Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-08-23
OUR BOYS WERE FIRST.
American Troops First to Enter Impe-
rial City of Pekinu.

American Troops First to Enter lmpe-
rial City of Picking.
Washington, Aug. 22.-The navy de-
partment has received the following
from Remey: "Taku, Aug. 20.-Dick-
ems is in command of the landing to-
day. Dispatches from Picking, dated
Aug. 16, say that all except the impe-
rial city is cleared of Chinese troops.
The Americans were the first to en-
ter the imperial city and have pene-
trated to the gates of the palace Cap
tain Reilly, of the Fifth artillery, was
killed Aug. is. On the morning of the
18th, the Sixth cavalry and 400 En-
glish and Japanese dispersed 1000
Boxers, eight miles outside of Tien
Tsin. About hundred Chinese were
killed, and five Americans were woun-
ded
Chaffee's losses were. six killed and
thirty woundd, in two days fighting"
The department understands from the
reference to the palace that the Amer
leans, after penetrating the imperial
city, We're when the dispatch was s At,
attacking the forbidden city or inner
Enclosure of the imperial city.
Japanese Enter Royal Palace.
Rome, Aug. 22.-Dispatches received
here from Taku say that according to
adyices from Japanese source, dated
Aug. II, the battle at Picking was then
finished and the Japanese had entered
the imperial palace. The foreign min
listers with a detachment of the allied
troops were then occupying the impe
rial city, the Chinese princess and
ministers having retired to Sian-Fu
west of Picking. Field Marshall Count
Won Waldersee left Rome this after
noon for Naples where he will embark
for China.
Fighting Outside Tien Tsin.
London, Aug. 22.-Admiral Bruce
cabled the admiralty from Taku Aug.
20 that the allies were fighting the
Chinese outside of Tien Tsin Aug. 19.
Supplies Landed at Tien Tsin.
Washington, Aug. 22.-The war de-
partment has received the following:
"Tien Tsin, Aug. 19-Horses, mate
rails and troops, were promptly light
cred at Taku and forwarded to the
-ront The Sixth cavalry is mounted.
The hospitals are excellent and ample
for the present. The army is we'll
supplied and in fine condition. Every
thing is satisfactory. The sick and
wounded are doing well.
(Signed,) Barry"
Missionaries Have Escaped.
Boston, Mass, Aug. 22.-The Amer
lean board OF commissioners for for
eign missions received today cable
gram from Che Foo as follows:
Psalms 1, 20; 4, Z. Picking and
Tung-C Chow, missionaries also the Cha
pins, Smiths and Wickoffs were saw
ed !"
The passage of Scripture alluded to
is: "Our soul is escaped as bird out
of the snare of the fowlers; the snare
is broken, and we. have escaped"
Conser Exposes Chinese Duplicity.
Washington. Aug. pa long dis
patch from Minister Conger was re
ceived at the state department las
nigh, giving detailed report of the
condition of affairs in Picking since
June 20.
Mr.. Conger said that few days at
ter the fall of Taku forts the tsung
li-yamen broke off communication
with the foreign ministers and gave
orders that the diplomats leave the
city. Believing that to do this meant
certain massacre, Mr.. Conger goes on
to state, the ministers refused to va
cate; theceupon the imperial govern
ment ordered the imperial forces tc
| attack in force the legations. A close
siege followed.
| He says that failing to take the lega
tions by infantry attack, the Chinese
troops brought artillery into play ant
for over three weeks the legation:
were subjected to continued heavy
commandment
The Peking imperial army made re
peated and determined attacks, ant
attempted to carry the legation de
lenses, and it was only thru the gal
liant and heroic stand of the marine
guards that the Chinese failed to cap
ture the legations. The portion o.
the message outlined above was sup
pressed by the department.