aily in their practice, and evidently had
knowledge from spies of the exact position and ranges of the barracks.
It became therefore necessary to clear the enemy out of their position.

It was accordingly arranged that a combined movement should be made at
daybreak on 9th July to drive the enemy out of their position, and by a
wide flanking movement to converge upon and capture the west arsenal.
The command was entrusted to the Japanese General Fukushima, whose force
consisted of about 1000 infantry and 150 cavalry, with 150 American 9th
Infantry Regiment. The British sent 1000 men, namely, two companies 2nd
Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers, half company Hong-Kong Regiment, two
companies Chinese Regiment, and 400 bluejackets and marines under
General Dorward as supports; and the Russians a reserve of 400.

The force moved off before daylight on the 9th. The bulk of the
fighting fell upon the Japanese, but there was very little of that, for
though the Chinese artillery replied briskly for some time, when once
the guns were silenced and the infantry through the line of fire, the
Chinese fled precipitately. The Japanese cavalry charged and dispersed
a body of Boxers, killing about 200, and the infantry advancing captured
four Krupp guns. The arsenal was taken with a rush by the Japanese, and
found to be deserted, but being commanded by rifle fire was found to be
untenable. The place was therefore set on fire, and the forces
returned, having most thoroughly effected their purpose. The naval
casualties among the British were 1 killed and 3 wounded.

This reverse, severe though it was, did not weaken the determination of
the Boxers, for early in the morning of the 11th they made a most
determined attack upon the railway station, an important position for
them, from which they could bombard the settlement as well as destroy
the rolling stock. The fight lasted three hours, and was stubbornly
contested. The Chinese got to close quarters and even crossed bayonets
with the allies. They were at length driven out with very heavy loss.
The allies also lost heavily, 150 killed and wounded, principally
Japanese and French. The British loss was very slight.

At this time the number of the enemy attacking was estimated at 20,000,
while of the allies the total force was 12,170, namely, 50 Austrians,
2160 French, 1420 British, 400 Germans, 40 Italians, 3090 Japanese, 4450
Russians, and 560 Americans. The bombardment of the sett