Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1900-09-22

The steamer Empress Of India, which
arrived at Victoria, B. c., last Tuesday,
from China and Japan, brought the
first arrivals from the Chinese capital
since the recent memorable Incidents.
One of those who arrived was Freder-
lex Palmer, the war correspondent, who
accompanied the allies on their march
to relieve Pekin. He said the march
was d very trying one, one Of the worst
he had ever seen. The beseiged lega-
TONERS were in a much better condition
wheh relieved than might have been
expected. The appearance Of the Brit
ish legation grounds when the reliev-
ing forcS arrived, was more like that
Of lawn party than a long beseiged
point.
The best narrative Of the taking Of
Pekin in the accounts brought by the
Empress, is undoubtedly that Of Jijo
Shimpos, Japanese correspondent. He
writes from Shimonesaki, as follows:
ION the day after the occupation Of
Tung Chow, the 18th, the Ninth Japan,
ese Brigade marched from that place
Four hours later Ia Wa Chang was
reached and scouts sent out. These
drew the fire of the Chinese as they
approached the walls Of Pekin and
there was some casualties. The scouts
reported that the Boxers were beating
drums inside the city and making
preparations for resistance. At II a. m.
the sound of vigorous firing was heard
from the direction Of the Tung Pien
gate, to the attack Of which the British,
Russians and Americans advanced.
The Japanese scouts in that direction
reported that the Russians explained
that this was not genuine attack on
the city; but reconnaissance in force.
But the truth seems to be that the
Russians expected no more resistance
at Pekin than they encountered at
Tung Chow, and that observing the
Tung Pien gate to be lightly defended
they had at once proceeded to attack 1t.
The original agreement among the
commanding officers, however, had
been that the general attack on Pekin
should not be made until the 18th, the
two days prior being devoted to getting
the troops into position and making
reconnoissances. But since the Rus
slams had commenced the attack, 1t be-
came necessary for the Japanese to at
tempt the same course without delay,
so as to prevent the isolation Of one
part Of the allied forces. The Ninth
Brigade was selected to attempt to ef-
feet an entrance, while the cavalry ma
noeuvred on the north and northwest
Of the city.
"The advance was commenced from
Ia Wa Chang on the 14th, at dawn.
The Tsehwa gate was the objective
hoo ,tff
the troops presented splendid appear
ance as they advanced to the attack.
AS the Ninth Brigade advanced, the
Twenty-first, with the staff, moved out
of Tung Chow. These troops moved
rapidly into position about 1900 metres
from the Tsehwa gate. They after
ward, though, bore to the right and
took the Tung Chih gate from that
point. Outside the Tsehwa gate there
is a stone bridge, and here the advance
halted and the scouts came In report
ing that the enemy were ranged on the
walls in fighting order. The artillery
of the fort came into action on one
wing and the infantry advanced under
cover of fire. The enemy opened a Sc
we're fire from the wall, and the jap
anese troops pushed on gradually, find
ing cover in the houses on either side or
the road.
Upon approaching the gate they
found the walls and tower intact and
so high that to scale them was out OF
the question. Moreover the system OF
defence was very complete, so that the
troops advancing to attack the gate
would find themselves exposed to flank
and rear fire from the adjacent para.
pets. On the other hand, unless the
gates were quickly preached and en-
trance effected, the troops pushing up
in the rear would find themselves in a
species of we'll, with bullets pouring
down on them from overhead. Detach-
ments from Nos. and 10 companies
tried to force the gate, but failed. Ma
jor Saiki then led the foremost battal-
ion to the gate for the purpose Of blow
ing IL up with guncotton; but the enc
my's fire was so heavy that 1t was
found impossible to effect this purpose.
The casualties at this stage were very
heavy. The artillery received orders
to fire upon the enemies crowding the
wall From their position on knoll,
!, 500 metres from the gate, the 16 guns
and IA field pieces kept up an incessant
cannonade. The enemy had consid-
cradle number of guns, but seemed to
their fire was feeble. The artillery fire
drove the enemy under cover, but the
advanced detachments of Nos. and 10
were all this time lying under the wall,
unable to advance or retreat. AS their
position had become temporarily hope
less, the infantry were drawn of and
an artillery fire concentrated on Its
gates. 1t was impossible though, for
shells to reach the gate, and several
heroic attempts were made to carry
forward guncotton; but the men could
not cross the zone of fire. Lieutenant