The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1904-09-14
HOW LAO YANG Was fought.
incidents of the Fierce Battle
Russians Worship their Guns
The Multiplying laps.

St. Petersburg, Sept. 8.-The cor
respondent of the Associated Press in
a graphic description OF the fighting
at Liao Yang, says:
"Only the Russians soldiers ira
ditional splendid qualities enabled
them to support the terrible condi-
tions, of which the Lack Of sleep was
the most unbearable. The japanese
availed themselves to the utmost Of
rain and darkness and did not cease
fighting, their attacks testing Rus
sian endurance severely. The japanese
suffered terribly but made light Of
their losses. They continually drafted
fresh reserves into the ranks to replace
the worn out men.
Indeed, the numerical superiority
Of the japanese is astounding and in
comprehensive, for after losing
enough men at Port A rthur and else
where to form perfect army, their
effective strength appears only to in
crease and they still are concentrating
fresh bodies of troops On the Liao
river.
"The battlefield was perfect infer
no, Gen. Stakelberrg was wounded,
but despisiug death he remained i'm
movable at his post throughout tie
day, regardless of the rain of Shot
around him. Several officers Of his
| staff were killed or wounded. In the
evening Gen. Stakelberg notified Gen.
/ Kuropatkin that he could hold the po-
sition or take the offensive if neces-
sary.
"Among the incidents of the day
was the slaughter Of two japanese
battalions which were pursued through
the Chinese corn and grass to Saitaz
and surrounded by the Russians. They
resolutely refused 10 accept quarter,
preferring death.
In another part Of the field the
| japanese shelled and captured by as
sault onesof thessRussian trenches, only
to find too late that it had been
abandoned by the Russians and oc-
cupied by their comrades. They fell
upon the postrate bodies and flooded
them with tears.
"In one case a party of Japanese
officers found body Of their men Fe-
firing in disorder and drove them back
to the battlefield at the point of TIE
sword.
"The Russian frontier guards died
at their posts, refusing to surrender.
It was the anniversary of the creation
of their regiment which they had cell
ebrated the night previous. They lost
large proportion:of their officers.
"At many points the combatants
stoned each other.
"Of late the Russians have learned
| to mask their batteries more effectu-
ally and thus have gained sensible
advantage over the japanese.
Vhe Russians worship their guns
and to quote Gen. Kuropatkin's ad-
monition, Soldiers, die for your guns
as you wouldsfor your flag.
| The pits which the Russians had
dug in the China corn and grass were
| filed with Japanese corpses, which
we're trodden over BY their comrades.
The ground was so thickly strewn
with bodies in one fight that the JAP
anese raised white flag and sought:
permission to bury their dead, but
| this was refused. The air became poll
luted with the stencil.
"The Russian evacuation Of the
forts and intrenchments was carried
out without loss. The troops crossed
the river on pontoon and railway
bridges in perfect order and safety,
burning the bridges behind them.
"Liao Yang is enveloped in flames
and clouds ofgsmoke from the conda-
grafton are visible as far as Yen Tai.
"The countryside is swarming With
Chinese fugitiyes.