The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1861-03-27
Terrible Scene Ia China.

The Canton Press gives the particulars OF
frightful execution by wholesale of Can
ton river pirates by the Cantonese authori-
ties. The pirates with their lorchas were
first entced out OF the river, and then
military and naval force was stationed ten
or twelve miles below Canton TO prevent
their ascending The river above that point
The pirates attempted TO get past this sta
lion in a body, but were only partially suc-
cessful, while the Chinese Commodore pur-
sued and destroyed those who did. The
Press SAYS:
"There sailed past his guard post three,
some say ten, Canton lorchas and tymccns;
others hanging on outside in case this de-
tachment succeeded. They were attacked
by the mandarian force three were burnt,
two ran up TO take refuge at the Pagoda
anchorage, and the rest made out 10 sea as
fast as they could. The remainder of that
day was occupied in pursuing and captur-
ing the fugitive pirates who had escaped on
shore. Next morning, the 20ih, the man
dariau armed boats were in purs1it of the
They came up with them about noon, lying
in shore at The pagoda There they we're
attacked their crews dashed into the
stream 10 swim ashore, and while floating
on The ~ater some forty or fifty were spear
ed and shot; fine sight 10 be seen for
foreign seamen and residents!
"Early on the morning of the 2lst it was
evident, from the packed throngs on the
great bridge, and the hubbnb around, thas
something strange and novel and exciting
had occurred. About nine O'Clock, some of
the mandarian war boats had come up with
two prizes and two hundred captured pi-
rates The latter they commenced to land
each man under the guard of at least four
marines, bearing drawn swords, spears,
ma,c blocks or sporting gay flags The
captives were in a terrible plight, stripped
and naked, hands tied with awful tightness
behind their backs, and feet scarcely able
to walk, while they were driven along with
the most barbarous savageness. Eight or
ten had been beheaded on their way up
the river, and two or three jns: as they were
showed on shore, for showing fight and
their reluctance to move on. The heads OF
these unfortunates were slung on poles, and
swung before the eyes of the remainder, as
a token of what awaited them very shortly.
When all had been landed they were
marched across the bridge to the Northern
end, and on the way, as if 10 CRAFTY the
public gaze, the heads OF four were delib-
erately chopped off, and their corPses flung
into the river below"
Thirty of the captives were executed al
the Northern gate, when the remaining 10
were carried around 10 the South gate
The work was short; one after the other
the whole lot were beheaGed. and in hall
an hour the judges troops, and staring mob
were dispersed. The executoners,of whom
/ there were several, We'd 10 see who could
( do the largest amount of work; one sue
ceeding in cutting off 60 heads. for which
/ he would receive what we would consider
a handsome douceur, as 500 cash is given
for each eaput Commodore Woo, the hero
of the day, went TO the tribunal with blue
button, but returned to his feet with red
one, honored aud applauded BY all his CO.
mandarins.