Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-07-14

working the guns bearing upon the point
which the landing party was to double be-
lore crossing the river One launch. with
It's howitzer preceded, the other boats fol-
lowing in three columns as at the landing
two days before.
As soon as we came in sight OF the fort
the howitzers behind us commenced play
ing briskly to divert the enemy's fire from
the boats. But from the moment the no.
una cleared the point and during the time
Intervening until II could come within mus
ket range, the enemy's guns were hot in
their attack upon the assaulting party de-
spite the rapid and effective fire of the
howitzers on the fort opposite. Round
shot, grape shot and the shot from gingals
struck all around and passed closely over
head, but by great good fortune did
damage, though so long and spiritedly con-
unued. As the boats could not be brought
close to shore. the men. with three hearty
cheers, jumped into the water waist deep,
formed and carried the works with a rush.
reaching them in time to fire upon the last
OF the retreatlng foe, and In time TO cut
the burning slow match leading to tho
loaded guns which the Chinese had care
fully trained upon our boats before fleeing.
A lieutenant of the Portsmouth was the
first to enter the fort, and her boatswain's
mate planted Old glory on the walls. This
fort contained thirty-eight guns; and here.
too. everything was demolished that could
be with the means then at hand.
As a final effort. the Chinese made an
attack In force and attempted to scale with
ladders the rear OF the last fort. but were
The ships received forty-nine shots in
hull and rigging during the engagements OF
the 18th, both and 2lst the Portsmouth
twenty-seven and the Levant twenty-five.
the Levant having been brought so near
the forts that she received the hottest OF
their fire on the last two days.
Losses on Both sides.
The American loss seven killed and
twenty-five wounded in action, while three
others were instantly killed and nine moro
wounded by the premature explosion of 4
mine while demolishing the heavy walls
of the forts river facings after the fight.
The Chinese authorities give their loss al
800. and that is not to be wondered at In
the face of the terrible Smelling they re-
ceived from the ships.
The gallantry of the marine the courage
OF the seamen and fine service performed
by the American merchantmen that volun-
teered their services are especially conn
mended by Commodore Armstrong, while
of the howi,zers ap ain Foo says: They
contributed greatly. | might almost say
secured the success of the eXped ton, not
only by their destructive qualities. but by
the fear which their appearance inspired
among the enemy the moment they came
within their range"
After some futile efforts to obtain an
acknowledgment of wrongdoing from the
imperial commissioner Yeh, and an un-
future, Commodore Armstrong was obliged
to content himself finally with the knowl-
edge Of the work he had accomplished upon
the forts and with a few oily phrases from
the very slick Yeh.
Thus ended our first war with China
war that did a vast deal to raise the pres
tige OF our flag in the far east and to aid
later in bringing us in direct official touch
with the person Of the emperor-a recogni-
ton for many years deemed too good for
the foreign barbarian.