The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-08-01
"a p A NJ !.

Dnrias Act Of the Rebel OhieE-Ennemaas
Kiiied-The City Occupied.
ON BOARD THE UNITED STATES STEAMER ONEIDA,
HOK0DADI, Japan, June "a, 1863.
The lsst aspirations of the Tokagaws family, cham
pioned BY Aidzn, to The Tyooonate power are being
quenohed in blood. The greater part Of the city Of
Hokodad with It's ancient temples is laid IN ashes,
and the clouds of war still hover above It. It win
be recoected that In July last the youthful admiral
Ennemata on the submission OF ms former master,
the late Tycoon, was transferred . soldier Of the
Empire by that potentate to the service OF the
MikadO without ascertalnfng his own wishes on the
subject and that soon after he el0ped nom
before yeddo with his command of eight yes
seis, having previously declared that che was
about TO do or die" THIS action caused some
apprehension to be entertained at the tiine
both ct Asska and Kobe. that those places
might be made the point Of attack. Time. however,
developed the fact that his objective point Of action
was Hakodadi the capital OF Jesso the most north
err Of the group forming the japanese empire
He arrived before this city months afterward
which he beseged, captured aud has since held,
losing ak OF the vessels OF his command by ship
wreck and the casualties Of war;
On our arrival here on the 10th inst. we found o
close blockade Of the place to have been established
by the presence OF the Mikado's 1eet composed OF
twelve vessels including the Stonewall, and
which had existed for some months, TO the inter
detion of all commerce. We also found our Consul,
Mr. Rice, and family on board the AroOstook (hs
son occupying the consulate on shOre whiic the
English Consul ana family were on board the English
ship Pearl. After our arrival the American Consul
and family came on board our vessel, when he re-
ceiyed the usual salute of seven guns All commu-
nication with the shore being cot of, and
this state of affairs having prevailed for
commerce and foreign interests, council Of war,
composed OF the consuls and commanders Of the
national vessels, was held the same evening. ut
which it was resolved that decisive effort must be
made by the blockading squadron, which had CO.
operating land force OF 900 men In the field, to
reduce the place, otherwise the national vessels
should proceed up to the city and open the port
This course was adopted. ~ several abortive Of
taGks had from time to Time been made by the neet
o. the forts, while Indecisive fighting nad taken
place between the opposing land forces along the
western shore. The garrison OF the place did not
exceed 10000 men. ThlS ulrmatum being 1mnle-
diatey communicated to the admiral OF the block
AIDING forces he promised to attack the forts within
forty-eght hours.
In the Straits OF sangar which divide the islands
of Nippon and Jesse, occurs towering bluff OF land
called Hokodadl Head. from which low sandy
connecting it with the mainland, and form
ing crescent shaped bay r Of about four
miles ~ extent rus tho pun hav mas on een nny
side; and here the city OF Hakodadi Is built, reach.
ing to about midway up the mountain. A diamond
thirty and sixty-eightpounder guns, is built
into the bay below the city, having moat on the
land side which was brdged by wooden causeway.
AT the head Of the bay, which Is traversed by
road about one and half miles inland under the
NILS that enclrcle 1t on the western shore are stu
ated two forts, named Meter and Neyata, which,
with that below the city, would form right
angled triangle, the position OF the blockaaing
fleet, as they lay at anchor steam up, on our arr-
vol fnr1nf 1DU n
reduced TO single vessel, the Emperor, which lay
by the city fort, second, called the Eagle. being
aground near TINS fort having had her quarter shot
away BY the SIOuewah IN an encounter with that
vessel some days before.
Faithful to his promise the admiral commenced
sunday, The 2Otn inst, ny the Stonewall and two
other vessels Smelling the fort opposite the city. The
other vessels engaging the batteries at the head OF
the bay The fort at the city replied but rather
dily for the number OF guns In position, and have
the night, as on the garrison being beat to
quarters about one-half OF the guns were found to
have been spiked, The bomhardment OF the forts
continued throughout the day several vessels being
three p n, BIT still kept its nag noating over it
the smoke Of battle Daring the progress Of the
bombardment the wooden cause way connecting the
city fort with the shore was set on IRE by shell:
part OF winch it Tapped up In ITS myriad tongues OF
fame From three A. NJ. OF The 10th until dawn,
were buslly engaged in transporting troops
around HoSadadi Head to the rear OF the city.
each having Hosilla Of boats Ia tow
ned with troops Oh me ASSUMING vi forces, ana we
troops apparently bearing down On US amid the
darkness, which were challenged without reply; but
speaks iuently stated they were troops 10 operate
against the city. Meanwhile the bombardment pro-
gressed and anon the sun tipped the hills with Its
earliest light, which Rlittered along the bayOnets OF
the opposing armies posted on The western slopes Of
the bay, revealing their POSITIONS; sight glorious
yet sad to look upon as Instantly the roll OF mus
kef frou
Of their artillery, while shells from the feet burst
above the field OF connict shedding an iron rain and
q sulphurous canopy enveops the field OF battle; but
the continuous roll OF musketry heard tells OF havoc
and DEATH OF the desperate assault and rs stubborn
In their swords alone, though outnumbercd
and deciinated, are not subdued. They
innict more slaughter than they sustain, and
falling back slowly, to AVOID the range Of the fleet,
which continues to harass them, retire behind Fort
Meter which in turn opens on the 1eet when within
range. The battle ragged with unaDated fury from
four A. NJ. till eight r. NJ, after which 1t subsidized
into picket firing, which was Kept up Curing the
night, with an occasional shell exchanged between
the fleet and forts while the burning city formed
brilliant background to the grim proportions Of the
fort,
A rare instance OF daring heroIsn occurred during
the day. While the Mikado's heet was busily en-
gagged In shelng the enemy's position Admiral I'm
nemata steamed out with his sole remaining vessel
ehce he had defended the city, and with Spartan
courage boldly attacked the whole Meet OF wooden
vessels Tor the purpose OF reneSg ms as rom
their positions and exploding the Don Juan with $50
men on board, about nifty OF whom were saved he
continued TO engage them, but they deemed
the combat or fought at long range. Alter
holding the feet at bay for upwards OF
an hour the SfonewaH drew or from ner position,
where she had been shelling the city fort, and
slowly advanced to the attack, when the Emperor
as slowly and sullenly retired, exchanging shots
with her the while. He fought his vessel n0Dy ana
when towards n9htiali she sank opposite the city
she had defended, under the combined attack OF the
| neet she sank gOrlousy and with flying colors and
every man At his gun.
on the night OF the 10th the forces behind the
blum made midnight attack the city, which they
captured, It's defenders retiring within the fort
which IS said to be provsioned for three months,
| and into which they conveyed some OF the guns Of
the sunken vessels, Emperor and Eagle for rem0unt
iug--from which they now assa the troops In tht
city with small arms "a they show themselves. the
forts into which the bcsieged have all RETIRED anc
which are said to be well provsioned, were BON
parded on the 2lst and assaulted Intellectually, those
only ~ the mead OF the bay replying with artillery
battery proposed TO be placed OF