Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-03-19
Prescription OIL q Chinese Battle.

4 Chinese battle is as good as q farce.
Some OF the little fights at Shanghai were very
amusing One day, when a great many sol.
d;ers were Out, saw more Of tine combat than
was pleasant. Having got into the line of fire
/ was forced to take shelter behind 8 grave,
the bullets striking tho grave from each side
every second. Why they came my way it was
difficult to discover, for they ought to have
passed on tine other side Of the creek, about
twenty yards distant to tie people they were
intended for; but to see the lodging Of the
soldiers, then Of the rebels, each trying to
evade the other, was almost amusing. One
fellow, ready primed and loaded, would rush
up to the side Of the grave hilock, drop his
matchbox over the top, and, witht 1t taking
aim, blaze away. There is no ranrod required
for the shot they use; the bullet or bar OF iron
is merely dropped III loose upon the powder.
There was fine scene on an occasion when
the Shanghai rebels made sortie; one of the
men was cut of by an imperial skirmisher,
who had his piece loaded. The rebel had no
time TO charge Oh him, as he ran round and
round grave, which was high enough to keep
his enemy from shooting him when on the op-
pos,e side. Hare hunting is nothing to it
Redcap described hosts OF circles, and the
Royalist vas fast getting blown, when the gods
took pity On his wind, foS by some unlucky
chance, the rebel tripped and fell. The soldier
was at him in a moment, ard, to make sure Of
his prize, pu, the muzZ!e Of the matchbox to
Redcap'o head, fred, and took to his heels rs
fast as be could 50. 1t is difficult to say who
was the most astounded when Mr.. Redcap did
precisely the same. The bullet that dropped
down readily on the powder, fell out as easily,
when thu barrel was depressed. The rebel got
of with good singing OF his long hair.
There were frequently, however, some very
ugly wounds; and where surgery is at such g
discount, the poor wounded must suffer most Sc
Yer,ly. The Chinese rarely, if ever, amputste
They use strong drawing-plastsrs TO extractt the
ball. The missionary hospitals at Canton and
Shanghai, under the able charge Of their indie
latigabic managers, Drs. uobson and Lockhart,
as also that under tine good care of DR.. Parker,
late Penipotontiary for the United States, to
China, did great good. Indeed, it is. impossible
to tell what grand results may follow the labors
Of these gentlemen. The hospitals we're often
crowded with wounded soldiers, chiefly being
benefited by their skill There were frequent
~ lights close to DR.. Lockhart's hospital, and
m.n Ct both parties had been carried thither.
Dr. HobSon received upwards Of 1000 Canton
soldiers, and his reputation is far spread. Even
the nandarins have ddgned to notice his aid.
True to their usual policy towards foreigners,
they give the barbarian no credit; but his SER
vices were so great that they could not be pass
ed over, so they selected Il Chinese lad, who
was sort Of medical pupil, and paid assist.
ant at the hospital and dubbed him manda-
riu Of the sixth rank. A grant of land for
hospital would have done much more good
TTrr2pe Years in China.