Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1904-06-02
BLOODY BATTLE
In THE EAST
JapS Had to Charge to Capture Nan Shan,
As Ammunition Was Short.
THOUSANDS SLAIN IN THE CHARGE
1t Was One of the FierceSt and BlOOdIest
Battles of Modern Warfare, and Shows
the Superiority Of the JaPs as Fight
ers Both on Land and Sea.

Toxic, May 29.-Ohcisl details OF tne
fighting in the neighborhood of Kin Chow
on the 25th inst. confirm earlier accounts
of its fierce character. 1t is clear that at
one stage of the engagement the issue
hung in the balance.
The Russians had made great prepara-
tions to withstand the Japanese advance
on Nan Shan Hill. Their defenses con-
sisted of semi-permanent Notifications,
with seventy guns-all calibers-and ten
machine guns IN barbettes, covered ana
loop-holed trenches, immense mines and
extensive entanglements, with mGchlue
guns in intervening spaces.
Wednesday night a heavy thunder
storm, followed by fog, delayed the at
tack. The bombardment of Nan Shan
began at half past O'Clock the following
morning, assisted by gunboats, for the
purpose of demoralizing the defenders of
the hill preparatory to the infantry
charges.
A Russian gunboat, covering force
vainly attempting to land at Talienwan
from five small steamers, shelled the
Japanese left four hours.
CRITICAL PERIOD.
The Japanese eventually made several
charges on positions held by Russians on
Nan Shan Hill, but they were repulsed
with terrible loss by means Of fierce fire
from qulck-fring guns and enflading rifle
fire. The Russian resistance was siren
uous and at 5 in the evening the Japanese
artillery ammunition began to run out
and it was felt that the fight could not be
maintained much longer.
1t was determined, therefore, to assault
the Russian position with the whole avail
able force, regardless of the number OF
men who might be lost. Officers address
ed the men and exhorted them to take the
position at all costs, without considering
casualties.
The artillery reopened the fight by
pouring in heavy FIRE with the remaining
ammunition. The infantry first division,
commanded by Prince Fushiml, then sd-
yanced With a heroic dash, jumping over
entanglements, rushing guns and Chamber
ing over the lower trenches despite the
terrific Russian fire which caused them to
suffer enormous losses. Fortunately, the
Japanese gunboats lying in Kin Chow Bay
reopened their fire on the Russian left.
The fourth division, taking advantage OF
this aid, charged the Russian left 6ercely.
The first and third divisions joined in, and
the whole line swept forward, men jump
ing over the bodies of their fallen COM
rades needless of the fire with which they
were received, rushing right up to the en-
emy's trenches. engaging the Russians With
bsyonets and driving them out Of all their
positions.
The final assault, the ninth, in which
they at last succeeded in taking possession,
was marked by the most desperate hand
To hand encounter that has thus far char
acterized the war.
RUSSIANS RETREAT.
This splendid rush carried the bill and
by half past seven in the evening the JAP
anese flag had been unfurled above Mar
Shan.
The Russian batteries retired in coDfu'
sion in the direction Of Port Arthur, ex'
ploding magazines at Tafangshin on the
way. A Japanese detachment pursued the
Russians some distance, but the rest OF the
force bivouacked on the battlefield.
Sounds of rejoicing and cries Of ban
zai'' echoed through the camp throughout
the night.
The Japanese losses amounted to SoO'