The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-03-19

terest that attaches to the expedition up the Yang
tsze kiang which has just been accomplished, seem
to impose the obligation upon those who have re-
turned from it, Of furnishing the public with some
account of the character and capabilities of that
celebrated river, well Of the varied incidents
which attended its exploration. 1t does indeed
rarely fall to the lot Of those engaged in an enter
prise of such nature to add TO the interest of ira
versing unknown waters, and to the pleasure of
gazing for the first time upon scenes never yet
described, the excitement of forcing their way
through hostile country, and the satisfaction of
achieving a valuable political result.
Capt. Osborn and the officers under his command
deserve the highest credit for the success which
has attended this effort to penetrate into the in
terror of China, and although they are now con-
demned to pass, in all probability, some months in
the heart of the country they must derive small
consolation from the consciousness of the fact that
in ascending Cor The first time unknown river
for a distance of upwards of Geo miles from its
mouth, in a ship of 800 tons and drawing l6 feet
of water, they have accomplished feat unrivalled
in the annals of inland navigation and river expo-
ration.
We have been favored with the following inter-
esting narrative of the Expedition, which are
permitted to give in the writer's own words.
"lhe squadron consisting of the RetriJHtion, Fu-
rious, Cruiser Dore and Lee it will be remembered
left the mouth of the Shanghai river on the morn
ing of the 9th of last November.
For the first week we made but little progress in |
consequence of the total change which had taken
place in the bed of the river; the old charts served
rather to mislead than to assist us. Before long |
every ship had discovered sand bank for itself in |
a manner more convincing than agreeable, and the |
only incidents which marked our progress were
those which occurred to check it.
The Doce and Lee however proved themselves in
detatgable pioneers for the larger ships, and the
morning of the 10th we were gratifed by the sight
of Silver Island We Just feastng eyes |
on the magnificent prospect afforded by the reach
which opens up Chinkiang foo and Golden Island, |
when the Furious suddenly attracted universal at
tenion by striking on a sunken rock in the Chan
mel between Silver Island and the shore in SnOt
marked l6 fathoms in the chart, and which the
whole British feet had passed in 1872 without
discovering. 1t only by the removal of 260
tons, and the most unremitting exertions for three
days that she at last released from her disa-
greeable position, without having, so far it
possible to discover, sustained any material
damage.
The delay enabled some of the party to visit the
city of Chinkiang, and here, for the first time,
in contact with those scenes of desOlation and
of ruin, which bore evidence of rebel occupation,
and which afterwards became painfully familiar
to us. Both in the suburb and city tumbled down
walls and heaps of rubbish extended the
vast area densely inhabited, and the deserted
streets overgrown with weeds SO rank
and sturdy that they seemed to have entered into
permanent possession. There was not a sem
blance of trade or business of any sort going on
in the two or three streets which arc still parti-
ally inhabited by few wocbegone citizens. On
the 10th were once more under weigh, and at
p. NJ. came in sight of Nankin.
As it had been determined to avoid if possible
any collision with the rebels, but at the time
not to recognize in them any right or title to op-
pose our advance up the river of a friendly power.
by entering into negotiations with them the
subject, the Lee sent about mile in advance of
the squadron with Mr.. Wade on board, to commu-
nicate only the event of any message coming off
from the rebels in the first instance. With gaze
of intense interest followed the little vessel as
she steamed fearlessly past one battery after
another; at last just as she seemed to us to have
passed them all, and sighs of disappointment were
escaOinp from the bOSOmS of naval he
at the prospect of peaceful passage, little
white puff of smoke sent the blood once more cours
ing through their veins, and the CHEEKY pipe and
hoarse beat to quarters started the deck of every
ship into full life and activity.
l In obedience to her Instructions the Lee no
sooner fired upon than Lieut. Jones hoisted large
white flag of truce; this was fired upon eight times
in rapid succession, and as the engage' signal was
L by this time flying from the Retri6ution's mast
1 head promptly replied to by each ship as she
came abreast of the first battery.
1t was now nearly o'clock and for the remain
ing half hour of daylight pretty smart cannonade
, was kept up both sides. The Rchibution los
one marine killed-Mr. Midshipman Birch lost az
l arm, and blue, jacket was wounded severely il
r the leg that it was afterwards amputated at thu
thigh.
Considering that the vessels were all the while il
motion, the firing on the part OF the rebels wa
J, better than could have been expected. All tn,
q ships were hued with their shot, Lord Elgin
who remained on deck dun ing the action, while
standing on the paddle box nearly struck by
4 round shot which cut rope few feet hi
head. Another was found afterwards in his cabin
and two passed through his barge. Fortunately
no casualties occurred either on board the Furious
S or any other ship. Shortly after 5 =. NJ all thu
forts were passed and we took up position for thu
night, about two miles above the city.
. 1t appears Lord Elgn thoroughly agreed will
8 Captains Barker and Osborn in thinking that nj
Nc time should be lost in infcting summary chastise
. ment on the rebels for the temeritv of which the
Of had been guty-for day had scarcely dawned whe
&c the ships began to drop down with the tide oppt
:. site the clty the Crtzer engaging the fort on til
IL north side of the river, which is here about 90
ID yards broad, and the remaining ships those on tn
J. south. From the pertinacity with which they ha
stuck to their guns IN the previous evening, W
t We're fully prepared for warm reception-sn ia
s. from such being the case, however, the rebels re
~, piled but feeby to the heavy fire OF shot, she'll
:" rockets, to which they were treated.
e. In about half an hour all the forts were efectu
IN ally silenced without any loss to ourselves and
:; the end of bombardment of an hour and half tn
"' work of destruction and intimidation seemed su
ce fciently complete to warrant our leaving them
Il profit by the lesson they had received and to con
IN pare the fire of the barbarian deviships with tb
~ of the imperial iunks. which had now come
he take an nglorious share in the action by firing
he their enemies at two mile range.
:. Leaving them to continue their uninterestir
ut game OF very long bowls we pushed on, and passe
shortly after another Imperial Junk Fleet enpagir
L. a rebel Fort. As none of the shot were directe
at us we did not interfere. From the ships to,
nc we could discern the beeaguerng hosts of the II
lis perlallst army, GROWING the hills of Ma
lie kin, their encampments forming complete and G
tended semcircle round the devoted city whit
so they have been so long and Intellectually engag,
Is in beseging.
of In the course of the same afternoon some haun
VI ing rebels in gay colors had the audacity to wa
an defiant flags and fire gngalis at us, but when thu
nd brought gun to bear upon from a small redou
IN we considered the joke had gone far enough, al
W after two or three shots from the Retribution a
Of Furious well directed 6S FOUNDER from the form
"a knocked the whole of their gingerbread Fort in
IT smihereens and sent its occupants scampering
~ the open plain, their long yellow and r
rd robes streaming in the wind, in ludicro
nv dismay and confusion. That night ancho
y ed the rebel city of TAPPING fro
III whence in consequence doubtless of the affair
u.s. Redoubt, received amicable overtures WIFI
in however were very curtly responded to.
:. the following day again delayed
ISL shoals and did not reach the rebel of ooh
in till the afternoon of the odd Here again pr
by tige had preceded us, and we were received with
~ much civility by the insurgents that some of
re- landed and were treated with great poiteness
I'd, their chief, Canton man of low type, surrour
al ed by dsorderly rabbe of opum-smoking, d
GU reputabe-looking men and youths, the latter
OF preponderance, tricked out in the usual show
ISL gaudy plumage. Altogether most un
Inv vorably impressed with the general aspect of tn
~ gentry, whose religious knowledge consisted but
ose a confused tumble of the persons of the God-he
ro- and whose practice-to judge by the scourge til
how have proved to the country, the reputation IL
Nei have left behind them, and their admission
en- far below that OF protesting Christians generally
the In consequence of the great draught of wa
- of the Retrbution, it decided to leave that s.
~" at the imperiast port of Kewhsien about
ing miles above Woohoo; with the exception of
itch town and one or two unmportant places
the whole South bank from Nankin to GankiI
distance of $50 miles, is in the hands of the reb
They also hold some isolated strong posts on
,;+r North side-such Pukow, opposite Nankin,
,d the Western Pillar hill, picturesque pass throu
~! which the river forces itself after passing Wooh
;pSJ 1t was not, however, until we approached H
He hsen that the scenery became invested with t
10 picturesque charm which it eminenty posses
Uo as advanced further. Near this point WOO
sta hills swell in gentle slopes from the waters ed
nod and green fertile vales, desolate, open up
range. AT one place the beauty of the scenery
hi; ceived quite theatrical effect from most pic
rad esque battle which taking place between the
ave- by no means serious the waving flags and bri
nap costumes of the advancing and retreating h
md impaired air of lively animation to the SCI
Dr. 1t is singular that, notwithstanding the fac
had the rebels being in possession of many miles
the bank of the river, they did not own j
L. upon its waters. Wherever the imperiaists hay
anv post upon it junk fleets stationed, though Il
- are not able to keep up any inter- communicat
, on Leaving the Retrbuton at Kew-hsien we ARR
+ of on the 26th off the rebel city of Ganking as
dad is their last post up the river, and one which
tho been for sometime besieged by the mperialist 70
ting ", We soie oPpos.tol " our progress
for tii'o VIC nv "iS"PPoii'eu. iiie ships ho 81
riff came within range, than a battery, from
hAA' cenfre of which rises hpautiful pauoda ono