The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-08-18
A DAY OF HOT FIGHTING
One Of the Gates Blown Up. Entrance
of the Allies.
D0RWARD COMMENDED OUR TROOPS
And Blamed Himself For Throwing Them into
aPosition Of Such Peril on the First
Day. Gallantry of the Mar
ms al the Arsenal.
in IS al the Arsenal.
(By the Associated Press. }

Washington, August 1.-THE Navy De-
partment today made public the reports
of Colonel Robert L. Meade, and Major
l.. W. T. Waller, of the United States
Marine Corps on the battle of Tien Tsin.
They give not only graphic account OF
this initial engagement in the Chinese
campaign, but furnish the information
with official exactness. Colonel Meade's
report is dated at Tien Tsin, July 10th.
After telling of the situation around Tien
Tsin and of the decision on July 18th, at
conference held at the English Gener-
ais headquarters, to attack the city about
daybreak, the next day, Colonel Meade's
report in describing the early fighting in
which the marines and Ninth infantry
took such a gallant part, says
I'VE reached the advanced position
about a. m. | took $50 rounds per man
with me-10O rounds in the belts and so
in the haversacks. This is not sufficient
for an all day fight, and as it grew to-
ward night l began to be apprehensive of
being left in an advance position in a
fight where no prisoners were taken on
either side with only the bayonet to
fight with.
ION the firing line the action was es
pecially hot, and the enemy's fire espe-
cially rapid and accurate and at about
$50 a. m. the enemy appeared in large
numbers upon our left and among the
grave mounds of the field in which we
were with the evident intention of flank
ing us. l made a turning movement to
the left and we drove them away Later
in the day, about 2 p. M, they again
made a thanking effort but at this time the
infantry support of the artillery COM
pany was on the mud wall of the city
and aided us by a cross fire. This COM
pany was commanded by Captain c. G.
Long The effort of the enemy proved
a failure, and we drove them in.
eve remained in the trenches until
about D. NJ, when we received an or
der from the Brigadier General COM
manding us to withdraw, which was
probably the most difficult action of the
day, since the enemy had so we'll covered
our position that their shots struck the
crests of the trenches and threw dirt IN
our faces-many being hit.
General Dorward, ordered that the
troops should sleep upon their arms that
night, and on the following morning
to enter the city, the south gate to be
blown in by gun cotton.
ION the 14th instant, the south gate,
having been blown in we moved into
the walled city at about o'clock a. m.
I'VE found the city filled with dead
Cinnamon and animals. No resistance
was made in our occupation of the walled
city itself, but an infantry fire was kept
up by the Japanese infantry upon the
enemy who responded from the suburbs
Since then we have had undisturbed pos
session of all Tien Tsin."
Colonel Meade enclosed a letter from
General Dorward, the commander OF the
English forces, in which he highly COM
mended the American commanders and
troops and took upon himself the blame
for ordering the Ninth regiment into
dangerous position. General Dorward es-
pecially mentioned for bravery Lieuten-
ant Smedley ID. Butler and Lieutenant
Henry Leonard and Captain Lawton. Col
onel Meade gives a list of the casualties,
and details of the death of Colonel Lis
cum and Captain Davis. The proclamation
to the inhabitants of Tien Tsin, telling
them that the bombardment was only in
reply to the attacks by rebels, is includ-
ed in the report.
Major Walters report is of especial in
terest, as he had command of the ma
rines in the fight before Tien Tsin was
reached The report is dated Tien Tsin,
June 2Sth and says in part:
AT two in the morning June 20th) the
Russian colonel informed me that he
would push on with his four hundred
men and attempt to get into Tien Tsin
and aid in the defence of the city. l
objected. but was overruled in council.
NV reason told me that there was slim
chance for passing the Chinese force with
only $50 men and no guns. The three
inch rifle proving defective. | disabled 1T
and rolled 1t into the river and followed
the Russians in the twelve mile march on
Tien Tsin. The Russian column was in
advance 400 strong, with my Colt 6-inch
gun in their front, under command OF
Lieutenant Powell. The advance con-
tinued until a. M, without opposition
when we reached point opposite the i'm
perial arsenal There we met small
flank tire which was quickly sllenced by
our sharp-shooters. About ten minutes
later we met very heavy front and
flank fire from 1900 or 1000 men in
trenched. We deployed and my line feel
ing the flank fire turned to the left and
rear, confronting the flank movement,
our line at that time having its front
advanced and right flank refused.
1.-The support of the Colt gun having
dwndled to two men, and the gun haV-
ing slammed several times, all the crew
being shot down but one, Mr.. Powell very
properly decided to abandon it, which he
did after disabling the gun. Receiving
notice that the Russians would retreat
to a point four miles beyond our bvouac,
l began my retreat, moving by the right
flank and keeping up a fight for four
hours with the enemy, who were in force,
Imperial troops and Boxers We sue
ceeded in falling back, bringing our
wounded by hand. At 2 p. m. we had
reached our base, having marched so
miles and fought for four hours. / was
obliged to leave the dead but brought off
the wounded Our casualties were four
killed and nine wounded
'It was agreed that we should ad-