Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1901-04-13

A personal letter received in St
Louis from Private Frank Stewart,
marine who participated in the rel1ef
of Tientsin and the taking OF Pek1n.
gives a realistic picture of those STIR
ring days, says the st. Louis GLOBE
Democrat. Stewart was stationed at
Cavite when the trouble in China be
gan, and was one of thirty men select
ed to go to China as guard to the Am
erican Consul. They made the journey
on the gunboat Nashville, under the
command of Lieut.. Seward. They ar
rived at Taku on the 18th of June, and
found many evidences of the trouble
which had already begun. Flags were
at half-mast and a German man-of-
war was badly damaged as result OF
several welldirected shells. A landing
could not be made at first on account
of rough water, and after two days,
delay they were Joined by 100 addl-
tional troops under Major Waller who
is described as a fine officer. A land
ing was effected on the 18th, and a
train was Immediately taken for the
interior After a Short ride they en-
countered 400 Russian troops, who
were also on their way to besieged
Tienstin. Thus there was the spectacle
of Russians and Americans journeying
side by side on common etrrand- AS
they advanced progress became more
and more difficult. For a time they were
within two miles of Tientsin, when
they were fired on from ambush. The
encounter came very near being fatal
to the Americans. The attack on them
was from a force so large as to be
formidable and to make matters worse
their machine gun got out of order,
and nothing was left but retreat. The
Russians had kept the rear open, so
that the return was managed without
much difficulty. They were constantly
ird on, however, and sustained loss
of three dead and four wounded. The
Russians were heavier sufferers, their
casualties being eleven killed and nine
wounded. They retreated fifteen miles,
carrying their dead and wounded with
them. When they went into camp that
night they were REINFORCED by the ar
rival of English, German and addition
al Russian troops. These allied forces
slept side by side that night, and the
next morning began the advance again.
There was light encounter with Box
ers early in the day, which resulted in
the latter being put to flight. The rest
of that day was spent in killing cattle
to insure food in case of emergency.
The next day. June %. they again near
ed Tientsin, this time not to turn oack.
The various troops were approaching
side by side; Russians on the right
and the Germans, Americans and en-
glish next in order. A terrific sand
storm set in, and belligerent Chinese
became more and more prevalent, but
nothing stopped the march. Occasion
ally a man fell. but on the whole the
| advance was made with little difficulty.
The English led the way into the be-
seiged town, with the Americans fol-
lowing The people were wild with
joy. Death had confronted them be-
fore, but these mingled troops brought
with them the assurance of life All
the soldiers rested that night, and in
| the morning set out to the relief Of
Pey Sing, which is nine miles from
| Tientsin. They were nearly. there be-
fore they were attacked by the Boxers
| The latter began throwing shells
among the Americans, but did not do
much damage The conditions at Pey
| Sing were terrible. The people were
living on mule flesh, and had among
their number 235 sick and wounded All
these had to be carried back to Tien-
| tsin, but the task was completed with
out mishap- The combined troops were
/ 2 200 strong, and the Chinese forces
were not strong enough to oppose
them. On the 1st of July all the Chi
nese were driven within the walled city
OF Tientsin- Their stronghold was
| known as the West Arsenal. and on
July the troops fought eight hours
| IN taking this stronghold Besides the
| troops that have been enumerated. the