The Washington weekly post., 1900-08-21

the Emperor had ordered the governor
general Of that province to meet the min
listers at what they called the north en-
trance of the river. which they said was
distant about ten miles, and that he would
be there en- that day or the next
About o'clock in the evening our
steamer foated with the rising tide By
that time the admiral had formed a line
extending from the junks 20 our position,
and our commodore fearing that the mOy-
ing OF a light about our vessel might be
mistaken by some of the admiraps squad
ron for a signal ordered the steamer 10
drop below the lire and anchor near the
junks. A5out u o'clock an explosion was
heard, which was the blowing IN Of the
first barrier across the river. This was
followed by two guns from the forts. after
which all was quiet the rest of the night
With the morning light IL was evident
from the position OF the vessels that the
battle would be commenced some time
during the day. The vessels had ap-
preached as near the entrance to the river
as the distractions would permit Three
barriers had been thrown across the
stream at a distance of twenty wards
from each other On the left bank of the
river four large forts, admirably built of
mud. were connected with each other by
shore batteries. At the mouth Of the
river was a very large fort. from which
were subsequently fired the heavie= It guns.
On the right hand side OF the river were
three other forts. connect d by shore bat
teries. These forts and batteries were
manned, as was subsequently ascertained,
by about 5000 men
"Bi0od L. Thicker Than WaterD
About .. m one of the gunhoats. with
the admirals flag flying, commenced as
cending the river while the other vessels
remained at anchor As soon as the
Startling passed the first barrier, which
had been blown up during the nigh, firing
was commenced by the forts. which was
at once returned by all the vessels. ard
the balls 500. few like hailstoues. In
half an hour We could see from the deck
Of our vessel that the shots from the
forts were cutting up the boats while the
forts were scarcely in iured by the small
battery directed against them At 5
o'clock young officer came from the ad-
miral's ship wearied and exhausted, with
blood streaming down his face. 70 tell
the commodore that the admiral was W
ing on his deck severely, # not morally.
wounded. His captain had been killed
and but three men were left capable If
doing duty This officer had been sent to
order up the re endorsements but the tsda
had fallen so that the English eunbeats
were unable Ia execute this order. TIE
small boats Of the vessels were the only.
means by which the re-enforcameDts cou15
+ De sent up the river, hut they couII NOT
stem the tide, VIII Oh runs fearfullv strona,
IN thlS rlNtr. and the WiHd was so bfeb
that II was evidently impossible nv mis-
means OF conveyance IN assistance could
reach the admiral in time 10 be- Of ,ry
use ''''
The young British officer had intimated
nut had not said in 81 many words t5at
assistance from Us would relieve the sill
dauon. Commodore TattnaU turned IN me
ana SAID; Il must either helm Hone nr
return 10 the Powhatan. l can't stand
here ana see them shot 10 piece-m
asreed that We ought to give them a;1
at which one Of the officers of our M.
IiheS. Who Was standing near said Inu5
enough for Us 10 hear: This is nor neu-
trality" '''"
The commodore looked AZ him sevcral,-
and then turned To me BLOOD j. tbic,-s-
th1n water he cried. GEORGIA viii
stand by u.s.
one oi my stan officers replis3 sor-
castlcally: Il thought these were sficers
OF the United States. and not Of the Sta;a
OF Georgia"
Aut Iattnall was not 10 be held hacly ~,
sarcasm. aud We went down win our
steamer. the TOey-wan, and towed The
MARINES IN the junks. who were 6rst
placed IN small boats. up TO help Admiral
Hope' II toGs se7=-a' trips 70 accomUlI,,
THIS. and We met with some loss o,Ir.
selves. The Cockswain of the compooao--e,,
boat MAS KILLED, ana the same bullet ma
Killed hlil passed between The legs 81
Flag Lieut. Trenchard who sfterUaTd h..
came famous in service.
Fesriai Fatalities Of Landing Par,,
Alter having towed up The boats M. t.
eS-"ah came 20 anchor AZ = o. m h.
tween the French gunboat ard the Coro-
L'andeI. From our position We had "A mn
view oi thc boats they landed the ypsr
upon the shore. The forts and The vvstar
batteries opened upon them deadly IN.
We could See the men fail ia their boats
even before they touched the landing vet
they moved steadily on. As they reached
the shore they fell In crowds. OF tbe 90
Hen composed the stcrming party al least
l"h hfd fallen before they r med me
- IsF-