The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1894-09-18

LONDON, sept. ia ulSpdlCn from
Seoul, dated yesterday, says that dur
ing the evening on Thursday last a
Japanese column from Pung San made
a reconnaissance in force, drawing fire
from the Chinese forts and ascertaining
accurately their disposition. This done.
the Japanese fell back in good order
with little loss.
On Friday night the dispatch adds.
all the japanese forces were in position
for a combined attack. The general
column was threa tening the Chinese
left flank. The Pung San column was
facing the Chinese centre and the Hw-
ang Seu column was operating on the
Chinese right. The latter column was
reinforced the day before by a detach-
ment of marines and blue jackets from
the fleet stationed at the mouth of the
TIA Tong river.
The Chinese utilized their old de-
fenscs at Ping Hang, and had thrown
up new works, and their position was
exceptionally strong. The battle
opened on Saturday morning at day
break with a direct cannonade upon
the Chinese works, and this fire was
continued without cessation until after
noon. The Chinese fought their guns
well, replying effectively to the Japan
\ csc fire.
Chinese Suffer.
At p. m. a body of Japanese in
fantry was thrown forward in skirmish
order and kept up a rifle fire upon the
enemy until dusk. All the fighting dur
ing the day was done by the Pung San
column. The Chinese defense suffered
exceedingly from the Japanese fire, but
1t is doubtful if the losses on either side
were great. as the troops, both Chinese
To- f1n lx-gar lra r~e
possible Of the shelter which the earth
on one side and the nature of the
ground on the other afforded.
The flank attacks upon the Chinese
post did not develop material advantage
during the day, although the Japanese
gained some in their position. The
firing was continued at intervals
throughout the night
In the meantime the two fianking
columns of the japanese drew Gordon
around the Chinese troops and at 8
O'Clock in the morning the japanese
attack was delivered simultaneously
and with admirable precision. The
Chinese, utterly unsuspicious of the
japanese attack from the rear, became
panic stricken and were cut down and
bayoneted by hundreds. So well was
the japanese attack directed that the
Chinese were surrounded at every point
and eventually sought safety in flight.
bel6nullS lllt MNI Z
some of Viceroy Ii Hung Chang
picked Chinese troops, drilled by Euro
peans. These soldiers made a deter
mined stand to the last and were cut
down to a man. The Pung San col
.lmns swarming over the damaged de-
lenses of the Chinese front. completed
the route of the Chinese and the whole
of the latter's position was captured
by the troops of the mikado.
sI,a Hands of the Hans
Half an hour after the early morning
attack commenced. the strongly de-
Tended position of Ping Yang was in
the hands of the japanese troops. 1t
IS believed the Chinese position at
Ping Yang was defended by 10000
Chinese. of whom only few
escaped. An immense amount of pro-
visions, arms. ammunition and other
stores, in addition to hundreds OF hags,
were captured by the japanese. 1t is
estimated that the Chinese lost $4,000
men in killed. wounded and prisoners.
Among the captured Chinese are sew
eral of the most prominent commanding
officers of the Chinese troops in Corea.
Only a few Chinese commanders sue
ceeded in escaping, and these got away
almost Immediately after the japanese
made the attack on the Chinese rear.
Among the Chinese commanders taken
prisoners was General Tso Fonk Wal,
commander-in-chief of the Manchurian
army, who fought desperately to the
last. and only yielded when badly
wounded.
Only thirty japanese were killed and
go wounded. including eleven japanese
officers.
The japanese, when this dispatch
was sent, were in active pursuit of the
fugitive Chinese, and as nearly all the
latter were without arms, they will TN
doubtedly surrender as soon as the
japanese overtake them.
China Useless i'm Corea.
AS far as the active operations OF the
Chinese in Corea are concerned, the
war is practically at an end.
y The Coreans who have shown Synlpa-
Nthy with the Chinese and few de-
tached bands of Chinese troops may
continue guerrilla warfare for some
time, but until China suc,e Is in get
ting another army into Cora, ii'St
country will remain in undisturbed pos
session of the japanese, and in view OF
the previous reports received as to she
terrible condition of the roads in the
north and the utter impossibility OF
moving guns and supplies southwark
il is not likely that there will be any
more fighting of Importance in Corea
during the present year.
1t is hoped the victory may serve as
a basis for peace negotiat tons.
yS&Inquiries Of the japanese lega ton
X sfere confirm the reports of the victory
xsAt Ping Yang.
y rTrrr