The Brunswick news. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 1906-2016, 1911-10-19
CH|NK TROOPS
ENGAGE REBELS
IN OLD HANKOW
ATTEMPT TO LAND LARGE BODY
OF TROOPS RESULTS IN BAT
TIE ON WATER FRONT.
RevoIutionists vietors in Fight-For-
eign Warships in Harbor Send Ma
rines Ashore to Protect Interests,
and No Foreigners Suffer Injury.

rines Ashore to Protect Interests,
and No Foreigners Suffer Injury.
Hankow, Oct. 1S.-An indecisive
battle was fought today on the north
bank of the Han river, just west of
this city.
The revolutionists temporarily drove
the imperial troops back from their
position, but in doing so they ex-
hausted their rifle ammunition and
were compelled to retire upon the
base at WI Chang.
The 'evolutionists, with infantry
and artillery, attacked the imperial
troops, which were reinforced from
the Chinese warships in the river and
supported by guns of the fleet.
During the fighting the thirteen for
elgn vessels in the river landed a
joint force, under command of Vice
Admiral Sir Alfred L. Winsloe, COM
mander of the British eastern fleet,
who because of his seniority, has been
given the direction of the men en-
gagged in the protection of the general
concession.
Fighting Was Fierce.
About 1000 revolutionists were
pitted against an equal number of
loyal soldiers, and it was a fierce
fight. Early reports that the rebels
outnumbered the enemy five to one,
were incorrect. Only a part of the
revolutionary army participated, and
they were claiming tonight that they
would have routed the government SOL
diers. from the north if their ammu-
milton had held out.
This evening the imperial troops
are waiting reinforcements, while the
reyolutionists are replenishing their
supplies. A renewal of hostilities may
take place soon, as it appears to be
the plan of the rebel soldiers to
force the fighting before the imperial
troops have been able to strengthen
their position.
1t was rumored that there would be
no battle before next Saturday, as the
imperial troops were reported to be
holding their position awaiting the
arrival of more soldiers from the
north.
The rebels attacked with dash and
the government troops, taken some
what at disadvantage, responded
loyalty this morning.
The engagement continued for sew
eral hours, until the combined land
and ship forces of the imperials were
driven some distance back and the
rebels, retiring, recrossed the river
to WI Chang.
Shells from the fleet were compar-
atively few and did not do great dam
age.
Reinforcements from the north are
expected. The imperial troops con-
centrated north of the city today.
Casualties Unknown.
The fighting was severe, but it is
impossible to estimate the casualties,
as no one was permitted near the fir
ing line, and those who witnessed the
battle were fired on.
At the sound of firing, Admiral Sab
ordered men landed to support Gen
eral Chang Piao. The rebels had an
ticipated this move by the fleet and
directed hot fire upon the warships
landing party from the WI Chang
bank Of the river.
Admiral Sab in turn ordered the
warships to fire on the rebel positions,
and for time shells fell thick among
the rebel forces. The warship's Off
GERS, however, were handicapped by
the danger to the foreign concessions
involved in their fire.
Two foreign newspaper correspond
ents narrowly escaped with their lives.
They had been cruising on the river
In expectation of the battle. and their
launch was struck by shell. They
witnessed the fight from alongside the
flagship of Admiral Sab, between the
flying shells of each party. AS they
withdrew, they were fired on by a
land party. They escaped unhurt, how
ever. E ST
Shanghai, Oct. 18.-It is reported
here that the rebels have captured
both Marking and Kiu- Kang, but Off
cial confirmation is lacking. 1t is said
that there have been number of
secret sessions Of the various mill
tary commanders.
Hankow, Oct. ia general en-
gagement between the Chinese revolu-