marched about 16 miles. August 7, remained in camp at Yangtsun. August 8, left camp at 6 a. m., marched 10 miles and camped at Tsai-tsun. August 9, left camp at 6 a. m. Company C detached at Ho-si-wu. Marched 13 miles and camped about 4 miles from Matow. August 10, marched to a camp at Matow and rested until about 4 p. m. and then took up the march. Total distance for the day 12 miles. August 11, marched to Tung-chow, distance about 12 miles. August 12, left Tung-chow and marched 8 miles and went into camp. August 14, marched to Pekin and participated in assault and capture of Tartar city. Afterwards went into camp close to Tartar wall. August 15, left camp about 7.30 a. m. and formed part of American force in the assault and capture of imperial city, Pekin. Casualties, killed: Robert Walsh, Company C, and James O. Hall, Company E. Wounded: First Sergt. George Bailey, Company D; Corpl. W. F. Norton, Company M; privates Martin A. Silk, Company F; George H. Siemens, Company K.

Returned to camp at Tartar wall after action. August 16, marched 24 miles and went into camp in grounds of temple of agriculture, remaining there until August 19, when the regiment moved to the imperial city. August 21, Companies B, D, and I were escort to wagon train and missionaries to Tung-chow. Companies B and D proceeded down the river with boats, and Company.I returned to headquarters at Pekin, August 25. August 24, Company C made a reconnoissance at Ho-si-wu. One casualty, Second Lieut. W. H. Waldron, wounded.

Field, staff, and Companies A, E, F, H, I, K, L, and M camped in imperial city from August 19. September 4, Companies B and D rejoined headquarters at Pekin from detached service. On September 16, Companies A, E, F, H, I, K, L, and M formed part of the American force under General Wilson. Engaged in Anglo-American expedition to Pa-ta-chow temples. Allied forces, commanded by Lieut. General Gaselee, British army, present at capture of Lu Ping September 17. Returned to camp September 18. No casualties. Distance marched about 32 miles.

September 13, Company G moved from Peitsang to Tientsin, where it remains to date. Company C moved from Ho-si-wu to Tongku October 3, distance about 60 miles. October 3, Company I marched from Pekin to Tung-chow and took up station there, remaining to date; distance about 18 miles.

October 22, Companies A, D, E, F, and M took station in Camp Reilly, in grounds of temple of agriculture. Companies H and L took station in American section Chinese city, and Companies B and K in Tartar city, Pekin, where they remain performing provost guard to date. The companies are now in camp and quarters as above noted, performing the prescribed duties pertaining to them, also furnishing parties for small expeditions as called for by the Commanding-General, China Relief Expedition.

CAVALRY.

[Battles, skirmishes and reconnoissances of Third Squadron, Sixth Cavalry, China relief expedition August, 1900, to February, 1901.]

M (Captain Cabell), and detachments of I and L, left Tientsin August 8, 1900; participated in engagement with Chinese August 14, and attack and capture of Pekin August 14-15, 1900.

I (Lieutenant Karnes), K (Captain Paddock), L (Lieutenant Scales) participated in battle with Boxers near Tientsin August 19, 1900.

The squadron (Captain Forsyth), consisting of Troops I, K, L, and detachment of M (Lieutenant Buchan), left Tientsin August 20, arriving in Pekin August 23.

Reconnoissance August 27: I and K to northwest of Pekin 40 miles and return 40 miles. Reconnoissance August 28: I, K, and L, south of Pekin; engagement with Chinese in imperial hunting park back to Pekin, distance 25 miles. Reconnoissance September 2: L and M-skirmishes with Boxers in imperial hunting park, distance 22 miles. Reconnoissance September 3: L (Lieutenant Hyer), to Shaho and Chingpingchow; engagement with Boxers at latter place September 5; returned to Pekin September 5. Reconnoissance September 5: I (Lieutenant Karnes) to support of L; met same about 12 miles out of Pekin and returned to camp same day. September 14; I, K, L, and M, to Chindien, Watzu, Potiofu, and Tungchow, returning to camp September 19. Skirmish at Hschuchuangtzu September 15. Burned town, destroyed arms, ammunition, and Boxers' uniforms. Forced pass of Hushu same date; distance about 104 miles. September 20: Troop K to summer palace and return; distance about 18 miles. November 22, M, Fashangying, attacked town and burned stronghold of robbers November 23, and returned to camp same date. Reconnoissance December 17, Captain Forsyth, commanding, and detachment L (Lieutenant Hyer), to Ching-chia-wan, Matow, Hsienghosien, Ho-si-wu, Shuangse, Machukien, arriving back at camp December 22; distance marched about 80 miles. Lieu

tenant-Colonel Wint, commanding, and Troops I, K, and L left camp December 28, per letter China relief expedition, December 27; marched to Matow, Hsiangho Mafangchien, Hsichu, Tung-chow, returning to camp January 1, 1901; distance about 77 miles.

In addition to the foregoing the squadron has furnished escorts, patrols, and convoys of from 1 to 25 men in and around Pekin and between Pekin and Ho-si-wu, and a patrol of 32 men in Tartar City and 24 men in Chinese City.

ARTILLERY.

Light Battery F, Fifth Artillery.-July 5 orders received to prepare battery for movement to China. July 14 battery embarked on steamship Flintshire en route to Taku, China, per General Orders, No. 49, Headquarters Division of the Philippines, Manila, P. I., July 9, 1900. Sailed 9.30 a. m., July 15, arriving at Nagasaki, Japan, at 7 a. m., July 21, and at Taku, China, at 5.30 p. m., July 27. Debarked and landed at Tongku August 1. On August 3 battery proceeded by rail to Tientsin. August 4 battery marched from Tientsin and camped at Sinho. August 5, in conjunction with Ninth and Fourteenth Infantry and First Regiment United States Marines, battery composed support to Japanese and English forces in the day's battle of Peitsang. Camped near Peitsang. August 6 marched to Yangtsun and engaged the enemy from 11 a. m. until about 2.30 p. m. Private Andrew Bromm wounded in left leg. Two horses wounded. Camped at Yangtsun. August 8 marched to Tsai-tsun and camped there. August 9 marched to Ho-si-wu and camped there. August 10 marched 3 miles north of An-ping and camped there. August 11 marched to Matow, arriving at 11.30 a. m.; laid over till 4 p. m., when marched north of Chang-chia-wan and camped there. August 12 marched to Tung-chow and camped. August 13 marched to Koo Pie Tien and camped. August 14 marched toward Pekin and engaged with enemy from 9 a. m. until 4.30 p. m. Private Willie B. Nanney wounded. Entered Pekin at noon and camped near wall at 7.30 p. m. August 15 battery bombarded buildings and wall of imperial city of Pekin and covered advance of infantry troops through it. Capt. Henry J. Reilly, Fifth Artillery, killed. Leo Doyle wounded. Returned to the camp of the night before. August 16 Captain Reilly's remains buried in United States legation grounds. Battery camped at temple of agriculture grounds. August 18 moved into buildings on the grounds. August 18 battery moved out to repel a threatened attack. Guns were placed on gate No. 61. Center platoon returned. August 19 right platoon with caissons and horses of left platoon returned to camp. August 21 two guns, center platoon, with battalion Fourteenth Infantry, marched to imperial hunting grounds and returned. August 24 left platoon returned to camp. August 28 detachment of battery participated with the allies in the entry and parade through the imperial city. September 17 left platoon left for field service in the vicinity Hun-Ho River, returning to camp the afternoon of the 18th. October 21 battery escorted Fourteenth Regiment of infantry outside the city walls and fired a salute of 21 guns to the colors of the departing regiment. October 26 battery drilled for Japanese officers. November 1 battery marched to summer palace and return. December 18 battery engaged in target practice with the English battery on the grounds of the imperial hunting park. Right platoon left for field service per Special Orders, No. 44, Headquarters Camp Reilly, on December 28 and returned January 1.

GENERAL REMARKS.

Private

Inasmuch as this command is occupying a unique position in the history of our Army, it might not be out of place to submit a few general remarks as to its comparative effectiveness with respect to the individual merit of other armies with whom they have been associated in north China.

Much has been written of late in the magazines and newspapers regarding the efficiency or inefficiency of the United States troops in China. The general appearance of our officers does not impress one as favorably as those of other armies; that smartness and military bearing which characterizes the German, the Russian, and the British officer, and to a lesser degree also the Japanese, the Italian, and the French officer, is lacking with us. In a large measure this is due to the somberness of our uniform and the greater freedom of intercourse and apparent indifference to the proprieties shown by officers of different grades. One can not but be impressed by the usefulness of a little gold lace and tinsel.

Our soldiers as individuals are physically and intellectually the superiors of those in other armies, and their individualism and personal initiative is far superior to any others. But what our men gain in this direction they lose in cohesiveness.

As

individual units they are superior; as drilled and instructed bodies they are immeasurably inferior. And perhaps we have followed the principle of cultivating individuality in and out of action to the detriment of other important soldierly attributes. So much for general impressions.

As to details of food, clothing, hospital service, and transportation, we are inferior to none and superior to many. As to discipline, we are superior to none and inferior to many, though of course we follow disciplinary methods that generally answer our purposes, though they would be hopelessly inadequate when applied to any European force or people. The comment upon our soldiers, made to me in a moment of confidential reflection by a Japanese officer with whom I have been closely associated, viz, "The American soldier is the best soldier in a fight and the poorest soldier out of a fight that I have seen in North China," has often struck me as aptly describing the impression of foreign officers regarding our force here. None gainsay the aggressiveness and intention to "get there" displayed by our men while under fire, nor of their desire and, generally speaking, success in creating havoc by their return fire. As to details, in numerous ways we have much to learn, though a solution of these problems can only be brought about by experiences similar to those enjoyed here. One might go on at an almost interminable length in a discussion of them, but such would be inappropriate and out of place.

APPENDIX E.

FOREIGN SERVICE.

The following scheme for the adjustment of foreign service of officers and enlisted men, submitted by Maj. W. H. Johnston, acting inspector-general, Department of Southern Luzon, is deemed worthy of consideration:

Much complaint is heard by an inspector of the inequitable system at present prevailing for the tours of duty served by officers and men outside the United States. Officers. Under the recent reorganization of the Regular Army, to comply with the act of Congress approved February 2, 1901, many officers with comparatively short service in this division have been ordered to the United States to join new regiments, while many with more than two years' service in this division, besides a few months in Cuba or Porto Rico, have been assigned to regiments which have just reached the division, and will thus, in the usual routine of service, be obliged to remain here at least two more years or solicit a leave of absence.

While in the future no such general transfer of officers may be anticipated, still, as lineal promotion is prescribed by law, each promotion from one grade to another is likely to decrease or increase an officer's foreign service, according as he is assigned to a regiment with long or short service in this division. This introduction of the element of chance into an officer's status of duty leads to intrigue and scheming on the part of those whose sense of propriety is not too highly developed, in order to procure assignment or transfer to a regiment in the United States or likely soon to return there. It is fair to presume that the War Department will soon be besieged by friends of such officers for orders for their transfer or assignment on approaching promotion to what, for a period, is deemed a lucky regiment. Should hostilities be resumed at any time, it is also fair to add, the same anxiety for transfer or assignment would occur in order to be with regiments out here. I believe an examination of the personnel of the Fourteenth United States Infantry, now under orders for the United States, will show very few officers or men with that organization who came here in 1898 with it. A similar condition exists in other regiments. There are now only seven officers with the Sixteenth United States Infantry who came with it in 1899, and five of these are lieutenants who will be promoted before the regiment returns to the United States (probably in 1902).

As a remedy for this condition I would respectfully suggest adoption of the following plan for the equitable adjustment of the foreign service of officers.

Let the record of each officer's service be kept at the War Department, and when his tour of two (or three) years in the Tropics is about to expire, let some officer of his regiment or corps be sent to relieve him, reaching the officer's station so that he may leave approximately at the end of the announced tour. If an officer be promoted during his tour of foreign service, he should be retained here until the close, being relieved then by an officer of his new regiment and grade. If a portion, six or four companies, of each regiment be stationed in this division, this plan is feasible without transferring an officer from one regiment to another, as the portion of his regiment in the United States can be relied upon to furnish by roster an officer for his relief at the proper time, and also to furnish the officers deemed necessary for special duty or detached service, thus leaving each company or troop in the Philippines with a full quota of officers.

The number of troops required for service here will happily soon be reduced, and it is believed the estimate of 40,000 men may even be reduced with safety.

If each regiment of cavalry and infantry keep one battalion in this division fully equipped with men and officers, the result will be 225 officers and 5,100 men of cavalry and 450 officers and 12,540 men of infantry. If to these be added any regimental headquarters the number of officers and men would be correspondingly increased. Two field and 12 coast batteries for duty at Manila would add about 50 officers and 1,500 men of artillery.

In connection with the 12,000 native troops authorized it is believed these organi

zations will be ample to preserve the peace and police the islands—in all, 725 officers and about 20,000 men, United States Army, and 450 officers and 12,000 men, native troops.

This plan would avoid frequent transfers of regiments as such, as a designated battalion or designated companies could be permanently left here, vacancies being filled by recruits and detailed officers; and it would prevent the injustice which is now resulting to many officers through assignments on promotion. If conditions demand more troops, additional companies can be added to the foreign contingent of each regiment. It would thus afford each regiment an opportunity to share in the honors of war and field service through its representatives abroad.

Enlisted men.-A matter of equal importance is the foreign service of the enlisted men, if any reenlistments are to be expected. Under the plan outlined so crudely above a regimental commander can by roster keep the ranks of his foreign companies full of men who have not had their share of foreign service. As each man enlists he could be thoroughly trained at the home station of his regiment for three months and then sent abroad to join a foreign company. Sufficiently before his expiration of service, if he does not elect to reenlist abroad, he should be sent by transport to San Francisco or New York and his descriptive list forwarded, so that he may be discharged at the station of his regiment or at San Francisco or New York at the proper time. He would then no doubt_reenlist within the limit set for increased pay. There seems no reason why the volunteer should be under pay till his return to the States, while the regular is discharged at some remote station, waits for weeks for transportation, and spends another month en route, all without pay. This treatment was not intended, but has been unavoidable. It discourages reenlistments.

If the soldier be started home two months before the expiration of his service he will have served abroad two years and six or eight months-a sufficient time to warrant a tour for a year in a more exhilarating climate.

I recommend this system of discharge of enlisted men in the United States, whether or not the plan for adjustment of officers' foreign service be favorably considered.