December 1, 1900.]
} On Thursday the British transports Pentakota and India and the hospital-ship Gwalior arrived in the harbour from the north. By the latter came the Maharajahs Scindia of Gwalior and Bikanir.
THE FUSILIERS AT THE
OF WAR.
[BY THE "RANK AND FILE."] (Concluded.)
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
They, however, were disappointed at the result of the order so valorously given and so readily responded to. They thought they were nearer the enemys' position than they were. However, Capt. Gwynne ordered them to rally, and away SEAT|found the enemy had retreated. It was about they went. When they reached the position they
this time when the Fusiliers found themselves in an enfilading fire, which for a while they could not make out. Eventually it was ascertained that the Russians were pouring shells into the captured position, Seven Americans were killed and wounded by this unfortunate ac- cident. It was here that an heroic act of Signaller Jackson of the Fusiliers deserves to be put on record. When the shells were pouring into the captured position Jackson mounted the embankment and waved a flag as a signal for the Russians to cease fire. This was done at a moment when a shell had burst near the spot Jackson had to climb, and notwithstanding that fact, and the heavy fire on all sides, he made his way to a point where he could best be observed, and saved the lives of his comrades by running along the em- bankment and vigorously waving his flag.
Among the many communications which have reached the writer commenting on the preceding articles, one from a non-commissioned officer calls attention to two "grave errors" which, he considers should be "immediately rectified. "The Porters were not brothers," the somewhat irate non com. goes on to say, although they acted like it, and were considered to be related to each other as they were always together." The second "grave error was in the statement that Col. Bertie dismissed his men so as to enable them to get some beer on the taking of Tientsin. The officer named should have been Major Morris, who took such a deep interest i. his men that he personally went the round of the shops obtaining what he could for them, and assisting the citizens of Tientsin in doling out beer, &c.
་
But to proceed. We left the Fusiliers at Peitsang. They had materially assisted to take a position, which, in the opinion of those best able to judge would have been invulnerable in the hands of a conrageous enemy. It ran north-east and south-west across the river and the railway. their right resting on. an on- bankment which went from Haiku village westerly, then left five miles away on the other side of the river at a camp near the fifth railway bridge, beyond which the country was inun dated. It is true that the Chinese retreated in force and practically left the position at the mercy of the swiftly advancing troops, but the Fusiliers, nevertheless, displayed considerablo dash and activity right through, clearing the way, and marching into the village among the first of the Allied troops in the early morn. At 8 o'clock the next morning (August 6th) the fall in " sounded, and preparations were made for a forced march.
THE ADVANCE ON YANGTSUN.
The advance section was to be composed of a large force of Japanese on the right bank. and the rest of the Allies on the left bank. After marching about thirteen miles under a broiling sun dispositions were made for & combined British and American attack in the centre and on the right. The attack in the centre was led by the Ist Sikhs and 24th Bengal Infantry in widely extended order supported by the 14th American Infantry, and the Fusiliers, the 12th Field Battery covering the advance to the right. The 9th American Infantry, protected on the right flank by the Bengal Lancers ad- vanced, covered by an American Field Battery. The enemy
was holding a position three miles long, with their right on the river, their centre at Yangtaun railway station and their left on distant villages eastwards. The inter- vening space was a plain, covered with high millet. The enemy's centre was strong, a village protected by entrenchments covering the station. Colonel Bertio ordered the Fusiliers to advance in extended order. The enemy's fire was first drawn by a company of Cossacks who had been reconnoitring, and had proceeded too far, so that they found considerable difficulty in retiring. The enemy seemed to have got the Americans woll ranged, for a few shells went right in amongst them, and wounded several men as they advanced. The 12th Field Battery then started to shell the villages in front of the railway station, and under cover of this bombardment, the infantry attack was developed, the Fusiliers still advancing in very extended order through the high covering crops, the Americans following to their right, and in much closer order. The enemy's shells were ripping up the ground over which the Fusiliers had to advance, and their escape from a severe disaster is considered somewhat marvellous.
The rest given to the troops at Yang-tsun was much needed, and when the advance was continued on the 8th August the men "fell in'
with renewed energy. The road at Yangtsun crosses over to the right bank of the river, and a definite order of march was agreed upon. It was decided that the Japanese should lead the advance, the Russians take the second place; the Americans were to follow, and the British to bring up the rear. The march of the Fusiliers was made in the day-time-that of the other part of the force in the night. The Indian troops fell out a good deal, for the weather, especially at midday, was very trying, and the heat intense. It was at Tsai-Tsun where the enemy was again met with, but they made no determined stand, and, as far as the Fusiliers were concerned, their bayonets remained sheathed.
THE LAST CAMP BEFORE PEKING.
The combined Allies camped here for the night and on the afternoon of the next day (August 10th) moved further on the road. The Japanese were keeping the enemy continually on the run, marching in the night time. General Fukushima had laid out a plan of campaign which worked admirably. It was to push on about threo miles in advance of the British main body of infantry, and whenever they got into touch with the enemy to drop back ou the Fusiliers, who were then extended and sent forward to go through all the villages to the right and left of the line of march.
Another night's rest at Maton, and at about 2 o'clock in the afternoon of the next day the enemy were discovered in a position south of Tungchow, which was surrounded by a formidable wall. The Japanese advanced to assault it, but found the enemy had gone-the town was completely evacuated. The Fusiliers, with the rest of the Allies rested at Tungchow on the 12th. Peking was only 13 miles off, and the Force moved upon it in four separate columns. The Fusiliers advanced about noon upon the Sha-wo-men, the east gate of the Chinese city wall, the village in front of the gato being occupied by the enemy. The Field Battery was brought into action and the 24th Punjaub Infantry on the left of the road, and the 7th Rajputs on the right skirmished up towards it concealed by the high crops. The engagement was sharp and decisive, and the village was quickly taken. Indeed, there was little or no opposition, for the Chinese did not expect an attack to come from that quarter, more especially as the road leading to it had become well nigh impassable. The 1st Sikhs were with the Fusiliers, and they were supported by cavalry and artillery. The Americans were among the first to attack, while the cavalry and the artillery were sent to the Temple of Heaven to protect the left flank. The resistance was weak, and finally the position was taken. On all sides Peking was in the hands of the Allies and the Legations had been saved. So much JACKSON, THE FUSILIER HERO.
then for the part which the Fusiliers took in The Fusiliers did about two miles of the at- bringing about such a successful issue. They tack when the 7th Rajputs came up. Captain had demonstrated right through the kind Gwynne immediately shouted to them Why of metal of which they are composed, and in don't those Rajput's charge ?" and with that he conclusion the story of Private Dudson may drew his own sword and said “Follow me, men !" I be mentioned as standing out prominently and the Fusiliers at once made another charge. among the heroic nots done by them while
|
|
on that hazardous march. It was near Tien- tsin, and the order was given to advance over a wall. When nearing it Private Dudson saw a wounded Japanese who had taken off his clow thing and rolled himself in the mud so as to pre- Quick as the word, Dudson caught the man in his vent his being identified by the passing Chinèse.
arms and carried him to the Hospital tranch. whero his injuries were dressed by Captain Prynne. The sufferer held in his band a purse which he desired the Captain to take in return for the kindness shown him, but it was refused. The dressing completed, the Captain asked for volunteers to take the Japanese back to his lines, and Dudsen at once stepped forward. In the meantime he had been out across the line of fire and had brought back over his shoulders a wounded Sergeant named Pearce. Then grasping the wounded man again Dudson carried him to the Japanese lines some distance away. All this was done amid a heavy cross fire, and those who witnessed it cheered Dudson lustily. It is said the plucky fellow has been mentioned for these heroic deeds-deeds which add lustre to the fame of not only the Royal Welsh Fusiliers but the whole British Army,
OPENING OF THE BLAKE PIER.
PROPOSED removal of THE CLOČK TOWER.
On Thursday afternoon" Blake Pier," as the structure which has displaced Pedder's Wharf is named, was formally opened by His Excel· lency the Governor (Sir Henry Blake, G.C.M.G.). The ceremony was attended with considerable éclat, Under the superintendence of Messrs. J. M. Mudie (assistant engineer, Praya Reclamation Works) and W. S. Triscott (overseer, Praya Reclamation Works) the pier had been beautifully decorated with plants, flowers, and flags. At the entrance was a fine floral triumphal arch in three divisions. Over the central division were the words "Blake Pier" emblazoned in gold and light blue on a red ground, and from the centre of each divi- sion hung a large basket of flowers, while the corners of the arch were surmounted by British flags. The rest of the pier was festooned with evergreens, with flags at inter- vals, and was lined with pot plants. Some gaily decorated launches were ranged alongside.
A party of police in charge of Chief In- spector Mackie maintained order. The Gover- nor and party arrived at about five o'clock, being escorted by a European constable and eight Indians in charge of Sergeant Garrod, The party included HE. the Governor and Lady Blake, Viscount Sairdale, the Maha- rajah of Bikanir, the Maharajah Scindia of Gwalior, and Lieut. Spence.
There were also present, among others, Sir John Car- rington, C.M.G. (Chief Justice), the Hon. W. Meigh Goodman, Q.C. (Attorney-General), the Hon. J. H. Stewart Lockhart (Colonial Secre tary), the Bishop of Victoria (Dr. Hoare), the Hon. R. D. Ormsby (Director of Public Works), the Hon. T. Sercombe Smith (Acting Puisne Judge), the Hon. Basil Taylor (Acting Harbour Master), the Hon. J. J. Keswick, the Hon. R. M. Gray, the Hon. J. Thurbarn, the Hon. Dr. Ho Kai, the Hon. Wei A Yuk, Mr. Rounsevelle Wildman (U.S. Consul-General), Mr. A. G. Romano (Portuguese Consul-General), Chev. Z. Volpicelli (Italian Consul), M. Oustinoff (Russian Consul,) Mr. Aldrich (U.S. Vice-Consul), Dr. F. Clark (Medical Officer of Health), Captains Anderson and Goddard, Messrs. J. W. King. horn, D. Macdonald, W. Grigor Taylor, David Gillies, N. Munford, R. C. Wilcox, R. K. Leigh, J. R. Mudie, A. Shelton Hooper, M. S. Northcote, P. W. Sergeant, A. J. May, J. Y. V. Vernon, D. R. Crawford, G. J. W. King, H. P. Tooker, W. J. Tutcher, B. W. Grey, G. C. Burnett, J. S. Hagen, J. Googman; J. P. Cottam, J. Grant Smith, and W. 8. Bailey, A large number of local ladies graced the ceremony with their presence, *
In commencing the proceedings, the Hon.R. D. ORMSBY said-Your Excellency, ladies and gen- tlemen: The Construction of this Pier (which I am about to ask Your Excellency to open) was recommended by a committee appointed by His Excellency Sir William Robinson in 1897: to report generally on the subject of Government Piors in the harbour, a committee on which I had the honour to serve. A solid stone pier, or rather twin piers from the same base,” which
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.