Columbia courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1902-1905, 1904-04-01
Russians: .
Defeated.

SL.feterSDurB, MdTch oo' o
peror has received a dispatch from
General Kouropatkin giving lengthy
report from General Mishtichenko
dated at 10 p. IN. March 9,which says
that an important engagement took
place near the town of ChongJu IN
which the Russians were defeated, re-
firing in perfect order. The Japanese
suffered heavily; the Russian losses in
GLIDING three officers wounded. Caval-
ry and infantry on both sides were en-
gagged The Russians occupied a COM
manding position.
The Japanese fought CALAMITY but
owing to their heavy losses were unable
to occupy the position abandoned by
the Russians.
General kourpatkni's report is as fol
lows:
81 have the honor to respectfully
communicate to your majesty the re-
port of General Mischtichenko, which
says:
g For three consecutive days our
small ontposts attempted to draw the
Japanese cavalry into action, but their
patrols, after contact was established,
retired beyond Chonju (about so miles
northwest of Pingyang.)
Having learned that four squad
rons of the enemy were posted five
versts beyond Chongju on March 81,
six companies marched toward Kasan
and on March 20 reached Chongju at
1890 a. m. As soon as our scouts ap-
preached the town the enemy opened
fire from behind the wall. Two squad
rons promptly dismounted and occupied
the heights 900 yards distant. An en-
gagement ensued.
In the town a company Of infan-
try and squadron of cavalry were ly-
ing in ambush. Our men were rein
forced by three companies and at
tackled the Japanese with cross fire.
Notwithstanding this and, our COM
mandng position the japanese gallantly
held their ground and it was only after
a fierce fight of half an hours duration
that Ethe Japanese ceased fire and
sought refuge in the houses. The Ja-
pnaese hoisted the Red Cross flag at
two points.
Soon afterward three squadrons
of the enemy were seen advaning along
the Kasan roadroad at full gallop to-
ward the town, which two of the
squadrons succeeded in entering, while
the third fell back in disorder under
repeated volleys from our troops. A
number of men and horses were seen to
fall.
For an hour afterward our COM
panies continuedto fire on the Japanese
in the town preventing them from leav
ing the houses.
An hour and half after the be-
ginning of the engagement four COM
panies were seen on the Kasan road,
Fastening to attack. gave the order
TO mount, and the entire force, with
covering squadron, advanced in perfect
order and formed in line behind the
hill. The wounded were placed in
front, and the retirement was carried
out with the deliberation Of a parade.
:" The Japanese squadron, which
was thrown into disorder evidently un-
able to occupy the hill which we had
just evacuated, land the infantry arrived
to late.
" The detachment protecting our
rear guard arrived quietly at kasan,
where we halted for two hours in order
to give attention to our wounded. At
4 O'Clock our force reached Noosan.
=" 1T is supposed the Japanese had
heavy LOSSES in men and horses. Our
side, unfortunately, had three officers
severely wounded-Stepanoff and An
brooke in the chest, and Vasselvitch in
the stomach. Schilnikoff was less SER
iously wounded in the arm but did not
leae the field. Three Cossacks were
killed and .l2 wounded, including five
seriously.
General Mishtichenke bears witness
to the excellent conduct and gallantry
of the officers and Cossacks and espe-
cially praises the third company of the
Argunsk regiment, commanded by
Krasnostanotf.