|
9TH INFANTRY REGIMENT BELT BUCKLE – ca.
1920 - ORDER OF THE DRAGON “KEEP UP THE FIRE” – MOUNTED
ON A ca. 1904 OFFICER’S-ENLISTED RUSSET LEATHER SABER
BELT: One of the few units authorized to wear a
buckle with a unit specific design, the 9th Infantry
Regiment was created in January 1799, has since served
the nation in numerous conflicts, and currently holds
the distinction of being one of the longest serving
active units in the US Army.
The Ninth Infantry Regiment earned the authorization to
wear this distinctive buckle in commemoration for their
assault on the city of Tientsin, China on July 13, 1900.
In 1900, the 9th was deployed to China as the Boxer
Rebellion threatened American lives and interests.
Within a month of its arrival, the Regiment found itself
in combat in Manchuria and acquired its nickname as the
"Manchu Regiment". Shortly after landing in China with
the American Relief Expedition to China in 1900, the
regiment engaged in the relief of Tientsin. While
assaulting the fortress walls, the regimental commander,
Col. Emerson H. Liscum was mortally wounded while in
possession of the regiment's colors. While falling, Col.
Liscum passed the colors to another soldier and directed
his regiment to: "KEEP UP THE FIRE!" on the seemingly
impregnable walls. Tientsin did fall, and two days later
the regiment discovered a storehouse of silver bars. The
silver was put under guard and turned over to the
Chinese government. As a token of their appreciation,
the Chinese government gave the regiment a quantity of
the silver which was later used to fabricate the Liscum
Bowl, named in honor of their fallen commander.
Even today, “Manchus”, as the soldiers of the regiment
are still known, must earn the right to wear the current
issue of their distinctive unit buckle by completing the
Manchu Mile - an overnight 25 mile tactical march, with
full gear and weapon. This Manchu Mile commemorates the
85 mile march the 9th regiment completed in early July
1900, from Taku Bar to Tientsin prior to the assault.
In the past year, I have obtained two of these
relatively rare belts, both from old San Antonio estates of deceased
veterans, however in neither case was anyone able to
provide the specific military history of veteran, nor
the history of the belts. Based on the style of the plate and the belts on
which the plates are permanently mounted, it is safe to assume
that both of the plates and the belts date from the 1904-1930’s era.
The nicely patinated brass plates are identical, so this
description will serve for both specimens. Measuring 2 ˝” by 2 ˝”,
the plates are full form with no damage or misshaping and
both are
permanently mounted on their respective belts. The
plates have a friction bar
on the reverse that allows for adjusting the tension on
the belt. There are no maker’s marks on the plates and
based on the feel of the plates, I suspect they were
manufactured in the Far East, likely one of the earlier
batches made for the regiment.
These are unique, early 20th
Century belt and plate sets with a very historic
context.
NOTE:
Pictured below is an
earlier version of a belt plate with a similar motif
that was made specifically for use with the Mills looped
cartridge belts, likely at about the same time as the
famous assault in 1900, and a second, later style
intended to be worn on the standard web uniform trouser
belt that probably dates from the post-World War Two
era. These photos are provided for your enjoyment only
and these two additional belt plates are not included in
this offering.
|
