The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-07-24
STOOD By THE HELPLESS
THRILLING STORY OF THE nm
TREAT OF ADMIRAL sEY-
MOUR'S FORCES
WOUNDED WERE NOT KILLED
Sensational Story of Shooting Of
Brave Men by Their Comrade.
Flatly Ddsputed-Hundreds of
Chinese Killed by Allies.

SAN FRANCISCO. July 2s-There is
nothing in the report Of Admiral Seymour
which reached here today, by the steam
er American Maru to prove the sensa-
tlona story that was circulated the
earlier part Of this month to the effect
that Admiral Seymour, who commanded
the Pekin relief expedition, killed his
| wounded to save them from the Chinese.
Commander 9. w. Very, United States
navy, who returned from the Orient on
the steamer, and others who were at
hong Kong when Admiral Seymour re-
turned from Tien Tsin, did not hear the
| story, and the admiraPs report which is
an elaboration Of the cablegram pub
hshed on the Soth Of June, makes not
the slightest mention of the affair but.
on the contrary, goes into particulars Of
the bravery Of the allies in guarding the
wounded, who were placed in fiat boats
and towed down the river by details of
soldiers and marines, while the main
body of the troops fought the Chinese
off with rife and Maxims
In the fight at Lang Fang, where the
Boxers attacked the forces with great
vtgor twice, the Italian contingent bore
the brunt Of the fighting on the right
flank, and lost five men killed and
number wounded. The Chinese retreated,
leaving a large number of dead on the
field. In the afternoon a detail of British
marines, who were stationed to guaSA
the railroad house at Lang Fang, were
attacked, and reinforcements had to be
rushed forward to save them. 1t was i'll
this engagement that the enemy lost
about 1GO killed, which was mentioned in
the Geographic report and the British
marines had two of their blue jackets
wounded.
An advance was then made to Rem
Ting, where a halt had to be made, as
the tracks for miles had been torn up,
The Chinese advanced in great numbers,
and a desperate battle was fought The
column fell back to Yong Song. that the
rest Of the trip might be made by stream.
Admiral Seymour then said:
TRAINS DESTROYED.
Prior to our departure from Lang
Fang, 1 ordered two trains to stop there
in order to enable part of our men TO
proceed later but these trains were at
tackled after my departure, by the Box
ers and the Chinese troops who had
come from Pekin, and fighting ensued,
in the course of which 400 to 500 were
killed on the enemy's side, and six of our
men killed and forty-eight wounded.
'At Yong Song 1 was Joined by the
men who came down there in three
trains All the trains were completely
destroyed, and not a single one could be
used for further work. Moreover, the
want of provisions, together with the
numerous wounded soldiers, compelled us
to retreat to Tien Tsin. Communication
with Tien Esin remained entirely sus-
pended for six days, and accordingly We
were deprived Of the means of obtaining
supplies. We accordingly marched back,
though constantly attacked by the enemy
along the river Uescorting at the same
time the wounded soldiers, carried in
boats"
After detailing the capture of the forts
and supplies. Admiral Seymour said that
the ammunition and food would have
kept the relief column in condition for
several days, but owing to the presence
of so many wounded it was decided to
return to Tien Tsin. On the 23d, the re-
Inducements from that city came to the
admiraPs assistance, and on the Gath the
entire force reached the headquarters
of the allied armies.