Battle of the Barrier Forts

The Battle of the Barrier Forts (also known as the Battle of the Pearl River Forts) was fought between American and Chinese forces in the Pearl River, Guangdong, China in November 1856 during the Second Opium War. The United States Navy launched an amphibious assault against a series of four forts known as the Barrier Forts near the city of Canton (modern-day Guangzhou). It was considered an important battle by the British whose interest lay in capturing Canton.

Battle of the Barrier Forts
Part of the Second Opium War

Attack on the Barrier Forts on November 21, showing Portsmouth, and Levant, with men and officers from the steam frigate San Jacinto
Date16–24 November 1856
Location
Pearl River, Guangzhou, China
23°6′37″N 113°19′15.5″E
Result American victory
Belligerents
 United States Qing China
Commanders and leaders
Andrew Hull Foote
James Armstrong
Ye Mingchen
Units involved

 U.S. Navy

 U.S. Marine Corps

Eight Banners

Green Standard Army
Strength
50 marines
237 sailors (on land)
1 steam frigate
2 sloops
5,000 (garrison force)
3,000 (non-garrison force)
Casualties and losses
10 killed
22 wounded
2 sloops damaged
250–500 killed or wounded
176 guns lost
4 forts captured
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.