The fatigue endured by the United States marines in their constant service on the city wall and in their barricade under the wall, as well as the barricade at the western end of the compound in Legation street, was simply killing. That the men did not succumb is a marvel.
To Mrs. H. G. Squiers, more than any one else, is due the credit of sustaining them with coffee and biscuits sent out hot and refreshing at midnight and at various times throughout the day. Indeed this lady has acquired, by her hospitality and unfailing kindness, the affection of not only her own nationals, but the regard of every one besieged within the city. Many poor fellows wounded in the hospital have blessed her with their fevered lips for a cooling drink or a nourishing broth prepared by her own hands. Her well-furnished storeroom was placed at the disposal of every one who was in need of food, either as a necessity for the healthy or a delicacy for the sick. The author has to express his own unbounded gratitude for many a tin of peas, tomatoes, or oatmeal that has helped to render palatable the daily ration of horse-flesh and rice that has been his own and his family’s sustenance throughout our imprisonment.
A corner in the United States Legation
Under the most trying circumstances Mrs. Squiers has preserved a cheerful demeanor, and, assisted by the ever calm and always sociable Miss Polly Condit-Smith, has daily entertained at her hospitable board the officers, civilians, diplomats, and missionaries with the same cordiality.
When Dr. Velde, the able German surgeon in charge of the hospital, was worn out with fatigue and unable to find a quiet place for a night’s rest, he was provided by Mrs. Squiers with a comfortable pallet, covered with a mosquito curtain, in a little closet room, usually occupied by the German nurse, and so enabled to obtain a rest that was an absolute necessity to his continuing in service.
All of the American ladies have worked with patience and perseverance, constantly making the sand-bags which have so efficiently protected the soldiers and the entire community from the unceasing fire of bullets from the enemy. Everything in the line of cloth has been used for this purpose. Handsome linen table-cloths, rich silk draperies, towels, gowns and dress materials have been freely sacrificed to provide for the defense.
When the wounded became numerous in our quarters, and were nightly worried by those infernal pests, the mosquitoes, the ladies cheerfully sent all their mosquito curtains to the hospital to be used by their brave defenders to alleviate their discomfort.
