Tour Start (Entrance to Arlington National Cemetery)
Welcome to Arlington National Cemetery. Founded in 1864, this 639-acre preserve is the final resting place of almost 400,000 servicemembers and their families. This tour covers the events of the 1900-1901 Boxer Rebellion and the role of the China Relief Expedition. You will visit 12 different gravesites of Americans who served in China during the conflict. These graves were selected to give a broad picture of the conflict and a small representation of the dozens of Boxer Rebellion veterans buried at Arlington National Cemetery. At each grave you will learn a little about the individual and about an episode in the conflict.This tour will take you on a roughly 2.4 mile walk around some of the most interesting yet obscure memorials in the cemetery. While the roads are paved and the lawns well-maintained it is advisable that you wear appropriate footwear. If you have mobility issues, please consider purchasing a tram ticket as part of the Arlington Cemetery Tram tours. The tram makes four ‘hop on/off’ stops which are relatively close to this tour’s stops. Tickets may be purchased inside the Welcome Center at the box office and outside in the tram circle at the marked podium. They may also be purchased online at www.arlingtontours.com. Additionally, after leaving the Welcome Center, there is only one restroom on this tour, located near the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.As we begin, please make your way through the Welcome Center, and make a right towards the tram circle. Continue to Eisenhower Drive and make another right. Continue on Eisenhower/Schley Drive until you reach the intersection of the Custis Walk (if you get to the turn to the President Taft Monument, you have gone too far). Continue up the walk a few hundred feet. When you reach the Robert Todd Lincoln grave, turn left. The first stop is about 25 feet from the walk.
Introduction (Charles Summerall)
Charles P. Summerall The first stop on our tour is the grave of Charles P. Summerall (1867-1955). Born in Blounts Ferry, Florida, Summerall graduated from West Point in 1892. By 1900 he was serving as a First Lieutenant in Battery F, 5th Field Artillery Regiment. When ordered to China as part of the China Relief Expedition, Summerall and his battery were participating in the Philippine Insurrection, or Philippine American War. Present for most of the major battles of the expedition, Summerall was involved in the eventual relief of Peking (Beijing) and the assault on the Forbidden City. After the conflict he was promoted to Captain and returned to duty in the United States. In the First World War he commanded the 1st Infantry Division and was Chief of Staff of the Army from 1926 to 1930. He also served as the President of the Citadel from 1931 to 1953.IntroductionThe Boxer Rebellion is today largely forgotten in America, overshadowed by the First World War and the Spanish-American War, the conflict only involved America for about 11 months with the majority of the fighting occurring between May and August 1900. About 4,000 Americans served in China during the conflict and about 150 were killed. To understand the context of the rebellion you must look back on the situation in China at the turn of the century. By 1900, the Qing Dynasty of China, which had ruled for over 300 years, was in trouble. As with most Chinese dynasties, their rule followed a cyclic pattern. An invading dynasty from modern day Manchuria, the Qing assumed the “Mandate of Heaven” (essentially the divine right to rule) from the previous Ming dynasty. While they had initially prospered and expanded the kingdom’s borders, by the late 18th century the Qing had reached their zenith. Their decline was exacerbated by the arrival, in force, of Europeans. China, long a hegemonic power with no equals, was slow to open up to trade with the West or industrialize. Impatient European powers initially operated under strict trade rules but, beginning with the British, they began to use force to get their way. A series of conflicts with Europeans in the 19th century including the two Opium Wars, where Peking was captured by an Anglo-French force, led to harsher demands on the emperors. It was an internal struggle however, the Taiping Rebellion from 1850-64, which proved almost unrecoverable. It is estimated that at least 20 million Chinese died in that destabilizing conflict. To add insult to injury, in 1895 China lost a war against Japan, long considered an inferior power, and relinquished several of its territorial claims. Reformist mandarins realized that China needed to adapt if the dynasty was to survive, yet reactionary courtiers and the Dowager Empress Cixi, by then wielding nominal power, demurred or outright resisted reform. By 1900, every major power, except the United States, had some form of concession or leased territory in China.Beginning in Shantung (Shandong) province and remaining largely confined to northeastern China, the Boxer uprising was a confluence of several key factors including crop failure, indignation over foreign concessions and treaties, frustration with Qing rule, and a dislike of Christian missionaries and converts. From 1898 to 1900, there were numerous small attacks against missionaries and converts in the countryside but, by the summer of 1900, the situation in the countryside had deteriorated dramatically.Continue walking westward up the hill for about 40 feet. You will come across the grave of Manus MacCloskey. The tour continues there.
China 1900 (Manus MacCloskey)
Manus MacCloskeyManus MacCloskey (1874-1963) was also a lieutenant in Battery F. Born in Pittsburgh, PA, MaCloskey graduated from West Point in 1898. Too late to participate in the battery’s actions in the Cuban campaign of the Spanish American War, MacCloskey first saw combat in the Philippines. At the time an artillery battery had three officers (a captain and two lieutenants), 80-100 soldiers and six field guns (3.2-inch gun M1897). As the lone artillery battery in the American force, F Battery was responsible for providing artillery support to the infantry and cavalry at the battles of Peitsang, Yangtsun, and Peking. In the latter battle the guns were used to blow out the gates of the Peking Walls and later the Forbidden City. After the war, MaCloskey commanded an artillery regiment in the First World War and rose to the rank of Brigadier General. His son, Monro (buried next to him) rose to the rank of Brigadier in the Air Force and wrote a book Reilly's Battery: A story of the Boxer Rebellion, about his father’s unit.China 1900By the summer of 1900, the situation in northern China was becoming unsafe for foreigners and Christians. Roving bands of Boxers were attacking missionaries and converts throughout the countryside. The Qing government was divided on how to deal with the situation. Some officials wanted to crush the rebellion with Chinese troops. Others wanted to use the Boxers to help drive out the foreigners. This disagreement lasted the entire conflict with some Chinese troops joining the Boxers and some staying neutral. The dowager empress initially took a wait-and-see approach but this did little to assuage the fears of foreigners in Peking and Tientsin (Tianjin). In May, as communication lines with Peking were cut, a flotilla of foreign naval vessels arrived off the coast of China at Taku (Dagu). The force assembled represented the great powers of the age, Britain, Germany, Russia, France, Austria-Hungary, Italy, Japan, and the United States. They would be collectively known as the Eight-Nation Alliance during the conflict. On the request of the Legations, and the protest of the Qing government, the forces in Taku sent about 400 sailors and marines to protect foreigners in Peking. More troops were also sent to Tientsin. On June 16th, with a fear of losing access to both Tienstin and Peking, the allies naval commanders met to discuss options. It was decided to give an ultimatum to the Qing government to allow the allies to occupy a pair of forts at Taku which controlled access into China's interior. When this was rejected the next day, troops from seven of the nations (the US declined to particpate) assaulted the forts. After a short, bloody fight the allies captured the forts. The attack on Chinese sovereign territory enraged Dowager Empress Cixi. The battle pushed the Chinese government towards open support for the Boxers. On June 19th, Chinese troops attacked the Seymour expedition north of Tientsin. The same day, the legations were given an order to leave Peking within 24 hours. Recognizing the danger in this, they refused. The siege of the legations began the following day. Return to Custis Walk and follow it up the hill until Sheridan Drive. Make a right turn and follow Sheridan past the grave of President Kennedy. Bear left onto Grant Drive until it intersects with Roosevelt Drive. Turn right on Roosevelt and continue until you intersect with McClellan Drive. The next stop is up the hill on your right about 30 feet from the intersection.
The Siege of Peking (John T. Myers)
John T. MyersJohn Twiggs Myers (1871-1952) was born in Wiesbaden, Germany to the son of a former Confederate Quartermaster General who left the United States after the Civil War. Graduating the Naval Academy in 1892, Twiggs was serving as a Marine captain in Manila in May 1900 when he was dispatched with about 50 Marines to China to guard the American legation in Peking. He subsequently commanded the US force during the siege of Peking until being wounded on July 3rd by a spear while recapturing a position on the wall overlooking the legations. Myers was semi-famous following the conflict and he later served in numerous Marine operations in Morocco, Cuba, and Santo Domingo. His likeness has been used for several fictional portrayals of Marines in the era including the 1963 film 55 Days at Peking where Charlton Heston played a fictionized version of Myers. He retired as a Lieutenant General in 1934.The Siege of the Peking LegationsFollowing the foreign assault on the Taku forts the Qing government sent the legations a diplomatic note on June 19th ordering all foreigners to leave Peking. On June 20th, the German Minister travelled to the foreign ministry to discuss the issue but was murdered by Boxers enroute. Realizing there was no safety in leaving the city, the foreigners then took refuge in the Legation Quarter. The siege began thereafter when the Boxers and Chinese imperial troops surrounded the foreign legations and cut off their access to food, water, and medical supplies. The foreigners were forced to band together and defend themselves against the attackers, who bombarded the legations with gunfire and artillery.The siege lasted for 55 days, during which time the foreign legations suffered from disease, starvation, and heavy casualties. A force of about 400 British, American, French, Italian, German, Austrian, Japanese, and Russian troops guarded the 2000m perimeter of the quarter. Sheltering in the compound were 473 foreign civilians and several thousand Chinese Christians. 55 troops and 13 foreign civilians were killed during the course of the siege along with an unknown number of Chinese Christians and Boxers.Return to McClellan Drive and make a right. Before you reach the circle, turn right onto Crook Walk and head up the stairs. When you reach Sheridan Drive, make a left turn. Continue straight as the road turns and walk up the hill about 30 feet. You will find the next stop marked by a large cross marker.
The Seymour Relief Expedition (Bowman McCalla)
Bowman H. McCallaBowman H. McCalla (1844-1910) was born in Camden, NJ. Joining the Navy as a midshipman in 1861, McCalla served during the Civil War. In 1900, he commanded USS Newark, one of the first US warships to arrive off the coast of China. Disembarking from the warships, McCalla led a force of US sailors as part of the first expedition to try and relieve Peking commanded by British Admiral Sir Edward Seymour. Following this expedition’s failure and retreat, McCalla was wounded capturing the Hsiku (Xigu) arsenal. After the war he rose to the rank of Rear Admiral and retired in 1906. The Seymour Relief ExpeditionThe Seymour Relief Expedition was the first attempt to relieve the besieged legations in Peking. When the force dispatched to protect the legations appeared insufficient, an expedition of about 2,000 more sailors and marines, led by British Vice-Admiral Edward Seymour set out by train towards Peking on June 10th. The expedition encountered heavy resistance from the Boxers and the Chinese government forces, and after advancing about 55 miles, they were forced to retreat due to lack of supplies and increasing casualties. With the rail line destroyed the force marched back towards Tienstin. Cut off from the rest of the allies, Seymour and his men stormed the Hsiku arsenal and defended it until relieved on June 25th. Continue a short walk up the hill. You will see a tall monument to Emerson Liscum next to the Lee Drive footpath where it intersects with Sheridan Drive. This is the next stop.
The Battle of Tientsin (Emerson Liscum)
Emerson H. LiscumEmerson H. Liscum (1841-1900) was born in Huntington, VT. In May 1861 Liscum joind the 1st Vermont Infantry as a private and fought in several major Civil War battles including Gettysburg where he was wounded. After the Civil War he stayed in the Army, served on the frontier and in Cuba during the Spanish-American War rising to the rank of Colonel. In 1900, he commanded the 9th Infantry Regiment which was part of the US occupation force in the Philippines. As the situation deteriorated in China, his regiment was the first Army unit dispatched to relieve the sieges of Tientsin and Peking. Arriving on July 9th, Liscum and the 9th Infantry joined a multinational assault on the walled city of Tientsin. He was killed leading his troops across an open field with his last words allegedly being, “Keep up the fire!” now the motto of the 9th Infantry. After the conflict the 9th Infantry commissioned a large punch bowl dubbed the “Liscum Bowl” from silver taken from China. Today, the 95-pound bowl, valued at over $5 million is housed at the 4th Infantry Division Museum in Fort Carson, CO.The Battle of Tientsin Simultaneously to the siege of Peking, the foreign concessions in Tienstin were under siege until a large, allied force relieved them on June 23rd. Interestingly future president Herbert Hoover, working as an engineer in China, was involved in the defense of the concessions. After reaching Tientsin and rescuing Admiral Seymour, the allies had a tenuous foothold in China a road to the coast. However, the walled city of Tientsin, north of the concessions remained in Chinese hands as a threat. On July 13th, after building sufficient combat power the allies assaulted the walled city. The force consisted of about 6,900 soldiers: 2,500 Russians, 2,000 Japanese, 900 Americans, 800 British, 600 French, and 100 Germans and Austrians. The Chinese opposing them numbered 12,000 soldiers. To reach the city wall the allies had to cross more than a mile of flat, treeless ground. Caught in the open by Chines armed with modern artillery and rifles the allies suffered heavy casualties. In the bloodiest battle of the Boxer Rebellion, 25 Americans were killed and over 100 wounded. After a withdrawal under fire, the following morning the allies breached the gates and entered the city. An orgy of looting and destruction perpetrated by all of the victorious allies followed. About six feet next to the Liscum grave is the grave of Henry Reilly, this is our next stop. Not the design of Reilly’s grave. It is designed to evoke a Chinese-style tower or gate.
The Battle of Peking (Henry Reilly)
Henry J. ReillyHenry J. Reilly was born in Ireland in 1845. Immigrating to the United States, Reilly fought in the Civil War as an enlisted artilleryman and was commissioned as a lieutenant in 1866. Reilly stayed in the Army for over 30 years, spending most of that time in Battery F, which he joined in 1868. Given the slow rate of promotions of the era he was still a captain in 1900 when the battery left Manila for China. Arriving on August 2nd, the battery joined the large multinational relief force. Reaching Peking on August 13th, the next day the battery supported the successful assault on the city which rescued the legations. On the following day, the battery alongside the 14th Infantry was ordered to assault the Imperial City. While observing the effects of his guns, Reilly was struck in the mouth by a Chinese bullet and killed. A large funeral service was held for his body after the end of the fighting. His son, Henry J. Reilly Jr. would rise to the rank of Brigadier General and command an artillery regiment in the First World War.The Battle of PekingAfter reestablishing order in Tientsin, the allies recognized that given the fierce Chinese resistance a much larger force would be needed to take Peking. They decided to wait and gather more troops and supplies to continue the march inland. Additionally, inaccurate news reached Tientsin that the legations in Peking had been overwhelmed and the foreigners all slaughtered. Shifting the goal from relief to revenge, the allies waited until August 4th to begin their advance.The 2nd relief expedition included almost 22,000 allied troops (mainly Japanese, Russian, British, and American) including about 2,500 American soldiers and Marines. Departing Tienstin the force engaged in two small battles atPeitsang (Beicang) and Yangstun (Yangcun) before reaching the outskirts of Peking. The march was long and arduous, with temperatures reaching 105° F. Along the way the force burned Chinese villages and killed suspected Boxers. As the Boxers themselves had terrorized the region prior, much of the route was already abandoned and devastated. As they got closer to Peking, word reached the allies that the legations had not fallen, and they accelerated their march. Arriving at Peking on August 13th, the army waited until the following day to attack. With each nationality taking a different gate to secure they began their attack before dawn. When the Americans arrived at their assigned gate however, they found the Russians already engaged there and they moved their troops about 200 yards south and climbed the 30-foot-tall wall. American troops drove Chinese forces off the wall and then climbed down the inside and headed toward the Legation Quarter. Reaching the legations shortly after the British contingent, the troops marched into the cheers of the rescued inhabitants.On August 15th, the Americans continued their assault on the Imperial City which still housed Chinese troops. Blasting through the Imperial City gates, the Americans almost breached the Forbidden City before the commander, General Adna Chaffee, called off the attack. Chaffee was concerned both about the humiliation to China of foreign troops attacking the Forbidden City and of the jealousies and resentments of the other allies. Several other Boxer Rebellion veterans are buried in the vicinity, feel free to spend some time looking at their graves. This includes Theodore Wint, who commanded the 6th Cavalry Regiment in China. When you are ready to leave take a left onto Lee Drive towards Sherman Drive. Take another left on Sherman then shortly after a right onto Humphreys Drive. Continue on this road as it circles around. On your left, roughly across from the Pam Am Flight 103 Memorial look for a short marker for William Hogg. This is the next stop.
The Navy (William Hogg)
William S. HoggWilliam S. Hogg (1856-1921) was born in Washington, D.C. and graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1872. Prior to the Boxer Rebellion, Hogg sailed with former President Grant on his world tour and fought in the naval campaign off Cuba during the Spanish-American War. In 1900, he was serving as the executive officer of the USS Monocacy, an old side-wheel paddle steamer which had served in Asia for decades. During the assault on the Taku forts the senior American naval officer, Rear Admiral Louis Kempff, decided not to involve US ships. Instead, the Monocacy was docked near the forts as a place of refuge for civilians. While it did take some Chinese fire during the battle there were no casualties. After the war Hogg served as commander of the USS Glacier, a supply ship of the Great White Fleet on its circumnavigation of the globe. He retired in 1909.The NavyThe US Navy was critical in the early stages of the Boxer Rebellion. Arriving in May on USS Newark, Captain Bowman McCalla helped establish the legation guard in Peking and joined the Seymour Expedition in June. US bluejackets fought in several skirmishes during the abortive expedition and provided a rearguard during the retreat. When the Marines and Army arrived in force in June and July, several Navy ships remained on station to provide communication and logistical support. Below is a list of several key Navy ships which took part in the campaign. USS Newark (C-1): A protected cruiser that arrived in China in May carrying Marines and bluejackets. USS Monocacy (PG-20): A gunboat that arrived in China in May 1900 and was present at the Battle of the Taku FortsUSS Nashville (PG-7): A gunboat that arrived in China in June carrying Marines.USS Brooklyn (ACR-3): An armored cruiser that arrived in China in July carrying Marines. USS Oregon (BB-3): A pre-dreadnought battleship that arrived in China in July Continue along the Humphreys Drive Loop. For about 300 feet. On your left about 50 feet into the cemetery is a tall obelisk monument with a bronze eagle, globe, and anchor. This is the next stop.
The Army (Charles Rhodes)
Charles D. RhodesCharles D. Rhodes (1865-1948) was born in Delaware, OH in 1865. Graduating from the United States Military Academy in 1889, he received a commission as a Second Lieutenant of cavalry. Assigned to the 6th Cavalry Regiment, Rhodes served in Cuba during the Spanish-American War as an aide-de-camp. During the Boxer Rebellion he commanded a troop of cavalry and fought in several actions. After the capture of Peking, he was assigned as Adjutant General of the 1st Brigade occupying Peking. Later Rhodes served in the Philippines and during the First World War he commanded an artillery brigade and later the 42nd Infantry Division for three days. After being injured in a plane crash he handed over command of the division to a young Douglas MacArthur the day before the Armistice was signed. He retired from the Army in 1929, writing several books in his retirement.The ArmyThe US Army represented the majority of Americans sent to China in 1900. When the conflict began many of these troops were pulled from duty in the Philippine Islands, where the US occupation had descended into a bloody counterinsurgency campaign. The first unit to arrive was the 1200-man 9th Infantry Regiment in early July. The 9th took part in the costly assault on Tienstin before joining the march towards Peking. The 9th was also the last unit to leave China with the bulk of the regiment departing in May 1901, leaving behind B Company as a legation guard. After deciding a large force was needed to reach Peking, America made a commitment of 10,000 troops to the campaign. The next to arrive from the Philippines were two battalions of the 14th Infantry Regiment and Battey F, 5th Field Artillery Regiment. Additionally, the 6th Cavalry Regiment was dispatched from the United States. These were Army troops that assaulted Peking in August.Following the relief of the legations, it was clear that a large occupation force would not be needed. Nonetheless the 15th Infantry Regiment and elements of the 3rd Field Artillery Regiment had already reached Tienstin. These formed the core of a 2nd brigade but were withdrawn along with the 14th Infantry and 6th Cavalry in October 1900. Continue Walking to McKinley Drive. Bear left and walk until you reach Capron Drive. Cross over Capron to the cemetery and look for a headstone with a Medal of Honor symbol on it. This is the next stop.
Medal of Honor Recipients (William Seach)
William SeachWilliam Seach (1877-1978) was born in London, England. He immigrated to the United States some time before joining the Navy as an Ordinary Seaman in 1898. Assigned to the USS Newark at the start of the Rebellion, Seach served in the failed Seymour Relief Expedition. On four separate occasions during the expedition, Seach distinguished himself in action against Boxer troops. Awarded the Medal of Honor in 1901, he was delayed in receiving it by the assassination of President McKinley, but he eventually received the award in 1903 in a ceremony with President Roosevelt. He later onboard the troopship USS President Lincoln in the First World War. On May 31st, 1918, a German U-Boat torpedoed and sunk the transport. Seach survived but was briefly held as a prisoner of war. He retired from the Navy as a Lieutenant in 1921. He died in 1978 at the age of 101, the last surviving Medal of Honor Recipient from the Boxer Rebellion.Medal of Honor Citation"In action with the relief expedition of the Allied forces in China during the battles of 13, 20, 21, and 22 June 1900.June 13: Seach and six others were cited for their courage in repulsing an attack by 300 Chinese Imperialist soldiers and Boxer militants with a bayonet charge, thus thwarting a planned massive attack on the entire force.June 20: During a day-long battle, Seach ran across an open clearing, gained cover, and cleaned out nests of Chinese snipers.June 21: During a surprise saber attack by Chinese cavalrymen, Seach was cited for defending gun emplacements.June 22: Seach and others breached the wall of a Chinese fort, fought their way to the enemy's guns, and turned the cannon upon the defenders of the fort. Throughout this period and in the presence of the enemy, Seach distinguished himself by meritorious conduct."Medal of Honor Recipients William Seach represents one of 59 Medals of Honor awarded to American servicemembers during the Boxer Rebellion. Four of these were awarded to Army personnel, twenty-two to Navy sailors and thirty-three to Marines. The relatively high number of Medals of Honor awarded for a relatively short conflict (by comparison only 28 Medals of Honor have been award for the post-9/11 conflicts) reflects the role of the award prior to the First World War. Lacking other awards for bravery and merit (the Distinguish Service Cross, Navy Cross and Silver Star for example were established in WWI) the criteria for receiving a Medal of Honor was broader than it is today. Nevertheless, the courage displayed by many servicemembers in the Boxer Rebellion was noteworthy. Twelve of the recipients are buried at Arlington National Cemetery. For a full listing and location of each, please refer to the ANC website or app. Walk back to McKinley Drive and turn right. Pass the first turn off for Miles Drive and make a right turn at the next Miles Drive intersection. Continue on Miles Drive about 300 feet. On your right side will be the next set of tour stops. Look for a pair of monuments marked “Chaffee”. If you get to the end of the road you have gone too far.
The Occupation of Peking (Adna Chaffee)
Adna R. ChaffeeAdna R. Chaffee (1842-1914) was born in Orwell, OH and enlisted in the Union Army as a Private in the 6th Cavalry Regiment in 1861. Serving through the duration of the Civil War, Chaffee was promoted to Second Lieutenant in 1863. After the war Chaffee decided to remain in the Army and spent the next 30 years in the cavalry, fighting in the Indian Wars mainly in the Southwest. Upon the outbreak of the Spanish-American War, now-Colonel Chaffee was promoted to Brigadier General and commanded a brigade in the Cuban campaign. When the Boxer Rebellion broke out, he was serving as Chief-of-Staff of the military governor of Cuba during its occupation. Selected over more senior officers, Chaffee was dispatched to China to lead the China Relief Expedition. Arriving after the capture of Tientsin, Chaffee led the American force in the capture of Peking. Initially, hesitant to remain in Peking, Chaffee realized that an occupation was necessary while the end of the conflict was being negotiated. He attempted to maintain order and return services in the American-occupied portions of the city and generally avoided joining the other powers in punitive expeditions in the countryside. Following the end of the occupation, Chaffee became the military governor of the Philippines and later Chief of Staff of the Army from 1904-1906. He retired in 1906. His son, Adna R. Chaffee Jr., is buried nearby and rose to the rank of Major General and was instrumental in the establishment of the US tank force.The Occupation of Peking After the capture of Peking the allies occupied the city for several months while negations with the Qing government ensued. Originally, Gen. Chaffee's orders had directed him to leave China as soon as possible but given the unrest in the region, Chaffee felt it necessary to keep a force in northern China to help restore order. While many of the allied powers launched punitive expeditions into the countryside, Chaffee did not see any value in engaging in the brutal campaign of revenge. He did ascent to allow US troops to escort missionaries back to their former parishes but after several incidents where it appeared the missionaries attempted to use troops to extort payments from villagers, these missions ceased.The troops in Peking restored basic services and encouraged civilians to return to their city. While extensive looting occurred shortly after the capture of the city, Chaffee cracked down on it afterwards and used funds obtained from the sale of loot to provide wages to Chinese workers and to bring in food for the troops and populace. Part of the troops’ mission was to protect their portion of the city from encroachment by allied troops and several incidents occurred where sentries shot marauding allies. The next stop is directly behind this grave. Look for the monument marked “Hutcheson”.
Departing China (Grote Hutcheson)
Grote HutchesonGrote Hutcheson (1862-1948) was born in Cincinnati, OH and graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1884, first being assigned to the 9th Cavalry, an African American regiment led by white officers. A Captain when the Spanish-American War broke out, Hutcheson served in the Puerto Rico campaign. Joining the 6th Cavalry in 1899, Hutcheson and the regiment were redirected to China on their way to the Philippines. During the Boxer Rebellion, Hutcheson served as the acting Inspector General and Judge Advocate General of the China Relief Expedition. He also served briefly on the staff of British General Sir Alfred Gaselee, the nominal commander of the international force. As Judge Advocate, he was responsible for dealing with misbehavior by American troops during the occupation. In a report to Congress in 1901, he noted that “The most pronounced cause of the number of [courts-martial] held is due to the element in class of men in our ranks which represent a very low and irresponsible order of our home population…”. Remaining as a staff officer to General Chaffee in the Philippines, he would eventually rise to the rank of Major General himself and command a division but did not go overseas. He retired in 1924. It is interesting to note how closely he his buried to his mentor and longtime superior, General Chaffee.Departing ChinaOriginally the occupation force consisted of two brigades and several thousand men, but by October it was clear that the Boxer threat had subsided and most of the troops were sent back to the Philippines to rejoin the fighting there. The 9th Infantry remained to occupy Peking over the winter. With the signing of the Boxer Protocol ending the war imminent, the 9th Infantry withdrew to the Philippines in May 1901. A token Army force remained to guard the legations until 1905 when the Marine Corps assumed the duty. More US troops arrived in 1911 when the Qing dynasty finally collapsed and remained in China until 1941. This concludes the “The Story of the Boxer Rebellion at Arlington National Cemetery” tour. We hope you enjoyed the tour. If you enjoyed it, please leave a comment on the PocketSights app. You are now on the far side of Arlington National Cemetery. The fastest way to return to the Welcome Center is to walk to the Miles Mausoleum at the end of the road, take a right and cross the cemetery to Porter Avenue. Take a right on Porter Avenue and continue to Eisenhower. At Eisenhower turn right and continue to the Welcome Center. Conversely, if you have a tram ticket, once you reach Porter you can take a left and then a right on Memorial. This will take you to the tram stop at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.To learn more about the Boxer Rebellion, we recommend the following titles:Peking 1900: The Boxer Rebellion (2001) by Peter HarringtonThe Boxer Rebellion and the Great Game in China (2012) by David J. SilbeyThe Siege of Peking (1963) by Peter FlemingTo read a detailed account of the China Relief Expedition, we recommend:America in the China Relief Expedition (1903) by Aaron S. Daggett
