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The skirmish of Nagasaki, Japan

On November 4, 1864 at Baltimore, Maryland the newspaper Baltimore Sun carried the following article: “THE UNITED STATES STEAMER MONITOR FIRED ON BY TWO JAPANESE BATTERIES AND INFANTRY”

“The American steamer Monitor left Hakodadi (probably Hakkaido) [The compiler notes there are four main Islands in Japan Hokkaido, Honshu the largest and where Tokyo is located, Shikoku and Kyushu. There are also more than 6,000 smaller islands) July 3d, for Nagasaki; she encountered strong gales, became short of fuel and about latitude thirty-four she ran into a large with good anchorage and a small village on the east side. Two officials came on board, asked what was wanted when the owner and captain explained their distress and that they wanted wood or coal, water and fresh provisions, for which they would pay. At the same time the officers were informed it was an American vessel, where from and whiter bound.

The officials said they would report it to the head men; it was then night. At daylight the first messenger was a shot from a four gun battery near the village. The steamer got up steam as soon as possible, the battery meanwhile firing at her, but without effect. As soon as there was light enough they saw that screens had been placed before the village, and behind it infantry, who also first at the steamer, twenty-four balls hitting her sides, but fortunately injuring no one. As soon as steam was got up the vessel ran out of range, when a six-gun battery, more to the southward commenced to fire upon her, but with no effect. The Monitor having on board two fourteen-pounder Parrott guns, then fired twenty-six shells into the first battery and village, setting it on fire in two places.”

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