Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-07-25

graphic. and as yours was not appended !
informed the senior officer that he would
have to leave the Monocacy out of the
plans and places for vessels of the attack
ing forces.
2 The first gun was fired at 12:45, and
with the Simultaneous discharge that fol-
lowed two of the shots passed over the
Monocacy, although she was out OF the
lire of fire between the forts and vessels
attacking.
g. The ntis did not leave her berth. which
was a short distance from mine, until l 80.
and the Japanese did not leave hers dur
ling the bombardment.
f. The fire well sustained on both
sides. and although shells continued at in
tervals to pass near me or burst short or
beyond 1 attributed it to a wild firing by
the forts. About go l was standing on
top of pilot house by the Gattl!ng. l had
mounted there. when l heard she'll APP
preaching and Immediately a crash. The
second cutter. hanging at her davits few
feet below and behind me. had been struck
by a shell. 1t entered her stern. tore out
the bottom and ranging diagonally across
the ship. out afterfall of the steam launch.
smashing port forecastle the ladder, and
passed through the ships side. In which 1t
left clear-cut oval two by ten inches.
There were many men on the forward main
deck. and 1t must have gone as close to
some of them as it did to me. 1t fortu-
nately missed the launch's davit, as that
would have caused 1t to explode.
5. 1t was difficult to make out how the
allies were farin.- but they were evidently
closing in. as after am. discharges from
guns like Gatlings or Maxims were heard
At there was a tremendous explosion and
a mass of flame. which ] attributed to a
magazine in one of the forts.
6. Toward o'clock the bursting OF shell
in my vicinity increased to such an
extent that 1t occurred to me that the forts
might be directing some of their fire on the
railroad station. in this fiat country 1t
was prominent mark, and number of
Japanese and Russian troops were en-
In, ,,Nho thn r.
pocacy would be in considerable danger
from a fire which / had hitherto considered
bad shooting. Acting upon the thought,
al once cast off everything. 1 steamed
away from the bank and went two miles up
the river. anchoring in the first bend. This
move was made a $50. and at $50 the fire
slackening and a Japanese flag floating over
one of the forts. returned to my berth.
l. I was able to render the following as
sistance: First. party of thirtyseven
ladies and children, refugees from the mis-
sion at Taku. who had fled hurriedly on
notification of the bomhardment. They
came aboard last night at o'clock. and are
still with me; also came two officers of H.
NJ. S Barfieur. who had come down from
Tfen Tsin too late to get to any English ship.
As was coming down river at am. met
an Englisbh torpedo boat towing a Chinese
boat prize. 1 had no small boat to make a
landing. 50 I sent the launch to run her
line ashore. for which thanks have been
returned. I have taken on board and had
surgical attendance for the following: A
Japanese soldier with a gunshot wound: a
Chinese coolie. found close to the ship. with
arm torn off by fragment of shell: Rus
sian soldier with wound in the hand.
3. This place Is deserted by every one: no
trains, no Geographic communication on
shore. but 1 had a phone from Mr.. Potten-
gill. who reports all quiet since first dis
turbance.
o. l know nothing of the fight. except
that the forts were taken. l feel natural
regret. shared no doubt by the officers. that
a nra tod ha al
acy from giving her ancient smooth bores
a last chance. Very respectfully.
tSigneO F. NJ. WISE,
Commander. L. S. Navy,
Commanding.
The Second in Command,
U. S. Naval Forces on Asiatic Station.