d to storm the forts.
The soldiers, marines, and the blue-jackets detailed for the purpose
were landed; the commander of an American man-of-war showing his
sympathy by assisting with his boats in taking detachments of the
storming party on shore. The tide, which had gone out, had left large
banks of mud between the channel and the firm ground. Through this our
men had to wade for many yards, covered, however, by the guns of the
_Lee_, which opened fire for their protection. Scarcely, however, had
they left the boats than every gun still serviceable in the fort, with
numberless gingalls, rifles, and muskets, were directed upon them.

"One captain was mortally wounded, another severely hurt, and the
colonel of the marines fell desperately wounded. The third in command
still led on the storming party.

"The first ditch being nearly empty of water, was crossed, but a second,
close under the walls of the fort, was full; and here, finding his
immediate followers reduced to fifty men, while the larger party behind
was almost exhausted, nearly 300 having been stricken down in their
disastrous rush across the mud--he felt that it was his duty to wait for
reinforcements. On sending back, however, for them, the commanding
officer was obliged to refuse the request and to order him to retire, as
there were no men to be spared. As it was, they were nearly cut off,
for the tide rising, several boats had drifted up the stream. Some were
taken possession of by the Chinese; but others were recovered. During
the retreat the Chinese kept up a galling fire on our ranks, striking
down many, who lay helpless in the mud until the returning tide put an
end to their sufferings by washing over them.

"Not until past midnight did the commanders of the storming party,
having collected all the men they could discover, embark in the last
boat and return with heavy hearts to their ships. Six gun-boats were on
shore, and it was feared that all would be lost; but the tide, rising
higher than usual the next day, three were floated off, the others,
however, remained immovable. Altogether we lost 80 men killed on the
spot, and 350 wounded, many of whom died, among them being one of the
most gallant officers in the service, Captain Vansittart.

"This disaster has shown us that, after all, when the Chinese have the
advantage of strong fortifications, they are no contemptible enemies,
and that it will not do to despise them. Of course, they are