The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-08-31
SIEGE OF PEKIN.
Detailed Account of Events at
the Close.
March of the Allied Armies to
the Rescue.
AMERICANS WERE LATE
Enter Legation Compound Two
Hours Behind British.
Scenes of Rejoicing Which Fol-
lowed the Relief.

Pekin, Aug. IA, by post via Tien Tsin-
One disadvantage that the Americans
had during the hard march to the re-
lief of Pelxin was that their transporta-
ton wagons were late in arriving. The
Ninth infantry possessed the only out
fit which reached Tien Tsin up to the
time of starting. The supplies were dl-
tided among the soldiers of the Ninth
and Fourteenth infantry regiments
and the battery. The Americans with
haversacks, blankets and tent rolls
started under the heaviest loads, but
they soon stripped to fighting trim, pre-
ferring to forego their blankets rather
than to sweat under them. During the
last two nights of the march they slept
tired and worn out in the rain without
shelter or cover.
One night the wagon train lost the
road and passed the American camp.
The drivers plodded along four miles in
the darkness and rain They might
have driven into the Chinese camp, but
fortunately the Russians stopped them
just in time.
The Americans often bivouacked sup
PEERLESS and breakfastless, and toward
the end the officers kept the men at
work only by appealing to their ma
tional pride. Don't let the Britishers
beat you. Don't let the Russians get
ahead" they urged constantly.
The army transport when it reached
Pekin was unique spectacle. Miles of
animals, vehicles and coolies trailed be-
hind Everything imaginable ON wheels,
from farm wagons to fashionable equip
pages, was impressed and every horse,
mule and Chinaman in the path was
commandered. The Japanese had cows
bearing packs and the Russians had
camels. Cinnamon pulled the carts
and staggered under heavy packs, the
soldiers cursing and beating them. Sew
eral dropped dead. Two hundred junks
and scows bearing munitions were
towed up the river by coolies. Had the
Chinese taken the offensive most Of the
transportation might easily have been
captured and cut to pieces by small
hanking parties. After it was appar-
ent that the enemy was demora1ized the
generals trusted the transport to luck
and bent their efforts toward getting
ahead. Only such an emergency as ex-
listed could have justified such hard
ships as were imposed upon the troops.
A medal will be struck cOmmemO-
rating the siege of Pekin. Tt will bear
the legend, Men, not walls, make a
city" In the grounds of the British 1e
CATION where a handful of men with
stood the millions of the Chinese capital
for fifty-six days, a memorable celebra-
tion is in progress tonight in vindication
sembled about Bell tower, are singing
the doxology. Rockets are blazing Sol
diers and civilians of all nationa1ues
are fraternizing. The women are ap-
plauding the sound of the cannon that
are smashing the yellow roofs Of the
Forbidden City.
The tired Sikhs are planting their
tents on the lawn, and the American
and Russian contingentS are lighting
camp fires along the stretch OF turf ex-
tending beyond the Tartar wall
Through the ruins of the foreign set
tlement an eager cosmopolitan crowd IS
observation-disclosures, Cossaks, legation Ia
dies, diplomats, Americans from the
Philippines and French disciplinarians
from Saigon, who kept discreetly to the
rear while the fighting was in progress,
when looting began. Only the japanese
who have earned the first place are abb
sent. Resident foreigners welcome the
luxury of walking about and immunity
from bullets The new corners are anx-
ious to inspect the evidences of a his
toric defense. These barricades are, af-
ter all, the most wonderful sight in Pc
kin. The barriers hedging the British
legation are a marvel of stone and brick
walls and earth works. Sand bags shield
every foot of space The tops of the
walls have inches for the rifiemen, and
the buildings at their porticos and win
dows have ar1nor boxes, bags stuffed
with dirt, and pillows too.
Back of the United States legation is a
work named Fort Myers" which the
marines held, completely screening both
sides of the walls, with steps leading to
it, There is 1oopholed barrier across
the wall, which faces a similar Chinese
bars Legation street in front of the Ger
man legation and before the enemy'S bar
ricades Within those limits are yet more
walls, enabling the foreigners to contract
the area of defense if pressed
The tops of the American and British
buildings were badly torn by the Chi
nese shells. The most of the foreign
shells fell there during the first three
weeks of the bombardment, 400 in one
day. Buckets full of bullets were gath
cred in the grounds.
Four hundred and fourteen people
lived in the compound through the great
er part of the siege. Three hundred and
four marines, assisted by IS volunteers
commanded by the English captain
Poole, defended the place. Eleven civil
ians were killed and 10 wounded. Fifty
four marines and sailors were killed and
lip wounded.
Gilbert Reid, who was wounded in the
foot was the only American civilian in
jured. Two foreign ladies were wound
ed.
The reception which the survivors
gave the army was worth the hardships
was not spectacular. Sir Alfred Gaselee,
with his staff and company of SikhS,
waded up a bed of sewage in the canal
under the Tartar wall The besieged re-
gates swung inward and the British col
ors appeared, there arose great contin-
uous cheer on both Sides
Generals, soldiers and correspondents
scrambled up the banks through the
filth elbowing to be first Men and wo-
the hands of the Sikhs, patting them on
the back. Everybody was hustled ex-
citedly along into the legation grounds
where the colorS were planted The sold
iers surrounded the wall which had been
the salvation of the besieged.
The ministers and officers demanded
the latest news on both sides.
An hour afterWard General Chaffee,