New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1859-10-04

minutely some of the events connected with the re-
cent attack by the French and English upon the
Chinese forts on the Peiho river. The following
lates to the part taken by the Americans in the
affair:
Flag Officer TattnalI says the British officer in
charge of the gunboats having visited him, said
nothing about aid but his silent appeal was powerful
Indeed during the few moments he was on board the
Powbattap, he would look anxiously at bis Admiral,
and at the boats. After he left, continues officer
Tattnall held conversation with our commissioner,
Mr.. Ward. He agreed with me perfectly, that under
the circumstances OF position with the English,
and the aid the Admiral had rendered me the day
before, could do no less than tow the boats to bis
relief. made the offer, which was thankfully and
promptly accepted. While the boats were making
fast to the hawsers which veered astern, insisted
Mr.. Ward going on board one of the junks, for
reasons, and his suite leaving the Toyewam, which
will be obvious. He at first reluctantly yielded, and
lett but returned in OF the English boats,
declaring that as the Toyewam was his home, and
going under fire with his appreciation and concur
rence he would remain in her.
reluctantly yielded to his gallant impulse. Capt.
Tattna towed the boats through the British line to
within short distance of the Admiral, whose flag
was flying, when casting them off he retired to the
rear OF the line and anchored for the night He took
up this position as 1t might enable him to aid the
wounded, and should the boats be sunk to rescue
their crews. In other words, to afford all the aid
consistent with neutrality. Having been informed
that British officer was dangerously wounded, Capt
q
few feet OF the Cormoran round OF shot struck the
boat, killing the coxswan Mr.. Hart, of Brooklyn,
New York, and slightly wounding flag officer Lieut.
Trenchard. They reached the Cormorant before the
boat was entirely sunk.
Capt. Tattnal says the Chinese Commissioners had
previously notified MIR. Ward of their arrangements,
and requested him to accompany the British and
French Ministers to Peiho. 10 this he consented.
The sincerity of the Commissioners was much doubted
at the time
A letter from on board the English feet says: /:
The Americans assisted us considerably by means
of small steamer, with which they towed up seve-
raj of boats into action from the large Ships and
also after the action by taking out to the r respec
tive ships number of our men, to whom they showed
| every kindness. They are loud in their praises of
the daring our men showed, and have sent large
presents ffresh meat and vegetables for the benefit
of our wounded.
Another correspondent gives the following graphic
picture of the bloody repuIse suffered by the allied
forces, nearly all of whom we're English:
The boats touched no land, but brought up the
troops to bank of mud. As they struggled to gain
their legs in the sticky, treacherous mass the guns
which seemed to have been silenced, opened from all
those who did not sink down to die horrible death
in that Slough OF Despond advanced through mud SO
deep that it always took them up to their knees and
often swallowed them in up to their waists but they
went on struggling through this horrid bog, sweep,
down by artillery, 10 which added. as they ap
preached the walls musketry, MIME rifles, and-ar
rows! They passed over quarter of mile of this
terrible gacis when they arrived at the first of three
wet bitches, of which nothing was known, though
they were each ten feet broad and five feet deep
Imagine such an obstacle to men who had got
through the ordeal of the mud and yet they faced
it, In they went up to their necks, while the water
is torn around them by incessant showers of grape
| and musketry They emerge with soddened pouches
| and useless ammunition, but with unfagging cour
age, if with diminished numbers.
They struggle across another dreary interval, still
scorched by incessant fire. Another deep wet ditch
lies before them. The enemy's fire is redoubed in
intensity the second ditch is passed by those who
have strength or life for the task. There is again
another oasis OF dubious SOIL but bears them on
third ditch lies before them close under the walls
Is it wonderful that Of the 600 men who landed
only 100 said to have reached the last of these
deadly trenches? Is it not all but miraculous that
so Of them got as far as the opposite bank of the
third ditch, and there ready to assault the fort
if they had scaling ladders? However, all scaling
ladders but one are broken the covering fire is fail
ing darkness sets in and the retreat is ordered. Il
effected from ditch to ditch in the dark and in the
mud, but still under fire. By the light Of carcasses
the Chinese throw their flights Of grape and muske1
balls on the weary men who are staggering through
the mud, and searching, they retire, for the
| wounded comrades.