Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-08-20
Their Part Important in the Battle Of
Tien Tsin.
CAPTS. LONG and FULLER'S REPORTS
Details of the Engagement Care
fully Rehearsed.
COOL E SIS OF M E n

Interesting details of the gallant part
played by United States soldiers and ma
rines in the decisive battle of Tien Tsin are
given in the official reports of Captain Chas.
G. Long and Captain B. H. Fuller Of the
marine corps to Colonel Meade U. S. M. c..
who commanded the first regiment of ma
rines on that occasion. They contain many
important details omitted from the reports
of Colonel Meade and Major Waller, U. s.
NJ c., previously published in The Star.
Captain Longs report Is as follows:
II respectfully report as follows on the
movements of the I'd Battalion, 1st Regi-
ment u s. Marines, in the attack on the
Chinese city of Tien Tsin on Friday. July
Is, 1900 and Its capture the following morn
ing:
1.-The I'd Battalion, under my command.
consisted Of one battery Of artillery, three
3-pound rap:d-fire guns and three Colts au-
tomato and one company OF infantry, Com
B. H. Fuller and the latter by First Lieu
tenant r. H. Dunlap. The other officers
of the battalion were First Lieutenant A
J. Matthews. adjutant: Lieutenants Clifford.
jolly Little and McCreary, U. 9. M. C., and
Assistant Surgeon Thompson, U. 8. n.
I'VE started from our barracks at about
3 am. with the 1st Battalion, all under
command Of Colonel r. l.. Meade, U. 9. M.
G, When about one and a half miles from
the western arsenal L was ordered to go
into action on the right of the japanese ar
tillery, who had one battery of light field
guns The LIST Battalion moved to the
front and the I'd Battalion inclined to the
right and moved across the marsh to a po-
sition just to the right Of the japanese and
outside the outer wall. This was about
200 yards from the south gate of the Chi
nese city, the point to be forced.
Inside the Wall.
s~rr, bolpad nj 10 tho oupa in M.
sition, and about seventy-five or hundred
shells were fired over the outer wall and
into the city, Lieutenant Matthews indi-
eating from the top Of the wall the fall of
the projectiles. Seeing that better view
of the south gate could be obtained from
inside the mud wall, the battalion was
moved by the left flank through the arsenal
gate and took position inside and to
the left. This was at about $50 a m. From
this position the fire was continued, and
some very good shots were placed in the
Chinese city. One Of the Chinese batteries
on our left located us and tried to drive
us from position. One three-inch gun
was turned on this battery; also the Colts
guns; but the range was too great for the
latter to have any effect. Our ammuni-
ton supply was small. as we had to move
it over bitches by hand, and keep pace with
infantry. After exhausttng our ammunition
the guns were moved outside the wall and
left in charge of Captain Fuller and about
detachment joined Company D, command
ed by Lieutenant Dunlap. the Colt guns
being left with Captain Fuller.
I'VE then moved with this force of about
one hundred men to the extreme left flank
Of the allied forces, which was noticed to
be open and liable to a flank attack by the
Chinese. which would enfilade our men al
ready on the line about 600 yards from the
inner wall. Arriving there. we opened fire
on the enemy. who appeared to harass the
flank. Shortly afterward. having received
a signal to move forward, we went over the
wall and advanced In extended order a
distance Of about half mile across the
marshes, coming up on the left OF the 1st
Battalion.
During the advance the fire against us
was continuous and quite heavy, coming
vanced without hating. the last 200 yards
in double time. One man-Private Kelleher
was hit in the shoulder just as we ar
rived on the line and was sent to the rear
later Just before moving to reinforce the
line Lieutenant Wynne and about forty
men Joined my command. This was about
8:45 am. About 9:15 Am. the enemy tried
to flank us; SO moved my command about
fifty yards to the rear and 100 yards to the
left. thus protecting the flank, and also
sent Lieutenants Wynne and jolly, with
forty or fifty men. well to the left. The
fire was received and returned all day and
several attempts at q flank attack frus-
trated My command remained in position
until about pm, when. after the other
companies uaQ moved TO the rear Tor q
night position. we followed them. Lieuten-
ant Wynne's detachment from the outer
wall covered the movement to the rear.
C0Olness Of Omcers and Men.
1.-The officers and men during the engage
ment. which lasted thirteen or fourteen
hours. displayed GOODNESS. and in every way
the qualities Of good soldiers and marines.
The artillery under Captain Fuller and his
officers wss handled we'll and. the fire was
effective In spite Of the poor ammunition.
inclose a report from Captain Fuller as
to the further movements of part OF his
company. Lieut. Dunlap In command of
Company d. kept his company under ex-
cellent control, and ny weil-directed volicys
and individual fire Well protected the ex-
treme left flank Of the allied forces Sergt