The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-09-15

flank sent a dispatch stating that the
Japanese having taken the offensive
| and occupied the district northwest
of our Sykwantun position, which was
of great importance to us, the Russian
regiment holding the district was
forced to retire and 1 was obliged to
change my plan in order to retake the
lost ground the following day. 1t was
not until the evening of September y
that the entire mountain village of
Sykwantun was in our hands At first
our attacks did not succeed but the
lighting was continued with undated
vlgor after darkness had set in. We
gained possession of the heights but
were finally compelled to withdraw
temporarily. Many of our attachments
became mixed up and in the disorder
unity of command was rendered very
difficult. Leaders of individual detach-
mentS, however, continued the attack
time after time and at last succeeded
IN occupying the position, thereby at
our right flank. AS soon as the left
flank in the vicinity of the Yentai
mines on Sept. ?, Orloff's detachment
occupied the heights to the north of
the mines holding a strong position
facing south, he opened fire with two
batteries and engaged the army in an
artillery duel. Orloff's right flank was
then four miles from the left flank
this time Orloff's detachment was
within a mile and third of our other
forces. OrIoff himself was wounded
as also was General Fomin, who sub
sequently died.
After the evacuation of the position
which had been intended to serve as
base for our attack, the Japanese
extended northward and occupied the
whole range of hills and the Yentai
mines Samson office Sotnia of Cos
sacks mounted and defended our posi-
tons with the utmost courage, but
were gradually driven back.
The enemy was now in a strong
position on the hills, and it would
have been too hazardous for our left
nank to attack them in view of the
losses sustained in the previous five
days We therefore withdrew to the
village of Talienko and I decided to
retire to Mukden, the retreat being
accomplished on September z. The
evacuation of Lao Yang began and
was concluded the morning of Sept. A.
. All our equipment was removed and
there was no time to save the commits
Sarlat reserves, which were sufficient to
were all destroyed. The pontoon bridge
was dismantled and carried off by the
troops while temporary pontoons were
burned and the railroad bridge wrecked
The army retired in perfect order The
enemy attempted to pursue, but were re-
Precautions were taken on September
and to prevent a turning movement
ward took no vigorous initiative but Gen
kuroki assumed the offensive to the east
NdlO- Our uetacnnenIS holding positions
at Talienko sustained a furious night at
tack, which was particularly desperate on
september 8. We retained our position
put suffered heavy losses, one regiment,
which bore the brunt of the fight, losing
500 in killed and wounded
BY evening of September 5 the danger
OF a simultaneous attack on our front
and left flank had disappeared. The re-
moval of our artillery, transport and bag
gage trains was affected in the face Of
immense difficulties, but was successfully
concluded Our retirement on Mukden
z nv
rear guard of cavalry
we abandoned nothing from August 30
Our engineers worked with the greatest
devotion. Throughout all the fighting they
rendered invaluable service in making and
repairing roads and assisting in the rail-
way traffic.