FIGHTING AT TIENTSIN.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 179, 30 July 1900, Page 5

FIGHTING AT TIENTSIN.

HOW THE FOREIGNERS WERE

SAVED.

A DESPERATE BAYONET

CHARGE

TEE RELIEF OP SEYMOUR'S

COLUMN.

PORT DARWIN, July 20. Refugees from Tientsin have arrived at Shanghai. They state that prior to the attack on Tientsin great fires raged in the native quarter of the city. On June 17 hordes of Boxers attempted to rush the Eui'opean defences, but were repulsed with great gallantly by the American marines. On the same night the Chinese troops joined the rebels, and kept up a fire till daylight, when a pitched battle ensued, all the Allies taking part. After six hours' fighting the issue was left in doubt.

Colonel Assimoft" held a consultation with Captain Bailey, the, British commandant, who had placed himself under Assimoff's command.

They decided on a bayonet charge, though the enemy were in overwhelming numbers.

This charge saved every foreigner in Tientsin, though it was only effected at great cost to the troops.

Subsequently a conference of Consuls and military and naval authorities was held, with' reference to the advisability of seizing1 12 large guns, which 'were threatening- the settlement. The British Consul objected, as the Powers were not lighting the Chinese Empire, who owned the weapons. The American Consul urged their capture, but the British Consul's opinion prevailed, A few hours later these same guns poured a heavy- shell lire int6 the city. The allied troops thereupon captured them, inflicting heavy slaughter on the Chinese. , On the 19th the Allies barricaded the streets and erected entanglements across the approaches to the settlement.

The Chinese meanwhile continued a heavy fire; from Jtheir other guns which werfe brought into position, scarcely a building in the European quarter ecaping damage.

Three hundred women and children took refuge in Gordon Hall, where the Allies decided to make a final stand in the event of defeat and invasion.,

The women and children behaved with great courage.

On June 21 distant firing could be. heard, and it was thought to be Admiral Seymour fighting his way back.

Next afternoon a rocket was seen three miles away, and it was believed to be Seymour's colunm requiring help which Tientsin could not render.

On the moraing of the 23rd, however, a relief column of the Allied troops marched into Tientsin.

The column lost heavity, and had had two days', incessant fighting.

Many of their wounded were butchered by the Chinese.

The. American troops were within five miles of Tientsin on the day before, but fell into an ambush and were beaten back to the main body.

On the 24th the relief column moved out. to aid Seymour's column, which was found sadly decimated and unable to move, owing to the sick and wounded.

Admiral Seymour, when lie entered Tientsin, had lost 61 killed and 240 Avounded. He was blocked on his advance to Pekin by the destruction of the railway in front and rear, and contimiously fought until relieved.