The Daily Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Or.) 1876-1883, 1883-08-29
War in the Orient.

"A TELEGRAM from Hongkong
says that on the 18th instant an
attack was male by the French
on Hai-Dzoung in the direction of
Sontay, strong post seven miles
from Hanoi. The French force
was 1000 strong, and the enemy
numbered $1,000. The position
was carried, but found untenable,
and a portion Of the troops re-
turned to the river, covered by
gunboats, while the rest went in
the direction OF Hanoi. There
have been terrible foods, causing
loss OF life in the vicinity Of Ha-
moi.
The French were divided into
three columns, 500 each, and
marched as far as Sontay. The
right column then advanced along
the river bank, supported by gun
boats. After going five miles, the
enemy was found intrenched. The
gunboats fired among them, and
the intrenchments were carried.
The troops advanced to carry the
fortified village with bayonets, but
the defense was SO vigorous they
were thrice repulsed. Toward
evening the French, finding their
efforts were useless, decided to re-
new the attack next morning. The
center Of the column met with
faint resistance and occupied
Hanoi. Here they waited the
turning movement TO be effected
by the left column. The latter
advanced along the road which
the late Captain Riviere took.
-Four hundred Chinese accompa-
MED the column, which reached
Hai-Dzoung and there found the
road barred by a strors intrench-
ment. The artillery then fred
into the works. The column ad-
vanced with difficulty, owing TO
floods. The horses were unused
to harness and refused to drag the
guns, and the men took their
places IN dragging the artillery.
When within three hundred wards
OF the enemy's intrenchments, the
French opened fire. For time
there was no return made by the
enemy, but after some delay they
opened with a tremendous f1siiade
which checked the advance Of the
column. 1t WAS now manifest
that the position could not be car
ried by direct attack. A flank
movement was impossible, 50 the
French column retrcatcd. The
enemy, shouting in triumph, is
sued from their intrenchments and
began the pursuit. They pressed
around both fianbs Of the retreat
ing columns. The French then
opened with artillery, firing shell
into the ranks of the pursuing for
ces, but the enemy continued to
follow their retreat. The French
preserved excellent order and
carried everything of the field,
including the killed and wounded.
At four in the afternoon the enc
my suddenly drew of. The
French column reached Hanoi at
seven in the evening, completely
exhausted. The center column
also returned to Hanoi. The right
column occupy the position which
the enemy evacuated.
The London Times correspond
ent at Hongkong, referring to the
movement of the French in Ton
quin, says the enemy, mainly COM
posed of Chinese, were armed
with Remington rifles. 1t is be-
lieved the enemy's loss is small.
French doctors complain ofthe want
of medical stores. The operations
of the French have been stopped
for the present, the number Of
troops being insufficient to attack
Santo and Bochfuh, which are the
strongest positions in the delta.
The repulse of the French has en-
couraged the enemy. -Four thou
sand native Christians are being
armed. The correspondent at
Hanoi adds that it is generally ad-
mitted that the French will require
force OF 100000 men to be able
to cope with the enemy success
fully. The number Of guns is also
inadequate.
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