The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-08-24
CmciaI Report on the Attempt by Ad-
Iieve Foreigners in Pel<ing.
MANY ACTS OF GALLANTRY
CONTINUOUS FIGHTING DURING THE
ADVANCE Ard RETREAT.
Desperate Stand at the Chinese Ar
scnaI, Where the Allies Came
Near Being Annihi1ated.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 23.-The Navy De-
partment has made public the report of
Captain B. II. McCalla, who was in COM
mand of the American contingent of the
international column, under Admiral Sey-
mour, that on June 10 made the first move
in the relief of Peking, but which was cut
off by the Chinese troops on the road and
forced to turn back from Tang-Tsun, be-
ing in danger of complete annihilation be-
fore coming in touch with the reinforce
ments sent out to meet them from Tien-
Tsin. The report is most interesting. de-
spite the official brevity with which the
dramatic features of the story are dis
cusSed.
The force of which Captain McCalla's
command was part was made up of Brit
ish, Russian, German, Austrian. Italian,
Japanese, French and American marines
and bluejackets. Its strength was 2,07S Of
ficers and men, of which 112 were the New
ark's men. These forces, all nominally
Independent, were tacitly under the COM
mand of Admiral Seymour as one body.
1t is interesting to note Captain McCalla's
description of how the various commands
co-operated, how the British and Russians
in turn helped to shift the Newark's three
inch rifle from one position to another,
when the Americans crew was inadequate
to transport it, how the Americans led
the advance up the railway and protected
the rear in the retreat, and how, during
the. repeated attacks of the Chinese on
the Tien-Tsin arsenal. British, Russians
and Americans in turn would spring into
the breach to defend the hard pressed
outposts of some other nationality that
was bearing the brunt of the attack The
cooperation of the entire force seems to
have been perfect, and Captain McCalla
has nothing but the warmest praise both
for Admiral Seymour and all of the other
officers who participated in the expedition.
The start of the international column for
Peking was inaugurated after the receipt
of urgent messages from both the British
and American legations in Peking The
allied force was furnished with railroad
transportation by the Chinese authorities
in Tien-Tsin, although il was thought at
first they might have to seize the necessary
trains. start was made on the 10th of
June and from that time the advance was
made under constantly increasing difficul-
ties Whole sections of track were torn up
bridges and culverts were found wrecked
stations burned and pumping appliances at
the water tanks were destroyed The first
attacks on the columns were by parties of
Boxers but these soon were joined by regu-
lar Chinese troops. and the little column
had to fight its way forward, repairing the
track almost rail by rail with hanking par
ties out 70 protect the construction train.
while other detachments foraged the sur
rounding country for supplies. The ad-
vance continued up 10 the 18th and was
met by two messengers at different times
bearing urgent requests from the besieged
legationers for relief.
TO YANG-TSUN BY TRAIN
Captain McCalla and his marines finally
were put in charge of the construction train
by Admiral Seymours direction. and the
work pushed as far the important city of
Yang-Tsun- From this point the railroad
was so badly crippled that evidently il was
| impracticable 10 advance further by train.
and the international column secured the
| country for horses and carts, hoping to
make forced march to Pekine by road.
The resistance encountered at Lang-Fane
CONTINUED ON SECOND P1GEl