The evening times., 1900-10-04
CARNAGE AND LO0TING.
An American Marine Writes of Con-
dftionH at Tientsiu.

An "A american Marine ~ rites Oh iOn~
dition- at G'fentsIn.
A letter giving a graphic description
of the advance of the American troops
against Pekin, and telling OF the hard
ships endured on the long dry march
from Tientsin has been received hare
by clerk in one of tie executive depart
ments. The letter is written by the clerks
brother, who enlisted in the Marine Corps
for service in the Philippines more than q
year ago Lieutenant Wynne and Norman
Pruitt, mentioned in the letter which
follows. are Washington boys:
''Tientsfn, China, Aug. 8, 1900.
Brother Jim-We are having hard
times and hard fighting on the way to
Pekin- | am glad that | had to fall out
of line when we were to start on that
ninety-mil march to Pekin Each of
US were weighted down too much for
soldier to carry Just think of it:
Belt of ammunition, 10 pounds; canteen,
8 pounds; blanket and rubber blanket,
25 pounds; rifle, II pounds. And to
top 1t off each of US given shovel to
strap on our backs for trenching. Now,
waterl Terrible times-burning and
iootipg as we go. We are not allowed to
loot but you know the rest. All the
other nations do the looting. The ad
vance when We started were: Cur
American troops in front: then the
marines, 700 of us, and the Japs. Oh our
side On the other side were the Rus
slams and the French, carrying the right
flank. Outside OF the walled city that
we took On that day, about three miles
out. the Chinese entFenched themselves,
so when Reilley's Battery arrived from
the Philippines he took the lead at 2
O'Clock in the morning After forming
the start to Pekin he dashed into them
and cut them down like weeds To see
the dead Chinks-thousands of them
and stinking all over: but. mind you, we
lost some too.
The reason I had to fall out was be-
cause my eyes were in Il terrible state
but are getting along all right now.
Doctors and medical attention are on the
bum Captain Shaw went three times
to have me admitted to the hospital and
they refused me.
The boys have gone, Tp to nay writ
ing this letter, about lorty miles, and
great many Of the army boys were
killed, also a few marines. The Rus
SLAMS and Japs are the heaviest losers
and the dead and wounded are coming
down the river. Took three immense
forts up the river after leaving Tientsin
We are quartered at this fort, the
third one taken, and are going to re-
main until re-enforced by troops that
are on the way. The Germans are just
getting in-36,000 OF them-and a lot of
Americans on the way; lots of other
troops and horses are coming and then
the final move to Pekin. Wen be there.
L guess, before you get this letter and
many one viii bite the dust
Norman Pruitt just came in wounded,
shot through the hand; is ali right and
no danger. News is coming in frcH
the front. Victory so far. Jim. soma
of our boys died on the march-sun-
stroke lots coming in now played out
and lots more lying along the roadway
We have no conveniences whatever:
no wagons or ambulances. They brought
only some coolies for litter bearers; had
q pack train for carrying stores and am
munltlon- and II a man plays out along
the march he has a bad show of ever get
ting back. 1 am glad l was made to fall
out before starting, as they are having
very hard time.
THE river IS full of dead Cinnamon.
and dogs along the banks are tear5qs them
to pieces; something awful; but I am
used to il now. Jim, you never have or
ever VIII see such a thing. And such a
wrecked city; all burned and burning as
far as the eye can see; the distant sound
OF lighting; heavy cannonading, ard the
smell of the dead and decaying flesh They
| never bury any OF the Chinks It is a
where our troops suffered the largest loss.
We viii have to be re-enforced before
tackling Pekin. The English are sending
their largest iyddite guns up the river
something enormous-thirty feet long.
weigh about fifteen to twenty tons, to
lombard Pekin- They are great guns, I
tell you
Lieutenant Wynne just came down on
lighter with lot of wounded. He is a
good fellow. and is a big help to his men:
is well liked by everybody. and is a
fighting boy, 1 tell you. I have seen
plenty scrapping so far, and for dead and
wounded, countless numbers At the TAX
ing of the walled city we slept with the
dead on the field only about four feet
apart We had to.
jim there is any amount of silver here
I got few nuggets left; weigh about
three ounces. I have had bricks that
weighed five pounds-and every one OF US
l mean marines only, as We were the only
Americans in the walled city when they
blowed the banks and vaults the day the
city was taken. Yes, l had as much as
| So 900 to $1,000, but could not carry it
every one of us-but did not see as much
as 81 in gold. had several nice watches
got rid of them; fellows stealing from
one another; had no pockets in our
clothes. l am sleeping on furs that cost
thousands Of dollars each There are lots
OF RGO9 ones YET, out We nave no way OF
sending them to the States; they are ly-
ing all over the city; and warehouses
ef sugars, whiskies, wines, and anything
| imaginable; il is go help yourself-only
the WhiSkies-and there is a guard over
| that: destruction all over and if Pekin
| don't surrender it will be worse still. You
would think by looking at the dead Chi
namen after those battles that half OF
China was wiped out, but amt hardly
made start. l suppose in a month or
two We Will know all about it. hope
to live to tell the tale. Jim, l have seen
all l want to, and a marines life isn't
what people think il is. When 4 man en-
lists as a marine he is sent TO the Philip
pines and China. and any old place, and
do as a soldier does. I know it, for !
have done it since l Joined You never
see one on a ship after arriving in the
Far East. It is a great bluff. 1 tell you
You would not think l was marine from
| that photo 1 sent you, only you know that
1 am one.
Hope l will get better soon. I would
not like anything serious happen to my
sight Hard fighting here, Jim, ard lots
more of it in store. The marching and
lack of water is the most terrible I have
seen the sights of lifetime. and lots
more to see. I'll close. Goodbye to all
CURRENT HUMoR.