The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-08-18
HOW THEY FOUGHT.
Official Reports of Details of Battle of
Tien Tsiu.

washington, aug. 1S.-1ne navy &C.
partment today made public the reports
OF Colonel Robert L. Meade and Major
l. w. T. Waller of the United States
marine corps, on the battle of Tien
Tsin. Colonel Meade's report is dated
at I1en Tsin. July 16. After telling of
the situation around Tien Tsin and of
the decision on July II, at q conference
held at the English generals head
quarters, to attack the city about day
break the next day, the report, in de-
scrlb1ng the early fighting, in which the
marines and Ninth Infantry took part,
says
I'VE reached the advanced position
about a. m. l took 1870 rounds per
man with me-100 rounds in the belts
and eighty in the haversacl1s- This is
not sufficient for an all day fight, and
as 1t grew toward night began to be
apprehenSive of being left in the ad-
vance position in a fight where no pris-
onerS were taken on either side, with
only the bayonet to fight with. On the
nrlng line the action was especially hot
and the enemy's fire especially rapid
and accurate. and at about $3.50 a. m.
the enemy appeared in large numbers
upon our left, among the grave mounds
of the field in which we WERE with the
evident intention of fanking u.s.
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 thanking effort, but at
this time the infantry support of the
artillery company was on the mud wall
of the city and aided us by a cross fire.
The effort of the enemy proved a failure
and we drove them in.
I'VE remained in the trenches until
about p. m. when We received an or
der from the brigadier general COM
handing to withdraw which was prob
ably the most difficult action of the day,
since the enemy had so we'll covered
our position that their shots struck the
crests of the trenches and threw dirt
in our faces-many being hit.
General Dorward ordered that the
troops should sleep upon their arms
that night and on the following morn
ing to enter the city. The south gate
had to be blown in by guncotton.
1.-The troops had had nothing what
ever to eat on the 18th save the small
luncheon which each man carried in his
haversack. 1t was not expected when
we started that the action would prove
so long, but GeenraI Dorward, know
ing the situation, kindly sent to the
reservation for food and other neces
saries and the bivouac proved a success
and the men, although very fatigued,
were ready for duty.
''On the 14th instant the south gate
having been blown in, we moved into
the walled city. at about a. m.
I'VE 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 undisturbed pos
''The American troops formed part of
so had more than their share of the Tight
ing that took place The ready and Will
ing spirit of the officers and men will al
ways make their command easy and pleas
galiantry and power of holding on to ex-
posed positions which they displayed on
the 18th instant, the result is soldiers of
the highest class.
1--WE all deeply sympathize with you in
peeay With tSe Ninth regiment in the
loss of their gallant colonel, =. H. Lis
cum, while at the head of his men. and
with the First regiment of marines in
the death of Captain Davis, who met a
soldiers death in the very front of the
II blame myself for the mistake. made
in the taking up of their position by the
troops wholly fresh to the scene of ac-
ton and hurried forward in the excite
ment were likely to lose their, way. Still,
to all day undoubtedly prevented large
rious loss on the French and Japanese.
Among many instances OF personal
to bring to notice in dispatches the con-
duct of First Lieut.. Smedley D. Butler,
wounded man from the front under heavy
and accurate fire. Lieut.. Butler, was
e6 whle 9 DOING put a ado
iutant. First Lieut. Henry Leonard, as
Lieut.. Butler was suffering severely. vol
to carry him out of the firing
line. This gallant feat he successfully
accomplished. but I regret to say was
very dangerously wounded in so doing
1.-The Ninth regiment was fighting some
what outside of my sphere of action, so
I am able to bring forward only one
instance of personal gallantry in that reg
iment. although. circumstanced as they
were, fighting for about twelve hours al
most alone and unsupported, and never
giving back foot Of ground until d.
reeted to retire under cover of the night
n nd n EDCh
stances must have been very numerous
The one l would refer to is the bringing
back to me by the acting regimental adj
jutant, Captain Lawton, of the account
of the position of the regiment. across
wide and fire-swept space, and returning
with reinforcements to guide them to his
when he was severely wounded
1.-THE withdrawal of the regiment was a
delicate military operation finely carried
out. on which I congratulate Lieut. Col.
Coolidge and the Officers and men under
his command