The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-10-10
SATURDAY Morning, OctOber 10, 1868.
The late Naval Operations i'm Japan -BriI-
liant Engagement of u. s. Steamer Wyo.
ming-Death OF a Portland Soldier.

nant Engagement oil u. y. Steamer WyO.
sb ming-Death OF Portland Soldier.
The American merchant steamer Pembroke
LEFT this port on the 2lst of June for Shanghae.
via the finland Sea-" This sea is the Suwo
NADIA of the maps, lying between the islands
Of Nippon and Sikok. The usual passage is to
enter by the Kino Channel, at the eastern ex-
tremity, and to pass out through the Straits of
Simonoski and Kiusu, varying from half
ed the entrance of Simonoski Strait on the,
25th and anchored for the night. A Japan
bark, armed and full of men, passed her at
anchorage, and anchored between the Penn
broke and the entrance Of the strait, a quar-
ter Of q mile distant. AS there was nothing
in this proceeding especially out OF the way,
the officers of the Pembroke took no alarm
But about one o'clock the following morning,
the night being SO dark that the position Of
the vessels could only be distinctly seen by
the lightning flashes of an approaching storm,
the Japanese bark opened fire on the Penn
broke, aud had fired bat few shots when a
japanese armed brig lately purchased of an
English house at Yokoharnal bore down on
the Pembroke, and then passing within forty
yards Of the little steamer, its crew raised
hideous yells as they passed, came also to an
chor near the bark, and likewise opened fire.
The firing was now rapid and continuous from
both vessels. The Pemberton had small
- armament, but her small crew were wholly oc-
cupied in getting up steam and getting the
vessel under way, which they fortunately did
before receiving any injury, and made their
escape through the darkness out of Bungo
channel, an unfrequented passage between the
islands of Sikok and Kiusiu. EeA
The news of this wanton attack did not
reach Kanagawa till the 10th OF July, when it
was communicated to the American Minister
by the Japanese authorities. The following
day full particulars we're received frem Shang-
hae, The Yedo Government at once disa-
vowed the act, and said that the perpetrators
had neither its sanction or protection: the at
lacking vessel belonging to Mowori, Prince OF
Chosin, or Nagato, whose principality lies on
the North side OF Slmonoski Strait, powerful
chief, linked to the Miaco party, and so hostile
= to the Tycoon and foreigners alike. 1t was
therefore determined that the United States
corvette Wyoming, Captain McDougal, then
fortunately in port, should proceed at once to
tho scene OF this attack in quest of the assai-
ing vessels. The Wyoming, having to take
In Goals, was not ready for sea till the morning
OF the 18th, when she departed. ass
ssUG - TAk*s3t E* axs8
On the morning of the 18th inst, the Wyo-
ming, unconscious of the warm reception that
awaited her, had steamed cautiously into the
| narrow straits, and soon caught sight of the
frowning batteries, and lying under their pro-
lection, the vessels she had come in search of,
and in addition to these, the fine British
steamer Lancefeld, sold TO Mowori a few
months ago. Signal guns from the shore
gave the alarm; then came the first
fire from battery of three guns. Up went
the old bunting, and as it went up a second
battery Joined in then the Wyoming replied
with her broadside of four guns, and now all
the batteries commenced firing as she came
within the same easy range that the Medusa
had "a 10 foin -
q bold course, which no doubt saved many lives
of his men and much damage to the ship.
Leaving the usual channel he took his vessel
30 close into the Northern shore that the bat
teries lost their range and fired over; at the
same time this brought him between the Jap
anese steamer and the shore, and rendered
useless the most OF her guns, which had been
trained to the side toward the open channel.
The bark gave the Wyoming its broadside
OF 32 pounder as she closely passed. the brig
followed suit at less than 80 yards range and
the Wyoming returned her heavy compliments
to both. the Wyoming next passed the Lance
field within 80 yards and gave the latter her
so. FOUNDER, to which the Lancefield made
feeble reply with two small guns she had left
on that side. The Wyoming having now
passed the batteries turned about, which
brought her 10 inch gun to bear on the Lance
field, which was now steaming out of action.
One well directed 10 inch shell struck the
Lanceaeld amidships and the explosion that
followed accompanied with volumes of steam
and smoke. that told thot the work was done
for her. The Wyoming again ran the guantlet
OF this terrible fire, to which she replied as
her guns would permit, but those ten inch
shells made their mark, now bursting in the
batteries, and now exploding among the hous-
es in the town, until one more turn in shore
separated the combatants in this UNEQUAL
strife. The Lancefeld was destroyed, the brig
was left sinking, and what damage more had
been done TO the town was best known to the
Japanese. The Wyoming's casualties were
four killed and seven wounded-one has since
died. She received II shots or shells in her
hull which did trifing damage. A fragment
OF shell had crushed Lieut.. Barton's sword-hilt.
doing him no personal injury. Capt. McDou-
cal speaks In the warmest terms of his men
and officers.
One of the four killed was Mr.. A. w. Fur
long of this city. He was acting corporal at
the time and was killed instantly by a cannon
ball. The following is an extract from letter
from Mr.. Furlong to his mother and sister,
written on the very day he sailed for the scene
Of the fatal engagement
Another, Could but see
you now how glad / should be. But alas it
cannot be; we must wait little longer and
Lninh Oh the time when we shall meet again.
trust the time Is not far distant when we
shall enjoy the blessed privilege. We have
received our orders to 60 home from the Sec
retary OF the Navy, but we are waiting for the
Japanese and English Governments to settle
a question of some importance, and then in
compliance with our orders, we will proceed
home. May that al-seeing eye that watches
over us at all times, watch over us on our
dangerous voyage.
often think, as sailing around the world
from country to country and from port to
port, that it is the same with man; sometimes
wehave rough weather and sometimes smooth !;
and SO 1t Is we must take the rough with the
smooth.-O, how long to be home and see
those dear faces again left behind me.
--F-S. we expect to set sail to-day for home.
Hurrah for home! Hurrah we are homeward
boundl 4Home again, home again. from a
foreign shore wv. FrRIoNG.
DEAR SIsTER:-When get to the United
States shall go home on short flrlouqh If
nothing happens. As long as my country
needs me this is my home. If fall in battle
shall die in a glorious cause, if not. shall
live only in the heart of my country. In bat
tie will not finch, but will fight for my home
and the land that gave me birth. hope the
time is not.far distant when we can converse
without pen and paper"
With the letters from which we take these