Mower County transcript., 1904-05-04
Goth SIDES LOSE HEAVILY IN
FIGHT, BUT czAR's TROOPS.
ARE PUT TO RoUT. =,
RUSSIANS ABANDON AND BURN
ANTUNG AND RETREAT TO
FENGHUANGCHE


First Japanese army under General
Kurok has forced the crossing Of the
Yalu river and Sunday with a gallant
Infantry charge. covering a frontage
Of four miles, it drove the Russians
from Chiutiencheng and the heights
on the right bank of the Tho or Aida
river which enters the Yalu from the
north, almost opposite Wiju. The
Japanese turned the left flank of the
Russian position and in the battle of
Sunday they swept away the new
front interposed by the Russians to
check their onward movement.
The present position of the Japanese
10 dominating one, and they may
force the abandonment of the defenses
erected by the Russians at Antung
General .Kuroki began the move
ment on Tuesday by ordering a de-
lachment Of the imperial guards divi-
sion to seize the island OF Kurito,
which is in the Yalu above Wiju and
the detachment of the Second divi-
sion to seize the island of Kinteito,
which is situated below Wiju.
The detachment of the imperial
guards met with some resistance, but
It succeeded in clearing the enemy
out and occupied Kurito island. The
Russians abandoned the island of
kinteito when attacked by the detach-
ment of the Second division.
Gunboats Scattered Russians.
The fighting continued throughout
the week without decisive results, but
Dn Saturday the Japs silenced the Rus
sian batteries and opened the way for
the crossing OF the Yalu and Sundays
Engagement.
The Japanese losses in the lombard
ment of Saturday were men killed
and officers and 22 men wounded. A
hOtilla of gunboats from the squadron
Of Admiral Hosoya participated in the
lighting of Saturday. 1t encountered
mixed force Of Russian infantry,
cavalry and artillery on the Manchu-
rian bank of the Yalu below Antung,
and after sharp fight scattered them
to the hills.
A bridge across the main stream of
the Yalu just above Wiju was COM
pleted at o'clock Saturday night and
the Second Japanese division and the
imperial guards Immediately began
crossing. They advanced and occu-
pied the hills back of Kosan, facing
the Russian position on the right bank
pf the river
All through Saturday night regiment
after regiment of Japanese soldiers
nNyI ~ hri1 i1rr0 Of 1ofo
hour Saturday night General Kuroki
telegraphed to the general staff OF the
army:
II will attack the enemy on May 1
ut dawn"
True to his promise, General Kuro-
ki at daylight Sunday centered all his
artillery on the Russian position be-
tween Chiutiencheng and Yoshoko.
TO this fire the Russians made reply
with all their batteries.
Japs Charged Through River.
At o'clock in the morning the Rus
sian battery at Yoshoko was silenced
and half an hour later General Kuro-
XII ordered his line, stretching for
tour miles, to attack. The Japanese
Infantry, on the word of command,
charged across the Tho, wading that
stream breast deep, and began storm
Ing the heights at fifteen minutes
past eight.
At 9 o'clock they had swept the Rus
Iian line back across the plateau.
The Russian force is estimated at
10000 men all told.
A supplemental report from General
knroki covering Sundays fighting
says:
"The Russians made two stands.
The enemy's strength included all of
the Third division, two regiments of
the Sixth division, one cavalry brigade,
about 40 quick-iring guns and 8 ma
chine guns. We have taken twenty
eight quick-hring guns, many rifles,
much ammunition, more than twenty
officers and many non-commissioned
pfffcers and men as prisoners.
II am informed that Major Kashta-
tfnsky, commander of the Third East
Biberian rifles brigade, and Lieutenant
General Zossalitch, commander of the
Second Siberian army corps, were
wounded.
"Our casualties numbered about 700
and the Russian loss Is more than 800
men,"
TNxAnTINn YyN n I1YUyDT vvV