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August 18, 1900.]
are to move out to-morrow, taking eight days provisions with them. Their horses are fine cattle and look very fit for work. The Bengal Lancers are expected in to-morrow and the Goorkhas to day, so that we have even now a respectable British force on the spot. A Pun- jaub Infantry regiment attracts considerable attention from everyone, on account of their uniform, which is similar to that of our High land Regiments. Their Band, which consists of bagpipes, fifes, and drums, discourses sweet music occasionally and attracts good audiences, a great relief to the whizzing of bullets and screeching of bursting shells.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT..
had been disposed that the advanced pickets got in touch with the enemy, who were entrenched about 3 miles from the Native City, and were very quickly driven out of their position by the Allies and got on the run. At the time of writing the Bengal Lancers were on their track for all they were worth, and I hear had fetched their first blood. The troops are rapidly following up and will not give them much time to rest. The Japanese especially seem anxious to keep them going, and these wiry troops are spinning past me as I sit on a transport waggon, keeping close in touch with the Terrible Naval Brigade, who are swearing like true Britons at not getting on fast enough to see the fun.
THE GUNS.
The weather is intensely hot, almost unbearable, and the flies must give points to those of Pharoah's plague for numbers and annoyance, attracted no doubt by the numerous dead bodies
It is a canse for regret that Captain Scott that still remain unburied. Four of the Ter-has not got his 4.7 gun up to the front in time rible's twelve-pounders, and one or two 4 inch, to move with us, as I hear he had promised to manned by the Barfleurs, are to accompany the do so, although we were thankful for those he force when they advance, the guns having been did send, which have immortalised themselves in placed on board of lighters for the first part of Tientsin. It is a disappointment to many of us the journey. No opposition is expected for a who had hoped to witness Lyddite chasing good distance. The army artillery will march Boxers as it did the Boers, and it would have been with the columns.
a valuable present for the Empress at Peking. Quite a fleet of junks, gaily decorated with their national flags, aro sailing up the river laden with stores, etc., and our hopes run high of soon joining hands with our countrymen in the Capital.
The British General commanding and an- other general have just arrived with their staffs, and I have just learned that the advance is to take place on the 30th inst.
HASTENING FORWARD.
28th July. The 1st Sikhs arrived here last night from Taku and we expect the Goorkhas and Lancers . every hour. The Generals are anxious to make a forward move and preparations are hurriedly being pushed forward. The Japanese are to leave to-morrow if possible, for a reconnaissance and to test the enemys' positions and to hold them clear of the river. They are reported in strong force about 18 miles from here. Yesterday a run- ner came through from Peking to the effect that there are 40 wounded there. All Euro- peans are living on mule-flesh, etc., but other wise all right. The Chinese had also entrench- ed themselves 18 miles from here. But the statement cannot be relied upon.
Later. I have just heard that the Japanese forces have been repulsed, losing 28 killed.
Tientsin, 31st July.
FINAL PREPARATIONS.
The advance is expected to take place some- time to-morrow. Everything, so far as I can observe; is ready, and the troops, especially the Indian portion, are eager to get in touch with the enemy. The junks, which contain the naval guns, stores, etc., are completed with their cargoes ready for moving. Captain Cal- laghan, R.N., of the Endymion, arrived yester- day to take command of the Naval Brigade. with Commander Fraser, R.N., of the Phoenix, as second in command; and Lieut. Drummond, R.N., of the Terrible, commands the four naval 12-pounders. 350 Marines have been again landed from the fleet, and will join the Relief Column. The Bengal Lancers have arrived, and the Goorkhas are expected up to-day and several other regiments to-morrow. The rail- way from Tongku to this place is now in work. ing order, and a regular service of trains is run- ning under Russian control, which facilitates the work considerably.
Tientsin, 5th August.
ON THE MARCH.
I am glad to announce that we are at last on the move, having commenced the forward move- ment at 3 a.m. this morning. Shortly after mid- night we commenced to prepare for this second move towards the Celestial Capital. Our forces this time number 12,000, which will constitute the fighting column, leaving an ample number for the communications. more seasoned body of troops it would be difficult to find, compris- ing as they do most of the troops that took part in the recent operations here, South African ve- terans of the Navy, and Indian troops, many of whom have their breasts marked with ribbon that has been earned in many a hard frontier fight. One could not help noticing the look of satisfaction that beamed on the faces of our In- dian comrades as they moved out this morning, looking the pictures of happiness at having been elected to fight side by side with Europ ean troops a great amend after their disap- pointment at not going to South Africa. They are a force any general might feel proud to command. It was not long after the troops
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WEIHAIWEI.
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.
TORPEDO DESTROYER WRECKED.
Weihaiwei, 2nd August. News has been received that a Japanese tor- pedo destroyer was wrecked 60 miles south of Weihaiwei. H.M.S. Peacock, with the divers of the Terrible, left on the 2nd inst. to try and A Japanese officer and two sailors get her off. who worked a sampan to this port, arriving with the news, were quite exhausted on their arrival and had to receive medical attention.
5th August.
NAVY BUSY AT WORK.
H.M.S. Orlando came on this morning en route to Woosung to join Admiral Seymour's Flag. She will leave at daybreak to-morrow after taking in stores and ammunition. The Pigmy also arrived, and proceeds to Taku Six deaths occurred amongst after coaling. the wounded in hospital here during the were buried with past week, and they naval honours by the crew of the Terrible, which still remains here as depot ship; Captain Scott being the Senior Naval Officer whilst the place is serving as the base for the British force.
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on her maiden voyage from England. It ap pears that she was on her way to Japan and during the night of the 25th ult, she ran on the rocks near the SE. promontory of the Shantung province, about 60 miles from this place the weather at the time being very thick. One of her officers with 3 sailors obtained a sampan and worked their way to this port, and reported the occurrence to the Senior Naval officer, Capt. Scott. The officer, who, with the great pluck characteristic of the Japanese, had lost no time in getting here; after making his report fell down completely exhausted on the deck, and had to receive medical attention. The Peacock was ordered to raise steam at once and proceed to the scene of the wreck, taking with her all the divers and apparatus from the Terrible under the charge of Mr. Math- er, R. N., gunner of that ship. Before leaving, the Japanese officer was sufficiently recovered to sail in her with his men. The Peacock left harbour in the afternoon of the 31st ult. and arrived shortly after dark near the place where it was supposed she had ran ashore-but they could not see where she was. Three guns were fired, and the search-light burnt for some time, which elicited a rocket reply from the destroyer and showed her position. was too late to do anything that night. Next morning the Peacock got under weigh and proceeded as close as was safe to the wreck. Diving Was immediately commenced and carried on for two days. The vessel was ex- amined inside and out, and it was found she had been badly damaged and wedged in between the rocks. Collision mats were placed in position, No. 2 compartment pumped out and made watertight, and during the evening of the 2nd inst. an attempt was made to tow her off the rocks, which unfortunately failed.
A BREAK UP.
It
It was hoped to get her afloat next morning, but a heavy swell set in during the night, and the vessel commenced to bump, and before day- light next morning she broke in two, the Japanese crew just having time to save her 12-pounder (her largest gun). The divers, assisted by the ship's company of the Peacock, saved five smaller guns (6 prs). four torpedoes, and one anchor, and finding that nothing further could be done sailed for Weihaiwei. The captain of the Peacock was warmly thanked on behalf of the Japanese Government by the captain of the Niji before he left.
THE TIENTSIN FIGHTING. The following letter from an officer at the front will be of interest to our readers.
Tientsin, 30th July. Here we are since the 23rd. June, the day on which (after two days hard marching and lying Over 100 head of cattle have been
on the cold, cold ground at night) we had a captured that were being driven round here fight and relieved Tientsin, and none too soon, from Chefoo. and some of the drovers killed, the place being surrounded with Chinese troops Boxers. The people here were wild which shows that the province is very restless and outside British and German spheres of in-
with joy at our appearance. The Russians fluence; and it is generally believe that its fought with their guns in fine style, a 15 Field Battery, and the rifle-fire was future conduct will depend largely on the pr.
of the Allies moving on Peking. pretty effective on both sides. On the fol- nearly completed his lowing day (24th) at midnight we marched Captain Scott has travelling carriage for the 4.7 gun; the work out again with Russians, Japaneses, Americans, has been slow, as everything has had to be done Italians, etc., to relieve Admiral Seymour at exclusively by hand labour, the ponderous See Kiu arsenal, where he was hemmed in with wheels having been cut out of a sheet of 200 odd troops, and 210 sick of all nations. solid iron, and the massive axle-boxes made
After marching all night we came into action board--&
the large order for
at daybreak, shell and shrapnel bursting over sources of a ship of war. It is characteristic our heads merrily from a large Chinese fort. of the captain of the Terrible that nothing We all had to run the gauntlet of a fairly heavy should stand betwixt him and the accomplish-rifle-fire at one time to get round an em- ment of anything he takes in hand, and it must bankment. have given him extreme satisfaction that Bri- gadier-General Dorward in Command at the front during the exciting operations at and around Tientsin should have officially stated that it was entirely due to the guns of the Terrible, under Lieut. Drummond, that the suc cess of the operations was due, and that it was the smartness and accuracy of their fire that demoralized the Chinese.
on
re-
Admiral Sir E. Seymour before he left Tient- sin also eulogised the performance of these gun's crews, shaking hands with the whole gun's crew of No. 1 gun.
Weihaiwei, 6th August.
THE LOSS OF THE JAPANESE DESTROYER.
The Japanese Destroyer Niji has become a total wreck. This smart little craft was quite new, having only been built last year and was
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A few Russians were winged. However we got to See Kiu all right, and glad Admiral Seymour and his force were to see us. They were living on mules and all sorts of similar animals, and drinking filthy water. We had no opposition on the way back next day, and reached Tientsin (the Settlement) safely on the 26th with all the sick, &c. Two days afterwards we were ordered out again by the Admiral (although there were no Hong- kong troops engaged in the attack, and capture of the East Imperial Arsenal and Mint) un- der a shell and heavy rifle fire. We brought in 22 wounded, including two officers, (all naval) and 6 killed, amongst the British small force alone. Some days afterwards we had a pretty fight in taking the West Arsenal, the Japanese (brave-hearted little chaps) cavalry, merely a handful, accounting for 150 of the Im.
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