer powder,
and, finally, they set FIRE to it with match Of
r.. aTA HAa
and some seconds elapse before the explosion
takss place. One may judge by that Of the pre-
csion Of the Are. and Of the effect produced by the
cannon balls--when they arc balls, and not stones
which srs projected from such machines. The
firing Of he infantry succeeded that Of the artie-
~. The soldiers fred twenty at time, common
cling with the centre and ending with the TANKS
Of confused noise Of drums beating This spe-
cies of vancouver was repeated six times, and
immediately aherward the fire ceased along the
entire line, the soldiers firing the last shots in the
air, fearing, no doubt, to woand their comrades.
1t 10 necessary 10 observe that their muskets are
far from being supplied with the Ingenious me-
chsnism Of ours. What they call gun is moth
ing moro than large iron cylinder, about ten
inches long. 6xed 10 q stock with either lock or
ranred. A small iron rod to the end Of which
il applied = match stepped in snltpeter, serves q
l6ck, and sets Ere to the powder placed ira cavi-
~ Of tho barrel, and which is uncovered. After
the infantry exercise came that Of the cavalry,
which was grouped round the largo blue tent and
was charged with the guard ofthe principal colnrs.
When the signal was given by buglcs. the cayalry
marched forward in the greatest disorder and ad-
vanced as fast rs their horses were able. This
racs---for il deserved no other name-concluded
the review. The inspectors returned to their pa
lsnquins, tho generals and officers quilted tho
ground and the soldiers did the same, without
order or object"