Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-09-18

last Thursday evening a Japanese col
umn from Pong san made rec0nnois-
ance in force, drawing the fire OF the
Chinese forts and aScertaininS their
disposition. This done, the japanese
fell back in good order. with little less.
On Friday night all the Japanese
forces were 10 position for combined
artack. The Gen San column was
threatening the Chinese left flank. The
Pong Sang column was facing the Chi
nese center aud the HwGng IA column
was operating on the Chinese
right The latter column had been re-
iniorced the day before by a detach-
mAnt Of marines and blue jackets from
Ehe feet stationed at the mouth Of the
fTa-Tong river. The Chinese vklized
their old defenses az Ping-YaBg aud
had thrown up new works with the re-
suit that their position was exception
ally strong.
The battle opened on Saturday morn
Ing az daybreOk, with direct canonade
upon the Chinese works, aud this fire
was continued without cessation until
after noon, The Chinese fought their
- ~ replying effectively to the
~ re. At ? p. n. a body OF
JAPANESE fantry was thrown forward
in sklrmlsh order and kept up rife
Gre upon the enemy until dusk.
All the lighting during the day was
dohe by the Pong Sang column. The
Chinese dsfenses suffered exceedingly
from the Japanese fire; but IL is doubt
full II the losses on either side were
great, as the troops, both Chinese and
japanese, took every advantage Of the
shelter which the earthwOrkS on one
side and the nature OF the ground on
the otner afforded them. The faux AZ
tacks upon the Chinese position did not
develop any material advantage during
the day, although the japanese gained
some Ia the position. But thew mainly
occupied the same ground at night as
when the attack upon the enemy was
opened The firing was continued, at
intervals, throughout the night. In
the meantime the two fankipg columns
of japanese drew Gordon around the
Chinese troops aud ~ 3 o'clock In the
morning, the japanese attack was de-
liversd simultaneously and with a0mi-
rable precision. The Chinese lines,
which were strong 10 front, were fou nd
TO be weak in the rear, and the Chinese,
unconscious Of the japanese attack
from that quarter, we're taken by sur
prise, became panic stricken and were
cut down and bayoneted by the hun
drsds So we'll was the japanese at
tack directed that the Chinese were as
saulted at every poiRt and eventually
sought safety in fight Defending the
enIrenchment, however, were some OF
Viceroy Ii Hung Changes picked Chi
nese troops, drilled by Europeans.
These soldiers made a determined stand
20 the last and were cut down TO 3 man.
The POng San column, swarming over ,
the damaged defenses of the Chinese
front. comDle etc. -. EG,aatuas the Chinese,
=. lrCIs o. the Tdgter's position
was captured by the troops Of the Mi
kadO. A half hour after the morning
attack commenced the strong y-deiend-
ed position Of Ping-YanR was in the
hands OF the Japanese troops. IL is be-
leved that the Chinese position at Ping
Yang was defended by 10000 Chinese.
OF whom only few succeeded in eScap-
ing. The japanese victory was brilliant
and complete. An immense amount OF
provisions, arms, ammunition ard other
stores, In addition 20 hundreds Of flags,
were captured By the japanese In the
Chinese camps aud entertainments. 1t
IS estimated that the Chinese lost 10000
men In killed, wou odcd and prisoners.
Among the captured Chinese are several
Of the most prominent commenting OH
GERS OF the Chinese troops ia COrea; only
a few OF the Chinese commanders sue
ceeding In escaping, and these got away
almost Immediately after the Japanese
81
rear. Among the Chinese commanders
taken prisoner was General Tso FOnk-
Wal, the cOmmander-in-chief of the
Manchurian army, who fought desper-
ately TO the last. and who only yielded
when be was badly wounded.
The japanese loss was tridng, only
30 japanese being killed aud go
wounded. Eleven Japanese officers are
included 10 these numbers, and the loss
Of the japanese was incurred mainly
during the first days fighting. The
loss Of the Japanese during the night
attack was very small. during the fact
that the Chinese, taken by surprise,
became panic stricken, threw away
their arms and fed, thus trowing into
confusion the regiments which other
wise might nave been counted upon To
make a 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 uh-
doubtedly surrender as soon as the jap
RneSs overtSEe them.
So far as the active operations OF the
Chinese in Corea are concerned. the war
Is practically al an end for a long time
and the main land Of Cores may be said
10 be completely in the hands OF the
japanese. The Coreans who have
shown sympathy for the Chinese and
few detached bands OF Chinese troops
may continue guerilla warfare for
some time; but until China succeeds in
getting another army into COrea that
country will remain in the undisturbed
possession OF Japan. Aud, in view Of
previous reports received as TO the ter
= rible condition of the roads Ia the
north, sCd the utter impoSsibility OF
moving guns and supplies southwark,
tits net likely that there will be any
more ightlng OF importance in Corea
during the present year.