The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-10-16
TO TI-LUI.
How n Boxer Rendezvous Was De-
stroyed by the Allies.

How n Boxer Rendezvous Was De-
stroyed by the Allies.
Correspondence of the Associated Press.
TIEN-TSIN, Sept. 13.-Beyond the de-
struction of the city, the expedition to
Ti-Lui. the results Of which have already
been cabled by the Associated Press, was
profitless. The military commanders be-
lieve, however, that it was morally valu-
able. as the force employed was impressive
and the line of march was through a thick
ly populated and rich section, and one in
which 1T is said the Boxers nave ruled
with a high hand.
Acting on reliable information that the
Boxers were assembling in considerable
numbers at and near Tf-Lui General Dor
ward some weeks since began the prepara-
ton of al expedition to that point Not
a shot was fired during the FIVE DAYS
ing of one Sikh trooper during the looting
of Ti-Lui. The expedition was composed
Of three columns. with a total strength
of something over four thousand men of
all arms. General Dorward personally
commanded the column which followed the
right bank of the canal. This was COM
posed of the First Bengal Lancers, 100
of the Twenty-fourth Punjabs, 100 of the
Beloochistans, 100 of the Misras Infantry.
200 of the Fifteenth United States Infantry
under command of Major Robertson, and
$50 Italian infantrymen.
h center column marched up the left
bank of the canal about three miles from
the right column. 1t consisted of two
Japanese siege guns, 500 italian infantry.
1900 Punjab pioneers, a detachment of
British sappers and miners.
The left column swept across country.
about five miles from the center column.
taking In a number of villages off the
canal. This column was composed of one
battery OF Royal Horse Artillery. the Sixth
Bengal Lancers, Third Bombay Cavalry.
the Bengal sappers and miners. $50 Japan
csc infantry, the same number of italian
infantry. 200 Russian infantry. fifty men
of the Wei-Hai-Wei native Chinese regi-
ment, 100 Sikhs, and a detachment OF 100
men of the Seventh Rajputs. The Ger
mans and French were not represented.
General Dorward accompanied the canal
column because of the opportunity afford
ed by its route TO inspect a large number
of villages and talk with natives. Leaving
Tien-Tsin shortly after daybreak on the
morning of the Sth, the columns passed
thrc lgh village after village and a country
rich beyond description in gardens and
vineyards and orchards. At many of the
villages the general was met by deputa-
lions OF head men with offerings of great
baskets of luscious Chinese grapes. beaches
and pears, while in that Of Yang-Tu
Cheng, where the first nights camp was
pitched. the villagers furnished frewood
and built a bridge OF junks. over which
the column passed next morning.
Breaking camp at 3 o'clock the column
passed over the junk bridge which had
been constructed by the villagers .yer
hight. and some bad marching ensued. A
heavy rain had swept over the country
ahead during the preceding night. render
ing the trails very difficult. The American
troops were the worst sufferers. being
hampered by the amount OF impediments
they carried. The other troops were in
light marching order, while the American
infantrymen trudged along with blankets.
shelter tents and a days cooked rations.
About 10 O'Clock on the morning OF the
9th the column debouched into the road
which follows the canal and almost at the
same instant the head of the center
column appeared on the opposite bank.
while couriers and signal men reported
that the third column was moving into
position. An hour later the three columns
marched into Tf-Lui ~unopposed. finding an
officer and eight men OF the Bengal Lam
GERS had entered the city two hours be-
fore and taken possession without firing
a shot. Ti-Lui was practically deserted.
II was plainly apparent that the Boxers
had had ample warning of the expedition.
and had succeeded In moving all runs and
ammunition.
Shortly before lark the Japanese on the
right bank began TO enter that part OF the
on the outskirts were burned by the Sikhs.
Al daybreak on the morning OF the 18th
the troops broke camp and a detail re-
mained behind to 0uish the destruction Of