Catoctin clarion., 1900-11-15
China Relief Expedition,
Pekin, China,
Sept. 18th, 1900.
MR.. EDITOR

On the morning OF the 4tn
of August the 9th and 14th Regiments. the
9th Artillery and six companies Of Marines.
all under the command of Gen ChafEee Joined
the allied forces in Tien Tsin and started op
forced march for this city, and on the night
of the 14th pitched camp under the walls OF
the Tartar City or outside wall of Pekin.
Early next morning after three hours
fight with the Imperial troops at a range Of
700 Yards, the American division entered the
Imperial CITY with the loss Of but killed and
eight wounded, Gap. Riley of the Artillery
being among the killed. Our slight loss can
be accounted for by our occupying fortified
position, held by the Chinese until the day
preceding for theImperials fought desperately
In the relief column were 10000 men with
tue Japanese leading, Russia, United States,
England, France and Germany following
respectively, and what little fighting done on
the way up was done by the "Japs" with the
exception of the engagement at Yung Sun,
which occupied all the column halt day.
Now, after camping here In the Imperial
City nearly i've weeks, TO give any definite
idea of the city will be difficult.
Nothing creditsble can be said Of Pekin or
It's /, 100000 inhabitants, and that It is the
most filthy city In the world none dispute.
Without paving stones or sidewalks, lacking
drainage and without street lights OF any
kind at night, a fellow can't realize living In
city Of modern times. Miles of ruins, the
work of the Boxers give one the Impression
that the soldiers of the Empress did but little
TO suppress them even at the beginning Of
this trouble. Thousands of the Imperial
troops and Boxers are now living in towns
within a radius of 25 miles of this city, and
as this quiet life becomes monotonous to the
9th Infantry, seven companies started out
yesterday morning, and judging from the
amount of firing heard last night they kicked
up some excitement without going far. IL"
troop of the 9th Cavalry was sent out about
week age for some cattle and sheep, and
though they returned next day without any
they reported having had a good time with
800 Boxers few miles out. Occasionally
some other power sends out few companies
to remind them that their capital is In the
hands of foreigners, though no combined
move has yet been made.
Yesterday meeting was held In the Sacred
City between the representatives Of the
powers and the Empress, and today the
rumor among the American forces Is that all
American troops are to be withdrawn from
China, but we are sorry that that good bit Of
news has not been officially given out.
The soldiers now here come from every
quarter of the globe. England alone being
represented by the Welsh Fusileers, Bengal
Lapcers, several regiments Of Silks from
different parts of India and q regiment Of
Chinese from Wei Hal Wei. while the French
also have regiment of Chinese from Cochin
China. Russia, Japan and Germany are Of
course represented by their own men. and
the soldiers of the former two countries are
certainly brave men, as they proved when
they charged the forts at Taku and on several
occasions since. But the little Japs have won
the admiration of all, and since the battle at
Tien Tsin on July 18th, wnen We occupied
the same position with them. the Japanese
and American soldiers have been very close
friends. OF course we have hard work In
understanding them, but by saying "yes" 10
everything they say, a fellow makes out
pretty we'll.
A large watermelon patch just outside the
wallis of the Tartar City Is the recognized
meeting place for men of all nations and
should kodak fend by chance strike that
particular patch on any afternoon ofthe week
he would yell with delight. There he would
see any color Of uniform Imaginable, with
the Russian, Frenchman, German. Jap, Chino,
Six, Engishman and American trying to be
sociable and trying to explain to each other
in what manner they jumped camp, what
the punishment will be If caught returning,
what excuse to give the doctor In the morning
&c
As writing Of that watermelon patch has
made It impossible for me to think of any
other subject will not attempt It.
Expect to return to the Philippines shortly
and II the native Of that place has picked up
any traits of civilization since left l will
J write you. g. W. r.