The Portland daily press., 1900-08-18
British Officers Compli-
mentary Letter.
Costly Advance of Russian
Forces ON City.

partment today made public the reports
of Col Robert l.. Meade and Major l..
w. L. Waller, of the United States Ma
rine corps on the battle of lien Tsin.
They give not only graphic account of
this initial engagement In the Chinese
campaign, but furnish the information
with official exactness. Col. Meade's re-
port is dated at lien Tsin, July is. At
ter telling of the situation around Tien
Tsin and of the decision on July 10, at
a conference held at the general head
quarters to attack the city about day
break the next day, Col. Meade's report
in describing the early lighting in which
the marines and ninth infantry took such
a gallant part, says:
1--WE reached the advanced position
about a. m, took $50 rounds per man
with me-10O rounds In the belts and 80
in the haversaoks This is not sufficient
for an all day fight and as it grew toward
night I began to be apprehensive of be-
ing left in an advance position in a fight
where no prisoners were taken on either
side, with only the bayonet to light with.
ION the firing line the action was es-
pecially hot. and the enemy's fire espec-
tally rapid and accurate, and at about
30 a. m, the enemy appeared in large
numbers upon our left and among the
grave mounds OF the field in which we
were, with the evident intention of flank
ing US. made a turning movement to
the left and rear and we drove them
away. About 2 p. m, they again made
a thanking effort, but at this time the in
fantry support of the artillery company
was on the mud wall OF the city and aid
ed us by a cross fire. This company was
commanded by Capt. G. G. Long. The
effort of the enemy proved a failure and
we drove them in.
eve remained in the trenches until
about p. M, when we received an order
from the Brigadier General, commanding
us to withdraw, which was probably the
most difficult action Of the day since the
enemy had SO well covered our position
that their shots struck the crests of the
trenches and threw dirt in our faces
many being hit
"Gen. Dorward ordered that the troops
should sleep upon their arms that night
and on the following morning to enter
the city.
'The south gates had to be blown in by
gun cotton.
1.-THE troops had had nothing whatever
to eat on the 18th save the small luncheon
(if it may be so caIled) which each man
carried in his haversack. Gen. Dorward,
knowing the situation kindly sent to the
reservation for food and other necessaries,
and the biyouac proved a success. and the
men, although very fatigued, were ready
for duty.
ION the 18th inst the south gate having
been blown in we moved into the walled
city at about o clock a. IN.
"We found the city filled with dead
Cinnamon and animals. No resistance
was made to our occupation In the city
itself, but an infantry fire was kept up
by the Japanese infantry upon the enc
my who responded from the suburbs.
Since then we have had undisturbed pos
session of all lien Tsin."
Col. Meade enclosed the following let
ter from Gen. Dorward, the commander
of the English forces:
'From the general officers command
ing British forces in China.
''To the officer commanding the U. S.
forces.
"Tien Tsin, China, July 10:
''Sir-I desire to express the high ap-
probation OF the British troops of the
honor done them in serving alongside
their comrades or the American army
during the long and hard lighting of the
18Th inst, and the subsequent capture of
lien Tsin city and of my own appreci-
alton of the high honor accorded to me
by having them under my command.
Z 1.-The American troops formed part
Of the front line of the British attack
and SO had more than thsir share OF the
lighting that took place. The ready and
willing spirit of the officers and men Will
always make their command easy and
pleasant and when one adds to that the
steady gala ntry and power of holding on
% exposed positions which they dis
played on the 18Th inst the result is sold
ers Of the highest class.
We all deeply sympathize with YOU
n the heavy losses you have suffered,
especially with the ninth regiment in the