The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-07-06
SakbarolT Wies of Engagements.
(By the Associated Press.)


St Petersburg, July 5.-The gen.
eral staff has received the following
dispatch from Lieutenant General
Sakbaroff, the chief of stoff of Cen
eral Kuropatkin, dated July 4:
ION July 3, the advance guard of
the Russian forces operating east of
Lao Yang occupied a position at
Lank Use Pass. Toward evening the
same day our scouts ascertained that
a detachment of the enemy's advance
guard, 1,500 strong, had occupied the
villages of Ekhavaun and Tcha Ku-
men Za on our front, the main force
having remained in Fen Shut Mo Tien
Passes. AT this moment we discover
ed the movement of Japanese detach-
rIent consisting of a battalion of in
fantry to turn our left flank positions
i'll the Yank Use Pass, in the direction
of Liam Dian Sian. In order to check
this movement Il force consisting of
five companies of infantry two de-
tachments of mounted Hussars and
half a company of CoSSackS, was sent
forward in the direction of the threat
ened point.
"In order to test the strength of
the enemy'S position in front of Lana
Use Pass the commander of the de-
tachment ordered out was reinforced
and a reconnoitering party of ten
companies was sent in the direction
of Ekhavuan under the command of
Colonel Letschitsky. With the view
of making demonstration insuring
the return of Letschitskys detach-
ment three companies under Lieuten.
ant Colonel Garnitsky marched to
MahoumizZa about q mile and a half
south of Ekhavuan to the crossing of
the roads leading to Sin Xiii and the
Lok River passes. Firing began at
2:30 p. m. July fourth Garnitsky's
column reached the cross roads and
dislodged company of the enemy's
advance guard which was almost am
initiated. simultaneously Letschit-
sky'S column dislodged the enemy {
advance posts without firing a shot
and approached the foot of the
heights which We're surmounted by
temple. The temple is less than :,
mile east of Etthauvuan where al.
though exposed to heavy frontal and
flank fire, our troops dashed forwar (
and dislodged the Japanese from their
entrenchments and occupied the pass,
AS the enemy was preparing TO de-
liver a frontal and flank attack on
column retired as previously instruct
ed. Three companies of Garnitsky' i
force occupied the position which
they had been ordered to secure.
Heavy Fire From Heights.
[ 4
withdraw the enemy opened a heavy
fire from the heights. In spite of thi |
the column retired in perfect order
Brave Letschitskv remained continu-
ously on the fighting line and directe /
the column with remarkable abilit"
and GOODNESS. He was the last to re-,
tire, with his chief of staff and adiu.
tant.
"Garnitsky's column behaved WITH
equal brilliancy and coolness carrv.f
ing out their task with no sign OF
agitation. Our casualties were LET.
schitsky bruised and wounded: Col.
onel Poapelow, Lieutenant Colonei
Trakhemovsky, Captain Soloieff
Lieutenants Markoff, Latkine. Rohro-
slasky and Kozne second cantain
Palys and several other officers
wounded and 200 soldiers killed or
wounded.
81 observed the fighting with my
staff from the Tkacouan tower am;
/ can personally testify to the CON
duct of the troops.
Il cannot pass in silence the re.
markable devotion Of the surgeonl