The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1884-09-03
GREAT FIGHT IN ToNQUIN.


LONDON. August 27.-It is report
ed that there are 10000 Chinese
troops in the vicinity of Foo-Chow
According to reports received al
Sontay $4,000 Chinese troops have
invaded Tonqum and have already
had an engagement with the French
troops. In this battle, it is asserted
the French were annihilated, while
several thousand of the Chinese were
killed.
A telegram from Shanghai states
that $4,000 Chinese troops, who had
been secretly massed on the frontier
suddenly invaded Tonquin, and, af
ter desperate fighting, completely
annihilated the French troops in
that province. the Chinese losing
several thousand killed during the
different engagements, which follow
ed in quick succession. According
to the above dispatch the massing Of
this large force on the frontier o.
Tonquin had been going on for some
time under the supervision of expe-
rienced military leaders, and SO well
did they conduct the affair that the
French commanders were unaware
Of the proximity of any well-regu-
lated Chinese force until the latter
swept down upon them like an av-
alanche, with the above result. The
French troops, it is said, fought des-
perately and repeatedly charged the
Chinese lines, but as fast as they
were broken into they were closd up
again with remarkable military
precision, and many hand-to-
hand encounters ensued, the French
finally succumbing to overwhelming
odds.
According to a dispatch from
Shanghai to Reuters Telegra N
Agency, ''the French loss in the
bombardment of Foo-Chow was sew
en- killed and fourteen wounded.
The Chinese loss is estimated at l.
600 killed and 1900 wounded. The
Chinese man-of-war Yangwu was
exploded by a torpedo after i. had
fired broadside at French torpedo
boat. The boiler of the latter was
exploded by means of hand grenades
thrown from the Yangwu, after
which the boat was sunk by the
Volta to prevent its being captured
by the Chinese. The French expect
ed to occupy the heights command
ing the Pagoda anchorage"
ADMIRAL coURBET's REPORT.
The official report of the bonn
bardment at Foo Chow has been re-
ceived from Admiral Courbet. 1t is
dated Sunday morning and is as fol-
lows:
A good beginning has been made.
We opened fire yesterday and in
four hours nine Chinese men-of-war
and twelve junks were sunk and tAe
Krupp battery commanding the arse
nal was silenced. Our loss was six
killed ard twenty-seven wounded
The feet suffered no serious dam
age except that the boiler of torpe.
do boat was burst. The Chinese
losses were heavy. During the night
the fleet was beset by burning wreck;
and logs. The torpedo cutters will
clear all this away today and after.
wards we will lombard the arsenal
We shall not leave the river before
the 29th or Both. The officers and
men are animated with the greatest
ardor. One of our torpedo boat:
sank large Chinese cruiser. The
vessels which took part in the actor
were the Volta (Which hoisted my
flag, the Duquay, the Trovin, the
Triomphante, the Villars, the DE-
Staing, the Aspic, the Lynx and the
Vipere, together with two torpedo
boats.
THE CHINESE HOLDING OUT.
Private telegrams received in Lon.
don report that the Chinese forts or
the Min river are holding out well
against the French bombardment
The French gunboats are still una
ble to pass down the river. The Chi.
nese authorities are confident of the
STRENGTH of the forts.