Naval History and Heritage Command

To the Inhabitants of the City of Tientsin:

In bombarding the city of Tientsin the allied forces only replied to the attack made by the rebels on the foreign settlements.

At present, as your authorities, forgetting their duties, have deserted their posts, the allied forces consider it their duty to establish in the city a temporary administration, which you all have to obey. This administration will protect everyone wishing to deal in a friendly manner with foreigners, but will punish without mercy everyone who causes trouble.

Let the bad people tremble, but the good people should feel reassured and quietly return to their houses and begin their usual work. Thus peace will be restored.

Respect this.

Tientsin, the 16th July, 1900.

Approved by:

Allemagne: Von Usedom, Capitaine de Navire.
Autriche Hongrie: J. Tudrak, Lieutenant de Vaisseau.
États Unis d'Amérique: Colonel Meade, American Marines.
France: De Pelacol, Colonel.
Grande-Bretagne: Le Général Dorward, Captain Bayly.
Italie: G. Sirianni, Lieutenant de Vaisseau.
Japon: Le Général Fukushima.
Russie: Vice-Amiral Alexieff.

STESSEL, General Major.

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Battle Participants and Commendations

List of officers engaged in the battle of Tientsin, July 13, 1900.

Col. R. L. Meade, Mass. L. W. T. Waller, George Richards, Capts. W. B. Lemly, A. R. Davis, C. G. Long, B. H.. Fuller, P. M. Bannon, First Lieuts. S. D. Butler, H. Leonard, G. C. Reid, W. G. Powell, J. H. A. Day, R. F. Wynne, R. H. Dunlap, David D. Porter, J. F. McGill, C. G. Andresen, A. J. Matthews, W. H. Clifford, A. E. Harding, Second Lieuts. F. M. Wise, Jr., Wirt McCreary, L. McC. Little, W. L. Jolly, Surg. O. D. Norton, regimental surgeon, Assistant Surgeon Thomson.

HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES FORCES,
Tientsin, China, July 18, 1900.

SIR: In my report of the 16th instant I omitted to inclose a list of the officers of this regiment who participated in the battle of Tientsin, and I now inclose it.

It is estimated that the strength of the allied forces, which was made up of Russians, Japanese, English, American, German, and French, was: Russians, 2,300; Japanese, 1,600; Americans, 900; French, 600, and Germans, 250; total, 5,650. The Chinese forces of imperial troops and Boxers it is impossible to estimate. They had about 60 guns. The casualties were as follows: American, killed 24, wounded 98, missing 1; English, killed 17, wounded 87, Japanese, killed and wounded, 320; French, killed 13, wounded 50; Russians and Germans, killed and wounded 140. total killed, wounded and missing, 750.

At a meeting of the representatives of the eight powers yesterday morning it was decided to appoint three persons to govern the city. The title of the council or board will be "Provisional government council," and it will be composed of one Russian, One Japanese, and one Englishman. This council will meet and decide what staff and what funds are necessary, and this estimate will be submitted to the representatives of the powers at their next meeting.

Much looting of the walled city has been going on, and it is impossible to prevent it unless all unite in the suppression. This can not be effected.

The treasury was looted and burned, but all the vaults were not looted, and Major Waller with a force in the city is now searching for the treasure.

Very respectfully,

R. L. MEADE.
Colonel, Commanding First Regiment
U. S. Marines and U.S. Forces in Tientsin, China.

THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF,
United States Naval Force on Asiatic Station, off Taku, China.

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HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES FORCES,
Tientsin, China, July 24, 1900.

SIR: In compliance with your order, dated July 21, I have the honor of submitting the following list of noncommissioned officers and men who are worthy of commendation:

The appended list only includes the original detail of men who were on the railroad outpost on July 12-14. The bravery, efficiency, and general good conduct of these men were such that it is impossible to put one ahead of another. They are men that proved their worth in unmistakable manner. Further praise would cheapen the glory that is theirs.

I also respectfully invite the attention of the commanding officer to the action of that part of the company compelled to remain behind as a barrack guard. While the fighting was going on, July 13, these men made trip after trip to our trenches with water and ammunition. Considering the distance and the severe fire to which they were subjected, I consider them to be deserving of the highest praise.

Very respectfully,

P. M. BANNON, Captain, U.S.M.C.

THE COMMANDING OFFICER,
United States Forces in Tientsin, China.

List mentioned in above letter.

Gunnery Sergt. W. N. Stevens, Sergt. J. Diskin, Corpls. A. C. Arscino, G. Edelin, C. E. Hughes, Trumpeter H. Denner, Privates L. H. Anderson, M. Basset, R. Buck, A. Campling, A. Clancy, J. H. Clements, P. J. Connell, P. Connor, J. E. Coughlin, H. E. Carter, S. E. Craig, J. W. Deering, J. F. Doherty, R. E. English, F. G. Egelseer, G. F. Friese, H. L. Geto, L. F. Glessner, L. W. Grow, H. Hamilton, A. S. Henderson, T. J. Karins, J. H. Killion, W. Longan, J. E. McConkey, J. C. Megonigal, J. McGee, A. Nelson, J. Neuschel, A. B. Penney, J. P. Quirk, H. C. Reamer, A. W. Ring, C. W. Sears, R. C. Shinn, H. E. Showalter, J. G. Sander, C. Smith, F. Smith, W. L. Smith, W. C. Spencer, F. S. Strawser, A. H. Trimble, H. T. Trulson, M. Wall, F. Warner, H. Wesley, C. M. Wolfe, J. Woods, and A. Wright.

FIRST REGIMENT, UNITED STATES MARINES,
Tientsin, China, July 24, 1900.

SIR: In reply to your request for the names of noncommissioned officers and privates of Company A, First Battalion, who showed conspicuous gallantry in action on the 13th instant, I have the honor to name the following: Sergeants Kennedy and Skinner, Privates Matthias, Jackson, A.E. Johnson, J.P. Sullivan, Guillerme, Donnely, Moses, and Linehan.

Very respectfully,

ROBT. F. WYNNE,
First Lieutenant, U.S.M.C., Commanding Company A.

THE COLONEL COMMANDING,
First Regiment United States Marines, Tientsin, China.

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HEADQUARTERS FIRST REGIMENT, UNITED STATES MARINES,
Tientsin, China, July 26, 1900.

SIR: I respecfully desire to add to my original report of the battle of Tientsin on July 13 the statement accidentally omitted that Sergt. Clarence E. Sutton, U.S.M.C., headquarters clerk, behaved himself with especial gallantry on the firing line and in volunteering with First Lieut. Henry Leonard to bring in First Lieut. S. D. Butler, commanding Company A, who had badly wounded and was in great danger. This work he successfully accomplished, and I respectfully recommend him for promotion.

Sergt. Maj. John F. Lawler, sergeant major of the regiment, also behaved in such a couraegous manner as to entitle him to special notice, and I respectfully ask that he may be suitably rewarded.

Very respectfully,

ROBT. L. MEADE,
Colonel, U.S.M.C.

THE BRIGADIER-GENERAL, COMMANDANT,
Headquarters United States Marine Corps, Washington, D.C.

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