The evening world., 1894-09-17
'''' A ID" Bic FIGHT.
Chinese Lose $4,000 in Killed,
Wounded and Prisoners
at Ping Yang.
"A FINELY PLANNED ATTACK.
Mikado's Men Draw a Gordon
Around the Celestial Troops
at Night.
CHINESE TAKEN BY SURPRISE.
Forced from a Strong Position
After Half an Hours Hard
Fighting.
CHINESE TAKEN BY SURPRISE.
(Dy Associated Press. }

LONDON, Sept. 17-Despatches to The
Times to-day say that news has been
received from Hiroshima that the Japan
ese have won a great victory at Ping
Yang.
During the evening OF Thursday last
a japanese column from Pung San made
a reconnaissance in force, drawing the
fire Of the Chinese forts and ascertain
ing accurately their disposition. This
done. the Japanese fell back in good
order, with little loss.
On Friday night all the japanese forces
were In position for a combined attack.
The Gen San column was threatening
the Chinese left flank. the Pong San
column was facing the Chinese centre
| and the Hwang Zu column was operat-
ing on the Chinese right. The latter
column had been reinforced the day be-
| fore by a detachment of marines and
| blue jackets from the feet 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 posi-
| ton was exceptionally strong.
The battle opened on Saturday morn
ing at daybreak. with a direct cannon
ade upon the Chinese works, and this
fire was continued without cessation
until after noon. The Chinese fought
their guns well. replying effectively to
the japanese fire.
At p. NJ a body of Japanese infantry
was thrown forward in skirmsh and
kept up rifle fire upon the enemy until
dusk.
All the fighting during the day, was
done by the Pong San column. The
Chinese defenses suffered exceedingly
from the Japanese fire, but 1t Is doubt
| full II the losses on either side were
great, as the troops, both Chinese and
Japanese, took every advantage possible
of the shelter which the earthworks, on
one side. and the nature of the ground
on the other afforded them.
The flank attacks upon the Chinese
position did not develope any material
advantage during the day, although the
Japanese gained some advanced posi-
tons. But they mainly occupied the
same ground, at night. as when the at
tack was opened.
The firing was continued at intervals
throughout the night.
In the Smean time the two thanking
columns of Japanese drew Gordon
around the Chinese troops. and at 3
o'clock in the morning the japanese
| attack was made by both columns
simultaneously and with admirable pre-
| csion.
The Chinese lines. which were strong
in front were found to be weak in the
rear, and the Chinese, utterly unsus-
picious OF the Japanese attack from that
quarter were tagen completely by sur
prise, became panic-stricken and were
cut down and bayoneted by the hun
dreds.
So well was the japanese attack d.
rected, that the Chinese were surround
ed at every point and eventually sought
safety In flight.
| Defending the entertainments, how
| ever. were some of Viceroy Ii Hung
Changes picked Chinese troops, drilled
by Europeans, These soldiers made a
determined stand to the last and were
cut down to tht man.
The Pong San column, swarming over
the damaged defences 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 Mi
| kado.
Half an hour after the early morning
attack commenced the strongly defended
position Of Ping Yang was In the hands
of the Japanese.
1t Is believed that the Chinese position
at Ping Yang was defended by 2O,Og
Chinese. OF whom only few succeeded
in escaping. The Japanese victory was
brillian and complete. An immense
amount OF provisions, arms. ammunition
and OIL er stores, In addition TO hundreds
Of flags, were captured In the Chinese
camps and intrenchments.
1t is estimated that the Chinese lost
l6, 900 men In killed, wounded and pris-
oners. Among the capeured Chinese
are several of the most important com
manding officers In the Chinese troops
In Corea,
/