STORY OF THE SIEGE OF THE LEGATIONS
This short but historical Siege may be said to have commenced on
June 10th, the day on which Prince Tuan was appointed to the Yamen.
From the first this high official had shown marked Boxer tendencies,
and his first actions were by no means reassuring to the ministers.
The usual calls, demanded by etiquette, were left unpaid, and to the
end of the Siege he remained unknown to the foreign representatives.
Between the afternoon of the 10th and the night of the 14th the
situation grew rapidly worse, the Summer Legation was burnt, the
Japanese Secretary was brutally murdered, and the serious news
filtered through to Sir Claude Macdonald that the Burg-li-Yamen
had decided to attack Admiral Seymour’s relief expedition with the
Imperial forces. Then the first military move came from the enemy,
who made several half-hearted attacks on the Legation pickets, all
of which, however, were beaten off. Several decrees were then
issued, all affecting anger at the anarchy which now reigned supreme,
and directing the military to take steps to ensure the safety of
the persons of the ministers and their families. This was done by
posting troops round the Legations, who, being in entire sympathy
with the mob, caused unnecessary friction, and added to, rather than
detracted from, the difficulty of the situation. A small affray
took place between some Chinese and Germans ending in favour of the
latter; and at other points there seemed to be a likelihood of the
same thing happening; but nothing more occurred till the 19th. In the
meantime several peace-members of the Government called and discussed
the situation with our Minister, apologising for what had already
happened, and promising to do their best to check the anti-foreign
movement.
On the 19th, however, the Yamen notified all the Legations that
they considered the attitude taken up by the Powers about the Taku
Forts constituted an act of War, and demanded that the Legations
should leave for Tientsin within twenty-four hours. An answer was
immediately dispatched protesting the inability of the Ministers
to leave at such short notice, and requesting an interview on the
morning of the 20th. To this the Chinese vouchsafed no reply, and
after a discussion lasting some minutes, the German Minister, Baron
Von Ketteler, disagreeing with his colleagues, decided to make his
way to the Yamen accompanied by his secretary. On his way, as every
one knows, he was shot dead by a Chinese soldier in full uniform, and
the secretary was severely wounded.
Shortly after this atrocity, a reply from the Yamen was received, in
which no mention was made of the Minister’s death, and in which was
expressed the regret of the Yamen that it was not considered safe for
the Ministerial body to go to an interview, and concerning the short
notice to leave, that it was now impracticable. At 4 p.m., in spite
of the assurances of the Government, the troops opened fire, and the
first serious fighting of the nine weeks’ Siege commenced. During
the troublous times just recorded, barricades were erected at every
point where there was any necessity for them, but these had been only
of a temporary nature; they were now strengthened considerably, and
a preconcerted plan was carried out by which all outlying pickets
were withdrawn, all women and children accommodated in the British
Legation, and the area of defence defined and condensed. The British
Legation was crowded with refugees, 900 Europeans living there
during the siege, the normal number being only 60. The day was spent
in provisioning the place and in making all possible defensive
preparations. At this time the strength of the combined guards was 18
officers and 389 men, composed as follows:
Officers Men
British, 3 79
German, 1 51
Russian, 2 79
Austrian, 5 30
American, 3 53
French, 2 45
Japanese, 1 24
Italian, 1 28
This force does not include 1 officer and 30 men (French), and 1
officer and 10 men (Italian), who were detached to guard the native
Christians in the Peh-tang Cathedral. In addition to these there
were 125 irregular volunteers who were armed with any available
rifles. The artillery at the disposal of the Allies was one Italian
1-pr. Q.F. with but 120 rounds, while the British, Americans, and
Austrians, had one machine gun each. None of the guards had more than
300 rounds per man, so that the resources of the foreigners, from an
offensive point of view, were positively paltry.
The first man to fall was the Professor of English at the University.
He fell a victim to a very misplaced belief in the Chinese, and was
killed by cavalrymen whilst returning from delivering a message to
Prince Su.
On the 21st, the work of completing the defences was as vigorously
proceeded with as the strenuous endeavours of the enemy to break
through them would admit; but on the whole the day was a victory for
the enemy, for the Austrian barricade was carried, and the French
and Austrians who had been defending it were compelled to retreat
to the French Legation. The Kansu troops behaved with a certain
fierce gallantry, and, although losing heavily, managed to burn the
Austrian and Dutch Legations, the Chinese Bank, and part of the
Customs quarter. Prince Ching’s men behaved in a friendly manner
all day, and on one occasion fired heavily into the Boxers, but
Tung-fu-Hsiang’s men appeared imbued with a most fanatical hatred of
everything foreign. During the day all members of the garrison not
actively engaged in the defence, occupied their time by organising
various committees, such as the Fortification Committee, Food Supply
Committee, etc., etc., all of which eventually were of the greatest
assistance, and did wonders towards the safety, not to say comfort,
of the defenders.
In the evening the Austrian commander took over supreme military
command; but on the morning of the 22nd, a rumour having spread that
the American Legation had been abandoned, without taking steps to
confirm the information, he ordered all the Legations east of Canal
Street to be abandoned. There was a stampede. Italians, Austrians,
French, and others all rushed alike to the British Legation, and a
position of extreme danger was created. Before it was too late the
mistake was rectified, and all the forces were sent back to their
posts, which were re-occupied with but little loss. After this Sir
Claude Macdonald was asked by the other Ministers to take supreme
command, which he promptly did.
Before the Italians could reach their post, their Legation was found
to be burning furiously. In consequence, it had to be permanently
evacuated, and the Italians and Japanese subsequently occupied the
Su-Wang-Fu, a fine inclosure of about 14 acres, which afterwards
played an important part in the defence, although at first it was,
through force of circumstances, but inadequately garrisoned. This
latter fact formed at the time one of the greatest dangers to the
defence; but the holding of this position was unavoidable, as, had
it been left unoccupied, the remaining positions would have been
seriously endangered.
Another weak spot was the Hanlin library, which, had it been fired,
would have caused the greatest danger to the British Legation. Plans
were formed to destroy it, but explosives were lacking, and so an
opening was made into it in order that offensive operations might
be made against any one using it as a sniping-ground, or in case
the enemy should themselves determine to fire it. In spite of all
precautions, however, the great library was set on fire the next day,
and almost entirely gutted; in fact, the Legation itself was only
saved by the extraordinary efforts of the defenders, who even managed
to save a few of the extremely valuable works with which the building
was stocked.
Further incendiary efforts were made by the enemy all along the
line, some of which were partially successful; the Russo-Chinese
bank was burnt down, the Russian Legation was set on fire—but the
conflagration was promptly extinguished, and the Americans were
called upon to repel a determined attempt of a similar kind. The
enemy’s artillery, too, was very active all day, and did considerable
damage to the defences; but in spite of this, at the end of the day,
the advantage lay undoubtedly with the Europeans.
The 24th was a day of three desperate sorties. Early in the morning
the Chinese occupied a portion of the Tartar wall behind the
American Legation, whence they could have fired with great effect
into the Germans and Americans who were defending the barricades and
buildings at this point. They were, however, driven off and pushed
back a considerable distance by a brilliant charge, in which they
lost somewhat heavily. Almost at the same time the enemy effected a
lodgment in the stables of the British Legation. A bayonet charge
was made, and the enemy were routed with really severe loss, and a
considerable area of cover was destroyed. In this affair, which had
a most salutary effect, Captain Halliday was severely wounded, one
marine was killed, and several other minor casualties took place. The
officer mentioned accounted for three of the enemy after receiving
his wound, and, refusing all assistance, continued to direct his men
to the attack. It is gratifying to remark that he has since received
the Victoria Cross as a reward for his gallantry on this occasion.
The third sortie was made by the Japanese colonel, in command of a
mixed force, who effectually cleared the Customs buildings, causing
the enemy further loss.
During the afternoon a barricade was commenced on the Tartar wall,
which was constructed under a heavy fire by Chinese converts, who
showed great zeal in their work, and who lost upwards of eight of
their number in carrying out this hazardous operation.
On the next day (25th) the Government made some sort of attempt
to open up communications with the besieged, but the attempt was
thwarted by Tung-fu-Hsiang’s men, who fired on the bearers of the
decree, which curiously enough stated that the Imperial troops were
solely to be employed for the defence of the Legations. The only
effect which this peaceful attempt had, was to cause a gradual
cessation of fire until about midnight, when once more the noisy
faction gained the upper hand, and the Chinese again opened fire,
this time from behind more substantial cover than they had before
been using.
With the exception of a smart attack on the French Legation in the
evening, the 26th was passed quietly, but the next two days more than
supplied any want of excitement. First the American Legation needed
reinforcements, and then the Japanese needed more men to effectively
deal with a strong party who were endeavouring to break into the Fu.
And they managed to break in, but most of them were carried out! In
the evening the troops egged on the Boxers to the assault; this,
like all other Boxer attacks, failed disastrously.
The 28th was a day given up almost entirely to artillery. The enemy
bombarded the Hôtel de Pékin and the stable quarters, and endeavoured
to breach the north wall by firing into it at 20 yards’ range. The
fire was most destructive, and ceased only just in time. The reason
for this respite was probably only the enormous loss in gunners
sustained by the Chinese in this absurdly close-range bombardment.
The 29th was perhaps one of the worst days through which the besieged
had passed. It was a day of general attack, which was beaten off with
the greatest difficulty, and with a loss of life and ground nearly
all round. Two sorties, which went out in the early morning, achieved
practically nothing, and the harassing day which followed was brought
to a close by a tremendous musketry fire, which continued till
midnight.
On July 1st the Germans suffered heavily from a surprise, and the
French were actually driven out of their Legation. This left the
already hardly-pressed Germans in a most critical position, which
was only relieved by the prompt measures taken by the British and
American Marines. In the afternoon a very gallant but futile attempt
was made to capture a small Krupp gun which had been making things
unpleasant for the defenders of the “Fu.” Owing to the impossibility
of thorough reconnaissance of the ground in front of our positions,
unforeseen difficulties presented themselves at every turn, and the
attacking party lost rather heavily.
The 2nd was passed in strengthening the defences, and in watching
the Chinese build a huge barricade about 50 yards away from our
northern position, and other threatening redoubts and structures, all
of which were nearer than their predecessors. A great effort became
necessary, and it was made on the following morning by a force of all
Nationalities. In one furious charge the Allied force swept over the
enemy’s defences, drove him out, and occupied his whole position,
thus giving a welcome relief to the Legations. The total loss, owing
to the darkness, was trifling, being only 2 killed and 6 wounded.
During the day the British flag was shot down, and to hoist it again
was at the time impossible, so the staff was lowered bodily and the
flag was nailed to the mast. Among those who helped to replace the
mast, it is interesting to note, were the representatives of three of
the Great Powers. The next two or three days passed without anything
occurring of very great or immediate importance to the besieged;
but a runner was sent out on the 4th, and he was, as it turned out
to be, the first successful one. The enemy, too, mounted four old
7-pounders, with which they opened fire from the Imperial City wall.
It proved, however, to be very harmless, and the crews lost so
heavily from our rifle fire and that of the invaluable Italian gun,
that they went right out of fashion after a very small period of
activity.
On the 6th took place another disastrous little Sortie, in the
hope of capturing a piece of artillery, and three of the Japanese
bluejackets lost their lives in the attempt. On this day the American
flag was shot away, and the Russian ensign also had to be moved to
escape a like disaster. A very sad event happened on this day. A
Russian Consular student, whose mind had become unhinged consequent
on the events of the past fortnight, left the French barricade and
ran towards that of the Chinese, where he was shot down. It affords
some satisfaction, however, to be able to state that eleven Chinamen
were killed while trying to gain possession of his dead body. It
was now found that the Italian gun had expended nearly all its
ammunition. This was unfortunate in the extreme, but was to some
extent remedied by the armourer belonging to H.M.S. “Orlando” who
by utilising the percussion cap of a ·45 revolver cartridge, and
the powder from some Russian shells, refilled the empty cases, the
projectile part of the contrivance being cast from Pewter vessels
which had been found in the neighbouring houses. And it may be of
interest to remark that so perfect were these amateur shells that
seventy-six were afterwards used without one miss-fire, and with very
fair results as to shooting and effect. It was on this day the Boxers
and Imperial troops quarrelled and fought a few skirmishes, much to
the hurt of the former.
The 8th was made famous by the discovery of a very ancient old cannon
by some Chinese converts whilst employed on fortification work. It
was dried out, scraped and cleaned, and eventually got ready for
service, despite the fact that its trunnions were missing. Such other
disadvantages as the lack of sights, ammunition, sponge, and rammer,
etc., were quickly got over, and very shortly it fired its first
shot, after at least forty years of subterranean slumber. Naturally
the practice was erratic, but it was nevertheless very useful at
point-blank ranges.
The Fu was hard pressed in the morning, and a new scheme of
garrisoning it was drawn up, to relieve the strain on the Japanese
and Italians, who had suffered severely in its defence.
The next three days passed with the usual bombardment and ceaseless
rifle fire, the “International” as the new—or rather very old—gun was
called playing a giant’s part in the awful din, though “its bark was
worse than its bite.” Under cover of this prolonged row, the enemy
pushed forward their barricades, and even went so far as to construct
a sandbag battery in the Imperial Carriage Park. This battery was
the scene of a plucky little action on the part of Sergeant Preston,
R.M.L.I., who noticing that the artillery had planted a flag actually
touching our advanced post, made a dash for it, in company with the
“International’s” gunner, and seized it. A storm of firing broke
out at this audacious feat, and the sergeant was wounded by some
splinters of stone. He was unable to retain his hold of the coveted
object, and fell back stunned, but the American gunner hung on
tenaciously, and the succeeding tug-of-war resulted in the flag and
half its staff being captured by the Allies. The French sailors in
a very similar manner captured a large silk standard from one of
General Ma’s regiments.
The 13th, the day of the fall of Tientsin city, with all its
accompanying fighting, was perhaps the day of the severest fighting
which the hard-pressed inmates of the Legations withstood. As usual
the position most ardently assailed was the Fu, where the little
garrison of Japanese, Italian, and British were literally shelled
out of their position, which they had defended in the most stubborn
manner. Once behind the next line of defences, the Allies staved off
any further advance on the part of the enemy with comparative ease,
but other parts of the line were in dire straits.
In front of the Germans the Chinese left their barricades, and
charged into the open with great bravery. They were met, however,
with a withering fire, and turned to fly. Whilst they were yet
wavering, the Germans received a reinforcement of ten Russians, and
the combined party charged with the bayonet. This was too much for
the enemy, who fled in disorder, leaving one of their standards and
many dead.
The attack on the French position was more deadly and more
successful. In the early forenoon two muffled crashes were heard in
the direction of the Minister’s house, and it speedily became known
that the house, together with that of the Secretary of Legation,
had been entirely destroyed by the well-timed explosion of two
mines. This caused the French also to fall back on the next inner
line of defence with some loss. It was, however, ascertained that
the Chinese sappers blew considerably more of their precious selves
to glory than the number of Frenchmen they killed, which was only
two. Notwithstanding this fact, the Chinese seemed very elated at
the result of their labours, and taking encouragement from the noise
and smoke, attacked a position to the left of the one where they had
suffered their reverse at the hands of the Germans and Russians.
Here they were met by a strong post of Americans, who were, most
inopportunely for the enemy, just changing guard, and who quickly
sent them to the rightabout.
On the whole, the day had been disastrous for the defenders, who had
lost ground at two points, and whose numbers had been decreased by
fourteen (five killed and nine wounded). The Chinese, however, did
not get off scatheless, and it is probable that their casualties
mounted up to at least 150 from all causes.
The 14th and 15th passed comparatively quietly, after this fierce
attack, but the noise of pick and shovel betrayed the enemy’s
intentions of springing some more mines upon the defenders, and
steps were taken to foil this measure by countermining. This work
was done by Chinese converts, under the guidance of a volunteer from
the I. M. Customs. It was now arranged that the Japanese in the Fu
should be relieved for some hours’ sleep by our Marines, and that the
transfer should take place early next morning. This transfer must
not be confounded with the slight alterations in the scheme of the
defence of the Fu before mentioned. But this necessary arrangement
cost the life of Captain Strouts, R.M.L.I., the commanding officer of
the British guard; for whilst returning from posting the relieving
sentries, he was fatally wounded in the groin, and died within three
hours. This was a very serious loss to the defence, as this officer
had been of the greatest service and had repeatedly distinguished
himself by his fearless behaviour. His death might be termed very
hard luck, as it was on this day that the extraordinary truce began,
which lasted for four days. It is rather difficult to assign any
good reason for the almost total cessation of hostilities on the
part of the Chinese, who indeed appeared to be almost embarrassingly
friendly for a day or two; but suffice to say it enabled the garrison
to repair their shattered defences and to take further precautions
against mines.
For four days there was no firing of any sort, and a kind of
intercourse sprang up between the Besiegers and Besieged. On the
18th a messenger arrived from Tientsin with the news of the fall of
the City, and the organisation of a powerful relief column. This, of
course, was welcomed by all, although many were disappointed that the
force was not already on its way. On the same date the enterprising
Japs had started a Market for eggs and vegetables, which were very
acceptable to the hospitals, women and children, all of whom had
suffered severely from the want of fresh and nutritious food. It
gradually leaked out that this friendliness was due to the disturbing
news from the south-east, and that it would only continue until the
authorities had decided which course they were going to pursue in the
future. Accordingly, no one was very surprised that the supply of
food began to decrease more and more, until on the 24th it had ceased
altogether. At this time desultory firing began again at any exposed
units or bodies of men, and the keenest look-out was kept on the
Enemy’s movements.
On the 28th July a further disappointment was in store for the
Europeans, as a messenger got through from Tientsin with a note to
the effect that the Main body was not even then under way, and
urging the garrison to still further efforts. The Chinese General
commanding, too, suavely suggested an immediate and unconditional
surrender, pointing out the utter futility of further resistance.
A strong reply only elicited a more insistent letter, which again
brought forth a still more indignant answer. On the 29th the Chinese
commenced a large and important barricade at the east end of the
north bridge, which bridge had up to now been swept by the fire
of two of our positions. Notwithstanding a brisk rifle fire, the
barricade was completed by midnight, and this necessitated several
traverses being made to nullify the effect of the fire from behind
it. By the 2nd of August the state of the northern and eastern
defences was very satisfactory, and steps were then taken to improve
those on the west. A very important and strong position was gained by
a sortie in the shape of some strong buildings forming the eastern
side of the Mongol market. In its turn this position became the
scene of as desperate assaults as the shell- and bullet-stricken
Fu, so long and well defended by the devoted Japs, Italians, and a
few British marines, had ever experienced. Chinese sappers could
be distinctly heard running mines all over the place, or rather
all under the place, but their efforts were spoilt, as much by
the supineness and dilatory conduct of the master brain, as by
the undaunted preparedness of the besieged. Again a messenger got
through, this time with a budget of letters, almost amounting to a
mail, stating that the relief column had got as far as Peitsang where
they had defeated the Chinese. This news exercised a very beneficial
effect on the spirits of the garrison. After these little excitements
came a lull till August the 9th, when a furious fire was directed
against the Fu, upon which, however, so strenuously had every one
worked, it made but small impression.
In the meanwhile, news came in that some Shansi troops had arrived
who had registered a vow to take the Legations within five days;
we shall see how they fared! With the 10th came another tremendous
fusilade against the whole of the defences, and further encouraging
messages from Generals Gaselee and Tukushima, this time naming the
14th as the probable day of relief. On the 12th the enemy showed
many signs of restlessness, and they again opened with their
artillery, which had been almost unheard since the truce. Eventually
they pressed forward on all sides with great impetuosity—indeed
so impetuous were they that they overturned one of their large
barricades. For this absurd rashness they paid very dearly, and
among the dead was the Brigadier-General of the Shansi column. Poor
fellow, he will register no more braggart vows! That day, a day of
serious fighting, ended in the utter repulse of the enemy, who had
nowhere gained so much as a foot of ground. The 13th was ushered
in by sharp firing, and the day was practically a replica of the
one before. Once again did the Shansi braves attempt to storm the
defences; once again did they get hurled back with indescribable
gallantry; and so the fight waged through the day, and the whole
night, until early next morning came a lull, when, “Listen! Yes! no
doubt of it. Hurrah! hurrah! hurrah!” the first sounds of firing were
heard beyond the walls. The Chinese heard it and understood; an angry
and deafening fire broke out from their barricades for a few minutes,
and they were gone, gone to endeavour to stem the advance of outraged
civilisation, at this very moment clamouring against their gates. How
this failed has been told already, and by 3 p.m. on 14th August the
British Legation had welcomed the British General and many of his
splendid Indian troops. The troops of other nationalities gradually
gained their footing in the city, and thus came to an end a siege
unlike anything yet recorded in history.
In such a huge myth as Pekin, it can be gathered that all resistance
was not immediately crushed; and it was not till two days later that
a body of our marines and French troops effected the rescue of the
splendid defenders of the Peh-tang Cathedral who, as has been shown
in a previous chapter, were even more hard put to it than their
equally gallant _confrères_ in the Allied Legations.
Much has been said about the “Fu,” but below is a return of the
killed and wounded in this position alone:
Killed. Wounded.
British 2 11
French 1 2
Russians - 2
Japanese 9 21
Italians 7 11
Chinese (converts) 18 85
Austrians 1 1
-- ---
38 138
The total killed during the Siege was only sixty-six. It will be
seen, therefore, that the reports of the fighting in this spot are
not exaggerated.
In conclusion let me add a list of the Marine detachments officers’
casualty list, which was as follows:
Officers Arrived. Killed. Wounded.
British 3 1 2
Italians 2 - 2
Russians 2 - -
Japanese 2 1 1
Germans. 1 - -
French 3 2 1
Austrians 4 1 2
Americans 2 - 1
-- -- --
19 5 9