Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1859-09-28
The New Chinese War,

aser on the river Peiho entertained by the Ameri-
can merchants, and, IL is presumed, ny all the for
eign trading residents I'm China. According to the
Posts correspondent the British were the aggres-
sors, and were justly punished for persisting in
forcing their way through a forbidden channel
when another had been indicated by the Chinese
authorities as the prescribed approach to ekin
When the English vessels under command of Adj
miral Hope reached the forts at the mouth Of the
river, which was obstructed by barriers, they were
told by the Chinese officers I'm command that, by
imperial orders, they must ascend by another pas
sage twelve miles to the north. where the Gov
ernor General would meet them. Without stop
ping to inquire whether such passage existed,
and after being advised of the consequences. it
seems the British persisted In their previous de-
mand, and they underwent the notifying and
disastrous penalty Of their indiscretion
The story that Russian officers were EMPLOYED
by the Chinese is alleged to be an invention for
the purpose of alternating the chagrin Of the de-
feated party. The skill displayed by the Celes-
tials in the management of their guns was GER
tainly remarkable, but 1t must be remembered
that they have had long training in conflict
with their civilized enemies. knowledge which
comes through suffering generally has practical
efficiency which belongs to no other, and we can
imagine no more disa 'trous exemplifcation of 1t
than the retreat Of the British before their despised
antagonists, with loss of four steamers and nearly
one-half their men.
The Chinese say their forces Were commanded
by MongOlian General of great skill and pru-
dence named Ling-quh-ln-sing
The Posts correspondent says:
Early in June the newly-apponted representa-
tvesIMr. Bruce, British Minister, Mr.. Ward
Minister from the United States. and nj de Bour-
boulon. representative of the French Government
-net here Oh their way to Pekin. Each Gov
ernment had appointed a respectable naval force
under command of a high ofiicer to be placed at
the disposal of the Minister in case of need, and
to be used as an escort when deemed proper
Commodore Tatnall, with the steamer Powhat-
an. was to accompany Mr.. Ward. To enable Mr..
w ard TO move about with greater facility small
steamer called the TOey- wan was chartered NJ
de BourbOulon also had steamer and one other
vessel. Mr. Bruce had quite an imposing anna
inent OF SunbOats conveys and store sbi ps, num-
boring over fifteen in all. His effective force was
by the English put down at nearly fourteen hun
bred men Imperial commissioners came on here,
and in Interviews had with Mr. Ward and the
French Minister, gave assurances that the differ
ent legations would meet with cordial reception
from the Emperor. 1t Is said that Mr.. Bruce re-
fused to confer with these miSsioners and
even treated them with hauteur. These men
sured Mr.. Bruce that, althoug the Minister would
be cordially received and respectfully treated vet
| the Government would not permit an armament
OF war vessels and armed force to penetrate into
the heart Of the Empire
About the 18th of June the escorts left here for
the Gulf of Pee helee, from which point they Were
TO ascend the PehO river to Suitien, where the
ministers were to have final rendezvous. and
concert measures for proceeding to Pekin. The
Peiho river empties into the Gulf Of Pechelee. by
number of mouths. the adjoining country being
very low and marshy.
The English. having arrived first, ION the 18th
OF june proceeded to examine the river. They
found the mouth obstructed by a number of bar
riers, composed of stakes driven down and chains
4rY harn al II
large and well-constructed forts erected to guard
the entrance to the river. An interview was had
WIN the officers in charge of the forts, who re-
ported that they had received orders from the
Emperor not to allow any foreign armed vessels
IN 20 up the river and directions to fire upon any
such vessels as should attempt it, or try to remove
the barriers. They Were directed to 90 to another
branch OF the river, that opened into the gulf
twelve miles to the northward, where they would
find the Governor General of the province, who had
oeeh appointed oy the Emperor to meet and coin-
nunlcate with them.
They were told that this Governor General was
appointed by the Imperial government to receive
and forward the ministers to Pekin with all proper
respect by that branch Of the river The English
chose to consider this an attempt on the part of the
Chinese to prevent them from going to Pekin and
without even sending out a party to ascertain II
mere was another mouth to the river, and an Of
fetal waiting to receive them sent reply that
they would go to Pekin by that channel ard no
other, and that If the Chinese did not remove the
barriers by specified time they would remove
II
they attempted such thing they should certainly
fire upon them.
This was the state of things when Mr.. Ward ar
rived. He immediately sent his interpreter on
shore, who had an interview with an officer and
had repeated to him in substance the same as had
been told the English. They Were assured that
the Emperor had made all necessary arrange
ments to receive and forward the d,nerican min
lister with all due respect aud despatch.
Mr.. Ward seems to have been Influenced by the
example OF the English legation-he also choosing
RAT ffaf Atrpt <f
and unsatisfactory. Instead Of sending out a party
TO ascertain the truth about the matter, MIR. ward
and Commodore Tattnall deserni ned to await the
resnlt OF the British bullying plan
The Chinese having failed at the time appojnt
ed 10 remove the barriers, Admiral Hope. on the
18th day 81 June, Saturday. formed his fleet into
hne OF battle and moved up to the attack. They
passed the first barrier and approached the sec
ond, when the forts opened upon them most de-
structive and fatal fire
The Chinese are said TO have shown the utmost
GOODNESS and skill III the management Of their
guns. At a quarter to two o'clock the battle COM
menced, and darkness only put an end to the ter
rlble fight: party of mar ners was landed but
the ground proved to be soft and swampy and
the bitches were SO filed with water, az to render
them useless, and they were shot down by scores
from the forts. The British troops were obliged
finally to retreat hastily and In disorder. Four
steamers were literally sunk-three of which will
D: entirely lost, and one, it is hoped, may be
raised go
:, Several days after the battle Mr. Ward sent
party with his small steamer, the Toey-wan. to
took for the other mouth Of the river, Of which
the Chinese had spoken. And it tcas found lust
as had been indicated 1t was also ascertained
that the GorernOr-GeneTal had been there rating
10 recetre tie ministers. The whole country was
i'll state Of fernent on account Of the fighting
and the 0Overnor-General had gone up into the
interior to4ien-tsin. 1t was with difficulty that
the Inter Meter could communicate with the
people. ~ finally got letter to the Tantai who
the next day sent oil boat laden with provisions
fruits, and other presents, with many protesta,
lions OF isedshiP and respect for the Americans
He said til sttle Governor enera had been Wait
Ing some VINE to receive the American Minister
and send htn on to Pekin, but since the fe hitting
had comnpoced lie had gone, and it would be |
necessary eDsend a messenger to him and get |
reply. At dates Mr. Ward was waiting for
an answer ~ his letter