The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-11-15
VIRGINIAN IN THE ORIENT
Thomas ]. Corridor Describes Con
ditiOns in Pekin.
Hnra;ships of the March ON the linz
pcrial Cnpital-rlenty of Loot for
the Troops Officers Sleeping ON
Rare Silks = Wants Part of the
Treasure Secured at Ticntsin.

Thomas ]. Corridor, of Virginia, who
enlisted in The Marine Corps just aftei
the Philippines, and who was ordered tc
China. writes the following interesting
letter to his brother in this city:
Il am within the great Tartar City O.
China, that l read of SO much in history
and geography at school. So see it all
in reality now. Those walls and their
defences are something great. 1t was an
immense undertaking to go up against
them. Reilly's battery, the Marines, and
bugler of the Fourteenth Regiment
raised the first flag in China, and that
was the American flag.
Things are quiet here now. but the
Japs, Germans, and Russians are giving
it to them ten miles away in the noun
tains, and you can hear the distant fight
ing. Wounded are coming in. The cid
guard that was sent back to Tientsil for
supplies and the ones that fell out, were
returned to join their company at Peain.
They were Joined with about 100 Of The
new recruits that arrived after Ill the
scrapping was done.
I'VE were under Lieutenant Wynne's
charge for ninety-mile march through
nothing but corntields and gardens. Every
thing deserted. All the houses deserted
wherever you go. Beautiful mirrors, worth
hundreds of dollars. clocks. and the finest
kind of Chinaware all left behind. The
only living things to guard them were a
stray cat or dog. Millions of dollars
crops and cattle. products of all kinds and
poultry, such as turkeys. pigs, cows horses,
pigeons, chickens. anything you can name.
We ran across in that ninety-mile march.
1t was long and tiresome journey.
my bunkie fell by the roadside. and the
line moved en-. No one to give him help
ing hand. 1t was a good thing l was car
ryirg up the end of the line, and l asked
him the matter. He had been sick since
the battle OF Tientsin. and in bad shape. l
had as much as could carry. blanket roll.
canteen OF water rifle, and 100 rounds of
ammunition. So stayed by him, and one
fellow took his blanket roll.
Lieutenant Wynne stopped abou. a
mile away: called the roll; six missing;
waited for the stragglers to catch up:
asked me what was the matter, and told
him that stayed by Ornsby. as no others
would help him along I had Ormsby's
haversack. ammunition, and canteen OF
water. 1t was no fun to carry another
boys stuff. but / liked him, and would
have stayed by him IL had to die. The
line moved again, and we were told that
we we're eight miles from the Pekin gates.
So Ormsby was on my hands again. A
fellow by the name of McGorty stayed by
me. caught hold of the other elbow, and
helped him for four more miles.
Darkness caught us before We got to
the big gates, our company going on. We
met Russian guard. and he told us that
4 In ari. forc mil LOG
off. 1t was then o'clock at night. and
terribly dark. The next Russian halted
us, saw our fix with sick boy on cur
hands. got small two-wheeled ammuni-
ton cart. and / got two Chinks to drag
him into the Tartar City, where we were
CHARTERED. Lieutenant Wynne gave me
great praise for staying by my comrade,
as we had no transportation for carry
ing anyone that fell out.
well. and McGorty asked for doctor
for him and saw him cared for all right.
He is there. and in bad condition. 1t is a
good thing that / ran across him, for he
would have died on the road in the corn
field ard nobody would know where. We
came back from the doctors, were given
hearty supper of bareback and coffee.
after a twenty-four hours march. and my
feet were so sore. While sitting down eat
ing my bareback and coffee / fell off to
sleep right on the ground. In the morning
at Teveii!e / was still there, and it was
worth more to me than all the silver and
treasure ! handled and threw away
Had two days res: to clean up in. and
haven't gone on guard since; had me on
guard. but was taken off. So had chance
to write you letter and let you know
amt killed yet.
The First and Second battalions have
had hard lines since We left Washington.
and been through lots OF fighting. and in
the foremost Of it all. as PROBABLY the pa
pers tell you. | haven't seen paper or a
letter from home since last May, and now
this is September 10. making five months
since l left Cavite, and no mail yet. 1t is
funny. Only few fellows have
received any at ALL / guess when it does
come it will take pack train to haul it.
Our captain is one of the finest officers
in the world. He is Captain Long and his
officers are all right
Don't forget 10 enquire il We are to get
a divvy out of all the silver we captured in
Tientsin's mint. 1t was shipped to Shang-
hal by the ton ! think We are entitled 10
It. as understand at present.
I'VE have detail to take out Chinks and
bury the dead ones. There were six Box
ers shot. l was made to dig their graves
the day before | wrote this letter. 1t is a
common occurrer re.
THE weather is getting very cold in
Pekin, and this is t1e farthest part of
China. Everything is blown to pieces here,
he shops and stores all blown down. and
Ill the boys are wearing all sorts of jew
alry, and sleeping on what President Nc
kinney amt sleeping on-silks and satins. |
Everything looted and deserted, and the |
Chinese gone to the mountains.
I'VE are resting easy in Peldn, and |
cleaning up. but i don't know how long |
We are to stay. We were changed here |
to the Second Battalion to make up two |
but if sent back TO Cavte. as
We hear. We will be reorganized, and will |
be the First Battalion again.
Il thought / was marine, but | am |
not. 1t is nothing but the hardest kind |
of snldierinp L tell ynn -