The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-10-28


bolt and paddock. The solid construction rises
above the arches for nfty feet or more and then
comes n tOwer-likc structure Of several stories,
most Of which seemed never 10 have been used
except by bats, whatever their original destiny
These Rnte4 nre four or i've hundred yards
apart The courtyard hetN cen them Il paved
with bic blocks Of stone. hut badly overRrown
with grass md weeds. Each gate Is about
sixty yards on the face and running from gate
Ia gate on each side Ia n low wall Gates and
walls ara covered with long, half-cylindrical
tile ~ imperial yellow. tho end ones being orna-
plented with writhing dragons of astonishing
ferocity
From tho Chen-mun north the first OBJ
stacle 10 the passage Of the troops was n strnct-
ure built on the plan Of a gate but for the simple
purpose Of making people go around II Every
Chinese who Is big enough TO be anybody has n
piece Of n wall In front OF his house on the same
plan, to make passers turn out and realize that
n big man lives there. But this was the EmTer-
or's own go around" and accordingly 1t was on
n large scale. Legation street really runs
across the line Of the gates to the city. but this
go around" compelled every one coming from
east or west 10 turn down to the Chen-mnn.
IL was built Ike any other gate with five arches
and tho courtyard was paved with the same
huge blocks Of stone. Beyond II the real march
into the Forbidden City began, The Chinese
defended this place sharply from the gate Just
TO the north Of II. Our men were nt a great dis
advantage because they were on the ground
trying 10 reply to a heavy plunGing fire from
a very well protected position. II was AT this
time that some Of Walters marines were sent
up into the tower Of the Chen-mun TO fire over
the "Ro-around" at the enemy on the gate be-
ynnd md fhav Jid aAvna t.ary 0pod trprk
CAPT. REILLY's DEATH.
Reilly got two OF his guns posted on the north
side Of the Chen-mun wall and tried TO hammer
the corners Of the defended gate over the top
Of the little one In between. 1t was very diff
cult shooting, requiring great care and accu-
racy, but two or three shells had been sent we'll
home when Reilly wns killed. lie was standing
by a post talking 10 one of the buglers when he
was hit directly in the mouth by a heavy lead
slug, almost like one Of the old-fashioned min
ie-bolls Of Civil War days. He sank down and
died. practically without n word. and the army
had lost one OF the best men II ever had The
body was taken inside the tower over the gate
and covered with the flag until IL could he more
properly cared for. The news Of his death was
received with p~rofoundest regret by every one
who had known him.
htdUllIne lH' dCIlOn was ROluR on. Two
gins were taken down In front Of the Chen
mum and advanced under cover Of the go
around" The one Calling gun that had been
dragged zip so laboriously by a detachment
ofSixth Cavalry men also went up against this
gate. Part Of the Fourteenth was held in
readiness TO go through when the gates were
opened and some Of the Ninth were ready TO
support them. The opening Of the gate was
very simple and II was quickly and beautifully
done. One Of the guns was run up 10 within
eight feet of the gate and aimed squarely at
the big bolt and the crossbar. The first shot
told and the second gave the result. the
lock was smashed on and the bar blown down,
so that IL was only necessary 10 push the gates
apart.
UNDER HOT CHINESE PRE-.
When the gates were open our men went
through. They advanced very cautiously.
deployed az wide intervals. but there was ab-
%solutely no cover and they were at the mercy
OF the Chinese. There were some fimsy build
ings along the side walls Of the enclosure but
they afforded no shelter whatever and the men
simply crawled on their bellies over the stones
through grass n foot or more tall. that gave
them their only concealment. II was about
three hundred yards 10 the gate. The Chinese
waited until our men were where they wanted
MS and then opened a terrible fire. II was alb
%solutely out OF the question for the men on the
ground 10 reply with any efficiency TO this
p~luncing fire and the two guns began to shell
the parapet Of the gate with great yigor. They
landed some beautiful shots aud several times
II seemed rs II they must have cleaned the
place out, but always tho Chinese came back
at II. firing gingals and other large guns that
used black powder
More marines were sent out on tho wall by
the Chen-lnun to help keep down the fire and
some OF the infantrymcn scrambled up on top
Of the wall by the go around ard some got
pretty good shooting But il was too eSpen-
sive a position to he held and the Fourteenth
were recalled. having lost 1--WE killed and n
dozen or more wounded Then tho guns turned
20 10 dad earnest and she.led the gate until
there was no more sight or sound OF Chinese
there Then we went across. slowly and eau
tlously. and found the gate deserted.
FRENCH WIRE IN THE WAY.
But The French were out for any gnme In
sight this morning, and having posted 4 battery
on the wall where IL could command the gate
we had been attacking. had checrfully Joined
in Smelling the gate for some time. This was
good enough while VIZ were at It, too, but when
we had done our work and wanted TO go on
the French still kept shel.ihg the gate with such
accuracy that we dared not 60 near II The
Chinese had held us OF longer than had been
anticipated. and that was enough TO disturb
the General, but now to have to wait to send
word TO our friends 10 get out Of the way was
annoying Then, too. the Russians. seeing
that after all we were likely TO go into the Pur-
pic city, sent along the ridiculous force Of less
than a company Chanee couldn't stand that
and told the Russian of1cer with some nsperity
that II the Russians did not care 10 send a force
sufficient 70 do It's part Of the work they need
not send any.
Finally the French shellinc was stopped
and we got M 20 the gate we had been work
ing AZ so long. This Is really the first gate
into the Purple City. II is an enormous struct-
ure. In front Of 1t a wide courtyard extended
we'll TO the east and west. 1--WE hundred yards
AT least on each side. All around tho court
ward there was once n series Of buildings, such
as might be used for the quarters Of troops
or Of temporary visitors not entitled 10 great
consideration. Now there were many tents
showing where Chinese soldiers had been
camped. but the men had all fed. Many of
them left their rice In their tents and sorne Of
them had II cooking In the big pot. At the
east end Of Inc court was a gate which opened