The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-07-26

ihte6aAlh0 u JUG NulAahl pl2N1hS ~ uP,
causing her to leak and burning n men
more or less severely. She got over an
awning (as collision mat) AMI after
few hours work was floating at her nor
mai height.
At about 5 a. m, the gunboats having
silenced the northwest fort, landing
force charged and occupied it, where in
hosting the flag few casualties occurred,
notably the captain Of the Japanese land
Ing party and one English sailor killed
and several wounded. The Chinese then
abandoned the north fort, which is joined
to northwest fort by a protected passage.
After about two hours more the south
forts were taken after the explosion OF
the magazine Most of the occupants
fled, but were not pursued. Some 30 or
10 were found hiding in various parts Of
the fort. The various nations partici-
pating hoisted their flags on the various
fiagstaffs
The forts being of thick mud and grass
were but little damaged by the gun fire,
although they received a host of projec-
tiles. The guns and gun shields as
rule, were not damaged. Two or three
Of the modern guns were disabled.
The dead Chinese We're not counted, but
it IS estimated by eyewitnesses that some
200 dead were left in the fort. The loss
on the side Of the allied forces was, as
nearly as possible, as follows:
AlRerine-One officer very badly in
jured. men wounded.
Iltis-Captain very badly injured, three
or four men killed, six or eight wounded.
Korreets-Two officers badly wounded
eight men dead, II wounded.
Guilak-One officer badly wounded,
eight men killed, 10 wounded, II burned
by explosion Of powder room.
Lion-One man killed, one badly
wounded.
Other vessels engaged, injuries Of mi
nor Importance.
The above is an account CLEANED from
conversations with officers engaged, but
may contain minor inaccuracies.
During the engagement guns were
turned on the Monocacy, which was out
OF the line Of the fire. She was struck.
mo casualties). and was forced to with
draw up the river.
Very respectfully,
(Signed) Louis Kempff,
Rear Admiral U. S. Navy.
To thu Secretary of the Navy, Washing
ton, ID. C.
8 Following is the report Of the action
made by Commander Wise of the Mono
cacy, to Rear Admiral Kempff:
U.s.S. Monocacy, Tong Ku, China, June II
Sir:
II have the honor to report upon the
occurrences since yesterday when attend
ed a meeting of officers at p. m, on
board the Borgone. 1 was SHOWN the
protocol and ultimatum as TO the Taku
forts The signatures to the document
were autographs and as yours was not
appended, / informed the senior officer
that he would have to leave the Monoeacy
out of the plans and places for vessels of
the attacking forces.
2-The first gun was fired at 12. 40 and
with the simultaneous discharge that
followed, two of the shots passed over
the Monocacy, although she was out of
the line Of fire between the forts and yes
sells attacking.
3-The IItis did not leave her berth
which was a short distance from mine
until 80, and the japanese did not leave
hers during the bombardment.
1.-The fire was well sustained on both
sides and although shell continued at in
tervaIs to pass me or burst short orbe-
yond, attributed it to a wild firing by
the forts. About $50 I was standing on
top Of pilot house by the gatnng. had
mounted there when I heard shell ap-
preaching and Immediately a crash. The
second cutter hanging at her davits,
few feet below and behind me. had been
struck by a she'll 1t entered her stern,
tore out the bottom and ranging diago-
naIly across the ship, out after all of the
steam launch, smashing port forscastle
ladder and passed through the ships
side in which it left a clear cut oval, two
feet by ten inches. There were many
men on the forward main deck and it
must have gone as close to some of them
as it did to me. 1t fortunately missed
the launch's davit, as that would have
caused it to explode.
Sit was difficult to make out how the
allies were faring. but they were evident
Iy closing in as after a, NJ, discharges
from guns like Gatlings or Maxims were
heard. At 4 there was a tremendous
explosion and mass Of flame which at
tributed TO magazine in one of the forts
6-To wards 4 clock the bursting OF
she'll in my near vicinity increased to
such an extent that it occurred to me
chat the forts might be directing some
OF their fire on the railroad station, as in
this flat country it was a prominent
mark and a number OF Japanese and
Russian troops We're encamped around
it. In such case the Monocacy would be
/ had hitherto considered bad shooting.
Acting upon the thought | at once cast