The Army (Charles Rhodes)

Charles D. Rhodes

Charles 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 Army

The 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 These formed the core of a 2nd brigade but were withdrawn along with the 14th Infantry and 6th Cavalry in October 1900.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.