Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1891-12-08
HOLDING THE FORT.
CHINESE REBELS SHOW NO SIGNS
OF YIELDING.
Both Sides Show Bravery, but tho Imper-
ial Forces Win the First Battle 1nsur-
gents Take Revenge by Strengthening
All They Meet on tho Retreat.

SHANGHAI, Dec. 7.-Fuller particulars
have been received Of the recent battle be-
tween the Chinese troops and the rebels,
partly Monaghan and partly Chinese who
have been advancing toward Pekin. There
seems to be no doubt that the rebels have
received serious check, but even the i'm
perial authorities do not claim that it is
decisive. and the rebels still maintain the
field. The Chinese general, Mich, one of the
bravest and best known of the imperial
army, and who distinguished himself in
operations against the TAPPING rebels,
led the government forces, numbering
5000 picked men from the national army.
These were armed with Lauser rifles, and
had several Krupp field cannon They
met the rebels at Chaoewan. The latter
were 1000 in number, mostly well armed,
and included considerable number of de-
serters from the Chinese troops at Man
churia.
Nearly one-half, if not more, of the
rebels were mounted on Monaghan horses
General Mich first took the precaution Of
selecting 500 trusty men, with several of
his best officers, as a rear guard These
were stationed about 300 yards in the rear
of the main body of Chinese troops, and
ordered to kill any soldier retreating from
the field. These instructions were also
made known to the rest of the army.
General Mich then sent body of troops
to q ravine to the left, with the view of
outhanking the enemy. Then with the
main force, he charged the rebels, who
waited the onset
without n Waiver.
Before charging the troops, Mich sent a
volley into the rebel ranks, which decim-
ated but did not break them.
The rebels fought bravely. 1t was Tar
tar against Tartar, the Mongol half-sav-
age against the Mongol trained and dis
ciplined For time the struggle was
doubtful. The rebels at this moment saw
the thanking party. With the courage of
despair they threw themselves on the
imperial troops and pressed them back.
General Mich rallied the troops at their
former line, and placing himself at the
head, led the final charge the force he
sent around at the same time attacking
the rebels on the flank. The charge was
irresistible. Mich, still at the head of his
men, dashed into the breaking ranks of
the enemy. seeking out the rebel COM
mander. A wound, whether serious or
eral Mich. and while the rebel leader is
said to have fallen, it must have been by
another hand. The mounted rebels turned
their ponies to the north and
Iled in Confusion.
The imperial troops slaughtered those on
post on every side, and wherever they found
n rebel they stabbed him to death Those
who surrendered as prisoners were ihmedi-
al lnl l,.J m.
were chopped to pieces. General Mich at
once reported his victory to Pekin where
the news was received with general re-
joicinG As confirmation of the announce
ment, the couriers who brought the dis
patch carried the head of the rebel leader in
II bag. The pursuit of the mounted rebels
was continued The latter took revenge
on tie inhabitants ortheir defeat, pillag-
ing, burning and Strengthening us they
went back tow;.rd their desert businesses.
At latest advices the Chinese troops
had not again come into commission with
the insurgents. it is stated that he mum
her of native Christians who persisted in
the massacre that followed the opening of
tine rebellion was about 500 The number of
European victims is unknown. 1t is known
that no British We're among the victims.
British Gunboat Helps Out Foreigners.
BRUSSELS, Dec. "A dispatch from
China to the headquarters of the Belgian
missions of this city, brings the news Of
another frichtful massacre. The animos-
fly toward foreigners and the Christian re-
lig'on, which has been growing more dem
onstrative at 1ien Tsin has, eliminated in
an attack on the Iazarist mission at Ten
Tsin. Belgian missionaries and other Eu-
ropeans escaped with their lives, but many
native Christians fell victims to cruel as
sassinatiOn. The British gunboat Fire
brand, which is in the harhor, took prompt
action to assist in protecting Europeans.
The presence of this vessel is believed to
have restrained the rioters from whole
sale massacre of foreigners, although the
Eunboat is not capable of much execution.