The evening world., 1894-09-17
Mikados Men Draw q Gordon
Around the Celestial Troops
at Night.
CHINESE TAKEN BY SURPRISE.
Forced from Strong Position
After Half an Hours Hard
Fighting.
By Associated Press.)

LONDON, Sept. 17.-Despatches to The
Times to-day say that news has been
received from Hiroshima that the Japan
csc have won a great victory at Ping
Yang.
During the evening Of Thursday last
a Japanese column from Pong San made
q 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
blueJackets from the fleet stationed at
the mouth Of the Ta-Tong River.
The Chinese utilized their old defenses
ut 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 skirmish 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 it is doubt
full IL 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 develop 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 mean time the two fianking
columns of Japanese drew Gordon
around the Chinese troops, and at 8
O'Clock in the morning the Japanese
attack was made by both columns
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 unsus-
picious or the Japanese attack from that
quarter were taken completely by sur
PRISE became panic-stricken and were
cut down and bayoneted by the hun
dreds.
80 well was the japanese attack d.
rected, that the Chinese were surround
co at every point and eventually sought
safety in flight.
defending the intrenchments, how
ever' were some of Viceroy Ii Hung
chang's picked Chinese troops, drilled
oS Europeans. These soldiers made a
determined stand to the last and were
cut down to a man.
Inc Pong San column, swarming over
the damaged defenses of the Chinese
front. completed the rout of the Chinese,
ana the whole Of the latter's position
was captured by the troops of the Mi
kado.
HAIR an hour after the early morning
attack commenced the strongly defended
position of Ping Yang was in the hands
OF the Japanese.
II Is believed that the Chinese position
~ ring Yang was defended by 2O.0OC
ehinese Of whom only a few succeeded
IN escaping. The Japanese victory wa.
brilliant and complete. An immense
amount OF provisions, arms, ammunition
ana other stores. in addition to hundreds
OF nags' were captured in the Chinese
camps and intrenchments.
II Is estimated that the Chinese LOST
uo'OOo men in killed, wounded and pris.
ohsrs. Among the captured Chinese
are several of the most important COM
handing officers in the Chinese troops
In Corea.
among the Chinese commanders TAX
Gu prisoner was Gen. Tso FonkwaI. the
commander-in-Chief OF the Manchuriap
army who fought desperately TO the
,Ast. and who only yielded when he was
badly wounded.
1he japanese loss WAS trIfiing v,h.r