Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-09-18
CHINESE DEFEAT.
Reported Loss of Sixteen
Thousand of the CeIestiaIs.
The Japanese Swarmed Upon the
Unprotected Rear of Chinese.
Reported Suicide Of the Dissracsd Chinese
viceroy Ii Hung Chang.

LoNDoN, pePt. II i.-auNicts reCelFeu al
the japanese legation in this city officially
confirm the report of absolute and crush.
ing defeat of the Chinese at Ping Yang.
A Central News dispatch from Seoul
dated p. NJ. Sept. l6, says a great battle
has been fought at Ping Yang between the
Chinese and japanese troops, in which the
former were utterly routed. On Thursday
japanese column from Pong Tan made q
reconnaissance in force, drawing the fire OF
the Chinese forts, and thus ascertsined
their position.
The column then fell back in good order
with little loss. BY Friday night all the
japanese were in position for combined
attack upon the enemy. The Gensan
column threatened the lett flank of the
Chinese, the Porg San column threstening
the Chinese center, while the Hwang Ju
column operated sgsinst the right, which
had been reinforced the day before by a
detachment of marines from the fleet at the
mouth of the Taitong river.
The Chinese had utilized the old defences
at Ping Yam, and had thrown up new works,
making the position an exceptionally strong
one.
The battle was opened on Sunday at day.
break by Japanese cannonade of the Chi
nese works which was continued without
cessation till afternoon, the Chinese re-
spending. The work with the heavy guns
showed good practice.
At about 2 o'clock a body of infantry
was thrown forward by the Japanese and
maintained a rifle fire upon the enemy until
dusk. Throughout the day only the Pong
San column was engaged. The Chinese
defences had suffered greatly, but the
losses on either side were small, both the
Chinese and Japanese having taken advan-
tage of all the shelter available. The Jap
anese troops, however, had gained some
advanced positions. The firing continued
at intervals during the night and in the
meantime two Japanese fanking columns
had formed Gordon around the Chinese.
At 3 o'clock in the morning an attack
was made by the japanese columns stimuli
taneously and with admirable precision
The Chinese lines, which were so strong in
front were found to be weak in the rear
and here the attack was perfect success.
The Chinese were completely taken by sur
prise and were thrown into panic.
Hundreds were cut down, and those who
escaped death, finding themselves sur
rounded at every point, broke and fled.
Some of Viceroy Ii Hung ChaDgs Euro
pean drilled troops stood their ground to
the eastward and were cut down to man.
The Pong San column, swarming over
the defences in front. completed the rout.
Half an hour after the attack opened the
position and Ping Yang were in possession
of the japanese.
1t is estimated that 10000 Chinese sol
diers were engaged in the battle. The jap
anese captured immense stores of provis-
ions, nutritious of war and hundreds OF
colors.
The Chinese loss is estimated at l6 900
killed, wounded snd taken prisoners
Among those captured by the japanese are
several of the Chinese commanding officers
including Gen. Tso Fung, commander-in-
chief Of the Manchurian army, who was
severely wounded. The japanese loss is
only 30 killed and 270 wounded, including
II officers.
Most of the casualties among the Japan
ese occurred during the first days fighting
and very few were the result of the night
attack. The Japanese forces are in active
pursuit of the fueitives, who have thrown
away their arms and readily yield them
selves prisoners.
A desultory war may be carried on for
some time to come, but unless China shall
succeed in getting another army into the
peninsula, Corea will undoubtedly remain
in possession of the Japanese.