Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1861-03-23
Description OF A CHINESE BATTLE.


Description OF A CHINESE BATTLE.
"A Chinese battle is as good as farce.
Some ofthe little fights at Shanghai were
very amusing. Ono day when q great
many soldiers were out, saw more of the
combat than was pleasant. Having got
into line of fire, l was forced to take
shelter behind grave, the bullets strik.
ing the grave from each side every second
Why, they came my way it was difficult
to discover, for they ought to have passed |
on the other side of the creek, about twen.
ty yards distant, to the people they were
intended for; but to see the dodging of
the soldiers, then Of the rebels, each trying
to invade the other, was almost amusing
One fellow, ready primed and loaded
would rush up the side of the grave hillock
drop his match look over the top, without
taking aim, blaze away. There is no ram
rod required for the shot they use; the
bullet or bar of iron is merely dropped in
loose upon the powder. There was fine
scene on an occasion when the Shanghai
| rebels made a sortie one of the men was
cut off by an Imperial skirmish, who had
| his piece loaded. The rebel had no time
to charge on him, as he ran around and
around a grave, which was high enough
to keep his enemy from shooting him when
on the opposite side. Hare hunting is
nothing to it. Red cap described hosts O.
circles, aud the royalists was fast getting
blown, when the gods took pity on his
| wind, for, by some unlucky chance, the
rebel tripped and fell, The soldier was at
| him in moment, and to make sure of his
prize, put the muzzle Of the matchbox to
| Red caps head, fired, and took to his
| heels as fast as he could 60. 1t was diff
cult to say who was the most astounded
when Mr.. Red cap did precisely the same
| The bullet that dropped down readily on
| the powder fell out as easily when the bar.
rel was depressed. The rebel got off with
a good singeing of his long hair. There
were frequently, however, some very ugly
wounds; and where surgery is at such a
discount, the poor wounded must suffer
most severely. The Chinese rarely, if ev-
er amputatc. They use strong drawing
plaster to extract the ball, The missiona.
ry hospitals at Canton and Shanghai, un.
der the able charge of their indefatigabc
managers, Drs. Hobson and Lockhart, as
also that under the good care of DR.. Par
ker, late Plenipotentiary 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 are often crowded with woun-
ded soldiers chiefly being benefited by
their skill. There were frequently fights
close to DR.. Lockhart's hospital, and mcr
of both parties had been carried thither
DR.. Hobson received upwards of 1000
Canton soldiers, and his reputation is fal
spread. Even the mandarins have deign
ed to notice his aid. True to their usua
policy towards foreigners, they give thu
barbarian no credit; but his services wcr,
so great that they could not be passed over
so they selected Chinese lad, who was
sort of medical pupil and paid assistant q
+, the hospital, and dubbed him mandarin
of the sixth rank. A grant of land for
> hospital would have done much more good
-IUeiUe Years in China.