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Brown, Walter T., fl. 1900-1901 to Harvey L. Brown

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04546.013 Author/Creator: Brown, Walter T., fl. 1900-1901 Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 28 June 1900 Pagination: 5 p. : + clipping Order a Copy

Killing of first American, marine Nichols. Date inferred from content and postal mark (July 28). Battle description. Brown describes forming ranks to fire on 500 Boxers, marine Nichols being hit, and the marines' attempt to save Nichols, who died. Brown suffered injury himself. Encloses newsclipping mentioning death of Nichols. Brown served as Paymaster Yeoman on the USS Monocacy during the Boxer Rebellion of 1900. The Monocacy had served in Chinese waters for nearly 30 years, and was ordered to recapture the forts at Taku on 11 June 1900. He was trapped with the US Marines and multinational force in Tientsin.

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