Storming of the "Barrier Forts."

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M. Robinet, of Maryland, now a resident merchant in Canton, gave his services as pilot and commander of the Cum Fa, when that steamer towed the boats inshore to attack the second fort. This gentleman also, by his knowledge of the country, was able to point out the course adopted in the attack of the second and third forts, and suggested the time of the attack upon the third and last.

"Captain Henry Devens, of Charlestown, Massachusetts, voluntarily acted as my aid in the capture of the last three forts, and was ready to render good service. Captain Sewall, of the American ship Flyaway, occasionally took charge of the steamer Cum Fa, and repeatedly volunteered to serve in any capacity wherein he could promote the success of the expedition. Several other American gentlemen, whose names have not been mentioned, volunteered their aid, and rendered important assist

ance.

"It may be seen in this report how efficient our marines are in service of this kind; and the inference is inevitable that an increase of that corps, and of the number of officers and men attached to our ships, would tend to insure success in like expeditions. In all the advances, the men were ready, in perfect order and discipline, to respond to the call of their officers.

"It is but just also to the sailors to say that their order and subordination, as well as their bravery, most favorably impressed me; and I was convinced that when the two bodies acted in co-operation, in skirmishing parties and otherwise, they were capable of successfully resisting any Chinese force which they might encounter.

"The howitzers contributed greatly to-I may say secured-the success of the expedition, not only by their destructive qualities, but by the fear which their appearance inspired among the enemy..

"I can not help believing that the heavy and prolonged cannonading of the Portsmouth, on the 16th instant, was most important in preparing the way for the operations which succeeded. The powerful battery of this ship, consisting of sixteen 8-inch shell-guns, each of 63 cwt., so paralyzed the nearest fort, which was within a range of four hundred and eighty yards, that it was never afterward able to do the injury which it might otherwise have inflicted. I am disposed to believe, too, that a ship with guns of smaller calibre could not have sustained alone the hot fire to which this vessel was that day exposed from the four forts combined; and much less could have silenced the two nearest of those forts, as she did after a brisk cannonading of between two and three hours.

I am happy to add that the new elevating screws of Constructor Hartt, with which her guns are fitted, stood the severe test of the heavy firing during the several actions to my entire satisfaction.

"It is, of course, impossible to ascertain definitely what loss the Chinese have sustained. Their own rumors make it, at the least estimate, five hundred-although I am inclined to believe that it will not exceed one half that number. It is said, on good authority, that a hundred and twenty Chinese sailors, recently discharged from a foreign man-of-war, and who have thus had the advantage of European training and discipline, were among those who served the guns of the forts. This accounts for the superior gunnery displayed by the enemy.

"It becomes my painful duty to add the following list of killed and wounded (seven killed and twenty-two wounded); and I can only express in this place my feeling of sorrow for the loss which their own friends have sustained, and which the country and the service to which they belonged have also suffered. It is proper for me to mention that, by request of the fleet-surgeon, the surgeons of the ships were not permitted to accompany the storming-parties on shore, as the most important operations could not be performed on the field, but on board ship. All that medical skill could do to relieve the sufferings and save the lives of the wounded was promptly and successfully accomplished.

"Commander and Senior Officer present commanding U.S. Naval Forces, off the Barrier Forts, near Canton.

"Commodore James Armstrong, commanding U. S. Naval Forces,

East Indies and China Seas.

"P. S.-Subjoined is a list of the officers of the several stormingparties:

Storming of the "Barrier Forts."

Brevet-Captain John D. Simms, Marines. San Jacinto.

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66

"A. H. F."

CHAPTER XI.

REMARKS ON THE TAKING OF THE BARRIER FORTS."-CRUISE OF

THE action narrated in the preceding chapter, in the judgment of competent witnesses, was, in a military point of view, a brilliant one. The English and French were loud in their praises; and as the gallant Portsmouth dropped down the river, the ship of the British admiral, Sir Michael Seymour, as well as his commodore's vessel, manned the rigging, and gave three rousing cheers for the Portsmouth, while the bands struck "Hail Columbia" and "Yankee Doodle". up pliment rarely paid to our ships by rival nations.

-a com

This action made a deep impression. In China, to this day, Commander Foote is well remembered; and the storming of the "Barrier Forts" taught the mandarins a lesson which they never forgot, made the American flag respected even by that stolid and peculiar people, and led the way to the advantageous treaties of Mr. Reed and Mr. Burlingame.

The battle was varied in its emergencies by sea and land, and called forth the best judgment as well as courage of the commanding officer; and although he was opposed by semi barbarians, the odds in respect to numbers were great on the side of the Chinese--some 5000 to 280 Americans. The forts were strong, and capable of doing immense mischief if further strengthened. But Foote did not wait for this. He urged upon the commodore the necessity of immediate reprisals for the insult to our flag and the wanton assault upon the boats, feeling that a lesson should be given. The commodore was on board the Portsmouth during the first cannonading, but, being

Approval by the Government.

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ill, he withdrew, leaving all in the hands of Foote. He, in fact, took the responsibility and carried the thing through. The boldness with which his vessels were laid alongside the forts, up to the very teeth of the cannon, and the straight, impetuous storming work which followed their cannonade, remind us of a scene more fresh in our memories, and are characteristic of the man and of his mode of going to work.

The American Government added its approval of the conduct of her Navy on this occasion. The following is an extract from Secretary Dobbin's dispatch to Commodore Armstrong of February 27, 1857:

"Our national flag was borne by American officers on waters where it was legitimate to show it. The mission of those bearing it in the small boat was peaceful. No notice had been given by the Chinese, no shot of warning was fired over the boat; but shot and shell were fired deliberately at the officers and men, with a view to their destruction. My reflections upon the whole case convince me that it was indispensably necessary promptly to vindicate the sacredness of our national flag, and to inflict a degree of punishment sufficiently impressive to deter these people from again rashly and recklessly insulting us. Had the offensive act been temporarily submitted to and referred to the tardy process of Chinese explanations, this trifling with our flag would probably have been repeated, and led to still more serious consequences.

"I approve, therefore, of the course pursued by you and those under your command. The brave and energetic manner in which the wrong was avenged is worthy of all praise. The gallantry, good order, and 'intelligent subordination' displayed by all engaged in the various conflicts with the enemy; the precision and admirable success with which the guns were managed, are highly creditable to the service. Be pleased, sir, to communicate to the officers, seamen, and marines the Department's high appreciation of their good conduct."

In the "Blue-Book" presented to the British Parliament, the notices of the capture of the "Barrier Forts," made by Consul Parkes and Rear-Admiral Sir Michael Seymour, were in marked terms of commendation both of the skill and the gallantry displayed by the Americans.