Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-09-01

shouted:
You are just in time. We need you
in our business"
Where can we get in?" said General
Chaffee.
Through the canal The British en-
tered there two hours ago." was the
response
The American General
looked disappointed. The Americans
had to fight their way to the legations,
while the British escaped opposition
Although the Americans entered be-
hind the last of the British forces, their
reception was just as enthusiastic as II
they had been first. When the stars
and stripes emerged into view Mr.
Tewksbury, the missionary, cried:
Americans, cheer your flag" Ladies
waved their handkerohiefs and the SOL
diers cheered the ladies.
On entering the grounds of the lega-
ton, the American troops stared in
amazement and inquired il there was
lawn party In progress. They had
expected to find the relieved in worse
condition than themselves, whereas the
contrast between the appearance of the
rescued and the reScuers was surpris-
ingly in favor of the former The
British minister, Sir Claude MacDon-
aid, was dressed in immaculate tennis
fiannels. Mr. Conger was equally pre-
sentable. The assernblage of ladies
was bright in summer clothing. On
the other hand, the rescuers were hag-
gard and rough bearded. They drag
ged themselves along as if ready to
drop, their khaki uniforms dripping
with perspiration and black with mud.
But a second glance showed that the
rescued were pathetically pale and
thin. They looked like a company of
invafids. Every part of the enclosure
testified to their tragic experiences.
There was plot of new graves, head
ed with wooden crosses, including the
graves of five children. The second
secretary's house was the hospital, and
it was flied with wounded.
French Nuns Ministered
there at one time. All but four men of
the Japanese contingent had been in
the hospital, wounded. There were
several caves, rooted with timbers
heaped over the earth, which served as
bomb-proofs.
The relief OF Pekin was a notable
achievement. chiefly for the forced
march OF four independent armies over
a single difficult road and in sickening
weather. The opposition offered by
the Chinese dwindled steadily each
day until the relieving Columns were
in front of Pekin. The defense of
the city, considering the possibilities
of the case, was exceedingly weak.
The Americans advanced along the
left of the canal under cover. the
Fourteenth infantry leading, with the
Ninth infantry and the marines fol-
lowing. From a hill Captain Reilly
shelled pagoda over the Che Hua
gate until the infantry got close in.
The Fourteenth regiment was extend
ed under cover before the wall, about
three yards away, when Company E
scaled the corner near the gate. I'M
der the fire of sharpshooters. Lieuten-
ant Gohn planted the regimental flag.
The regiment then crowded, with the
Russians, through the gate until op-
posed, but every side of the streets
leading to the Tartar wall, along which
the soldiers passed was swept by rifle
fire from the wall. The companies
dashed across the street in single file.
The British. entering Sha-Ho gate
about the middle of the east wall, were
nearer the legations and able to enter
first.
The Last Five Days
marching was the worst. Ii was a ter
rible strain. The thermometer kept
near 100 and was sometimes above
that figure The country was deep
with sand and the route lay through
shadeless fields OF tall, thin corn. The
Japanese possessed the greater en-
durance, and, being provided with the
best transport, they made the pace.
The Russians held second place most
of the time. The Americans and the
Russians were pushing to keep up.
General Fukusnima said the japan
csc might have reached Pekin two days
before. He probably spoke the truth.
They seemed never TO rest. Their
cavalry and scouting parties were
threshing the country ahead and on
their TANKS, and their outposts kept
in constant contact with the enemy,
pressing the latter so closely chat they
threw away their sleeping mats and
clothing.