Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-09-17
DRIVEN FROM COREA
The Chinese Army Destroyed
BY the Japanese.
$4,000 OF THE FORMER LOST
Ping Yang Taken After a Fight of
a Half Hour.
The DEFENDERS OUFFLANKED
Attacked in Front, the Sides and
the Rear.
EFFECT OF THE VICTORY
The DEFENDERS OUFFLANKED
EFFECT OF THE VICTORY

LONDON, September IA dispatch re-
ceived here from Seoul, dated yesterday
says that during the evening of Thursday
asst a japanese column from Pung San
made a reconnaissance in force drawing
the fire of the Chinese forts. thus ascer-
tanning 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
combiI ed attack. The Gen San column
vas threatening the Chinese left flank.
The Pung San column was facing the
Chinese center, and the Hw&ng Gu column
was operating on the Chinese right. The
latter column had been reinforced the day
before by a detachment of marines and
blue jackets from the fleet stationed at the
mouth of the Ta-Tong river.
The Chinese utilized their old defenses at
Ping Yang. and had thrown up new works,
with the result that their position was ex-
eeptionally strong.
The battle opened on Saturday morning at
daybreak with a direct cannonade upon the
Chinese works, and this fire was continued
without cessation until afternoon. The
Chinese fought their guns we'll. replying
effectively to the japanese fire.
A pm. a body Of Japanese infantry was
thrown forward in skirmish order, and
kept up rifle fire upon the enemy until
dusk
All the fighting during the day was done
by the Pung San column. The Chinese de-
fenses suffered exceedingly from the Japa-
nese fire: but 1t is doubtful If the losses on
either side were great. as the troops, both
Chinese and japanese, took every advan-
tage possible of the shelter which the earth
works. on one side, and the nature of the
ground. on the other. afforded them.
The flank attacks upon the Chinese posi-
tion did not devlop any material advantage
during the day. although the japanese
gained some advanced positions. But they
mainly occupied the same ground at night
as when the attack upon the enemy was
opened. The firing was continued at in
tervals throughout the night.
The Chinese Outnanked.
In the meantime. the two fanking COL
umns of Japanese drew a Gordon around
the Chinese troops. and at 3 o'clock in the
n orning the japanese attack was delivered
simultaneously and with admirable pre-
cision.
The Chinese lines. which were strong In
front, were found to be weak In the rear
and the Chinese, utterly unsuspicieus of the
Japanese attack from that quarter, were
taken completely by surprise, became panic
stricken, and were cut down and bayoneted
by the hundreds.
So well was the Japanese attack d.
rected that the Chinese were surrounded at
every point and eventually sought safety in
fight.
Defending the intrenchmeEts, however,
were some Of Viceroy Ii Hung Chang's
picked Chinese troops. drilled by Europeans.
These soldiers made determined stand to
the last and were cut down to a man.
The Pung San column, swarming over
the damaged defenses Of the Chinese front,
completed the rout of the Chinese. and the
whole Of the latter's position was captured
by the troops of the mikado
Sixteen Thousand Chinese Lost,
Some idea of the manner in which the
japanese attack was delivered may be
judged from the fact that half an hour
after the early morning attack commenced
the strongly defended position of Ping
Yang was in the hands of the Japanese
troops. 1t is believed that the Chinese Do
sition at Ping Yang Was defended by 10000
Chinese. Of whom only few succeeded in
escaping. The japanese victory was bril-
liant and complete.
An immense amount Of provisions. arms
ammunition and other stores, in addition
10 hundreds of flags, were captured by the
Japanese in the Chinese camp and in
tIenchments
Ii Is estimated that the Chinese lost 16, 600
men In killed. wounded and prisoners.
Among the captured Chinese are several
OF the prominent generals commanding the
Chinese troops in Corea, only a few of the
Chinese commanders succeeding in escan-
ing, and these got away almost immediately
after the japanese made their attack upon
the Chinese rear
Among the Chinese commanders taken
prisoner was General Tso Fonkwai the
eommander-in-chief of the Manchurian
army. who fought desperately to the last.
and who only yielded when he was badly
wounded.
TriGins Japancse LOSS.
The japanese loss was trifing when cCm-
pared with that of the Chinese. only thirty
japanese being killed and go wounded
Eleven Japanese officers are included in
these numbers. and the loss of the Japan
ese was incurred mainly during the first
days fighting.
The loss of the Japanese during the night
attack was very small, due to the fact that
the chinese, taken by surprise became
panic-stricken, threw away their arms
and He'd. thus throwing into confusion the
regiments who otherwise might have been
counted upon to make better stand.
The japanese, when this dispatch was
sent, were in active pursuit of the fugitive
Chinese. and, as nearly all of the latter
were without arms, having thrown them
away during the panic. they will undoubt-
edly surrender SO soon as the japanese
overtake them.
End of Chinese Campaign in COrea.
So far as the active operations of the
Chinese In Corea are concerned, the war
9 practically at end for a long time
% come. and the main land of Corea may
" said to be completely in the hands Of