The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-07-26

plans and places for vessels OF the attack
ing forces.
''Second-The first gun was fired az 1915.
and with the simultaneous discharge that
followed two CT the shots passed over the
Monocacy. although she was out OF the
line of fire between the forts and vessels
attacked.
''Third-The Iltis did not leave her berth,
Wnlcn was short distance from mine, I'M
I'll 1920 and the japanese did not leave hers
during the bombardment
"Fourth-The fire was well sustained on
both sides and although shells continued
at intervals to pass near me or burst short
or beyond, attributed it 10 wild firing by
the forts. About 2:30 L was standing on
top of the pilothouse by the Calling. had
mounted there when 1 heard a shell APP
preaching and Immediately crash. The
second cutter hanging al 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, cut the after fall of the steam
launch. and passed through the ships side.
IN which IL left clear cut oval, two feet
by ten inches. There were many men IN
the forward main deck and it must have
gone as close to some of them as it did TO
me. IL fortunately missed the launch S
davit. as that would have caused 1t to ex-
plode.
"Fifth-It was difficult TO make out how
the allies were faring. but they were evil
IDENTIFY closing in, after a m. dis
charges from guns like Cuttings or small
Maxims were heard. AT O'Clock there was
a tremendous explosion and a mass of
flame which attributed to a magazine in
one of the forts.
''Sixth-Toward o'clock the bursting
OF shells in my near vicinity increased TO
such an extent that II occurred TO me that
the forts might be directing of their
fire on the railroad station, in this fat
country III was a prominent mark and a
number of Japanese and Russian troops
were encamped around ii. In such cases
the Monocacy would be in considerable
danger from a fire which / had hitherto
thought L cast off everything. / steamed
away from the bunk and went two miles
up the river, anchoring in the first bend.
This move was made AZ 4:50, and at $50
the fire slackening and a Japanese flag
noatfng over one of the forts. returned
to my berth.
Seventh was able to render the fol-
lowing assistance: First. party of thirty
seven ladies and children, refugees from the
mission at Taku who had fled hurriedly on
notification of the bombardment. They
came aboard last night at 9 o'clock, and
are still with me; also came two officers
or IL. Nj. 5. Barfieur who had come down
from Tien-Tsin too late to get to any
English ship. AS | was coming down the
river at o a. m met an English torpedo
boat towing a Chinese boat prize. had no
small boat TO make landing so / sent the
launch to run her line ashore, for which
thanks have been returned. have taken
on board and had surgical attendance for
the following: A japanese soldier with a
gunshot wound, Chinese coolie found
close to the ship with arm torn off by frag-
ment of shell, Russian soldier with
wound in the head.
"Eighth-This place is deserted by every
one; no trains. no telegraphic communica-
ton on shore. but had phone from Mr.
Pottengili. who reports all quiet since first
disturbance.
NINTH know nothing OF the fight. ex-
cept that the forts were taken. / feel a
natural regret shared no doubt by the Of
fcers, that duty and orders prevented the
old Monocacy from giving her ancient
smoothbores a last chance