The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-10-19
LAPS EARLY SUCCESSES.
I'm the Afternoon of October 14 Way to
 Mukden Seemed Open.

Mukden Seemed Open,
 Headquarters of General Oku's Left Army in the Field, Oct. 14.. 2 p. m.-- Delayed in Transmission)---via Tien- tsfn, Oct. 1s.--The way to Mukden Is apparently open. The last remnants of the Russian forces on the plain north of Yentai are being driven out of their position by a heavy shell fire.
 The Russians appear to have been utterly defeated. at least on the right flank. They are retiring hastily, and 1t is hardly likely that they will make another stand south of Mukden, unless along the Hun River.
 The strategy of the Japanese appa- rently has been entirely successful, and the cooperation of the left, centre and right armies has been perfect The battle began unexpectedly on Sunday night. October g. by an attack on hill i've miles north of Yentai. which the Russians had begun to fortify. The right column of the left army advanced against this hill on that night and drove the Russians out after a hand to-hand encounter.
 On the same night the centre and left columns advanced and took up posi- tions in a line of villages four miles north of Yentai. placing their artillery and preparing for conflict on Mon day.
 On Monday morning the Japanese be- gan shelling the Russian positions. The Russians answered briskly and a ter rife artillery duel was kept up all day At night when it ended, the result was not decisive. During the night the Ju- panese infantry moved within fifteen yards of the Russian lines. taking up a position along a line of villages.
 During Tuesday the Japanese repuls- ed fierce Russian attacks, the Russians three times dashing across the plain separating the two lines against the Japanese trenches and recoilinS from the shock.
 All that day the field guns of both sides poured shrapnel into the trenches while the infantry fired almost contIn- uous volleys across the plain. The Russian lost heavily in the attacks, the attackers being almost annihiliated.
 During the night the Russians with drew for some 1000 yards. and the Japanese took up an advanced position at the same time.
 Early on Wednesday morning the Russians made an attempt to drive back the Japanese. but the attempt was not successful.
 During the morning the Japanese continued their steady advance for ward. At p. m. the Japanese made their last rush. arriving al the Russian position in disorder but capturing the full battery of eight guns. The whole force of artillery to the left army was turned on the retreating Russians causing much havoc among them.
 The left wing circles the Russians extreme right, forcing the Russian flank back on the center and capturing twelve guns in a desperate infantry charge.
 The Russians during the day fought bravely and desperately, doing all that men could do, but they were unable to check the advance of the Japanese.
 The loss to the Russians is believed to far exceed that of the Japanese as result of the days fighting.
 The Japanese center captured four guns and the left column took 10000 rounds of gun ammunition.
 According to their practice. the Ian anese used a number of batteries can tured from the Russians. Wednesday night and Thursday morning the whole left army advanced between two and three miles. swinging its flank toward the railway and driving the Russians to the hill parallel with and east of the railway.
 In the meantime the Right Army General Kuroki's) occupied line in the high hills to the east. cutting off the Russians. Then General Nodzu's entire Center Army, which formed the bottom of the net. moved forward. Both armies had severe fighting. but they quickly carried out their plans by slow ly driving back and encircling the Rus sians capturing guns. ammunition and men.
 On Thursday the Russians occupied line on a range of hills extending generally in a southeasterly direction. the north end of the line resting iust across the railway. To the southeast was the plain occupied by General Oku.
 The battle opened at daylight with hAaYY artillery fire on both sides. The