The Saint Paul globe., 1904-10-17
DETAILS OF SAVAGE
SEVEN-DAY STRUGGLE

L
With the Russian Army of the Center
After seven days of the hardest kind OF
fighting this section of the Russian army
fell back last night on the Shahke rlveT
and is now holding position on the north
side of that stream. The lighting, Wnlcn
commenced shortly after noon, Oct. y, mas
been in progress continuously ever since.
On Oct. 9 the Russians advanced to the
south crossing the Shahke river, thence TO
Hamatung, twenty miles southeast OF
Mukden, and ten miles north of Yental. On
the hills around Hamatung the japanese
had planted four batteries
Tpon the advance of the Russians these
batteries retired to the SouthWard, across
a narrow valley. which runs east and west,
and joined the main Japanese force on the
hills beyond. In the fighting around Hama
tung few Japanese prisoners were taken
The Russians followed the Japanese across
the valley, taking positions in the hllls,
from which the artillery shelled the Japa-
nese forces while the infantry advanced
through the defiles. Oct. 10 the artillery
duel continued, the Russians advancing
slowly.
ShrapneI Destroys Infantry
During the night the Japanese changed
their positions and at daylight enf1laded
through trenches, pouring terrific shrap-
mel fire on the infantry, composed OF one
regiment only a remnant of which was
left
From this on the Japanese took the Of
fensive during the entire day of the 1lth.
throwing shrapnel and shimosei powder
StlellS among Tie lUldIlIy anu Il1liCi y
The Russians held tenaciously to their po-
sitions Early in the day the japanese
worked around the Russian left and sue
ceeded in dropping few, shells on the
road and in the villages where the trans
port and reserves were gathered. Inc
Japanese had the range of the road and
village perfectly.
take to the fields. This shellinS did little
damage beyond disconcerting the men and
horses. Additional guns were sent forward
IL hot fo1-in OF
withdrew across the plains to the hills on
the outside. This gave the Japanese the
possession of a high hill on the OUTSIDE
from which they scanned the valley
through which the Russians might ao-
vance during the evening:
The japanese apparently suffered great
ly from the Russian fire. The morning
of Oct Il found little change in the POSI-
tions of the two armies, except that the
Japanese had worked further around TO
the left Probably the greatest artlIery
fight of the battle took place Oct: u Bat,
terieS We're placed on every aVallaDle NIL
and at the same time regiment after regl-
ment of infantry was poured on TO the
plain by both sides, only to be thrown back
shattered and torn. 1t is Impossible as
yet to estimate the loss of life.
Wild Night Charge
During the night heavy rainstorm
occurred in the midst of which the ar
tille1y continued to boom and at one
point the Japanese infantry charged. They
y
darkness. which was lighted only by
flashes of guns, the bursting of shells
and the streaks of lightning. The men
fought hand to hand. the japanese reg1-
ment being finally driven back. The
thunder and rain continued all the morn
ing of the 18th, but Notwithstanding the
guns opeed fire promptly at daylight. The
Russians fought Stubbornly but retired
slowly. The Japanese continued TO
threaten the Russian left. Toward the
evening the Japanese approached with all
their guns on the Russian positions, the
shells dropping like hail in the field ana
on the hills.
The morning of the 14th found the
Russians with their backs to the Shahke
river. across which transports had been
withdrawn during the night Fighting
continued from these positions all during
the day of the 14th, while the Russian
reinforcements took up position on the
hills to the north of the river.
Another thunder storm broke shortly
after noon. flooding the streams and
turning the roads into seas and by even
Ing the main Russian force had Withdrawn
across the Shahke river. The Japanese
tance of the river on the left. The fight
ing recommended at daylight today, the
boom of guns being distinctly heard in
Mukden. The whole Russian army is
slowly retiring and fighting every inch
of the way When the Associated Press
Correspondent came north today there
appeared no danger of any part of the
army being cut off.
In an informal talk which the Associat-
ed Press correspondent had with Gen.
battle commenced he spoke in glowing
terms of the bravery of the Japanese,
saying that they were a gallant foe and
also that they were most correct in their
ubservances of the. rules of war. In this
respect he said it was the most pleasant
l7a 1a6 VtaT. beaO Pip0 :