Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-12-19
WORST Of 1R[ SIEGE
Fight For Possession of High
Hill at Port Arthur Was
Bloody Beyond Description
DEAD FILL THE TRENCHES


ris on the HiIlside-Foes Buried in
The Same Trenches-Great Bravery
Shown on Both Sides.
Chefoo, Dec. 19.-For ferocity and
sustained desperation on both sides, the
struggle for the possession of High hill
probably was the most remarkable in
the history Of Port Arthur siege
noted for slaughter This statement Is
based on an interview which the corre-
spondent Of the Associated Press had
with Commander Mizzeneoff, executive
officer Of the battleship Poltava, up to
the time the vessel was disarmed and
seven Russians who left Port Arthur in
sailboat on December 10, and after
extreme suffering while crossing in a
driving snow, arrived here December
16 bearing dispatches which were turn
ed over to the Russian consul for trans
mission to st. Petersburg. These dis
OF statistical report of the effect of
the Japanese bombardments and there
Is nothing in them to indicate that
General Stoessel is without hope that
the fortress will be able to hold out.
Commander Mizzeneoff who was
wounded in the leg, during the battle
~ - a - 1<o,3
Press correspondent:
Since the Japanese, on the 2Sth,
began their attack on High hill, which
they call 203 Meter Hill, the fighting
has been continuous. The steep and
sandy slopes OF the hill were streaked
and dotted with snow when the Jap
anese begun the battle, which was des-
tined to furnish SO many deeds of hero
ism that they became commonplace
There was so much slaughter that even
Port Arthur war-hardened veterans
shuddered at the sight.
Japanese were compelled to Chamber
up the slopes of the hill, in many
cases without firing, in the face of one
OF the most murderous deluges ever
poured from rifles and machine guns.
was there, and it seemed to me that
flesh and blood would be unable to
stand our fire for minute.
Bravery Beyond Praise.
'The enemy went down in squads and
companies, but always there were 9TH
ers grimly coming forward. Their
bravery was beyond praise, as was
that Of our own men. Sometimes the
fighting was hand to hand, with the
muzzles Of the rifles at the breasts of
the contestants, the bayonets being
used as swords. -
THE sides of the hill were strewn
with bodies and the snow was crimson
ed with the blood Of the wounded, some
of whom had crawled to 1t, seeking in
its GOODNESS surcease for their dying
agonies.
Eventually, as in similar instances,
which were to follow, we retired, leav-
ing the work Of driving the enemy
from the summit to the resistless guns
OF the neighboring forts notably those
of Lfaoti mountain.
when a Japanese standard bearer
reached the summit and planted his
flag, gigantic Russian corporal left
his retreating comrades and rushing
back. seized the flag, which he was
tearing with his hands and with his
teeth, when he fell pierced with several
bullets.
when the japanese retired on an
artillery fire the Russians reoccupied
the summit.
1.-THE second and third assaults were
replicas Of the first, altho the second
was the most ferocious, being nearly
al hand to hand fighting, in which
mercy was neither asked nor given.
IA remarkable incident occurred in
the third assault, as the Russians, still
facing the enemy, retreated. A Japan
csc standard bearer, holding is flag
aloft, climbed the pinnacle and fell
dead clutching the colors In his
tracks another arose with the colors,
only to fall instantly with dozen
wounds in his body. Six others fol-
lowed and met the same fate. At last,
when the ninth man appeared, a Rus
sian officer exclaimed: Don't shoot
that fellow with the flag; it will be
planted anyhow
The Japanese adopted a curious ex-
pedient which assisted them greatly
in the third assault. They had pre-
pared huge piles of wood, coal and corn
stalks which they ignited, the wind
being in the faces of the Russians.
The resultant fire was immense and the
flames and smoke compelled the Rus
slams to retire.
Worthy Of Dante's Inferno.
1.-THE red glare from the fire dis
closed a CHASTITY picture. more infer
nal than ever dreamed Of by Dante.
"The assaults thus far had cost the
Japanese easily $4,000 men, while our
own were under 2,000.- The sides of the
hill were literally covered with dead
and wounded. The trenches were riv-
ulets of blood and every visible spot
was dyed crimson.
1--WE might retake the HILL said
General Stoessel,, but the hill is not of
sufficient Importance to US to justi-
fy further sacrifice
"Since then numerous small engage
ments have been waged, but the re-
sponsibllity for keeping the japanese
from occupying the hill in force or
from mounting guns thereon has been
left mainly to the shrarnel fire from
other forts.
Even the Japanese, who singly use
the hill to observe the harbor, do sc
at great peril.
Following the third assault an ar
mistice of five hours was agreed upon
70 huy-y he dood