The chiefs of the Tokugawa clan, I reported, were not yet prepared for so
vigorous a measure, and the Mia Sama himself did not appear to favor it.
Failing in their efforts to obtain control of him, the southern chiefs,
apprehending the consummation of a project which would be equivalent to
the defeat of their schemes, and probably also of their military forces
at an early day, besides, resolved to act, and attempt to take charge of
him by force. On the plea of destroying his defenders, the volunteers,
through whose presence the southern occupation of Yedo was worse than
nominal, they resolved to attack the temple of Wuyeno. It was in this
Mikado’s temple that the Tycoon did penance previous to his departure
from Yedo; and as it was Mikado’s property, and held sacred therefore,
the attack on such a place was in itself a victory over the superstition
prevailing among the majority of the soldiers fighting under the
Mikado’s flag.
I have now the honor to transmit herewith, No. 1, a translation of a
document furnished me by the Japanese ministers for foreign affairs,
containing general orders for the attack, and No. 2, from the same
source, showing the disposition of the forces, and announcing the
destruction of Wuyeno and the successful result of the attack. It
appears to be beyond doubt, however, that the principal object of the
attack was not attained, and that the Mia Sama had left his temple and
proceeded to the north on the previous day, strongly escorted by
volunteers.
On the 5th and 6th instant search was made all over Yedo in the hope of
finding and capturing this great personage, but evidently in vain. All
reports agree that he is safe and beyond the reach of the
southerners.
From the other side reports have reached me that after the Mai Sama and
all the valuable, property had been removed, the volunteers, during the
entire day, the 4th instant, fought well, killing numbers of their
assailants, and thus securely covered the retreat of their
ecclesiastical chief. It is suspected that they then themselves set fire
to the temple, thus throwing the odium of this sacrilegious act on their
southern assailants, and at the same time covering their own retreat.
The southern troops, on marching in and taking possession on the next
day, and not before, only found some fifty killed enemies and no
wounded. Three wounded volunteers were subsequently discovered concealed
in an adjacent street, beheaded on the spot, and the heads exhibited. It
is further reported of the assailants that the soldiers of Higo fired a
volley
[Page 773]
into the ranks of
Satsuma, wounding about thirty men—some say by mistake; others, aware of
the bitter feud between those two clans, suspect that this was done on
purpose. There was no general commanding officer on the spot; the men of
each clan fought under their own officers, and quite independent of each
other, the jealousy among the clans preventing a regular organization
being arrived at.
It is impossible to give anything like a correct estimate of the forces
engaged; the reports all differ materially in this respect, only
agreeing in this, that to all appearances the southern troops now hold
complete sway at Yedo, and that the people, all reports of suffering
notwithstanding, are quite well treated by them.
I transmit inclosure No. 3, translation of a proclamation appointing
Tokugawa Kamenoske, the son of Prince Tayasu, the chief of that family,
Tokugawa Toshinobu, retiring with the title of former Tycoon. It is from
him that this proclamation emanates.
This morning large bodies of troops marched through Kanagawa on their way
to the Hakoné Pass, now held, it is reported, by the Tokugawa men. If
this be true, reports of fighting from that quarter may soon reach me. I
visited that pass last year, and in the hands of good troops, well
supported and provisioned, it would be very strong indeed.
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your most obedient
servant,
[Translation.]
To the clans of Kadsusa, Shiniosa, Kodzuke,
Shimodzuke, Sumga, Awa, Idzu, Sagami, and
Musasi:.
For some time past contumacious members of the clan, refusing to
submit to tbe gracious and merciful will of the imperial court, and
disregarding their master Keiki’s (late Tycoon) desire to submit,
and in spite of their being in the (legal) position of persons in
seclusion, have broken loose and collected in numbers at the temple
of Wuyeno and in other places, assassinated the soldiers of the
government, plundering the populace of their property, and
committing acts of constantly increasing violence, in defiance of
the government forces. Truly, they are enemies of their country, who
deserve no mercy.
It has become necessary, therefore, to issue orders that force be
used against them. You must therefore keep strict order within your
territories, and put your forces in a state of complete preparation.
If any of the rebels should make their escape you must slay
them.
Any neglect of these orders will be visited with severe punishment.
You will therefore consult with the clans in your vicinity, and
exert your energies in doing your duty to the best of your
power.
These orders are issued by the Miya, commanding in chief.
July 3, 1868.
Copy of orders to the soldiers of all
the clans.
Those of Tokugawa clan who have broken loose have assembled in
numbers at the temple of Wuyeno and other places, constantly
assassinating the soldiers of the government army, plundering the
innocent populace of their property, and committing acts of
constantly increasing violence, in defiance of the government
forces. Truly they are guilty enemies of their country and deserve
no mercy.
The imperial court is unable to show further clemency, and orders
have been issued to use force against them. You are therefore
ordered to fight with gallantry and daring, and to exterminate those
enemies of their country, so that the countless myriads of the
people may be rescued from misery, and to tranquillize the imperial
bosom by restoring peace and quietness at once.
June.
[Page 774]
To Tokugawa Kamenosuké:
It is the order of the Miya, commanding in chief, that you remove
during this day the tablets of your ancestors and other valuable
treasures which are at the temple of Wuyeno.
July 3, 1868.
To Tokugawa Kamenosuké:
For some time past contumacious members of the Tokugawa clan refusing
to submit to the gracious and merciful will of the imperial court,
disregarding their master Keiki’s desire to submit, and in spite of
their being in the (legal) position of persons in seclusion, have
broken loose and collected in numbers at the temple of Wuyeno and in
other places, assassinating the soldiers of the government,
plundering the populace of their property, and committing acts of
constantly increasing violence in defiance of the government forces.
Truly, they are enemies of their country and deserve no mercy. It
has been found necessary, therefore, to order that force shall be
used against them.
The Miya, commanding in chief, has ordered this to be communicated to
you for your information.
July, 1868.
To the Koga clan, (Doi Oyeno
Kami, Koga-in-Shimosha:)
Same as above down to “force shall be used against them.”
Consequently, a high military officer with some Hizen troops will be
sent to you. You will consult with them in all matters. Keep strict
order within your territory, and put your forces in a state of
complete preparation.
If any of the rebels should make their escape you must slay them.
Any neglect of these orders will be visited with severe
punishment.
You will therefore exert your energies in doing your duty to the best
of your power.
By order of Miya, commanding in chief.
July, 1868.
To Oshi, (Matsudaira Shimosa
no Kami, in Musashi:)
Same order as above, with the exception of Geishü troops for Hizen
troops.
To Kawagoye, (Matsudaira
Suwo no Kami, Musashi:) Same order as above, with the
exception of Chikuzen troops for Hizen troops.
Copy of notice affixed to the
notice-boards and published throughout the city.
For some time past the bands who have broken loose have assembled at
the temple of Wuyeno, frequently assassinating the soldiers of the
government or plundering the people of their property in the name of
the government forces, and committing acts of constantly increasing
violence. They are rebels against the state. Henceforth they shall
be killed wherever they are found. Any persons secretly assisting
them or harboring them will be treated as rebels.
July, 1868.
Tokugawa Keiki having given proofs of his submissiveness, his
Majesty, in consideration of the great services of his (Keiki’s)
ancestors, appointed a successor to his name and family, and
intended to announce subsequently the castle and revenues to be
allotted, with the desire that all, even to the lowest, might know
his proper position in the commonwealth; but, unfortunately,
contumacious members of the Tokugawa clan refusing to submit to the
most benevolent will of his Majesty, and disregarding their master
Keiki’s desire to submit, and in spite of their being in the (legal)
position of persons in seclusion, have broken loose and assembled in
various places, in defiance of the government forces; they have
plundered the property of the innocent populace, and there is no act
of violence which they have not committed.
As these acts tend to plunge the population into the depths of
misery, it has been found unavoidably necessary to use force against
them. As the object of this determination is to remove evil, to
render the empire as firm as a rock, and to relieve the countless
millions from anxiety, unreasoning flight is hereby forbidden. His
Majesty’s intentions must be well understood, and all classes
dutifully feeling at ease must carry on their ordinary avocations
and be tranquil in their natural positions.
July, 1868.
[Page 775]
Copy of notices addressed to the
municipal officers of the city.
During the space of three days from to-morrow, July 4, no boats are
allowed to leave the shore.
COUNCILLORS OF THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF.
July 3, 1868.
During the space of three days from to-morrow, July 4, no porters are
to be furnished at any of the post towns.
COUNCILLORS, &c.
July 3.
Old persons, children, and sick, must be removed during the course of
the day to places (of safety) in the neighborhood.
COUNCILLORS, &c.
July 3.
[From No. 4 of the Yedo Gazette of
July.]
Copy of letter addressed to Riu-o-ji
No Miya, of Wuyeno.
Tokugawa Keiki having given proofs of his submissiveness, his Majesty
appointed a successor to his name and family. It was the duty
therefore of the members of the Tokugawa clan to have continued in
seclusion. On the contrary, the contumacious have lawlessly broken
loose, and assembled in numbers at various places, not only
disregarding the wishes of their master, but also assassinated the
troops of the government and plundering the people of their
property; thus obstructing the imperial government. In consequence
of these lawless acts, it is indisputable that force might properly
have been at once employed against them. The reason of the delay
which has taken place is that on account of the affection
entertained for the person of the Miya, the imperial court has
proceeded with the greatest delicacy, and the Miya commanding in
chief, also moved by the deepest feelings of anxiety for his safety,
has sent messengers to him inviting him to take up his residence in
the castle. Subsequently his Highness sent one of his military
councillors (Sanbó,) but no audience was granted to the latter.
Further, in spite of his Highness having sent for Gakoû-in and
Pio-û-in, they did not appear. It is therefore impossible for his
Highness to render them any further assistance, and he is filled
with burning anxiety in their behalf. However, as the people would
be plunged into misery and the imperial authority seriously impaired
if the acts of the enemies of the state were passed over with
impunity, it has been found unavoidably necessary to order the
employment of force.
We have therefore received the orders of his imperial Highness, the
commander-in-chief, to represent to the Miya the advisability of his
retiring from the scene of the apprehended contest at once.
We have the honor to make this communication to you and to beg you to
lay it before the Miya.
July 3, 1868.
Orders have already been issued against the commission of acts of
violence and lawlessness, such as setting the houses of the common
people on fire unnecessarily, or plundering their household
property, and the strict observance of these orders is now
reiterated.
July 3, 1868.
July 7, 1868.
On the 4th July, at early dawn, the forces were marshalled in front
of the great gate of the castle, when each body marched to the post
assigned to it and commenced the attack. The fighting commenced at
eight o’clock in the morning and was over by five in the
evening.
The government forces gained a great victory and routed the rebels
entirely. The whole of the buildings within the inclosure of Wuyeno
were reduced to ashes.
The different clans have not yet sent in their reports of the number
of the enemy slain and the spoil taken.
There was a report yesterday that the rebels had collected in
Gokokugi and Shounji, &c., and troops were therefore dispatched
to those places, but it appears that they had disguised themselves
in various ways and gone off by threes and fives in all directions
in the morning.
Troops were marched again to-day to the vicinity of Wuyeno and Hongo
for the purpose of attacking the remains of the rebel forces, but we
believe that there are very few left.
[Page 776]
July 6.
Hitherto the rebel bands collected in different places have committed
every kind of violence and atrocity. The unprovoked assassination by
them of soldiers of the government forces amount to more than thirty
in number. In addition to this, they have extorted money in many
ways in the name of the government forces. Being thus guilty of the
most abominable conduct, we think it would be well that foreigners
should be made acquainted with the unavoidable necessity which
called for the attack on them.
From Yushima to the street in front of Block Gate: Satsuma; Inaba;
Higo.
Advanced from Hongo and the Castle of Kago: Choshu; Chikugo, (Arima;)
Sadowara; Omura.
From Mito Shimo Yashki: Sadowara Todoand Owari Hokakutai
artillery.
From Shitotsubasi to the aqueduct bridge: Awa.
Near the Chinese school, (Seido:) Shimbatta.
At Morikawa near the branch road: Bizen.
These three posts were supported.
Okawa bridge: Kishu. Two military officers attached.
Great bridge at Sendai: Inaba.
Kawa Kuchi: Okubo Toichiro.
Oshi: fifty men, of Geishu.
Kawagoye: fifty men, of Chikuzen.
Near Ogi: Todô geishü and Chikuzen.
Yoda: fifty men, of Bizen.
Koga: fifty men, of Hizen.
Numata: fifty men, of Higo.
These nine posts were supports.
