THE RELIEF OF SEYMOUR
The remainder of that day, and the whole of the next, were spent
in complete rest. After the events of the last week, it seemed
difficult to realise that anything out of the ordinary was afoot.
There was no shelling, no attack on the outposts—in fact nothing but
the everlasting sniping during the hours of darkness, which merely
ensured the watchfulness of the sentries. Women were again seen about
the streets, and a few little children walked about with the air of
supreme indifference to their strange surroundings. Every one knew
that this was only a lull before the storm of the bombardment, and
another siege; but it was felt that the worst was over, and that the
Chinese blockade would never again be as effective as heretofore.
Relievers and relieved met and exchanged experiences at the bar of
the German club, which was still open, and of which all officers
became honorary members. Dinner parties were given by the lucky
ones whose stores of tinned luxuries had not already vanished, it
being rightly held that it was well to make the most of the impromptu
truce, which existed only that the Chinese might collect enough
_morale_ to again assume the offensive. In the evening the “Terrible”
12-pr. came in, escorted by a small body of the Hong-Kong regiment,
who arrived at the relieving force’s last camp only a few hours
after the commencement of the advance. This regiment is composed
almost entirely of Pathans, who were enlisted in India for service
at Hong-Kong. Their arrival at this stage of the operations enabled
them to claim to be the first Indian troops on the spot; but as a
matter of fact there were twelve Sikh policemen in Tientsin, who all
volunteered for military service, and took part in the recent defence.
On the 24th June a native runner got through from the
Commander-in-Chief, and his news was to the effect that the Admiral
was in Hsi-Ku arsenal, hard pressed, and with many wounded. He
requested a force of 2000 men to extricate him. This message was
more cheering than many had dared to hope for. Nearly every one had
given the Admiral’s party up for lost, the best that they had hoped
for being that he might be shut up in Pekin with his force, and
in all probability be undergoing the same kind of mental anxiety
that had lately befallen themselves. However, Hsi-Ku was only six
miles away, and it was believed to be a defensive position of great
strength. A force of the required strength was immediately raised
and organised, it was composed as follows: Russians 1000, with three
Maxims and two guns; British 600, with two Maxims; and 300 Americans,
Germans, Japanese, and Italians, making the total within a hundred
of 2000. Colonel Shirinsky, a Russian officer of some distinction,
was in command of the whole force, and he decided that the various
contingents should rendezvous at his camp at midnight, intending to
make a night march and attack the enemy, who were expected to offer
a stern opposition at dawn. In the evening the 12-pr. and a 6-pr.
shelled the western arsenal, known as the Hi-Kuan-Su, and set it on
fire, several unimportant explosions taking place in consequence of
the proximity of houses containing ammunition. The departure of the
column took place from the town hall at 11.15 p.m., and was quite
affecting, the British moving off first, amid feminine cheers and
cries of “Good luck,” “Mind you bring him back,” closely followed by
the Americans.
Some difficulty was experienced in crossing the river, for the
bridge, which the Russians had promised to have ready, was not
nearly finished, and it proved to be a risky business getting over
the half planked-in junks in the darkness. Another delay was caused
on the other side by the stupidity and carelessness of the guide,
who lost his way at the very beginning of the march, and took some
time to correct his mistake. However, the rendezvous was reached
about 1 a.m., and fortunately the Russians had themselves only just
taken up their positions. From their camp the rays of the gunboats’
searchlights were plainly visible in the mouth of the river thirty
miles away, and a bluejacket remarked laughing, that it showed
fellow-feeling “for them chaps to try and light us on our way.” In a
quarter of an hour the combined force moved forward, and for about
a mile and a half skirted the mud wall, when they turned off into
the country in the supposed direction of the bridge over the Lutai
Canal. After marching in this direction for some time without finding
it, it became evident something was wrong, so a halt was called, and
the Russian colonel sent out a reconnaissance party to ascertain its
whereabouts. It turned out that it had been passed unnoticed on the
left flank, and was about half a mile in rear of the force, so the
men had to retrace their steps. But on reaching it, it was found
to have been made almost impassable for infantry, and it was soon
evident that the Russian guns would have to remain behind; in fact
there were grave doubts about the practicability of getting even the
Maxims over. Search parties immediately moved up and down the canal
banks, and returned with two sampans, which solved the difficulty
of the men’s passage, and it was found that the two together were
capable of transporting the Maxims also. The Russian sappers, too,
helped to replace planks and sleepers on the wrecked iron frames of
the bridge itself, and the passage did not occupy more than an hour
altogether. It was not, however, effected quite peaceably, for the
force was spotted by two of the little land forts near the river,
about two miles away, and these promptly opened fire on the bridge
with four guns. Their shooting, however, was high, and the shrapnel
were bursting in a cemetery to the rear. If the Chinese had known
this they would have probably ceased firing, as the spirits of their
ancestors are nearly sacred to them. As it was, such ancestral
spirits as were in that cemetery must have rested uneasily that
morning, and bemoaned their fate at this unlooked for visitation of
the “great north wind,” or some other similar fantasy.
An interesting incident happened when the crossing was about half
finished. The torpedo lieutenant of H.M.S. “Endymion” rode towards
the forts to find out if possible something about the strength and
position of the enemy, when suddenly some twenty Chinamen fired at
him from behind cover at a distance of not more than 30 yards. Their
nerves, however, must have been in a wretched condition, for he was
not even touched, and the only thing for him to do seemed to be to
ride straight at them, which he did, whereupon they straightway
bolted, leaving one man a prisoner in his hands.
Here of course was a fund of information ready to hand, but there was
no interpreter nearer than the main body, now some 600 yards away
behind a massive embankment. Accordingly this young officer made
it clear to his prisoner in a way that naval officers can do, even
without an interpreter, that he wished him to run by his stirrup or
take the consequences, and then started to canter slowly back. But
the Chinese who had fled recovered from their fright, and proceeded
to open fire on him as he retired. For some minutes there was no
result, when suddenly they managed to hit their comrade, who fell
shot through the leg, the officer safely regaining shelter under a
brisk fire. The wounded Chinaman after this, one can imagine, did
not hold the prowess of his fellow soldiers in much respect, and who
can blame him. War is sufficiently exciting at all times, without any
necessity for being shot by one’s friends, to render it more so.
When the whole column had crossed the canal, the men rested
under cover of the railway embankment, while the Russian scouts
reconnoitred the country ahead. No reply was made either to the
enemy’s shell fire or to their now pretty heavy musketry fire, both
of which were harmless to our perfectly invisible companies; but the
two Russian guns, which had to remain behind, were ordered to find
a position from which to knock out some of the hostile guns. After
a short “stand easy,” the scouts returned with the news that the
road was open, with the exception of a strong body of cavalry, who
were slowly retiring about 2 miles away. Advancing about 300 yards
further, the head of the column came to a gap in the embankment
which exposed it to a warm fire. The Russians crossed first, the
British next, and then the Germans and Americans. There were several
casualties, but surprisingly few considering the range—only some 500
yards. Another half mile and the cover again came to an end, the
British arriving at the dried-up river bed just in time to see the
final retreat of the Chinese cavalry, and to hear stentorian cheers
from the Russians, who had discovered that the cluster of trees on
the plain on the left front was no other than our lost Admiral’s
position. This was indeed good news. Some excitement was caused by
the appearance of seven Chinese mounted scouts in an osier bed on the
left, who, however, on being discovered, galloped safely off with
the exception of one man, who together with his horse was shot after
an enormous expenditure of ammunition. On leaving the river bed the
force marched in five long lines towards the arsenal, the intervals
between the men being about five paces. The Chinese gunners, who
had expended a quantity of ammunition with no effect whatever, now
entirely failed to grasp the situation, and instead of shelling the
necessarily large target in the open plain, proceeded to turn their
guns on to Seymour’s arsenal with some result. In a few minutes,
however, the British, German, and Italian ensigns were plainly
distinguishable, and it became apparent that the least half of the
relieving party’s arduous mission, that of reaching the besieged
Admiral, was practically accomplished. By ten o’clock the two
forces were exchanging cheers across the river to the accompaniment
of segment shell from the Chinese, and five minutes later the
commanding officers of the various contingents were conversing with
their Nationals among the besieged force, while the commanding
officers of the two columns were already arranging for the withdrawal.
Meetings such as these are rather overpowering, there is so much to
be said, such a lot of hand-shaking, which is all the worse because
of the amount of real pleasure put into the grip, and such numbers
of friends to be congratulated, that the conversation rarely gets
beyond “Hallo, old man. Awfully glad you’re still going,” from the
reliever; and from the relieved, “Thanks, old chap, very pleased to
see you; but I say, have you got a cigarette on you? I’ve not had a
smoke for days!” And having lighted up, they proceed, by some tacit
understanding, to discuss any other subject in the world except
the past and future slaying of Chinamen. It had been hoped to get
back to Tientsin before dusk, but this was found to be out of the
question, owing to the lack of transport for the wounded, and other
difficulties which could not be overcome on the spur of the moment;
so it was decided to commence the retirement at 2.30 a.m. next
morning.
It was soon seen that, although the enemy had allowed the relieving
column to arrive almost without opposition, they were not going to
allow the Europeans to effect all the necessary preparations for
their coming departure, without making themselves as objectionable
as possible. The arsenal was shelled without ceasing by the hostile
guns in the land forts and native city, and at eleven o’clock a
hitherto unnoticed force commenced a most harassing long-range fire
from a position on the railway embankment. An attempt was made to
dislodge them by Maxim fire, and with this object three Russian
Maxims each deliberately fired a long belt of ammunition without
stopping, at an invisible object about 2000 yards away, needless
to say without having the desired effect. So a mixed force, mostly
British, were sent out to dislodge the intruders, which was promptly
done. Unfortunately there were several casualties among the Russians
and the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, who had to advance across half a mile
of perfectly flat plain before the Chinese took themselves off. After
this, strong pickets were posted all along the railway line, and the
work of making a pontoon bridge, to allow the passage of the wounded,
was quietly proceeded with.
In the meantime the Russian Colonel sent back word that he desired
a force should be sent out if possible to keep the country open on
the other side of the canal, to minimise the risk of being attacked
on the return march on the morrow. Not only was this done, but our
12-pr. in Tientsin succeeded in silencing two guns which, it was
seen, might harass the retirement. The effect of this was excellent.
While the wounded were being conveyed across the river to be put
under the friendly shelter of an enclosed graveyard close by, other
parties were shelling the surrounding villages and forts, in order
to ensure a quiet night from sniping; while yet a third party under
the gunnery Lieutenant of H.M.S. “Centurion” were making plans for
the demolition of the arsenal on leaving. It was decided to destroy
everything, even the valuable guns and ammunition, because the
fighting force would only be the same size as it was on the day of
the relief, and it would have to protect a large convoy. Nearly the
whole of the Admiral’s party were needed to carry the stretchers,
and so, although armed, were scarcely to be considered as fighting
men on that occasion. As it became gradually dark more pickets were
sent out, those on the railway embankment were strengthened, and as
the whole of the wounded had crossed the river, the men began to make
themselves as snug as possible for the night. It proved to be one of
the most indescribably comfortless nights that it is possible to
imagine. The sky was filled with a dull red glare from the immense
numbers of burning houses; and this sight, with the monotonous sounds
of howling curs, and distant gun fire, was so uncanny as to arouse
all the superstition in one’s mind. In addition to this it was very
damp and very cold, and as the men of the relieving column had not
even their blankets with them, they suffered severely from the chill
night air, and the miasma which rose in mists from the tainted river.
The weirdness and the personal discomfort in fact were so great, that
another possible reason for the restlessness which prevailed need
hardly be taken into consideration. But there were very few there
that night who did not expect that the Chinese would attack the camp
in force before morning; and, indeed, it says but little for their
general’s military knowledge and initiative, that they should have
let pass such a chance of attacking so comparatively small a force,
which was in the open, and much hampered with wounded. Interesting
as it would be to assign to them a reason for this and similar
disastrous errors of judgment, it is outside the pretension of this
little sketch to do so, though it would be most instructive to talk
over this and other events of the campaign with an intelligent and
truthful Chinese staff officer.
After this weird and restless night, at 2.30 a.m. the camp was
roused, and the men were allowed to light their fires and brew their
cocoa. There was no need for secrecy—the Chinese knew our position
and intentions perfectly already, and the plain was soon alight
with camp fires around which clustered the damp and shivering men.
The arrangements as to the stretchers and carriers worked without a
hitch, and at 3 a.m. the retirement commenced. Two officers belonging
to H.M.S. “Centurion” stayed behind to start the fires, which it
was hoped would entirely destroy the immense stores of ammunition
and small arms, unfortunately but necessarily to be left. This
somewhat hazardous duty was successfully performed, and before dawn
broke, the column saw huge clouds of smoke rising from the Arsenal,
which had proved to be Seymour’s salvation. Fires had been lit in
five different places, and, from the apparent fierceness of the
conflagration, it seemed as though its destruction must have been
complete. We now know, however, that this was not quite the case; the
heavy-gun ammunition and the field guns having escaped.
The march to Tientsin proved to be extremely tiring and tedious,
the men of the Admiral’s force being naturally unable to keep up
any great pace in their wretched condition, and with their comrades
to carry. When the retirement started, most of the stretchers had
a looted rifle or two beside the occupant, but very few of them
ever got into Tientsin; the only thing of interest which was kept
being one of the new captured Maxims, which has since been given to
the officers and men of H.M.S. “Endymion.” Had fighting not been
expected, of course the men of the relieving column would probably
have dragged back some of the many useful guns from the arsenal; but
under the circumstances it would have been inadvisable to add to
the impediments of the already heavily encumbered force. The order
of march was as follows: The advance guard of Russians, several
hundred yards ahead of any one, then another strong body of the
relieving force, next came the long straggling line of stretchers
with the sick and wounded, round which were the “reliefs” for the
carriers, and last of all came the rear-guard, composed entirely of
British and Americans. The convoy moved at a snail’s pace, and it
was seven o’clock before the bridge over the canal was reached. Here
was evidence that the Russian sappers had been busy; for the bridge,
which had only been roughly repaired on the previous crossing, now
presented a thoroughly mended and passable appearance. From here,
too, the settlement had been kept clear of any disturbing element by
the Russians from Tientsin, so that all anxiety ceased at this point,
and once more the allies were able to marvel at the extraordinary
mixture of acuteness and imbecility which the Chinese leaders
possessed in such a marked degree.
A shorter, and not so circuitous, route was taken on the return
journey, and the badly battered station was reached about 11 a.m.
Once again the force was within easy range of hostile guns, but so
demoralised were the enemy at the allies’ run of success, that they
preferred to sulk behind their city walls, rather than renew the
attack.
The enthusiasm among the Europeans was immense, and both columns
were cheered to the echo; the excitement only abating as it became
apparent that heavy losses had been suffered by the Admiral’s force.
On the whole, the inhabitants had reason to be much more gay than
sad, for during the last three days the garrison had been trebled,
the place itself and Seymour’s column, had both been rescued from
exceptionally tight corners, and the Chinese had tasted the bitter
humiliation which follows defeat. From another aspect the outlook was
not so bright. Nearly all the Admiral’s men were in sore need of a
prolonged rest, which was evident from the way the men collapsed,
now that the strain was over. Collapse is perhaps rather too strong
a word; what is meant is that, whereas before, the men had scorned
to utter complaint, they now felt it a duty to themselves to consult
the doctor about the stomachic complaints from which they were nearly
all suffering, and which had been brought on by precarious food
supply, and the impure water which they had been compelled to drink.
In addition to this, there were many more mouths to feed, a matter
not to be lightly dismissed from mind at that time; and lastly, the
Chinese would be able to concentrate their whole efforts on the
capture of the settlements, without having two large forces employed;
one in trying to keep out the relief force, the other in endeavouring
to overwhelm the Admiral.
Sir Edward Seymour was now the senior officer in Tientsin, and
took over the command of the place. Affairs in Tientsin since
the relief force had started, had not been altogether devoid of
interest. The Commissioner of Customs had received a note from Sir
Robert Hart to say that the Legations had been commanded to leave
Pekin in twenty-four hours, and the letter was dated the 19th. This
very naturally caused the greatest alarm about the persons of the
Ministers and the Legation Guards; for after Seymour’s experiences,
every one knew what the order meant. If the command had been obeyed
it simply spelt disaster, for once outside the city walls an army of
30,000 men would have slain them to a man! Another item of interest
had been the arrival of a further detachment of the Chinese regiment.
A fine, well set up, smart body of men, who seemed to have about as
much objection to slaying their brother Chinese, as had the rest of
the Allies, who were by this time getting rather bitterly disposed. A
few shells were fired into the settlement towards evening, and it was
noticed that the rifling of one of the heaviest was getting worn, for
his projectiles used to turn over and over, making a most weird noise
as they did so. But even these idiosyncrasies were insufficiently
alarming to drive away sleep from the weary men of Seymour’s column.