The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-10-14
BEGINNING OF BATTLE.
Story of Early Fighting Told by Asso-
ciated Press Correspondent.

Oct. 12.-Nemirovich Danchenkos the
!, distinguished Russian war correspon-
dent, telegraphs as follows to the AS
ISOLATED Press:
The third day of our advance broke
with a pelting rain and the temper
ature close to the freezing point Lat
er in the day the sky cleared ana the
sun revealed the ranks OF our az
vance guard extending as far as tne
eye could reach east and west, Whlle
behind lay close columns OF reserves
Every one was in excellent spirits Inc
forward movement had put freSh uIe
into the men. The regiments that SUI
fered so severely at Lao Yang nttu
been rejuvenated past recoghllloi'
while the new troops that nave ar
rived from Russia had but one mems
Port Arthur. 1--WE must get tnere
In time to deliver IT,, was nearo On
every side. General Kuropatkin's or
der to advance had aroused the great
est enthusiasm everywhere.
We left Mukden on october g. The
villages of Chyantun, Taducampa, SIN
sopa, Samuhedzi and Chanzai- These
were merely their outposts. Their
main front began at Davan, which
constituted their left flank and extend
ed to Dapass. their right, where
brigade of infantry occupied the hills
They had two divisions between San
dipu and KhoutZpa, four at Chlnta1zl,
Nakhutunia and Lochjo. two at the
Yentai mines and two at Bentsiputz
and Bensihu.
rear it was impossible to ascertain
Chinese are utterly unreliable and our
scouts have been unable to penetrate
far into the Japanese lines. 1t is GER
tain, however, that they are strongly
entrenched at Ihangopudzi and Chin
taidzi- Their entertainments continue
in groups across an extended front at
1nchendzei and Yentaf. There is an
other strong group on the hills be-
tween Muchan and Sykwantun and an
other at Shantaidz.
lin
of works into whose center we ad-
vanced. On October we reached the
village of Salindsi. four miles south
west of the Hun river, on the road to
Bentsi Putsze and Bensihu Then the
next day was spent in accommodating.
The face of the country occupied by
the Japanese had changed since our re-
treat: The treacherous sea of millet
had been cut down, and 1t was posi- |
BILE to see great distances and there |
was not the slightest cover for mount |
ed men.
The advance was general along the
line on October s. The day was wet |
and foggy, and while this did not con- |
tribute to high spirits it served to |
impede the Japanese artillery fire |
which. as we approached their eastern |
position, was extremely Indifferent On
the west the Japanese slowly retreated |
before US, we in the advance compan- |
les keeping in close touch. This day |
General Mistchenko had brilliant en-
gagement with the Japanese near
went in at a gallop firing and advance
ing to fresh positions and repeating the
operation until the Japanese abandoned
hill positions and fled in confusion.
Taking advantage of the confusion
caused by the artillery fire the Verk-
hneudinsE Siberian regiment rushed |
the position, not giving the Japanese
even time to remove their ammunition |
boxes. It is reported that the Japa-
nese lost heavily in this encounter.
Bentsiputsze was a magnificent posi-
fiOn held hY a division n Tanqr0<0
and strongly entrenched.
Meantime hard fighting was proceed
ing on the extreme east, where we
drove back the japanese step by step.
The troops We met here were evidently
a fresh Importation and not those op-
posed TO US at Lao Yong.
The same day the VeGlnski regiment
was ordered to occupy hills in front of
Yentai. This was accomplished bril-
liantly. Having secured a command
ing position, they entrenched under
heavy fire, driving back attack after
attack. |;
The day closed with a heavy rain.
The Japanese retired along the whole
line, in some cases six to II miles
Yesterday, October TO- we reached a
position in the hills which lay across
our line of advance. The japanese
were then 4 long distance in front. The
weather had then gotten warmer, and
the sun was bright. Below US on every
side stretched the same cleared field
which bordered hills varying in size
and with narrow passes. There is every
prospect of a desperate attack on the
part Of the Japanese in order to re-
gain the passes they abandoned the
day before.
The fighting so far has cost us 200
killed or wounded. There are more hills
in front which are evidently our des-
tination. General Kuropatkin is going
forward carefully and watching the
ground personally. The same personal
supervision is exercised by Sakharof,
who is heading the reconnaissance in
front of the main army.
Firing IS heard steadily I'm the direc-
ton OF Yentai- 1t is reported that we
have occupied the station there and the
hills adjoining.
The japanese made desperate efforts
to recover the hill held by the Voronski
regiment. They threw a whole brigade
OF infantry against 1t supported by a
heavy fire from their batteries The
Voronsh held the position. Our bat
teries first replied from the hill tops,
but later went below. The Japanese,
not perceiv1ng the change of position u
continued to fire on the old position ali
day. At night we entrenched behind the
MIL The advance continued slowly and
steadily, with repeated skirmishes No
news has been received of the fghtin@
on the left flank
The day closed with a smother of
squalls. Across the low lying fog we
could see the top of the disputed hill
with the old babaisi tower looking as
though it was suspended in the air. Fur
tai mines.
Today. October IL. the Japanese re-
newed the attack on the hill held by
the Voronski regiment, with terrifying
force. Three attacks had been driven
back when the brave regiment received
the order to retire to the central posi-
ton.
The weather remains cold but clear.
kuropatkin's Report.
St Petersburg. Oct. 14-Generall
Kuropatkin reports that during the
fighting yesterday and today the adj