I have given on [p. 344] the names of the regiments which are entitled to bear the distinction "China, 1900," on their colours and appointments. It is difficult to fathom the reasoning which has denied this distinction to the regiments which accompanied General Gaselee to Pekin. As well deny a regiment the honour "Sevastopol" because it had been already granted one for the Alma. Sir Alfred Gaselee's task was no easy one. The relieving force was composed of many nationalities, and international jealousies were not unknown. Some of the allied commanders were desirous of delaying the advance until the arrival of the whole of their contingents. Gaselee and General Chaffee, the chief of the American contingents, set their faces against this. The lives of women and children were at stake, and the English General let it be distinctly understood that he was going to march on a certain day, whatever the others might decide. The Americans and the Japanese were one with him. On August 14 the relieving force started.
| International Force. | Men. | Guns. |
| Japanese | 10,000 | 24 |
| Russians | 4,000 | 16 |
| British | 3,000 | 12 |
| U.S.A. | 2,000 | 6 |
| French | 800 | 12 |
| Germans | 20 | - |
| Austrians | 100 | - |
| British Force. | Men. |
| Royal Welsh Fusiliers | 300 |
| 1st Bengal Lancers | 400 |
| 7th Rajputs | 500 |
| 24th Punjabis | 300 |
| 51st Sikhs | 500 |
| Chinese Regiment | 100 |
| Hong-Kong Regiment | 100 |
| Naval Brigade | 300 |
Little resistance was met with, and on August 20 General Gaselee had the satisfaction of learning that, thanks to his decision, the lives of the beleaguered garrison of the Legations had been saved. The force he took with him was dangerously small, but he had been compelled to leave a strong detachment, under Generals O'Moore Creagh and Lorne Campbell, to guard his long line of communications, as well as to leave garrisons at Hong-Kong and Shanghai, where there was a considerable amount of anti-Christian feeling. Originally his brigades had been organized as under:
First Brigade—Brigadier-General Sir Norman Stewart: 7th Rajputs, 24th Punjabis, 51st Sikhs, and 126th Baluchis.
Second Brigade—Brigadier-General O'Moore Creagh, V.C.: 2nd Queen's Own Light Infantry, 14th Sikhs, 1st Battalion 4th Gurkhas, and 130th (Prince of Wales's Own) Baluchis.
Lines of Communications—Brigadier-General Lorne Campbell: 63rd Palamcottah Light Infantry and 122nd Rajputana Infantry.
Divisional Troops: 1st Bengal Lancers, 61st Pioneers, and two batteries of artillery.
Sir Norman Stewart, as the second senior officer, and as the one who had the widest experience of war, was selected by General Gaselee to command the brigade which was to have the honour of relieving the garrisons.