The Bourbon news., 1904-10-21
DESPERATE BATTLE.
Bloodiest Conflict of the War
Occurred Near Mukden.
Losses on Both Sides Were Enormous
Owing to Heavy Rains and
Bad Roads Operations Have
Ceased For a Time

Mukden, Oct 18. = Throughout
the whole Of Mukden there can
be distinctly heard cannonading in
the south, which is raging more
fiercely than on previous days of the
fight, which is now entering on the
second week. The desperateness or
the battle, especially near Shakhe, has
not been equalled since the war began.
The ferocity of the fighting has driven
out of the minds of the soldiers all
thoughts of personal safety, and the
troops, living in an atmosphere of sud-
den death, have lost all thought save
to conquer. The losses on both sides
have been enormous, but this is for
gotten in the crowding of dreadful
events upon each other. The fighting
still continues without intermission.
Mulzden, Oct 19.AIt is reported that
the Russian army is advancing. Rain
is hindering everything. The rivers
are bankfull and the fords are impas-
sable. There are no bridges. Supplies
of all sorts are delayed.
Cossacks brought in captured guns
and Japanese wounded prisoners on
October IT,. Russian soldiers surround
ed the prisoners and gave them bread
and water and in other ways tried to
relieve their wants.
News has just been received that
the Japanese left flank has been driv-
en- back with heavy loss and its re-
treat cut Off A Russian regiment is
now being hurried to the scene in the
1 hope of completing the rout.
An officer who has just returned
from Gen. Mistchenkos division re-
ports that a sanguinary fight has ta-
ken place at Laitkhezi, Is miles south
east of Shakhe, to which fort Gen.
Mistchenko retired IN order to pre-
serve communication between the
Russian center and eastern flank. The
Japanese made determined effort to
cut the line of communication at this
point and attacked under cover of a
terrific cannonade. Out of one COM
pany of Russian rifle brigade only
| so men were left. Two comanies that
had expended their ammunition prior
| to the last Japanese attack in the
trenches until the Japanese were with
in a few PAGES. Then the Russians
hurled a volley of stones, charged and
broke the attacking line, compelling
the Japanese to flee. There was fight
ing Tuesday on both sides of the Great
Mandarin road.
| Mukden, Oct 19.-Lone Tree hill,
won by the Russians after desperate
struggle, was the object of a gallant
but unsuccessful attempt at recapture
by the Japanese In spite of the awful
slaughter with which they had been
driven from the hill the Japanese re-
turned to the charge during the night
of October II, recognizing that the
hill was the key to the position on the
southwest front. Nine regiments par
ticipated, creeping up through the
night and delivering a furious assault
at dawn. But the hill had been bought
too dearly by the Russians to relin-
quish it and the Japanese were driven
back with terrible slaughter.
The battlefield of Lone Tree hill
presents the most awful spectacle that
can be conceived Russian and Jap
anese dead are mingled in heaps in
inextricable confusion The ground is
strewn with broken rifles that had
been smashed in hand-to-hand fighting.
Everything seems to have been util-
lied as weapons. The Russian doctors
are working heroically ON the slopes
of the hill in the attempt to save
those of the wounded who still sur
vive, but the Japanese keep up snip
ing fire and render the work of relief
difficult and dangerous
The fighting Tuesday slackened con-
siderably owing to rain and the impas-
sable condition of the roads.
st. Petersburg, Oct. 20.-For the
moment heavy rains and impossible
roads have compelled a suspension Of
operations in Mancharia There was
little fighting Wednesday and none
whatever Wednesday night.
There is evidence of a new disposi-
tion of the forces on both sides, Gen.
Kuropatkin is extending his right,
whether with a view to a turning
movement for the safety of Lone Tree
hill, the importance of which is fully
realized by the Japanese, who have
/ attempted to retake it in two night
attacks, or whether to meet and
thwart Japanese turning movement
from the west, has not yet developed.
The Japanese also appear to be shift
ing weight to the westward.
Yelled hints continue to arrive that
the Russians have recovered from the
blow inflicted last week by Field Mar
shal Oyama, and that Gen. Kuropatkin
is preparing to renew the struggle as
soon as the roads become dry Two
dispatches from Mukden mention re-
ports that the Japanese already are
preparing to retire, and the war office
admits that Kuropatkin's left has
again moved slightly forward; but
there is no light upon the movements
Of the japanese.
Japan Will Serve Notice on Russia.
Toxic. Oct. 20.-The Japanese de-
I ridQd To dr.a w tho oftantior, 0f <ho D,,c