The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1904-10-06

Field Headquarters, Second Corpse,
Imperial japanese Army, Aug. 81.
The heavy rains for the last two
weeks have greatly delayed the
movements of the Japanese army,
and we are, apparently, no nearer
the expected big fight than we were
when we arrived here eight days ago.
While the Japanese army is get
ting ready to fight it's next battles,
the correspondents are learning of
the battles that have already been
fought The other day Maj. YAM
ada gave us lecture on the battle
of Te-li-tzu and today Maj. Ishizaka
described at length to us the move
ments of the army from the end Of
the Te-li1tzu fight to the occupation
of Hai--cheng.
Both lectures were very interest
| ing even if they did cause the corre-
spondents all sorts of regrets that
they should have occurred while we
were peacefully waiting In Toxic.
This morning Maj Ishazaka told
! us few incidents which came I'M
|
which only add to the regret of
every correspondent that he was not
| allowed to see these battles for him
self.
| Mai. Ishizaka was in the vicinity
of the bloody angle on the right
flank of the Japanese army at Te-
li-tzu While the forces engaged in
|
| the Japanese right was greatly out
numbered by the Russian left
which it attacked. The fighting there
was very fierce although the japanese
force numbered about 5000, it was
with the greatest difficulty that they
could hold their own. The japanese
commander, however, refused to re-
tire and determined to hold his po-
sition until the last man was killed
if necessary. Just when the fighting
was the fiercest and the two forces
were almost within reach of each
other, the Japanese ammunition gave
out. Almost at the same instant the
Russian ammunition was exhausted
1t was a serious position. The jap
anese did not dare attempt a bayonet
charge because of their inferior num-
bers.
| The Russian officers ordered charge
after charge but the men refused to
follow them. Time and again the
Russian officers ordered charge and
rushed forward, but the men remain
ed still and refused to follow. For
several minutes neither side had am
munition and men on both sides con-
tinued the fighting with stones
Selling the rocks which lay every
where around them the men hurled
them across the small interval which
interviewed between them. Officers
by these missels.
Another incident Of the fight APP
peals greatly to the Japanese sol
diers. A young Russian officer Or
dered his company to charge, but
they refused to move. The officer
drew his sword and started forward
alone. When half way between the
lines he was struck and wounded
by a bullet. He shortened his sword
and with one short stab. wiped out
before the eyes of both armies, the
disgrace which his men had placed
upon him by refusing to follow him.
This act was greatly admired by
the Japanese and after the battle
his body was secured and was buried
with military honors by his enemies.
Fought Duel while Both Armies
Watched.
Another officer, whose men refus-
ed to charge with him, rushed for
ward almost to the Japanes lines.
A young Japanese officer sprang for
ward to meet him and there between
the two armies these two young men
fought q duel, as did the champions
OF old. so interested did the men on
both sides become that they ceased
their fighting to watch this duel.
Both men were excellent swordsmen
and the fight lasted for some time,
but the Japanese ofsicer was victcri-
GUS. The Russian lost his life In q
nght that brings nothing but honor
upon his memory and his bravery.
It was not long until the Japanese
ammunition was brought up and the
light was resumed. Then came the
attack of the Japanese dismounted
cavalry on the Russian flank. the
turning Of the othsesfank by the jap