The Savannah morning news., 1900-08-18


to Fall Back-HOw Tien Tsin Was
Gained Later-Maj. Waller Protest.
ed Against the First Advance, the
Allies BEING Few in Number-Next
Movement Successful.
Washington. Aug. 1.-THE Navy De-
partment to-day made public the reports
of Col. Robert L. Meade and Maj L.
w. T Waller of the United States Ma
rine Corps on the battle of Tien Tsin.
They give not only a graphic account of
this initial engagement in the Chinese
campaign, but furnish the information
with official exactness.
Col. Meades report is dated Tien Tsin,
July 16 After telling of the situation
around Tien Tsn and of the decision on
July IL, at a conference held at the Egg
lish generals headquarters, to attack the
city about daybreak the next day, Col.
Meade's report, in describing the early
fighting in which the Marines and Ninth
Infantry took such a gallant part, says
I'VE reached the advanced position
about s a. m. l took 1SO rounds per
man with me, 100 rounds in the belts and
eighty in the haversacks. This is not
sufficient for an all-day fight, and as it
grew toward night, I began to be appre-
hensive of being left in advanced posi-
ton in a fight where no prisoners were
taken on either side, with only the bay
onet to fight with.
Action Was Hot.
ION the firing line the action was es
pecially hot, and the enemy's fire especi-
ally rapid and accurate, and at about $50
a. m. the enemy appeared in large num-
Der upon our left and among the grave
mounds of the field in which we were,
with the evident intention of flankng us.
1 made a turning movement TO the left
and rear, and we drove them away. Later
in the day, about 2 p. m, they again made
a f1anking effort, but at this time the in
fantry support of the artillery company
was on the mud wall of the city and aid
ed us by a cross fire. This company was
commanded by Capt. C. G. Long. The
effort of the enemy proved a failure, and
we drove them in.
I'VE remained in the trenches until
der from the brigadier general COM
manding to withdraw which was probably
the most difficult action of the day, since
the enemy had so well covered our posi-
ton that their shots struck the crests of
the trenches and threw dirt in our faces,
many being hit.
Gen. Dorward ordered that the troops
hot iryh
and on the following morning enter the
city, the south gate to be blown in by
gun cotton.
"On the 14th inst, the south gate hav-
ing been blown in, we moved into the
walled city at about 6 o'clock a m. We
found the city filled with dead Cinnamon
and animals. No resistance was made to
our occupation in the walled city itself,
but an infantry fire was kept up by the
Japanese infantry upon the enemy, who
responded from the suburbs. Since then
we have had undsturbed possession of all
Tien Tsin.'
Comm ended Americans.
Col. Meade enclosed letter from Gen.
DorUard the commander of the English
forces. in which he highly commended
the American commanders and troops, and
took upon himself the blame for ordering
the Ninth Regiment into a dangerous
position. Cen Dorward especially men
toned for bravery Lieut.. Smedley d.
Butler, Lieut. Henry Leonard and Capt.
Lawton.
Col. Meade gives a list of the casual
ties and details the circumstances of the
death of Col Liscum and Capt. Davis.
The proclamation to the inhabitants
of Tien Tsin, telling them that the bonn
bardment was only in reply to the at
tacks Of the rebels, is included in the re-
port.
Mai. Walters report is of especial in
terest. as he had command of the Marines
in the fight before Tien Tsn was reached.
The report is dated Tien Tsin, June 2S,
and says in part:
Compelled TO Retreat.
"At in the morning. June 20, the Rus
sian colonel informed me that he would
push on with 400 men and attempt to get
into Tien Tsin, and aid in the defense or
the city / objected, but was overruled
in council. My reason told me that there
was slim chance for passing the Chinese
force with only $50 men. and no guns, the
three-inch rife proving defective. l dis
abled it and rolled It into the river and
followed the Russians in the twelve-mile
march on Tien Tsn.
THE Russian column was in advance,
400 strong. with my Colt SKIM gun in
their front under the command Of Lieut.
Powell The advance continued until 7
a. m without opposi ior, when we reach
ed a point opposite the imperial arsenal.
There we met a small flank fire, which
was quickly sill need by our sharpshoot-
ers About 10 minutes later we met a very
heavy frcni and flank fire from 1900 or
2CO) men intrenched. We deployed. and
nv lice feeling the flank fire. turned to
the left and rear confronting the flank
movement. our line a that time having
its front advanced and right flank re-
served
"The support OF the Colt gun having
dwindlcd 10 two men and the gun having
iammed several times. all the crew being
sho. down but one, MIR. Powell very
prot erly dccided 10 abandon It, which he
6id. after disabling the gun. Receiving
notice that the Russ ans would retreat
TO a roint four mill s beyond our bivouac,
besan my retreat, moving by the rlghl
flank and keeping up a hght for four
hours with the enemy, who We in force,
imperial tro ps and xers.
1--WE succeeded in falling back bringing
/ 4 E4fH