New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-10-21
H. B. NJ. Legation Cwhat is left OF it),
Picking August q 1o00


are most Of US going to come out OF it right end
up" after ali. We must not begin hurrahing
YET, as we are by no means out Of the wood. but
I really think We will get out Of It now We
have been besieged with shot, SHELL fire, mines
and every other deviltry the hends could think
of since June 20, and it IS really nothing short
o. q miracle that we have stood it" like we
have If some one had told US when the siege
began that we would have to hold out against
Il for something like two months. and would
be fairly 1T at the end of that time, we simply
would not have been able 10 believe it.
At the beginning Of the siege Sir Robert Hart
after very careful calculations, told US that in
his opinion the very earliest date at which relief
could arrive July 8. and all jeered at
him as pessmistic old croaker, yet here is Au-
gust g. and here are we still hanging on, and
still hoping daily for relief. I do not consider
that Ladysmith Kimberley is in it with
what going through. We all penned
up in small quarter which is very difficult to
defend, with hundreds Of our women and chill
dren, and thousands OF Christian convert refu-
gees fighting for lives day and night for a
month with hardly a moments peace. being
shelled by Krupp guns in some places at a dis
lance of about forty yards. as well from the
city wall, and worst of all, without any ques-
ton Of surrender even if we were thusly in
clined; we know too well what it means to fall
into the hands Of the festive Chinese soldiers.
UNEXPECTED RELIEF.
However, by wonderful dispensation Of a
most merciful Providence about a fortnight ago.
Just when things were looking particularly
blue" when cur best were being killed
and wounded and We were almost afraid that
We would have to abandon most important
position, which was being most pIuckiy held by
all he
ceased, we received tender messages from the
Tsung-Ii-Yamen inquiring after our health and
<ztgfare and stating that they hoped to check
f4e attacks which the 'lawless robbers and ban.
AIT" -Vero making upon US etc. and since then
We have been enjoying comparative peace with
the exception Of occasional night attacks, though
Of course the siege IS as strict ever, and both
sides are working away hard as they can
the Notifications.
You must understand that, IN spite OF all the
protestations OF the Yamen to the contrary the
people who are attacking u are Imperial Chi
nese troops. acting under orders from the Gov
eminent, and the Boxers, who are now openly
recognized and supported by the Government as
q sort Of militia. The Tsung-li- Yamen protests
that the attackers outlaws and bandits.
knowing all the time that we know that they
are regular Government troops, commanded by
high princes and officials, and, If this were not
messengers and spies to get hold Of most Of the
recent Issues Of the official Picking Gazette
which publishes all the imperial edicts. and in
II are many edicts encouraging and rewarding
the soldiers and Boxers who are trying TO get
at U.s. But Of this more later on
We have good reason TO believe that there is
q large relief force now its way up to US, and
what chiefly fear is a final determined at
tempt 10 "scupper" when that force gets
near 7 sincerely hope this may not happen L
am sick and tired Of war and it's horrors, and
as I got two bullets through me on July and
have been laid up ever since, have to be still
and DO nothing when there is fighting going on
al around which is simply terrible.
HOW THE WRITER WAS WOUNDED
was wounded in a sortie made to capture a
gun which was playing "Old Harry with US
The Italian officer who was leading US MADE
hopeless blunder. led into a regular deaIh
trap and we only got out with the loss OF three
killed and three wounded. I got two bullets
through me, one through the aeshy part OF the
thigh and one through the shoulder behind the
shoulder blade Luckily. 20 bones were toucheo'
and I am getting on first class. The shoulder
healed up quickly and is quite right The
leg which rather nasty big place woulo
not heal for some time but is now getting on
fine, and am able 10 get about outside htte'
with the aid Of a pair Of crutches. l have not
suffered much pain from the wounds at all IL
is the effect which II has on you rather than
the wound itself which is trying-its fever
and the great weakness.
The sensation Of being shot is very peculiar
one I felt at the time as # had received two
heavy blows with club stone. There was
no pain at all and was able to go straight
On 1 hardly realized that I had been shot, but
thought II must have been bricks or something
Of that sort that had struck me. managed to
walk some way hack even. but as was bleed
ing terribly I soon got faint and had to be car
ned IN. However % all this more. too, later on
am going to bore you with a short daily ac-
count Of the siege. but viii give you sort Of
Sketch Of how We stand first.
Personally, 1 am jolly sick OF war and its
hoTroTs. and hope tc goodness we can get away
rom it soon. I have seen my best friends HIT
de, and be carried out and buried all IN the
space u few hours-poor old Oliphant the
very best chap there was. and everybodys
Hlend is buried IN our little temporary ceme-
.eiy oy the First secretary's house, beside poor
"srren. Of my year. with whom went TO JehoI.
HToute is there, too the senior captain Of our
-HSilnes one Of the incest fellows possible and
-s smartest officer we had.
LARGE LIST OF CASUALTIES.
Our total casualties up to date. in our small
garrison Of marines and volunteers. amount to
~ Killed and 90 wounded-152 in ala large
1Hoer out Of so small a garrison when every
'ala0le man is wanted. However, some Of the
FUNDED are coming out now. and are able to