Rensselaer Journal, Volume 10, Number 47, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 May 1901 — HOST OF CHINESE IS SLAIN [ARTICLE]

HOST OF CHINESE IS SLAIN

German Troops Slaughter Many Mongolians in Battle. ENEMY FORCED OVER WALL F**r Olonuu U»d.r Guxml K*ttt*r M*et Stubbora Fighters—Superior Arm* »■< Training Aid th* KalaaTa Soldier* —Qalak-Mren An Captured.

Official report? at Berlin of four big battles between German and Chinese troops which occurred at the great wall show a fearful slaughter of Chinese. The following advices from Count Von Waldersee were received by the German war office: “Pekin, April 27. —Three engagements occurred April 23 and a fourth April 24 at the great wall between four columns under Gen. Kettler and the Chinese troops under Gen. Liu. The Chinese were everywhere defeated and after a stubborn resistance were forced back over the wall, being pursued as far as KuKuan. Our casualties were four officers wounded and three men killed and thirty-two wounded. The French troops were not engaged.” Subsequently the following additional dispatch regarding the four engagements was received from Count Von Waldersee: “Pekin, April 28.—The following reports only arrived last night, owing to the difficulty of communication: Gen. Kettler’s brigade, reinforced, marched in four columns against the great wall, Col. Ledebur*s being the right wing, then those commanded by Col. Hoffmeister, Col. Wallmerich and Maj. Huehlenfels. Ledebur reached the wall April 24 after a slight engagement near Hai-Shan-Kwan. Hoffmeister drove back the enemy April 23. On the same day Huehlenfels encountered a strong party of the enemy occupying a bastion on the heights commanding the pass. The enemy fought stubbornly in a particularly strong position, which was only taken after eleven hours’ fighting. Huehlenfels and Lieut. Richert were slightly wounded and Lieut. Drewells was severely wounded. A standard-bearer and another were killed and six men severely and ten slightly wounded. Wallmerich attacked and dispersed April 23 a far superior force of the enemy in a strong position east of the breach of Hae-Ho and effected a junction on the battlefield with the battalion under Maj. Muelman from Tsing-Ching, which, taking up the pursuit, overtook the enemy in a fresh position to the south. This was captured and the enemy were pursued as far as Ku-Kuan. Wallmerich followed them thither. The enemy suffered severely, thousands being slaughtered. Eleven old and two new quickfirers were captured. On our side one man was killed and three were severeyl wounded and nine slightly. Lieut. Deusterberg was shot through the right arm. The enemy are everywhere in retreat. Gen. Von Lessel has arranged with Gen. Bailloud that the French troops shall occupy Ku-Kuan for the present and secure his left flank. Kettler’s brigade is marching by short stages to Pao-Ting-Fu and Huehlenfels’ battalion along the mountains to Pekin.”