The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-09-12
KURON FISHES WHILE
 HIS ARMY WHIPS RUSSIANS

mained. to await possible orders for the front
 A company of engineers shouldering bamboo poles and coils of copper wire began to stretch a new telephone line which extended across the fields as fast as the coils could be unwound Probably no other army has as light and durable material for many uses as the Japanese find in their bamboo. Oc- rasionally an officer wearing the gold and white sash of the stan galloped from the direction of the firing. But there was no confusion nor disorder and seemingly little hurry. Every off cer and man, and every organization knew its business. and proceeded about it without excitement or fuss. The whole machine operated with the same smoothness that 1t has exhibited from the day the mobilization began in Tokio.
 Battle Draws Nearer.
 The sounds of battle were increasing at seven o'clock and the expectant wit nesses became impatient. The guns began booming about that time and the explosion of a shell was heard every two or three minutes while the unre- mitting rattle of rifle fire became loud e. punctuated by frequent volleys, and everyone knew that the volleys came from Russian rifles and that the Japa- nese were firing at will in accordance with. their usual tactics. Some fan cied that the work was coming closer. It certainly sounded nearer than on the morning of the 4th. and the listen CTS began to speculate whether the Russians had carried the pass. The Chinese were getting frightened and parties of women and children went skurrying up the hill roads with bun dles of valuables.
 About nine the telephone bell in the staff office gave a long sharp ring and an officer emerged to announce that all might start. Word had come that the Russians were running. Correspon- dents and officers were off at full speed. the cavalcade with the various uniforms unusual group. The tall German cap tain lowered above all others. wearing cap of the same color and pattern as a Russian officer's which suggested the realization of the Japanese fear that foreigners on the battle field might be shot by their own troops
 Just at the foot of the high hill where begins the steep ascent of the pass came squad of wounded soldiers going to the base hospital. Some had their arms in slings; others were ban
 
 them were very pale from loss of blood and heat, but all smiled and salu- ted.
 Procession of the Wounded.
 A long procession of wounded de- scended the hill Part were carried on 'stretchers with their guns and equip ments beside them. for nothing Is was ted or lost with the Japanese army, and when the soldiers go into a fight they leave no trail of discarded blan- kets and haversacks. All the wound ed were quiet and stoical as usual One boy shot through both arms was walk ing and as he could not salute he stop ped and bowed low to each foreign of ficer.
 Emerging from the pass and riding down stretch of tortuous road under the shelter of a hillside, the party came abruptly upon the stage of action. It Is impossible to convey an idea of the country without maps. nor was 1t practical to see more than that section of the fighting directly below the out post trenches which guard the north ern entrance a mile or more to the front.
 The trench lies along a ridge be- tween two hills and Is not more than half a mile wide. In front of it is the slope where the daylight surprises of July I. was fought. and the road winds down toward the left through a grad ually widening valley with fields of beans and corn on both sides and hills covered with young trees and thick bushes. Down at the end of the val ley gleams white pagoda where Gen. eral Sakaroff. according to his report, witnessed the engagement of the fourth and was filled with admiration for the valor of his men and where he was probably spectator of their second | and more disastrous repulse Advance of the Jnpanese. The advancing Japanese skirmish line was half a mile below the tren- | ches steadily pushing the Russians back. The fire of the Japanese bat tery had ceased when the enemy be- gan to retreat the mists had risen and the sun was shining hotly. The up- roar of Japanese rifles was like the popping of hundreds of corks, while the Russian volleys crackled viciously and after each volley came a crashing