The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-12-20

range or low mountains DetWeeh' az
mass of forts beyond. Yamaji COMMANDED
the center with General Noghi, While the
right wing consisted of Nishfs brigade ana
the advance cavalry. and the ieit wing VI
Hassagawa's Kumanoto troops.
The next day was the time appolniea loI
a general council OF war. The neid me
shsl and his stan met Generals famaJl,
Nishi. Noghi and Hassagawa with tnsr
staffs 1t was decided that part OF naIna-
jfs division should make great turnlns
move on the flank of the Chinese py at
tacking the left. while Hassagawas prl-
gade should follow with an attack from
the east on the forts forming the Chinese
right The rest OF Yamajis troops were 10
move straight down theSulshiyeh valley ana
with field and siege batteries to attack the
Ghnfse Per frSnt %rhn from hs
pendent column marching along the east
under Lieutenant Matsumits would simul-
But while the council of war was proceed
ing the Chinese began TO realize that the
japanese had established their mountain tss am
center Of the Chinese position, and decided
to advance out Of Port Arthur and dislodge
them. Then began fierce artillery ngnt-
Within a few minutes regiment after regi-
ment could be seen running In clouds or
dust across the head of the valley into the
nese artillery position. The air was filled
with shells. and the Chinese gradually sI ICON con,
centrated their fire until the trees pegan
to disappear from the western slope.
GROUND TORN WITH SHELLS.
The Chinese marched out of Port Arthur
In three columns, One descended from the
two dragon forts and the other two came
out of the Port Arthur valley. The ground
was torn with shells as they marched for
ward, but they never faltered for mo-
ment Within a quarter Of a mile OF the
Japanese artillery the Chinese line spread
itself out and, wheeling to the left, went
straight for the hills to carry the batteries
by charge. The fire Became too hot and they
lay down on their faces. with their banner
poles stuck in the ground, magnificent
target upon which the crack japanese gun
ners trained their pieces. Within three
minutes two shells struck the line exactly
and tore great holes in IL. Instantly every
flag dropped and the Chinese took to their
heels, but in a few minutes they reformed
and prepared to receive the japanese IN
fantry hurrying down under the shelter OF
the batteries. Just behing the heroic band
of Cinnamon was another Chinese line on
knoll, with three field guns, when
checked the Japanese advance and enabled
the broken line to make a safe retreat.
At 6:45 the following morning the noun
and the guns of the triple forts covered
the hillside with flame and smoke. The
Chinese had five-inch KruRp rifles ana nine &c
revolving and quick-firing guns. Shells be-
gan to drop upon US from all sides. The
the ec Chinese ed i sa turned their fire
against US, for Isuyama was the Key and
once it fell the whole left flank OF the
Chinese would be exposed.
The taking of Isuyama was the signal for
right Wing. AS the batteries splintered the
hillsdes and sent clouds or earth up out
Of the ploughed ground, the infantry lire
kneeing at the base Of the slope in front
of Isuyama opened fire and kept up steady
Nishi was below directing the attack. Sud
denly the men stood up and advanced In
the teeth of the guns, firing continuously
as m N
der black line. Then the battalion IN the
ravine moved forward on the right TO at
reached the foot of the steep scarp in front
Of the walls II suddenly swung around and
united battalions rushed up the steep pank
uited battalions rushed up the steep bank
towards the side wall while the Chinese
shell tore gaps in their ranks.
FIRST FORT CAPTURED.
BY this time mountain battery had been
hauled up a dizzy ridge where Yamaji
stood and five minutes afterward the six
guns were in position. We were dropping
shells inside on the first fort With a ring
ing yell the japanese dashed to the fort
and scaled the ramparts, shooting and bay
onetting the flying garrison and chasing the
. enemy along the connecting walls. A cheer
went up from the hills and the valleys as
the victorious troops pushed on to the sec
ond fort and finally drove the fugitives cut
Of the redoubt down into the Port Arthur
valley.
Isuyama fell at sos, after an hour and
twenty minutes fighting. The Japanese
field and siege guns S were pounding away
batteries joined them 1t was colossal
duel. From Shoju there shot out strange
sprays of fire. The arsenal in Port Arthur
had caught fire, and there was ripping,
roaring. batting and vomiting flame and
smoke like volcano. as an acre of massed
shells and cartridges exploded.
rTxx, fhraa hat fa1in xxfh 9
flags were stationed on the lower hills out
of reach of the artillery fire and In a posi-
ton to resist Yamaji, should he cross
over. But the Shoju and Nero forts were
the prey of Hassagawa, and as the cannons
battered the garrisons he charged up from
the eastern valley, taking advantage OF
earth seams and small ridges Hassagawa
had about six thousand men, the. finest
fighting blood in Japan. The northern fort
of Shoyu was a most active factor on the
Chinese side. Two torpedo mines We're ex-
ploded in front of the invaders. but the key
was touched too soon. All over the valley
were sunken mines, connected by wires
with the walled camps and forts. But in
the heat of the fight the Chinese failed to
use them. Just as the front rank of Has
sagawa's brigade was closing in upon
Shoju a Japanese shell exploded inside the
northern fort, and with groan and shock
that stopped the battle for a moment the
shells for the heavy guns, which We're piled
on the floor of the fort unprotected by
traverses, blew up. The garrison scrambled
out over the hill tops and Hassagawa's 8
men came sweeping around the rough
mountain to find the fort a mass of flames.
That ended all hope OF defending the seven
forts The Chinese fled along the ridges
and down the valley roads. Hassagawa's s
troops were in possession of Shoju and
Nerio hills.
In order to take the town, the troops
had to cross the bridge or wade in the river,
but on the other side of it was a road
leading between two small hills, and on
either side of the road were rife pits filed
with Chinese infantry. On the hill to the
right of this road was battery of three
field guns, manned by the only good gun
nerS on the Chinese side. Every time the
Japanese attempted to move ous-of the
cover of the camp, the Chinese rifiemel
swept the parade ground with continuous
voIleyS
Away to the right could be heard the
sound Of Noghis flying columns trying 10
force it's way acros the neck of the little
peninsula. where a small force of Chinese
had made a stand and were defending the
way to the three forts.
THE MASSACRE.
Stretched in a line parallel with the coast
in front of the harbor were eight nine
Japanese warships, and the peninsula forts
were shelling them clumsily and without
effect. Torpedo boats were going through
the waves and sinking junks loaded with
men, women and children, endeavoring to
escape. The water was filled with drown
ing inhabitants. The massacre had begun.
At last part Of the troops moved from
behind the walls Of the camp and under
the shelter OF the eastern wall of the DRILL
ing grounds. Then they opened fire on the
Chinese pits guarding the entrance to Port
Arthur. A battalion moved out OF the
plateau above the drill grounds and knelt