Mr. E. von Strauch, having served as first lieutenant in the German army for some years, was given command, and Mr. Macoun was made second officer. After Macoun was wounded, and until again able to go on duty, Mr. B. L. Simpson acted as second officer.
SIR ROBERT HART
And members of the Customs Staff and their families, with one or two others, who lived together in the house immediately behind the group during the siege.
Adjoining the British legation on the north lies the Hanlin Yuan, a large yard full of many buildings, containing one of the most famous libraries extant, the Hanlin library. By the Chinese this library has always been regarded as one of their most valuable possessions. Here were stored thousands of volumes of Chinese history, essays, and records of the various government boards that had collected for centuries. North of this Hanlin Yuan, separated only by a wide street known as the Chang An Chieh, is the wall of the Forbidden City.
CUSTOMS VOLUNTEERS
Who, throughout the siege, fought in defense of the legations. This little band did excellent service. Brave, cool and deliberate, they made themselves felt wherever their services were called for.
The Boxers and Imperial troops early took possession of the northern end of this compound, and in their efforts to dislodge us from the British legation, ruthlessly set fire to their sacred library and destroyed the priceless collections of ages.