The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-10-03
JAPAN'S GREAT VICTORY.
THE CHINESE ARMY UTTER
LY ROUTED IN KOREA.

Sixteen Thousand Men, Including
the Flower OF the Army, Cut to
Pieces-Surprised by a Midnight
Attack - The Japs Lost Only
Thirty Men.
A dispatch from Seoul, Korea, says great
battle has been fought at Ping Yang be-
tween the Chinese and Japanese troops, In
which the former were utterly routed. On
the day before the battle japanese column
from Pong-Ssn made a reconnaissance In
force, drawing the fire Of the Chinese forts,
and thus ascertained their positions. The
column fell back In good order with little
loss.
By the next night all the Japanese were
In position for combined attack upon the
enemy. The Gensan column threatened the
left flank of the Chinese, the Pong-San cox
the Hwang-Ju column operated against the
right, which had been reinforced the day
before by detachment Of marines from the
feet at the mouth OF the Taitong River.
The Chinese had utilized the old defenses
at Ping-Yang, and had thrown up new
works, making the position an exceptionally
strong one.
The battle was opened at daybreak by a
Japanese cannonade of the Chinese works,
which was continued without cessation un-
I'll the afternoon, the Chinese responding.
The work with the heavy guns showed good
rractice. At about 2 o'clock body OF In
fantry was thrown forward By the Japanese,
and maintained rife fire upon the enemY
until dusk. Throughout the day only the
Pong-San column was engaged.
mi 4 L.. 1t y Idt1f
but the losses on either side were small,
both the Chinese and the Japanese having
taken advantage OF all the shelter available.
The Japanese 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 q Gordon
around the Chinese. At 8 o'clock In the
morning at attack was made blythe Japanese
columns simultaneously and with admirable
precision.
The Chinese lines, which were 50 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. Hun.
dreds were cut down and those who escaped
death, finding themselves surrounded az
every point, broke and fed. Some OF vice.
roy Ii Hung Chang's European drilled
troops stood their ground to the eastward
and were cut down to a man.
The Pong-San column, swarming over the
detenses In front completed the route. Hall
an hour after the attack was opened the
positions of Ping Yang were In possession OF
the Japanese.
Il Is estimated that 20, 900 Chinese soldiers
were engaged In the battle. The Japanese
captured immense stores OF provisions, mu.
nitions Of war and hundreds Of colors. The
Chinese loss Is estimated at $4,000 killed,
wounded and taken prisoners. Among
those captured by the Japanese are several
of the Chinese commanding officers, fnclud.
ing General Tso-Fung, Commander-in-Ch Chief
OF the Manchurian army, who was severely
wounded.
The Japanese loss is only thirty killed and
27O wounded, including eleven officers.
Most OF the casualties among the Japanese
occurred during the first days fighting, and
very few were the result OF the night at
tack.
The Japanese forces were In active pur-
suit OF the fugitives who threw away their
arms and readily yielded themselves prison.
ers.
A desultory war may be carried on for
some time to come, but unless China snail
succeed in getting another army into the
Peninsula, Korea viii undoubtedly remain in
possession Of the Japanese.
Advices from Yokohama say that dig.
patches from Japanese headquarters at
Hiroshima confirm the report OF japanese
victory at Ping Yang.
4 dispatch to the Central News from
Shanghai says the Chinese are fesrfully ex-
cited over the news of the defeat and slaughs
far Of the Chinese army at Pfn1 YANG