The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-09-23
NEXT FIGHT AT SEOUL
JAPANESE PREPARING TO GIVE
BATTLE TO THE CHINESE.
Ten Thousand Additional Soldiers
fetal Account Of the YaIu Fight.

LONDON, Sept. PA dispatch to the
Times from Chemulpo, dated Sept. 16, says
that thirty-two Japanese transports, con-
voyed by fleet Of war ships, have arrived
at that port bringing reinforcements. The
latter, the dispatch adds, consist of 10000
soldiers, with 1000 pack horses, several pom
toon bridges and batteries of mountain
guns. The reinforcements were hurried for
ward to Seoul, the capital of Corea, where,
it is said. an attack upon the part of the
Chinese is expected.
The Japanese legation here has received
a dispatch from Hiroshima, dated Friday,
positively confirming the report that not a
single japanese war ship was destroyed or
sunk in the naval engagement off the Yalu
river. According to this dispatch the Jap
anese loss was ten officers and sixty-nine
men killed, and about 16O officers and men
wounded. The dispatch adds that the in
Juries suffered by the Japanese war ships
will not prevent them engaging shortly in
active service, although several of them
were badly damaged, The officials Of the
Japanese legation say that neither in this
nor any other previous official dispatch re-
ceived by them has any mention been made
of the fact that the Chinese fleet was es-
corting transports.
The first japanese account of the battle
of Yalu river has been received here. A
Toxic dispatch announces the receipt there
of full dispatches from Admiral Ito, the
Japanese commander He reports that while
the vessels of the first Japanese squadron
were at their rendezvous in the Bay Of
Corea they sighted the enemy's ships early
in the morning of Sept. Is. The Japanese
gave chase and overlook the Chinese fleet
at 1 o'clock in the afternoon of the same
day. The Chinese accepted battle, and the
transports which their fleet were escorting
entered the Yalu river. The japanese Ad-
mirals report continues:
"a fierce engagement followed, our men
fighting with the greatest courage and de-
termination. The battle continued until ap-
preaching darkness prevented its continu-
ance At the close of the day. as a result
of five hours incessant fighting, the Chi
nese had lost the war ships Yang-Wai,
Tshoa-Yong, Lai-Yuen and Ching-Yuen,
while the Tng-Yuen. King-Yuen and Ping
Yuen were all set on fire by our shells. AT
dusk our ships withdrew and prepared to
renew the fight in the morning. During the
night. however the remnants of the Chi
nese fleet stole out Of the estuary and fled
towards the Chinese coast. The japanese
squadron started in pursuit. but owing to
the damage done some OF our ships, could
only steam slowly. We reached Hope sound
at daylight on the morning OF Sept. 1S but
the Chinese ships had reached a safe shell
ter. We accordingly returned to the redez-
vous ar the island of Hal Yam Tan, from
whence all movements of the Chinese from
the Gulf Pie CHI Ii could be carefully OBJ
served.
.'The Matsushima Hi Yei and Akagi were
in the thickest Of tie fight and engaged the
most powerful vessels of the Chinese fleet
They received the greatest damage. The
transformed cruiser Sakiako also received
considerable damage. The Matsushima was
especially pounded Cne of her four-and-a-
half ton guns was dismounted by shot
which smashed the carriage OF the gun and
the latter swung heavily against the ship.
causing great damage. It will be necessary