Eight-Nation Alliance
China Campaign Medal
(Full Size), “M.No.” Type
八國聯軍
“M.No.”版 中國戰役獎章
(官方版)
Item number: M199
Year: AD 1913
Material: Bronze
Size: 64.5 x 32.7 x 2.5 mm
Weight: 22.2 g
Provenance:
1. Heritage Auctions 2023
2. Nicolas D. Wood Collection
This is a medal established by the US War Department on January 11, AD 1905, in accordance with General Order No. 5, known as the “China Campaign Medal.” It was created to recognise the officers and soldiers of the US Army who participated in the battles of the Eight-Nation Alliance between June 20, AD 1900, and May 27, AD 1901. Approximately 2,300 medals were issued.
The medal is circular in shape, with a ring suspension attaching to a ribbon featuring yellow with blue stripes. On the obverse side is a depiction of a five-clawed dragon, symbolizing the Qing Empire, surrounded by the inscription “CHINA RELIEF EXPEDITION” in English, with the years “1900-1901” engraved at the bottom. On the reverse side is the emblem of the United States Army, featuring a spread-winged bald eagle standing on a cannon, flags, and weapons, with thirteen stars as decoration at the bottom. Below the eagle is the inscription “FOR SERVICE” in English, while the outer ring bears the inscription “UNITED STATES ARMY.” The bottom rim of the medal is engraved with the issuance number, with three versions starting with either “No.”, “M.No.” or “Un-prefixed.” This medal is the “M.No.” version, with the issuance number “225.” This version was pertained to ex-servicemen who had departed the military prior to the announcement of the medal.
Types of numbering on the medal rim | Year of issue |
No. | AD 1905(original issues) |
M.No. | circa AD 1913 |
un-prefixed numbers | post AD 1918 |
On June 10, AD 1900, to rescue the various foreign diplomats and citizens, including those from the British Legation, who were besieged by the Boxers in the Beijing Legation Quarter, which included 56 US Marines from the United States. The first relief expedition led by British General Seymour, the multinational force (with 112 US Marines) departed from the Tianjin Concession. However, they encountered resistance from Qing forces and Boxers, forcing them to retreat to their starting point to regroup and await reinforcements.
To support military operations in China, the United States Army appointed Major General Adna R. Chaffee as the commander. Drawing forces from the recently acquired colony of the Philippines, the US dispatched the 9th, 14th, and 15th Infantry Regiments, the 6th Cavalry Regiment, the 3rd and 5th Field Artillery Regiments, and additional logistical units, totalling 2,200 troops, to reinforce the campaign in China.
On July 7, AD 1900, the 9th Infantry Regiment participated in the battle for the strategic position of Taku Forts. On July 13, two battalions under the 9th Infantry Regiment were involved in the capture of Tianjin, resulting in a total of 95 casualties for the American forces.
On August 4, AD 1900, the Allied forces advanced towards Beijing, reaching the outer city ten days later. On August 14, the Allied forces divided into five routes to besiege the British Legation compound in the inner city. Soldiers from the US 14th Infantry Regiment scaled the 30-foot walls of the Dongbianmen Gate and continued advancing towards the inner city. At 4:30 PM, the US became the second force to enter the Legation Quarter after the British troops, providing relief.
In the winter of AD 1900, most US troops stationed in China were withdrawn to the Philippines to suppress local resistance movements. On September 7 of the following year, the Qing government and the foreign powers signed the Boxer Protocol, also known as the Xinchou Treaty, which forced the Qing to allow foreign troops to be stationed in the Legation Quarter of Beijing. The US maintained a detachment in Beijing until AD 1938. Additionally, the Qing government was required to pay 24 million US dollars in indemnities to the US government.
However, in AD 1907, through the efforts of Liang Cheng, the Chinese Minister to the United States, the US agreed to return the indemnity as a fund to reward Chinese students studying in the US and assist in the establishment of higher education institutions in China. This fund contributed to the founding of Tsinghua University, a renowned institution in both China and Taiwan.
物件編號: M199
年代: 公元 1913 年
材質: 青銅
尺寸: 64.5 x 32.7 x 2.5 mm
重量: 22.2 g
來源:
1. 海瑞德拍賣行 2023
2. 尼古拉斯·D·伍德舊藏
這是一枚公元1905年1月11日,美國戰爭部按照〈第五號命令〉設立之「中國戰役獎章」,以表彰公元1900年6月20日至翌年5月27日間,參與八國聯軍戰役的陸軍官兵,發行量約有2300枚。
獎章外觀為圓形,以環形懸掛銜接黃底藍條的綬帶。正面是一條象徵清帝國的五爪蟠龍,周圍以英文鐫刻「遣華解救遠征」銘文,下緣則刻上「1900-1901」年份字樣。獎章背面是美國陸軍的徽章,一隻腳踏大砲、旗幟和武器的展翅白頭鷹,最下方以十三顆星星為裝飾。老鷹下方以英文寫有「用於服務」,外圈的銘文則是「美國陸軍」。獎章下緣則鐫刻頒發編號,有「No.」、「M.No.」和「無前綴」三種版本。該獎章為「M.No.」版本,其頒發編號為「225」。該版本是後續補頒予在獎章公告以前,就已經離開軍隊的前官兵。
獎章下緣的編號種類 | 發行年份 |
No. | 公元1905年(原版發行) |
M.No. | 公元1913年左右 |
無前綴 | 公元1918年以降 |