MORSE, United States Consular Agent for Osaka, now at Hiogo to General R. B. Van Vankenburgh, February 5, 1868

Mr. Morse to Mr. Van Valkenburgh.

Sir: As per your request, I hasten to lay before you a few facts connected with the late attack upon our settlement made by the Prince of Bezen.

On the 4th instant, I observed during the forenoon, at different times, baggage carriers and straggling soldiers going in the direction of Osaka.

About 2½ o’clock p. m. I was looking from the window of my house in the Otay Cho street, when I observed an official of rank pass by mounted on horseback. He was surrounded by a number of men armed with matchlocks, rifles, and spears. A few moments after he had passed there was a great commotion in the train; baggage carriers and spearsmen dropped what they were carrying in the road, and rushed for the houses and side lanes, evidently in a great state of alarm. Thinking that an attack had been made, I went immediately for my revolver, and while leaving my house met Mr. F. Blake, who remarked, “come along, an attack has been made upon us.”

I accompanied Mr. Blake as far as the sand-flat, saw a number of Japanese firing in the direction of the legations, and attempted to cross over, with several others, whereupon we were fired at. We retreated for a moment, when Mr. Blake espied a foreigner stretched upon the ground apparently dead. We at once directed our course towards the body, and were fired upon again, but managed to secure the person of the wounded man, whom we found to be a sailor belonging to one of the American men-of-war in port. After carrying the wounded man for a short distance we were relieved, when I met your excellency.

I was afterwards informed by one Reitcher (a Prussian subject) that the mounted official referred to got down from his horse, spoke to his body-guard, who immediately said “Teppo oasi,” and at once commenced to fire, as stated above.

I have the honor to remain your obedient servant,