Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1900-08-23

Suilieu Out, I'll WHICH 1 c~ouStutulutc
Lieutenant Colonel Coolidge and the
officers and men under his command"
Major Walters report, dated Tien-
tsin. June %, is of especial interest, as
he had command Of the marines in the
fight before Tien-tsin was reached. He
says in part:
AT 2 in the morning June 2O the
Russian colonel informed me that he
would push on with his 400 men and
attempt to get into Tien-tsin and aid
In the defense Of the city. l objected,
but was overruled in council. My rea-
son told mt that there was a slim
chance for passing the Chinese force
with only $50 men and no guns. The
three inch rife proving defective, I dis
abled it and rolled 1t into the river and
followed the Russians in the II mile
march on Tien-tsin. The Russian col
III vas in advance, 400 strong, with
my Colt 6mm. gun In their front under
the command of Lieutenant Powell.
The advance continued until Z o'clock
a. m. without opposition, when we
reached a point opposite the imperial
arsenal.
"The support of the Colt gun having
dwindled to two men and the gun hav-
ing damned several times, all the crew
being shot down but one, Mr.. Powell
very properly decided to abandon it.
which he did, after disabling the gun.
Receiving notice that the Russians
would retreat to a point four miles be-
yond our bivouac, we succeeded In
falling back, bringing our wounded by
hand. AT 2 p. m. we had reached our
base, having marched 80 miles and
fought for four hours.
"At loon on the 9th, the Russians
having attacked the arsenal, the scene
of my repulse on the 22d, and which
had not been captured, asked for re-
endorsements. l sent out Second Lieu
tenant Jolly with 40 men, Mr.. Hard
ing, my %adjutant, joining as a volup-
teer, and placed the whole under the
command Of Commander Craddock, r.
N. This force was about 1900 strong,
and succeeded in driving the enemy
from the parapets, out Of their forti-
fication and in full flight. 1t was de-
veloped that the enemy had about
1000 men at this point. Our men
charged over the parapet with a Brit
ish company, being the first in in this
part of the fight.
"Our men marched 81 miles in the
five days, fighting all the way. They
have lived on about II meal a day
for six days, but have been cheerful
and willing always. They have gained
the highest praise from all forces pres
ent and have earned my love and con-
fdence. They are like Falstaff's army
in appearance, but with brave hearts
and bright weapons.
II have to earnestly recommend to
your notice for such reward as you
may deem proper the following Off |
GERS: Lieutenant S. d. Butler, for the
admirable control of his men in all the |
fights Of the week. for saving a wound
ed man ut the risk of his own life and
under a very heavy fire; Lieutenant A.
f. Harding, for conspicuous gallantry
in action, for saving wounded ut the
risk of his life under a heavy fire; Sec
Ond Lieutenant w. L. Jolly, for the
same risk and for leading a charge |
yer two parapets in the face of a
heavy fire; First Lieutenant Leonard,
for saving life under fire and for ad.
mirable control and direction of the
fire; First Lieutenant Powell, for work |
ing and managing the Colt gun under
a fierce fire and without support after
the crew had been shot down; First
Lieutenant Wynne, for his stead
fast courage and encouragement of
his e AS for the men. l feel
that | cannot do them justice. l shall
send you the III of special in
stances in their cases, hoping that a
suitable reward may be given them, as
far as the law allows. | have also to
ask that you urge the department to
thank the British surgeons for their
care, on the field and in hospital, of
our wounded"
Major Waller inclosed reports from
his company commanders, giving in
detail the work done by their %organiza.
tons. These reports all speak highly
of the conduct Of officers and men.
Captain Fuller, who commanded Com
pany Il. cOmmends the conduct of q
company Of English %bluejackets under
Of a lieutenant from the Or
lando, who rendered invaluable assist
ance in carrying the Ninth's wounded
to the rear on the retreat and in form
Ing the rear guard.
TnsJns. Tota.< Tu,or<acu