The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1904-12-23
BATTLE ENSUES
JAPANESE NOW IN POSSESSION
OF THE FORT WITH K
LARGE FORCE.
ASSAULT WAS UNEXPECTED
STRONG POSITION NEAR 203.
METER HILL ALSO SEIZED
BY THE JAPS.


Toxic, Dec. 21.-The Japanese fired
an immense mine under a portion of
the north fort of East Keekwan noun
tain at 2 o'clock Sunday afternoon.
The infantry Immediately afterward
charged and occupied the fort with a
heavy force.
The following report of the capture
was te~legraphed from Gen. Nogi's
headquarters yesterday:
AT 2:15 o'clock on the afternoon
of Dec. Is part of our army blew up
the parapets of the north fort of East
Keekwan mountain and then charged.
"a fierce battle with hand g%renades
ensued.
Stubborn Resistance.
lowing to the stubborn resistance
of the enemy with it's machine guns
our operations were temporarily sus-
pended.
subsequently, at Z o'clock in the
evening, Gen. ~Semeamiam, command
ing the supports, advanced into the
easements and, encouraging his men,
threw his supports into the fighting
line in a last brave charge.
At 1850 o'clock at night we COM
pletely occupied the fort and immedi-
ately engaged in the construction OF
defensive works. Our occupation be-
came firmly assured yesterday.
Explode Four Mines.
Before retiring the enemy exploded
four mines in the neighborhOOd of he
neck of the fort.
I'VE captured five nine-centimeter
field guns and two machine guns, as
well as plenty of ammunition.
1.-THE enemy left forty or fifty dead.
Our casualties have not been investi-
gated, but they are not heavy"
It is reported that the Japanese
have seized a strong position about a
thousand yards southwest of 203-Meter
hill, preparatory to %assaulting the new
town and pushing between Liaotie
mountain and the Russian %headquar-
ters at Port Arthur.
The fighting against Sunghsu noun
tain continues.
Assault Is q Surprise.
London, Dec. 21.-According to spe-
cial correspondents with the Japanese
army the capture of the Keekwan fort
was a complete surprise to the Rus
sian garrison, there having been no
preparatory bombardment. Japanese
sappers drove shafts forty feet under
the parapet of the fort from the es-
capement and moat. In these two tons
of dynamite were exploded simultane-
ously. completely wrecking the interi>
or Of the fort. whilst siege n shrap-
mel guns shelled Russian troops in the
vicinity. This occurred at 2 o'clock in
the afternoon.
Made Premature Rush.
A detachment of Japanese infantry
made a headlong but premature rush
and sixty Of them became burned un-
der a mass of debris, greatly delaying
the attack. Despite this miscbarce.
another volunteer force dashed for
ward and captured the parapet.
In the meantime the Russians had
been sLrongly reinforced, and d Aerce
hand-to-hand struggle with bayOnets
and grenades was continued until near
midnight, when the few Russian sur
vivors retreated to the city and the
fort was captured. Its construction
disploys the most scientific knowl.
edge.
Ready for Russian Fleet.
Shanghai, Dec. 21.-Reliable reports
from the south state that the Japan.
csc are forwarding men, guns, torpedo
boats and submarines to FOrmosa and
the Pescadores in order to be ready to
attack the Second Pacific feet at its
rendezvous.
Baltic Fleet 10 Sighted.
Cape Town, Dec. 81. - Sixteen yes.
sells, presumably of the Russian Baltic
squadron, have been sighted twenty
I'VE miles out, steering south. 1t is
supposed they will coal at Delagoa
bay, where Golfers have already ar.
rived.