Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-10-19
BATTLE WAS TERRIFIC.
No Doubt That 1t Ranks With Worst
in Worries History.

Headquarters of the Russian Flank
ing Column, on the Left. Oct. IA. by
courier. via. Mukien. oct. lion Oct
TO- when the Russian advance guard
appeared before Saitchoun pass. its
eastern detachment occupied corr"-
spending position before Tumin pass
During the night :he Russian signal
corps intercepted a lash light message
showing that the Japanese artillery
was to shell several Russian positions
where batteries were posted. at dawn.
ed their positions during the night and
in the morning the japanese furiously
hOmbarded the vacant ground.
The fight began at 30 O'Clock on thu
morning of Oct. II. The batteries On
the right flank opened on three Japan
eSe batteries situated 20 the right of
tn" pass Slti"hnun pass is double
pass. TIE main defle being to the left,
ov-r-topped by high rocky mountains
while to the right are rocky ridges.
Gen. G"rigrCSs' corps was assigned II
capture the passes hy frontal attack
and the remainGe: Of the Russian
troops were To turn the Japanese posi- :
ton ana take them on the flank ami
rear.
The first assault was set for noon
ard the Russian batteries pounded the
Japanese position. searching out their
guns. Wherever possible. the Russian
artillery was rapidly followed up by
the infantry advance. the cannon fire
being concentrated first on one AMI
then on another of the amiuences which
were scanned with Japanese trenches
from base to summit. The japanese
defended desperately. Their positions
were SO steep that the attacking Rus
SiarS could make no progress in the
face of murderous fire from the Jap
anese. Whole companies lay down.
hugsing the ground till evening and re-
pulsing sallies by the Japanese from
their trenches. At night an order came
TO renr'r the attacks
Gen. Kondravitch. commanding the
left. commenced his advance to the
front and again thu Russians began to
scale the rugged heights. The 34th
regiment. commanded by Col. Mon
skhelnT. first reached the trenches
each side fighting like demons with
dubbed guns. swords, hnyonets ami
revolvors- 1t was an indescribable
melee. The Russian reserves were or
dered up to support the gallant Saith
and the Russians carried two lines Of
trenches. after which the men lay
Gown. dead tired. IN the japanese
shelters till dawn. Their il was dis
covered that while :he attacking force
VAS about on a level with the passes
themselves. they We're only half way
n the heights. which We're command
ID by Japanese positions. In these
circumstances the Russians were
'orcAd to withdraw
While this attack was going on the
Russian right also carried several
heights held by the Japanese after a
aerce resistance. The Japanese then
assumed the offensive. rushing forwa I'd
N 4 great wave but failing to dis
tod..e the Russians from the positions
:hey had gained.
On til" rloIning Of Oct. IL. the Rus
sian batteries again sisnalled the be-
ginning Of another days fighting. The
whole day passed without making
much Roadway. and the Russian troops
We're ag1in forced 20 seek the shelter
VI IN" rocky slopes there to wait I'M
Ill niphtfall. when fresh assault was
planned
The or''e" came to advance at midnight.
Int the Japanese themselves attacked at
10 o'clock. They fought stubbornly hut
were driven back. The Russians followed
W the advantage and occupied the pass.
There was still one height at the left OF
the pass which had not been taken. and
at dawn the Russians were again forced
to retire. as the japanese batteries COM
manded the ground the Russians had so
hardly won.
The next day the Russians again ad-
vanced assaulting the main pass.
During the day, the fourth corps was
forced to draw back. but at night reoccu-
pied its earlier positions During the
night fighting Of Thursday. Lieut.. Col.
Peccuta was thrice shot and finally died
lighting in the Japanese trenches. Lieut..
Col Agafoft and STAFF Captain Udinsky
are among the wounded The 34th Regi-
ment suff, red terribly.
ON the morning of Oct. Il. the Japa-
nese advanced on Col. Hasl,in, who. with
seven companies. was holding position
or the right. The. Japanese turned his
flank hut a regiment was sent TO his
support ana he turned back the Japa-
neSe. Towards noon. several fresh Jap
ancse batteries appeared on the heights
firing high explosives The Russian hat.
teres finally got The range OF the Japa-
nese batteries aud sienced them all. The
Russians moved forward and. at . O'Clock
In the afternoon! occupied the passes as
the japanese Withdrew. Then just as the
task had been accomplished came the or