Saint Paul weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1858-1859, 1859-05-07

A Chinese Review.

O.AAAODO A3cV16Ws
The Monstieur la F0tte published the fol-
lowing description of grand review of the
Chinese army, supplied by an eye witness to
that paper
1.-The Chinese army may be estimated at
1000, 900 men and more, including what
may be called the reserve. The purely Chi
nese element may be counted among them
for 100000 or 700, 900 men. The Mantchous,
who are all compelled to erve in the army,
are divided into nine bodies The Mongols
do not supply more than 100000 men. A
review by torchlight took place previous to
the late war on the plains of Yan-chen-ra,. at
the gates of Pekin. The lights were attached
to the horns of oxen. There were twenty.
one divisions Of the army, extending from
east to west. Enormous lanterns were sus-
pended in front of each division, which in
dicated the name by means of letter of rose
colored papor. The soldiers passed backward
and forward in confusion, each endeavoring to
find his place. An immense tent, painted
blue, was placed on hill, which commanded
view of the entire plain, and indicated the
places allotted to the officers. The artillery
consisting of brass cannon, three feet in length
We're 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,
indicated by the iron hoops which they were
held together.
The morning dawned before troops were
formed in line. The lanterns were removed
from the horns of the oxen, and shortly after
wards appeared the individuals commissioned
by the Emperor to review the army. These
singular personages descended from their pa
lanquins, and entered the large blue tent
A few minutes afterward all the trumpets
sounded, and the cannon fit for service fired.
The manner in which the Chinese charge
their guns is worthy of remark. They first
load with quantity of "day" (powder COM
posed of charcoal mixed with small portions
of nitre and sulphur, they then fill the touch
hole with a finer powder, and finally, they
set fire to it with match of twisted paper,
the cannon advances and recedes, and some
seconds elapsed before the explosion takes
place. One may judge by that of the precis-
produced by the cannon ballS--when
they are balls, and not stones-which are pro-
jected from such machines. The firing of the
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soldiers fired twenty at time, commencing
with the centre and ending with the fanks =
those who fired advanced few steps in the
midst of confused noise of drums beating
This species of Vancouver was repeated six
times, and Immediately afterward the fire ceas-
ed along the entire line, the soldiers firing the
last shot in the air, fearing, no doubt, to
wound their comrades.
1t is necessary to observe that their mus
kets are far from being supplied with the in
genious mechanism of ours. What they call
a gun is nothing more than large iron cylin-
der, about ten inches long, fixed to stock
without either lock or ramrod. A small iron
rod, to the end of which is applied match
stepped in saltpeter, serves as lock, and
sets fire to the powder placedin 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
with the guard of the principal colors. When
the signal was given by bugles, the cavalry
marched forward in the greatest disorder and
advanced as fast as their horses were able
This race-for it deserved no other name
concluded the review. The Inspectors re-
turned to their palanquins, the generals and
officers Quilted the ground, and the soldiers
did the same, without order Or object"