The New York herald., 1874-08-19
The Dreary March Into 'he IN
terror of the Island.
The Famous Defence Of
the "Stone Gate"
Under THE BANYAN TREES.
Particulars Regarding the Expedition
to Boutan and Kusukut.
CAxp NEAR SrALIAo. Lnne 6. ]

III
authentic maps OF Formosa In existence The
southern peninsula In particular remains to this
day an entirely unknown region excepting TO
those who have personally visited It. A few at
tempts have been made to note down the promi-
nent features OF the country, and even to indicate
the localities OF some OF the villages occupied by
the different tribes, but these have only been par
TALLY successful. AS a matter OF fact, not even
the outlines oil the coast have ever been accurately
laid down. l have endeavored in previous letters
to explain some of the difficulties that lie IN the
way Of forming any acquaintance with the inte-
rior and l am well aware OF the hopeiessness OF
any effort at present to give thoroughly correct
idea OF the positions OF the aboriginal settlements
on the eastern coast and in the Interior.
The expedition to Boutan and Kukusut began
on the ist instant with the departure OF body OF
about 500 troops for Hongkang, settlement
some six miles to the north Of our present posi-
ton. The rain was still at Its heaviest and there
was very much doubt whether the full plan of
operations could te carried out. The current OF
the swollen rivers was so violent that at the first
lord one OF the Japanese was carried away and
drowned. The rest OF the force reached Hongkang
in the afternoon without disaster. No en-
counter with the natives had been antici-
pated, for the shore is occupied entirely
by the descendants OF the Chinese colonsts,
the expressions and cruelties Of the savages. The
head men OF Rongkang long ago came into camp
and urged the officers to make their place base
of operations, well as Sialiao Honkang 1t
should be understood, is totally Independent Of
China, the authority OF which empire extends
only as far south as Pong-li, some twenty-five
miles distant.
THE STONE GATE.
During the night of the 1st the rain gradually
aaod fho claa
as any we have had: too bright and clear for
comfort, for the sun bazed out with an intensity
which seemed likely to make rapid compensation
for it's long Irregularities Soon after dawn the
second party OF about 800 started eastward for the
"Stone Gate" the scene o. the sSirmish OF May
21. The departure of their advance guard which
took place the afternoon before, was marked by
another fatal accident. A soldier was drowned in
almost the same place as that OF the previous
days mishap. This detachment reached its first
point at noon op the I'd, and remained there or in
the neighborhood for a few hours.
THE THIRD COLUMN,
numbering 400 men, left the camp also on the
morning of the % and marched 20 the southwest,
towards Chiksia The general purpose OF these
combined advances can easily be seen by q glance
at the plan OF villages. The headquarters OF the
hostile tribes were known to be Bousan aud Kusu-
kut A few tributary settlements in their neigh
borhood were believed TO be held nv their men,
and it was roleraby well ascertained that the
northern roads far as Ninal were in their pos
session. The duty assigned to the HongKang force
under General Tani, was TO proceed to Ninai start
ing before sunrise on the ID and descend as rap
idly as possible to Boutan. The Chiksia column,
under Admiral Akamaton, was TO move upon ku-
sukut. The central body, which was led by
General Saigo, was to pass over the difficult road
from the "Stone Gate" to either Kusukut or Bou-
tan, as might be desirable. This road, which is in
fact nothing but the rougnest kind OF a mountain
pass was known to be not only fun OF natural i'm
pediments but also to have been artiflcialy OD-
structed by the enemy-circumsrances which
account for the greater length Of time allowed for
this force TO reach its destination.
TERRIBLE TRAMP.
For various reasons the foreign officers attached
to the expedition accompanied the last named de-
tachment They went, | believe, spectators
only. with design Of sharing IN the more active
proceedings that might ensue. chose that route
chiefly from desire 10 examine with some close
ness the scene OF the confict OF the 22d OF May,
which had become familiar with nom only one
side. The march, from the outset, was such as
Almost shrink from even attempting TO describe.
Before eight O'Clock the sun was at its ercest, and
the hard stony paths were so heated that the
glow could literally be felt through the soles or
to DE forded, and although they not passed
without diflcu.ty, being at least twice their ord
nary Depth they were gladly welcomed whenever
encountered. Indeed should all have been
better pleased 10 End more Of them, for though
our clothes were of course drencped through and
through at each passage, they were dry and stifr
before we had fairly started on our way again.
This was partly owing 20 the utter absence Of shell
ter. The greater part OF the Liangkiao valley IS
destitute or trees, and it is only on approaching
the mountains that healthy vegetation Is found.
COSTUMES IN THE TROPICS
Some OF US speedily discovered that campaign
Ing in a savage country has al least the negative
advantage OF permitting a very free disregard of
personal appearance. After the first lew miles,
the exterior aspect OF any Of the trio OF observa-
ton was such as would have exposed him TO pop
ular derision, II not worse, In any trans-Pacinc
community. remember that on entering the village
OF SijaKei, and coming into the presence ol the
Genera-in- ChieL for which meeting had endeav-
ored to readjust myself In some slight degree
was humorously congratulated by that oficer on
being able 70 go to war in my night-dress He
spoke but the fact suit OF thin "pajamas was
all / could possibly support This, with a. straw
hat an umbrella, and pair OF straw sandals
take to be the proper uniform for journalist il
the tropics. had learned the value OF sandal!
wears before in Japan, bat strangely enough iorRo
my Old experience, and trusted here to shoes witt
pitiable results. The alternate sweillng ant
Shrinking IRON soaking and sudden drying was in
tolerably painful, In addition TO which the sharI
stones of the hills tore the leather to rags long be
fore the journey was ended. The japanese soldiers
in excursions OF this kind, wear tine close nttini
legcover1ng OF their own country, from the Knee
to the ankle and put nothing on their feet bu
their thick soft sandals, extra pairs or which they
carry suspended from their Waists.
UNDER TIE BANYAN TREES.
As we drew near the circle OF hills that marks
the limits OF the valley the country began 70
assume a more agreeable character-that is, TO the
eye alone. The long continued rains had freshened
the verdure, which, moreover Il OF q richer de
velopment inland tnan ON the coast. AS we slowly
ascended we began to pass by patches OF whole
some shrubbery, and presently had opportunities
TO pause and rest at distant intervals, under
banyan trees of some magnitude. Clusters OF will
lows we're occasionally seen by the river sides but
these reileis were nfrequent, and as a rule the
face OF the country still maintained what would
elsewhere be considered as rugged barrenness.
The first hills that were really covered with trees