Bu route to Hanoi, on board steamer Tonquin, 19th August.
The country all along tween Haiphong and Hanoi it appears almost like one vast Ink nhavitant must have sustained tremendous loss, their villages and goods having in most instances been swept away or utterly spoiled. L wise saw several villages, that had the water, in flames, having doubtless been first pillaged thou ficed by the pirates who swarm along the river.
Hanoi, tat August.
We arrived hero this muming. I have just heard from Colonel George, command dor of the drapeaua: jules, some further Aotails of the eugayement of the 15th August. The French marched out of IL ni in three cviumue (comprised of French troops and rome Annamite titailleurs from Beigon) and the qrupeaue jones. Ouse column took the road to Sontay, another, that to Hug, and one in the centre. They soon met the enemy, whom they found armed this time with mitraille guys, There was a severe fight, The French lost 2 officers and 13 men killed on the spot, and 60 seriously wounded, but these figures do not include the casualties among the drapeaua jaunes. The latter behaved much better than I thought or expected. They were well to the front, under the able command of Colonel George, who seems now to have gained a thorough ascendency over his customs. I think I was rather out in former predictions in regard to thes~ men. but humanum est er rare. From what 1 learn the affair of the I5th was not altogether a success.
General Bout hostelegraphed for further reinforcements, as he sees that by is not strong enough at prerent to go on with the work vf occupation, 23rd August Lhave just heard that during my absence an expedition went to Quang-yeu, the capital of Cluang-yen, ® provines some ten miles NW. from he: As the Governor of this province has been very friendly to the French, the latter just marched in and took the place with the ade. Chu i
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.