The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-12-20


forming the Chinese right The rest of
Yamajaps troops were to move straight
down the Suishyeh Valley, and with field
and siege batteries to attack the Chinese
fr ont from the north and move into Port
Arthur.
Meanwhile the independent column,
marching along the east under Lieutenant
Matsumtsu. would simultaneously move
against the eastern forts.
But while the council of war was pro-
ceeding the Chinese began to realize that
the Japanese had established their noun
tain batteries on the hills commanding the
left ter of the Chinese position and de-
clded t o advance out of Port Arthur and
dislodge them. Then began tremendous
artillery fight. Within a few minutes
regiment after regiment could be seen
running IN clouds of dust across the head
OF the valley into the ravine leading to the
support of the japanese artillery position.
The air was filled with shells and the
Chinese gradually concen trated their fire
until the trees began to disappear from
the western slope. The Chinese marched
out of Port Arthur in three columns. One
descended from the two Dragon forts and
the other two came out of Port Arthur
Valley.
The ground was torn with shells as they
marched forward, but they never faltered
for moment. Within quarter of mile
of the japanese artillery. the Chinese line
spread itself out and wheeling to the left
went straight for the hills To carry the bat
teries by charge.
The fire became too hot, and they lay
down on their faces, with their banner
poles stuck on the ground, a magnificent
target upon which the Japanese trained
their pieces. Within three minutes two
shells struck the line exactly and tore
great gaps in it. Instantly every flag
dropped and the Cinnamon took to their
heels, but in few minutes they reformed
and prepared to receive the Japanese in
fantry. hurrying down under the shelter
of the batteries.
just behind the heroic band of Chinese
was another Chinese line on q knoll with
three guns. which checked the japanese
advance and enabled the broken line to
make safe retreat.
At 6:45 the following morning the noun
tain batteries began to play upon I.ui
yama and the guns of the triple forts COW
cred the hillside with flame and smoke.
The Chinese had ive-ineh Krupp rifles and
nlnQ-lnnh uuif n
OF revolving and quick-fring guns.
Shells began to drop upon US from all
sides, the Nero forts, the giant guns of
Ogunsan ana the Chinese batteries turned
their batteries against US. for Isuiyama
was the key and once it fell the whole left
flank of the Chinese would be exposed.
The taking of Isuiysma was the signal for
Hassagawa to attack the forts on the
right wing.
As the batteries splintered the hillsides
and sent clouds of earth up out of the
plowed ground the infantry line kneeIing
at the base of the slope in front of Isui-
yama opened fire aud kept up steady vol
leys ten or twelve minutes.
General Nishi was below directing the
attack. Suddenly the men stood no and
advanced in the teeth of the guns, firing
continuously as they marched. On, on,
pressed the slender black line. Then the
battalion in the ravine moved forward on
the right to attack the side of the first
fort.
AS the line reached the foot of the steep
scarp in front of the walls, it suddenly
swung around and Joined the column on
the right, and the united battalions rushed
mp the steep bank toward the side wall.
while the Chinese shells tore gaps in their
ranks.
By this time mountain battery had
been hauled up dizzy ridge where Yama-
jai stood. and five minutes afterward these
guns were in position and we were drop
ping shells inside on the first fort. With
lingiug yell the japanese dashed to the
fort and scaled the ramparts, shooting and
bayoneting the flying garrison and chas-
ing the enemy along the connecting walls.
A cheer went up from the hills and the
valleys as the victorious troops pushed on
w bhO oCCOuu 1Ott dQU uIdliy uIOf6 the
fugitiyes out of the redoubt down into the
Port Arthur Valley.
Isuiyama fell at $50, after an hour and
twenty minutes fighting.
The Japanese field and siege guns
were pounding away at the seven forts,
and Yamaiafs mountain batteries joned
them. 1t WAS a colossal duel from Shoiu.
There shot out strange sprays of fires.
The arsenal in Port Arthur had caught
fire and was ripping, roaring and vomiting
fame and smoke like a volcano, as an acre
Of massed shells and cartridges exploded.
The Shoju and Nero forts were the prey
Of Hassagawa, and as the cannon battered
the garrisons he charged up from the east
ern valley, taking the advantage of earth
seams and small ridges.
Hassagawa had about 5000 men, the
finest fighting blood in Japan. The north
ern fort of Shoju was most active factor
on the Chinese side. Two torpedo mines