The Honolulu republican. [volume] (Honolulu, T.H.) 1900-1902, 1900-07-27
DESCRIPTION OF LAST
STAND OF MINISTERS.

by the small body of defenders. who
met the Chinese In the streets, inflict-
ing severe punishment upon them
These sorties too often took place at
night So great was the courage and
energy OF the little force that they
gradually compelled the Chinese TO re-
treat from the immediate vicinity OF
the British Legation. Soon there began
TO be open signs of disaffection and
frequent assertions of the troops Of
Prince Ching, who was endeavoring TO
cooperate with the besieged.
Ultimately Prince Tuan decided to
make an organized night attack. Hav-
ing secured a plentiful supply of am
munition for heavy guns, a conference
OF Chinese leaders was held and reg
ular plan of attack was agreed upon.
In three powerful columns, with strong
reserves, at p. m. ON July fire WAS
opened with artillery upon the British
Legation, where the allies and all Eu-
ropeans had concentrated. For two
hours walls and buildings were bat
tered with shot and shell and huge
breaches were made in them. Then 2
general advance was ordered, and the
Chinese infantry, volleying constantly,
moved toward the gaps. The fire of the
defenders, however, was SO accurate
and steady that the hordes OF Chinese
soldiers and Boxers broke and fed in
the widest confusion. leaving a large
number OF dead and wounded around
the legation.
They were not rallied until out of
rifle range. Then Prince Tuan. max
ing desperate appeal, induced them to
stand and return TO the attack. Their
artillery fire was resumed; and at the
middle watch a second attack was 1T
tempted; but before the attackers could
accomplish their object they were met
by Prince Ching and General Wang
Weng Shao with their troops, who were
going to the aid of the foreigners. a
desperate battle ensued between the
two forces of Chinese.
Unfortunately, many OF Prince
Ching's troops deserted to Prince Turn
Prince Ching fell 1t was supposed that
he was killed, but search for his body
next morning was unsuccessful. 1t is
now believed that he was only woun1-
ed and was carried OF and secreted by
his faithful retainers. Wang Weng
Shao. also a gray-haired man of 20,
evidently led the troops in person. He
was killed and his force completely
and routed.
Throughout the night repeated at
lacks were made on the legation, but
they were invariably repulsed with
heavy losses. Toward the end of the
third watch tabout a. M the allies
had practically defeated the besiegers,
who were wavering and were grad
ually withdrawing. when General Tung
Pub Sian arrived from the vicinity of
Tientsin with large force OF Kansu
braves. BY this time the walls of the
legation had been battered down anl
most OF the buildings were in ruins
from the Chinese artillery fire. Many
OF the allies had fallen at their posts
and the remaining small band who
were still alive took refuge in the
buildings, which they endeay-
bred hastily to fortify. Upon them the
fire OF the Chinese artillery was now
directed
Towards sunrise ii was evident that
The ammunition of the allies was run
NtHe Soe' NAu a. SaoSAs as ah M
vance OF the Chinese in force failed to
iraw a response. Il was at once clear
hat IL was at length completely ex-
iansted. A rush was determined upon
Thus. standing together as the sun rose |
ully. the little remaining band of Eu-
'opeans met death stubbornly. There |
vas desperate hand-to-hand encoun- |
er. The Chinese lost heavily, but as
ne man fell others advanced. and. |
naily overcome by overwhelming |
dds, everyone OF the Europeans re-
naining were put TO the sword in a
lost atrocious manner