Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-12-24
Chinn.-Letter from "a British soldier.

A PesrOnaI Experience of the War in
Chinn.-Letter from IA British Soldier.
The following letter from subaltern officer
connected with the British expeditionary
force in China, describes the part he took in
the capture of the Chinese forts at the mouth
of the Peiho. 1t will be found interesting. In
the attack on the forts he went with a storm
ing party, and was badly wounded. The writer
of the letter is a yonng man, about twenty two
years old, and son of Mr.. Thomas Power of
this city, to whom it is addressed =
PRINCIPAL TAKU FORT, NORTH CHINA,
September q, 1860.
DEAR FATHER,-I take my pen TO write
you few lines. We started from Petang on
the 18th of August, and about noon, came in
contact with the enemy, consisting chiefly of
cavalry. The second division, consisting of
the third regiment, the forty-fourth, two In
dian regiments, and some cavalry and artil-
lery were engaged but after short engage
ment we totally routed the enemy, killing and
wounding a great many. We then marched
few miles further and encamped for the
night. The following morning we shifted our
camp, and, on the 18th, we attacked large
entrenched camp of the enemy, where, after
a brisk cannonading from the English and
French artillery, breech was soon made,
through which the infantry stormed and took
the camp without the loss of man, though
numbers of the Chinese were killed and
wounded.
We encamped in this entrenchment until
the night of the Goth, when we moved within
range of the Peiho forts for the purpose Of
erecting bridges and batteries for storming the
forts. | went to work at 10 o'clock and work
ed till o'clock next morning. When came
back, had to dress and go with my regiment,
as the attack was toe commence at half past 4.
My regiment advanced and covered the artil.
lery, and the Chinese then opened fire, and the
first round shot hit sergeant of my company
in the head and knocked out his brains The
artillery continued firing till seven, when it
ceased, and my company, consisting of "a, and
six Of company No. Z, were ordered to storm
the fort. We advanced under dreadful fire
of musketry from the enemy, till we came to
the first trench, which was filled with water
about ten feet deep and twenty-one feet wide.
We all halted at this, which was only about
fifty yards from the fort. So you may guess
what calling fire was continually kept upon
us from the battery In such dangerous DO.
sition such handful OF men could not last
long, but thanks 10 Providence, we continued
firing till eleven, when number of us going
into the water, headed by the officer of my
company, IA Dublin man, we swan across and
gained the second trench, where there was a
draw-bridge, which was drawn up by two
ropes, which the officer cut with his sword
and let down. We then crossed to the gate of
the fort, where we made hole with the butts
of our firelocks. My officer went in with his
drawn sword, when / and three men followed
him. AS soon as the Chinese saw us coming
in they made into the houses they had for
q arters and commenced firing. | was after
firing through a window and was going to
load when got shot through the left side,
little to the left of the heart, which knocked
me over for the day. l crawled among the
Chinese dead and wounded, when l became
lnsenslble and remained so for forty eight
hours. When came to myself / found was
In the hospital ship where, thank God, after
twenty-four days / became as well as ever.
The Dall Is inside Of my ribs now, so have
Chinese present to carry with me during my
life.
The credit and good character which the
general has bestowed on US all is well becom.
ing to the character OF the British soldier. AS
soon as the body OF the army entered the tori.
the Chinese retired out of all the forts six in
number, which were mounted with 612 pieces
OF brass and copper guns Of very large calibre,
and about half that number Of small field
pieces. The artillery are now blowing up the
forts; but / expect we will have to 20 and
storm Pekin. II we do we shall crop their
tails and let them see what the French and
English can do. l have three medals earned
now, and hope | shall live TO wear them
Out Of the fifty-four men Of my compa,v
there were six killed at the fort and twenty.
eight wounded eight Of whom died in the hos.
pital. So now, dear father, bid you adieu,
and hope you will pray for my welfare"