The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-30
COSSACKS KEEP UP THEIR
 FIRE FOR HALF AN HOUR
Three Russian Officers Are Severely Wounded, Three Cossacks Are Killed and Twelve Are
 Badly Injured.

St. PeterSburg, Marcn z9.-denerdl hu- repatkin in his first report to the empe- TOT from the scene of war announces that offensive land operations had taken place against the Japanese upon the sixth an- niversary of the occupation of Port Ar thur by the Russians. These operations took the form of a cavalry attack yes terday by six companies of Cossacks, leu personally by General Mishtchenke against four squadrons of Japanese cav airy which the general believed to De beyond Chong Ju. but which he found in occupation of that town.
 Despite a cross fire, which General Mishtchenke cleverly directed against the enemy, he pays a tribute to their te- nacity and bravery, the Japanese only ceasing to fire after a combat which last ed for half an hour. Before the Russians could follow up their advantage. the Jap anese squadrons galloped toward the town. which two of them succeeded In entering. while the third was driven back in disorder, men and horses falling
 The fire maintained from the town was so destructive that the Russians were unable to make an effective return Fur ther Japanese endorsements arrived an hour later and in view of the superior ity of the enemy, General Mishtcnenke determined to retire, doing so without embarrassment although he carried wlth him three killed and sixteen wounded.
 kuropatkin's Account of Fight.
 General Kuropatkin's report is as fol- lows;
 .I have the honor to respectfully com municate to your majesty the repor- oI General Mishtchenke dated Marcn @o a1 10 D. m., which says: For three consecutive days our small outposts attempted to draw the Japanese cavalry into action, but their patrols after contact was established, retired De- vond Chong Ju (about fifty miles north west of Pingyang).
 ".Having learned that four squadrons of the enemy were posted five versts pe- yond Chong Ju on March 27 six com nanies marched toward Kasan and on March 2S reached Chong Ju at 10:3O a. m. As soon as our scouts approached the town. the enemy opened fire from behind inc wall. Two squadrons promptly dis mounted and occupied the heights SIX hundred yards distant. An engagement ensued
 Troops Lying in Ambush.
 "In the town company of infantry and A squadron of cavalry were lying Tn ambush. Our men were reinforced by three companies and attacked the Jap anese with A cross fire Notwithstanding this. and our commanding position the Japanese gallantly held their ground, ana it was only after a fierce fight Of hall an hours duration that the Japanese ceased fire, and sought refuge in the houses The Japanese hoisted the Red Cross flag at two points.
 Soon afterwards three squadrons of the enemy were seen advancing along the Kasan road at a full gallop toward the town, which two of the squaorons succeeded in entering while the third fell hack in disorder under repeated volleys from our troops. A number or men ana horses were seen to fall.
 For an hour afterward our companies continued to fire on the Japanese In the town. preventing them from leaving the streets and houses.
 ming of the engagement four companies were seen on the Kasan road hastening to attack I gave the order to mount and the entire force, with a covering squpad- ron, advanced in perfect order and form ed in line behind the hill. The wounded were placed in front and the retirement was carried out with the deliberation of a parade.
 Thrown Into Disorder.
 The Japanese squadron which was thrown into disorder, was evidently un- able to occupy the hill which we had just evacuated. and their infantry arrived too late.
 The detachment protecting our rear ouard arrived quietly at Kasan, where we halted for two hours in order 10 glve attention to our wounded. p. m our force reached Moo san
 If is supposed that the Japanese had heavy losses in men and horses. on our s,de three officers of the infantry were severely wounded-Stepanoff and And ,ocka in the chest, and Vaselvitch in the stomach Schinikoff was less seriously wounded in the arms. but did not leave the filed Three cossaclxs were killed and twelve were wounded including hve seriously
 General Mishtchenke bears witness to the excellent conduct and gallantry of the officers and cossacks. and higniy nraises the third company of the Argunsk regiment commanded by Krasnostanon. 1T.
 Another Version of Battle.
 ToSio, March 29 D. m.-A mixed force of Japanese cavalry and infantry at tacked and dispersed force of Russians at Tyonjin near Pingyang last Sunday morning The Russians had erected temporary fortress which was defended hv a force of Cossack cavalry estimated at 600. The Japanese attacked in consid- erable force The Russians resisted at first but finally fell back, abandoning their position. The Japanese sustained loss of one officer and one sergeant killed and two officers and ten privates wound ed.
 The Russians are reported to have left three dead behind, but to have succeeded in carrying off the wounded.
 The Japanese force entered the town cheering for the emperor.
 While differing some in detail it is pos sible the above is another version of the engagement at Chong Ju which has al- ready been reported from Russian sources. The name of the place called Tyonjin is not given on any maps that arel availa- bla.