The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-09-15

treat through the passes, under pres
sure from the enemy, the march across
the open country was still more ardu-
Gus. The left and center columns sue
ceeded in getting all their artillery and
baggage to Lao Yang.
1.-The march of the right column,
which was Obliged to cross westward
to the railway, where the country had
suffered most severely from rains,
was especially difficult. Considerable
forces of the enemy followed the rear
guard, which maintained a stubborn
resistance. The guns of one of the re-
firing batteries began to sink in the
mud. Every effort was made to save
them. Twenty-four horses were
hitched to each piece, companies of in
fantry assisting with ropes. The
horses and men, however, sank so deep
that it was necessary for the comrades
of the latter to haul them out. Gen.
Rutkovslky remained so long, covering
the extrication of the guns, that his
force lost heavily, and the general
himself and Col. Raben, commanding
the Fourth Regiment of East Siberian
Sharpshooters, were killed. Notwith-
standing all efforts, it was finally nee
essary to abandon the guns.
Attacked with Great Energy.
"On Aug. 29 the army concentrated
at Idao Yang. One corps took posi-
ton ON the right bank of the Tattse
river, while another held the left bank
ION Aug 30 and Aug. 81 the Japa-
nese attacked our advanced positions
with great energy, but everywhere
were repulsed with enormous losses.
There was desperate fighting on our
left flank and center, accompanied by
a number of counter attacks resulting
in bayonet fighting, and / was COM
PEELED Ito reinforce the fighting line
with the special reserves and the gen.
eral reserves.
During Aug. 81 it could clearly be
seen that a considerable force of Gen.
KurolNi's army had crossed to the right
bank of the Taitse river. Owing to
attacks on our left on Aug. 30 and 81,
it was to be supposed that the main
body Of Kurokis army had been told
off TO turn the left flank of our posi-
tton and attack our line of commune
cation. In consequence, I resolved to
withdraw the advance troops to the
main position and, concentrate a large
force against Kuroki and attempt TO
hurl his army back upon the Taitse
river. Only at certain points was this
carried out successfully.
Under Cover of Night.
"At nightfalI, undisturbed by the
oGRdHNeCp VIC lHG ENdCud-
tion Of our advanced positions, which
already had rendered great service in
weakening the enemy by enormous
losses. Thanks to the sufiicient num-
ber Of bridges and the manner in
which the roads leading to them had
been laid out, all the troops destined
to take the offensive were safely on
the right bank of the river on the
morning of Sept. 1. The enemy did
not occupv our abandoned advance
positions until the evening OF Sept. 1,
when they opened an artillery fire
upon Lao Yang. No trophies OF war
fell into the hands of the enemy.
Il adopted the following plan of
operations: Having crossed 20 the
right bank Of the river, the army had
taken up a position between the vii
lage Of Syhwantun and nights near
the Yentai mines. which II was in
tended TO occupy with all our detach-
ments, composed of thirteen battal-
ions. Taking the position near Syk-
wantun as a pivot, IL was intended
that the army effect movement 10
flank the Japanese positions, which
extended from the Taitse river near
the village OF Kwantun, toward the
Yental cOllieries. Offensive operations
began when all the troops had taken
Up their allotted positions.
Russians Became Confused.
"The night Of Sept. the commander
Of the corps on the right flank sent "a
dispatch stating that the japanese
having taken The offensive. occupied
the district nofthwesfward 0f our ayk-
wantun position. which was 0f great
importance ~ uf. The Russian renl-
mcut holding the district WAS forced 10
rctlle, and ! was obliged fo change my
csHunued 0n Fiflh Fass.