The Honolulu republican. [volume] (Honolulu, T.H.) 1900-1902, 1900-09-01
Official REPORT N
1|EII1I Battle.
Officers of the Marine
Corps Tell of the
Fighting
SOL llERs Of TIE HIGHEST Glass
rs WHAT oEMERAL DoRwARD
SAID OF THE AMERI.
CAN TROOPS.
British Commander Blamed HIM
self for the Mistake Made in
Position Taken by Ninth
Regiment.

w AS6lNGlON, aug <V--i NC nA'y
department today made public the re-
ports OF Colonel Robert l. Meade aAd
Major l. W. /. Waller of the United
States marine corps on the battle OF
Tientsin. Colonel Aead's report IS
dated at Tientsin, July 10th. After
telling O. the situation around Tlentsin
and of the decision on July 18th, at
conference held at the English gener-
ais headquarters, TO attack the city
about day break the next day, the re-
port, in describing the early fighting,
In which the marines and the Ninth
infantry took part, says: We reached
the advanced position about s a N.
took 49, rounds per man with NE
lvu rounds III belts and 81 In the nav
cracks. InIs Is not Sutnclent Ior An
ali day tight, ana as 1t grew toward
night / began 70 be apprenenslye OF
being left III the advance position In
hight where no prisoners were taken
On either side. with only the bayonet
to night with. On the nring line the
action was especially not and the enc
my's ire especially rapid and accur-
ace, ana at about 8: - q. u. the enemy
appeared IN large numbers upon our
lett, among the grave mounds or the
neiu IL which We We're, with the evil
cent intention OF RANKING US. | made
L turning movement to the left and
Tear and We drove them away. Later
10 the day, about p. ~, they again
made q Ranking effort, but at this time
tae infantry support Of the artillery
company was on the mud wall OF the
city and aided US by cross fire.
hnemy Driven Back.
The effort Of the enemy proved a
failure and we drove them in. We re-
NAMED in the trenches until ABOUT s
p. u. when We received IN order from
the brlSadier general commanding 70
withdraw. which was probably the
most difficult action Of the day, since
the enemy mad so well covered our
position that their shots struck the
cresIs OF the trenches and threw dirt
into our faces, many being hit.
General Dorward ordered that the
troops should sleep Gpen their arms
that night and on the following morn
ing to enter the city. The south gate
had to be blown in by gun cotton.
.The troops had had nothing what
ever To eat on the 18th, save the small
luncheon which each man carried in
his haversack. 1t was not expected
when VIC started that the action would
prove SO long, but General DOrward,
knowing the situation, kindly sent 10
the reservation for food and other nee
essarics and the bivouac proved a
success and Inc men, although very
fatigued, were ready Tor duty.
''Un the 14th inst, the south gate
having been blown In, we moved into
the walled city at about 6 o'c.ock a. m.
We found the walled city filled with
dead Cinnamon and animals. No re-
sistance was made to our occupation
in the walled city itself, but an infan-
try fire was kept up by the Japanese
infantry upon the enemy, who respond
ed from the suburbs. Since then We
have had undisturbed possession Of all
Tientsin."
Compiimented by General Dorward.
Colonel Meade enclosed the following
letter from General Dorward, the COM
mander Of the British forces:
From the general officer command
ing British forces in China to the OFF,
Ger commanding the United States
forces:
"TIENTSl.I, China, July Is. 1906
Sir: l desire to express the high ap-
probation of the British troops Of the
honor done them in serving alongside
their comrades of the American army
during the long and hard fighting OF
the 18th and the subsequent capture
Of Tientsin city and Of my own appre-
citation of the high honor accorded 10
me by having them under my CON-
mand.
The american troops formed part Of
the front line Of the British attack aud
so had more than their share Of the
lighting that took place The ready
and willing spirit of the officers aud
men will always make their command
easy and pleasant, and when one adds
to that the gallantry and power OF
holding on to exposed positions, which
they displayed on the 18th inst. the re-
suit is soldiers OF the highest class.
I'VE all deeply sympathize with you
in the heavy losses you have suffered,
especially with the Ninth regiment. in
the loss Of their gallant colonel. E. H.
Liscum, while at the head Of his men.
and u-ifh fhn First re1imcnf Of ma