The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1904-10-20

while 20 the rcht are rocky ridges,
General Cerneioss' corps was assigned
to capture ,he p9sscs by frontal attack.
and the remainder of the Russian
troops we're to tun the Japanese posi-
ton and take them on the flank and
rear
T. first assault was set for noon.
and Ia dssian batteries pounded the
japanese position. searching out their
guns. Wherever possible. the Russian
artillery was rapidly followed up by
the infantry advance. the cannon fire
being concentrated first on one and
then on another of the eminencea.
which were scanned with Japanese
trenches from base to summit
The roar and crash Of artillery. and
the rattle Of volley firing were doafen-
ing. The Japanese defended desperate
ly. Their positions were so steep that
the attacking Russians could make no
progress in the face Of murderous
fire from the japanese. Whole advance
companies lay down, hugging the
ground till evening and requesting sal
lies by the Japanese from their
trenches
At night an order came to renew the
attack. General Kondratoytch led his
advance to the front, and again the
Russians began to scale the rugged
heights. The 33d and 34th regiments
fell under a whitening fire. The men
were scarcely able to breathe as they
clambered up the steep slopes, but they
hung to the rocks and returned the fire.
that was poured down on them. Then
they scrambled forward again The
Saith regiment. commanded by Colonel
Monskhelof. first reached the trenches,
going with the bayonet at the japanese.
who fought like little demons with
dubbed guns, swords bayonets and re-
volvcrs. Ii was an Undesirable melee.
The Russian reserves were ordered mp
to support the gallant saith. and aided
by the Seth regiment and parts OF three
other regiments the Russians carried
the lines of trenches. after which the
men lay down, dead tired in the Jap
anose shelters till dawn. Then il was
discovered that while the attacking
force was about on a level with the
passes themselves, they were only half
way up the heights. which were COM
handed by Japanese positions. In these
circumstances the Russians were forced
to withdraw
While this attack was going on the
Russian right also carried several
heights held by the japanese. after 4
fierce resistance The Japanese then
assumed the offensive. rushing for
ward in a great wave. but failing To
dislodge the Russians from the posi-
ton they had gained.
On the morning Of October 70 the
Russian batteries again signalied The
beginning of another days tightine.
One battery silenced some japanese
mountain guns and then another Japa-
nese battery opened on the Russians.
hut a concentrated fire smothered that
battery also. Then the Russian infan-
try advanced TO the attack, and the
nght became general The left was
heavily engaged Tumin Pass was
turned By dctachments Of the Sd. 33d
and "a regiments. More japanese bat
teries appeared on the heights. One cd
these. particularly annoying. was 10
Gated by Captain Michaelis. whose
guns. getting the range. literally blew
il 10 pieces. From the Russian posi-
tons logs which formed the protec-
tive works for the japanese guns
could be seen 10 be thrown high in the
air by the exploding shells
The whole day passed without max
ing much Roadway. and the Russian
troops we're again forced to seek the
shelter of the rocky slopes. there to
wait until nightiall. when a fresh as
sault was planned. The order came to
advance at midnight. but the Japa-
nese themselves attacked at 10 O'Clock.
They fought stubbOrnly. but were
driven back. The Russians followed uD
the advantage and occupied the pass.
Meantime i'm the darkness the Rus
SLAMS got nearly all the commanding
heights. including two conical hills
beside the pass: but there was still
one height at the left Of the pass
which had not been taken. and at
lawn the Russians were again forced
TO retire as the Japanese batteries
commanded the ground the Russians
had so hardly won.
The next day the Russians again
advanced. assaulting the main pass.
General Gerngross remained on the
field during all the hot fighting. never
leaving his men a moment
During the day the fourth corps
was forced 10 draw back. but at night
reoccupied its earlier positions. Dur
ing the night fighting of Thursday
Lieutenant Colonel Peocuta was thrice
shot and finally died fighting in the
japanese trenches. Lieutenant Colonel
Agafoif and STAFF Captain Udinsky are
ov,,,,r,, tho wounded The Gath regi-