Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1900-07-26
SEYMOUR'S STATEMENT.
Nothing in the British Admiral's Report
to Prove the Sensations story That lie
Had to Kill His Wounded.

San Francisco, July 24.-There is
nothing in the extensive report Of
Admiral Seymour which was received
here yesterday by the America Maru
to prove the sensational story that
was circulated the earlier part of the
month to the effect that Admiral Sey-
mour, who commanded the Pekin re-
lief expedition, killed his wounded to
save them from the Chinese.
Commander S. W. Very, United
States navy, who returned from the
Orient on the steamer and others who
were at Hong Kong when Admiral
Seymour returned from Tien Tsin,
did not hear the story and the adj
mirals report, which is an elabora-
ton of the cablegram published on
the 30th of June, makes not the
slightest mention of the affair; but,
on the contrary, goes into particu-
lars of the bravery of the allies in
guarding the wounded who were
placed in fiat boats and towed down
the river by details of soldiers and
marines, while the main body of the
troops fought the Chinese off with
rifle and Maxim.
In the fight at Lang Fang, where the
Boxers attacked the forces with great
vigor, twice the italian contingent
bore the brunt of the fighting on the
right flank and lost five men killed
and a number wounded. The Chinese
retreated leaving a large number of
dead on the field. In the afternoon
a detail of British marines who were
stationed to guard the railroad house
at Lang Fang were attacked and re-
Inducements had to be rushed for
ward to save them. 1t was in this
engagement that the enemy lost about
100 killed, which was mentioned in
the telegraph report, and the British
marines had two of their uejackets
wounded. An advance was then made
to Rem Ting, where halt had to be
made as the tracks for miles had been
torn up. The Chinese advanced in
great numbers and desperate battle
was fought. The column fell back to
Yong Song, that the rest of the trip
might be made by stream. Seymour
then said:
"Prior to our departure from Lang
Fang, | ordered two trains to stop
there in order to enable part of our
men to proceed later, but these trains
were attacked after my departure by
the Boxers and the Chinese troops
who had come from Pekin and fight
ing ensued, in the course of which 400
to 500 were killed on the enemy's
side and six of our men killed and 4S
wounded. At Yong Song | was joined
by the men who came down there in
three trains. All the trains were COM
pletely destroyed and not single
one could be used for further work.
Moreover, the want of provisions, to-
gether with the presence of numerous
wounded soldiers, compelled us to re-
treat to Tien Tsin. Communication
with Tien Tsin remained entirely sus-
pended for six days and accordingly
we were deprived of the means of OBJ
tanning supplies. We accordingly
marched back-though constantly at
tackled by the enemy-along the river,
escorting at the same time : the
wounded soldiers carried in boats"
After detailing the capture of the
forts and supplies Admiral Seymour
then added that the ammunition and
food would have kept the relief col
umn in condition for several days, but
owing to the presence of so many
wounded it was decided to return to
Tien Tsin. On the 23d the reinforce
ments from that city came to the adj
miral's assistance and on the Gath the
entire force reached the headquarters
of the allied armies.