The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-11-11
PHKING. Scot. 1. 1soo.


bTrawO weeks after the Ninth infantry
left Manila for service in China.
the Fourteenth steamed away
from the Philippine capital on the
Same errand.
We arrived at Taku July Is, stopping
ever at Nagasaki one day. As we steam
ed in over the gulf OF Pechiii. warshios
OF all sizes and descriptions were lyinE
It anchor, about fvs miles from shore
On account OF the bars the large vessels
cannot get near shore, and everything has
TO be transshipped into lighter crafts be-
fore getting to shore. counted thirtv-
two warships and about az many trans
ports, Representing all Of the larger ma
lions. the Russians and Japanese being
in largest number. The Brooklyn and two
more American vessels were there. and
We lowered anchor close beside her.
We left the transport early next morn
ing. taking advantage OF the high tide,
three companies going 1t time At day
break, as We drew near shore, traces OF
war could be noticed The mud wall at
the mouth Of the Peiho river was badly
battered down. Farther up the snake-like
river, gunboats Russian and japanese
and one American. were lying ut anchor
After many turns we reached the land
ing place, near the railroad station. The
station and nearly everything around
we're In ashes and battered to the ground.
After loading our cars, we got on the
train prepared to take us to Tentsin, and
relied out, after many ceremonies by the
Russian officers in charge.
Grueso,ns Ruins Of Tienf.fr.
OF T1entsin, apart from the European
and American parts OF the city. very lit
tie n left. Ruins and dead bodies, and .
fsw scared Chinese were there. remnants
Of the destruction was done by the Box
ers. and the rest by the allied forces on
July ~ 10 and H. when 1t was taken after
Z hard struggle. Many lives were lost in
those three days. Taking into considerz-
tion the crowded position OF the Chinese.
and the effect OF the terrible lyddite guns
Of the British. the Chinese losses were
awful, estimated at from 5000 TO 10000.
Many lay In their houses. and bones and
skulls could be seen among the ashes.
Tho allied forces lost heavily, especially
the Americans considering the small
number engaged. While stationed in
Tientsin our quarters were at the
American mission: but only for a few
days.
Tho plan for tho general advance on
Peking had been arranged. and on Satur-
dav, August T. at 3 p. m. the columns
commenced the march Gen. Chaffee was
In command OF the Americans. consisting
of two hattalions Of the Fourteenth in
fantry. Ninth regiment. or what was left
OF II after the capture Of Tientsin: bat
terry r. Fifth artillery. and $50 marines:
in all about $500. The Russians and Jap
anese had driven the Boxers back about
nine miles from the city. but for the last
three DAYS had been repuIsed with heavy
losses. The Boxers were reported as well
fortified at Peitsing. about nine and one
half miles from Tientsin.
We marched about six miles before 60
ing into camp. II was understood that
an atinck would commence early In the
morning on Sunday. August s. The Rus
SLAMS were given the right. and the Jap
anese. English and Americans the center,
and the left. The Russians had over 1900
troops and the Japanese nearly as many.
The japanese were to get their position
under cover OF darkness, and the English
and Americans were 10 come up in sup
port. We had very little sleep that night.
At $3.50 In the morning our forces broke
camps II had rained considerably during
the night and the boys looked very much
like ducks as we went forward In columns
OF fours.
In Pst'f. WHl the Borers.
We had marched about seven and ono
half miles when the first cannon shot
sounded In front. roar and another
one, one more, and In five minutes II was
a continuous discharge. II was then pref
~ well understood that the plucky Jap
ane~e had located the batteries of the
while. II was still dusk. Ten mlnutes
more and we could hear the musketry,
volley after volley. The forces engaged on
the left numbered 10000 to Il. ZOO on one
side and perhaps double on the other. Tho
voileys were something louder than usual
In the Phiiipplnes--aftcr the fail OF Ma
mia. our column halted Now and then
shell burst here and there. but did
no damage, The shooting became faster
and faster. IL was soon IN a b-u-r-r-r-r-r
and a ho-m-h-wh1zx the shells exploded.
IL kept on for twenty minutes and then
II stopped Then Il opened up again
louder than before So II kept up for
seven and onc-half hours.
Our columns advanced little further ana
were soon under the range. The effect OF
the Airing was visible The hospital corps
was kept busy carrying wounded 10 the
rear. In short time over a hundred
were at one place. We could then realize
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