The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-11-13


consultation with the American Minister
and Mr. Squires il was decided that the
place must be retaken and held at any
cost I was assured that all the coolies
available would be sent that night to build
cross barricades on the ramp, and also 10
build barricade across the wall IN our
rear. We theTeupon, after an absence OF
about fifteen minutes, returned, finding
that the Chinese had failed to discover our
retreat In the evening, by order of Sir
Claude Macdonald / was relieved by Cap
tain Hall, and went below 10 get some rest,
having had little or no sleep since the wall
was occupied.
Taking the Barricade.
aOn July .. at about dusk, l relieved
Captain Hall and found that during the
preceding night and day the Chinese had
succeeded in building a wall into and
across the bastion. and were then busily
engaged in erecting a tower directly on my
left flank, the fire from which, whea com
pleted, would reach ali parts of our posi-
ton. Their work had been done with such
infinite caution and so little exposure. that,
although the FIRE upon them was incessant,
| their labor was in no way hindered. / at
| once reported the condition of affairs, and
| was asked by Mr.. Squires If il were FEAST
/ bic for me to make a charge, provided re-
| endorsements were sent. l replied that we
would try. Later communication receiv-
ed from Minister Conger telling me that
after consultation with the English and
/ Russian ministers and military officers ii
had been decided to instruct me to take the
enemys barricade in my front. The Rus
/ slams were to send five more men with an
officer and the English about twenty. The
! details, OF course. were left 10 me. These
men arrived between and 3 a. m, and as
! the Chinese had almost finished their tow
/ er and were amusing themselves throwing
| stones into our barTicade | at once made
! the disposition for the advance. The Rus
| SLAMS we're directed to take the inside OF
the wall, keeping close to the parapet and
| dislodge the enemy from their position at
! the head of the ramp. The English and
Americans on left and centre we're to go
| over barricade and once across to break tc
the left and follow if possible, the Chinese
wall in the bastiOn around TO the rear OF
their position These plans were complete
! ly successful the Chinese being routed
with considerable loss. and retiring some
hundred yards down the wall to the mex
barricade.
"A number of rifles and some ammuni,
ton was captured. and turned over to tbs
! Commander-in-Ch Chief. I regret to state
| that two of the best men in the Guard
( PriYates Turner and Thomas, were kilIeC
and one Engiishman and one Russian
wounded Private turner's body wa.
picked up well inside the Chinese barri
cade, showing that he had evidently il
the darkness got ahead of our line. Be
ing slightly wounded myself, sent fol
Captain Hall TO relieve me. and went be
low into the legation. The next day as m,
wound had gotten worse 1 accepted tn,
kind offer OF the First Secretary of thu
Russian Legation and was moved into nj
| quarters, retaining the command how
ever, until the 21st OF the month. Cap
tain Halls report up TO this date is ap
pended.
I respectfully commend 20 the consid
Grafton of the Commander in Chief. tn
conduct of Assistant Surgeon T. NJ Lip
pitt, who not only performed all his pro
fessionaI duties thoroughly. but upon tw
occasions took a purely military part. Tn
! first Of these occurred when the Captain
Of the Colt gun crew, having misunder
stood orders. was taking his piece to tn
wrong position. DR.. Lippitt followed un
der heavy dre and assisted in 'bringin
the piece back and guiding it to the plac
originally assigned; and second, when h
helped to take the Austrian one-poUnde
. on the wall and place il in position
, 1 have also 10 recommend the follow
r ing enlisted men: Gunner's mate frs
/ class. Joseph Mitchell. u. s. 5. Newark
j. who operated the Colt gun with the vi
! most courage and skill under the heavies
! FIRE, He also, with the assistance of Nj
{ Squires, put in working and later use
successfully, an old brass cannon whic
had been dug Up inside our lines. He ais
| captured flag under peculiarly hazardou
t circumstances. of which I will later max
| (, special report Hospital Apprentice I
! H Stanley, Of the Newark, who voIur
1 / 5eered and took a message to the Englis
Legation, when il was necessary to Us
the street down which the Chinese wei
: firing. Sergeant Walker, Corporals HUI
/ and DahIgren, who at all times CAREFUL
performed their duty with courage al
fidelity The condrct of the Guard wit
q one OF two exceptions was excellent.
Y Il cannot close this report without e!
: pressing for myself and the men under Il
. command our appreciation of the unifor
kindness shown US. and the active assis
I ance rendered by the United States Mini
d ter and his staff