Two quiet days--Harassing the enemy--A dust storm--Signals
of distress--The use of newly acquired guns--Foreign troops
sighted--The relief force relieved by Colonel Shirinsky--Removing
the wounded--International brotherly feeling--An appalling number
of wounded--Back in Tientsin--What the men thought of Admiral
Seymour--Seymour’s tribute to his men.
June 23 and 24 were two quiet days, which the Allies employed in
fortifying their defences and harassing the enemy by means of
the 4-inch guns and a one-pounder captured in the arsenal, while
the Germans worked the splendid Krupp guns--ex-property of the
Chinese--which had now been mounted on the earthworks of the forts.
An attack on the part of the Chinese was feared, but never came off.
Hardly a shot was fired by the Allies on the 24th, and no Chinese were
seen. The heat was intense, and a dust-storm blew fiercely during the
whole day; thanks, however, to quantities of rice and other provisions
which had been found in the stores of the arsenal, and to the fresh
supply of excellent weapons and ammunition of the latest and most
perfected pattern, the force could now have held out for several days.
One thing only hampered the plucky defenders in the Wuku Arsenal, and
that was the great number of wounded, for whom but scanty medical aid
could be procured. Part of the arsenal, in the most protected spot, had
been cleared to be turned into a hospital, but naturally there were no
beds and no sufficient medicaments; bandages, &c., were sadly wanting,
the demand having been much greater than could at first have been
anticipated.
Partly by signals of distress, consisting of coloured lights at
night, and by means of a messenger who managed to reach Tientsin,
reinforcements were asked for to relieve the distressed expedition.
On June 25, after another reposeful night, the Germans shelled the
enemy’s position with one of the newly acquired 8.7 centimetre guns.
Soon after 7 o’clock, two thousand Chinese were seen to advance along
the line, but did not attempt an attack on the fort. On the contrary,
they seemed to be retreating in good order before an approaching enemy.
In fact, foreign troops were sighted at 7.40, and in the Wuku fort
every heart bounded with joy as the news spread like wildfire that
relief was at hand.
An hour or so later the two forces joined, amid the frantic hurrahs of
relievers and relieved.
The Relief column was commanded by one of the bravest of Russian
officers--every inch a hero--Lieutenant-Colonel Shirinsky, and
consisted of four Russian companies and an equal number of marines and
soldiers of other nationalities, including three companies of Welsh
Fusiliers.
This force, which liberated Seymour and his magnificent men, had
started in the middle of the night on receiving the messages of
distress. They entered the Wuku fort at 9.30 +A.M.+
The day was taken up in removing the wounded across the Pei-ho,
disabling the guns that could not be carried away, smashing rifles,
and destroying by fire the several buildings in the fort, with the
stores and ammunition therein accumulated.
[Sidenote: APPALLING CASUALTIES]
It was deemed advisable to camp on the opposite bank of the stream, and
proceed to Tientsin early the next morning. The evening, comparatively
speaking, was a joyous one, and soldiers and sailors of all nations
chummed together in a most friendly way. If such brotherly feelings
could be maintained between soldiers of the various great Powers, the
long-wished-for ideal--the peace of the world--would doubtless be
assured for ever.
The combined force, conveying the wounded, moved at sunrise of the 26th
towards Tientsin, where they arrived the same morning before noon.
Sir Edward Seymour and his brave men, whose fate had caused no small
anxiety to the foreign residents, were, as well as their liberators,
frantically greeted on entering the Tientsin settlement in safety;
but the enthusiasm changed into gloom and sadness at the sight of the
appalling number of wounded--238 in all--who were being carried into
the town.
Yes, indeed, the casualties had been enormous. Here is an accurate list:
Killed: British, 27; American, 4; French, 1; German, 12; Italian, 5;
Japanese, 2; Austrian, 1; Russian, 10.
Wounded: British, 97; American, 25; French, 10; German, 62; Italian,
3; Japanese, 3; Austrian, 1; Russian, 27; or in all 62 killed and 238
wounded.
I asked several officers and men of all nations, who were with Seymour,
what was their opinion of the Commander-in-Chief on that unfortunate
expedition. I never found one man who was not proud to have served
under him. Whether Russian, French, Italian, German, or British, they
all spoke with admiration and almost veneration of the Admiral, whose
courage, astounding coolness in moments of danger, perspicacity, and
kindly manner towards his subordinates, made him esteemed and revered
by one and all alike who had the privilege of serving and fighting
under him. From first to last he enjoyed the absolute confidence of all
his officers and men. No better compliment could be paid him.
On the other hand, the following note which he wrote to the men of the
ill-fated expedition shows his personal feelings towards them:--
“+Tientsin+, _July 3, 1900_.
“I desire to express to the officers, seamen, and marines comprising
the late expeditionary force towards Pekin my high sense of
satisfaction with their general conduct therein, during a time which
comprised much discomfort, hard work, and want of food and water,
with little rest and decided anxiety, in addition to the dangers of
war.
“The above were encountered with a zeal, patience, courage, and
cheerfulness worthy of the noble service to which we belong. Similar
trials may be before us, but will, I know, be borne as the above were.
“At the same time I wish to express to the officers and men lately
employed in the defence of Tientsin, and to those engaged in the
operations about Taku, including the capture of those forts, my
thorough satisfaction with all concerned.
“The defence of Tientsin has been carried out with much risk and
fatigue, constantly harassing those employed, but met with the true
naval spirit.
“The capture of the Taku forts was a brilliant affair, well planned
and well carried out; success, as not unusually, crowned very
gallant and daring efforts. I congratulate all concerned therein.
[Sidenote: ZEAL, PATIENCE AND COURAGE]
“It is my pleasing duty, and that of the Rear-Admiral in my absence,
to convey the above to their lordships at the Admiralty, and it will
be known generally in England.
“To me, personally, the fine conduct of those belonging to the
British China Squadron is a matter of special pride and pleasure, and
I have no misgivings but that, whatever is before us, we shall if
possible do better rather than otherwise, and uphold the traditions
of the British navy.
“+E. H. Seymour+,
Vice-Admiral.”