The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1894-09-22
Fict0riC us jams.

LONpON, OcpL. ~ "A OisphtCu iTum
Seoul, dated yesterday, says that during
the evening of Thursday last the japanese
column from Pong San made a reconncis
ance In force, drawing the fre Of the
Chinese forts aud ascertainIng accurately
their position. This done, the Japanese
fell back in good order with little loss.
Friday night, the dispatch adds, all the
japanese corps were in position for
combined attack. Qne general column
vas threatening the Chinese left flank,
the Pong San column was facing the
Chinese center and the Hwanzu column
was operating on the Chinese right. The
latter column was reinforced by de-
tachment of marines and bluejackets
from the fleets stationed at the mouth of
Tae Tong river. The Chinese utilized
their old defenses al Ping Van, and threw
up new forts, aud their position was ex
ceptionally strong. Tue battle opened
Saturday morning at daybreak with a
direct cann0nade upon the Chinese works,
and this fire was continued without cessa-
tion until the afternoon. The Chinese
worked their guns well, replying effec
lively to the Iapsnese fire.. At p. NJ.
body of japanese Infantry was thrown
forward in sklrmish line and kept up a
rifle FIRE upon the enemy Till dusk. All
the fighting during the day was done by
the Pong San QUINN. The Chinese
defenses suffered exceedingly from the
japanese fire, but it is doubtful If the
losses on either side were great, as the
troops of both the Chinese and Japanese
took every advanta e possible of the
shelter which the earthworks on the one
side and the uatuee- of the ground on the
Chinese post did not develop material
advantage during the day, although the
japanese gained some in position Firing
was continued at intervals throughout
the night. The main two flanking COL
umps of the Japanese drew q Gordon
around the Chinese troops, and at i
o'clock in the morning the Japanese att
tack was delivered simultaneously and |
with admirable precision. The Chinese
utterly unsuspicious of the Japanese al
tack from the rear, became panic stricken
and were cut down and bayoneted by
hundreds So well was the Japanese
attack directed, that the Chinese were
surrounded at every point, and eventually
sought safety in fight.
Defending the intrenchment were some
of Viceroy Ii Hung Chang's picked Chi
nese troops, drilled by Europeans. These
soldiers made q determined stand to the
last, and were cut down to man. The
Pong San columns swaI ming over the
damaged defenses of the Chinese front
competed the rout Of the Chinese, and
the whole of the latter's position was
captured by the troops of the mikado.
Half an hour after the early morning
attack of the command the strongly de-
Tended position of Ping Yam was in the
hands of the Japanese troops. 1t ia
believed the Chinese position at Ping
Yam was defended by 1000 Chinese, of
whom only few escaped. An immense
amount of provisions, ammunition, arms
and other stores, In addition to 100 fags,
were captured by the Japanese 1t is
estimated the Chinese lost 400 men
killed, wounded and prisoners. Among
the captured Chinese are several of the
most prominent commanding officers of
the Chinese troops in Cores. Only few
Chinese commanders succeeded in escap-
ing, and these got away almost immedi-
ately after the Japanese made an attack
upon the Chinese rear. Only 80 Japa
nese were killed and 270 wounded, in-
cluding IL Japanese offers. The Japanese,
when this dispatch was sent, were actively
pursuing the fugitive Chinese, and as
nearly all the latter were without arms,
they will undoubtedly surrender as soon
as the Japanese overtake them. As far
as active operation of the Chinese in
Corea are concerned The war is practically
at an end. The CUresns who have shown
sympathy with the Chinese and a few
detached bahds of Chinese may succeed
in getting another army 10 Corea. but
that country will remain IN undlsputed
possession of the japanese.