The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1904-09-27
JAPANESE TROOPS ON MOVE
General Nodzu's Forces Continue to
Press KuropaIkin,
ARMIES IN RUNNING FIGHT

Marshal 0gann Keeps Up His Aggres-
sive Campaign Against the Russians
with No Let Tp--Russian Commander
Has Gained in Point Of Positions Held
--Kuropatixin well Prepared.
NIukden. Doubt of Marshal Oyama's
Intention Ia respect Of an advance on
This place was dispeiied when a strong
Japanese force crossed the South Sha
River at point eighteen miles south
west Of here shortly before dawn, ana
advancing rapidly seven miles in this
direction, began Smelling the Russian
positions from the town of Chang
shing The Japanese centre and right
at noon rested on a line running from
Chansshing east to Chuchiatun. which
latter place is six miles northwest of
Iaiplng Mountain. General Modulus
troops are marching north through the
broad valley between the limestone
region and the railroad The Japanese
left, under General Oku, early in the
morning moved from Shihi to South
Sha and began building a pontoon
bridge east Of the railway for the
transportation of feldpieces across
the river, Genera! Samsonoff's Cos
sacks destroyed the military bridge
across that stream resting on the high
way, and the railroad bridge was dam
aged SO severely by Gen. Stakelbergs
artillery it was not strong enough to
bear even the eneTny's lighter guns. A
detachment of dragons, supposed to
constitute part of Oku's left wing.
crossed the South Sha River west Of
the railroad and made reconnaissance
toward the east bank Of the Hun River
opposite Sanchiatsu, in the course of
which it engaged in several sharp
skirmishes with Cossack outposts.
The attacking force resting on
Changshing evidently was the van
guard of Nodzu's army 1t was made
up of several battalions of infantry
and four field batteries, with a half
squadron Of cavalry. The enemy
shelled three Russian batteries bri-
gaded with four battalions of Major
General Orloff's infantry, and was an.
swered with a severe fire from the Rus
sian guns. An artillery duel at long
range lasted more than an hour Then
the Japanese infantry advanced under
cover of their guns and opened scat.
tering fire on the Russians. Two bat
talions OF the Russian infantry moved
south in open order, approaching the
enemy's skirmish line until the faces of
the PROSTATE sharpsho0ters were plain
ly visible. Steady firing was main
tanned by both sides until the enemy's
cavalry made a fianling charge against
the Russian left. Orloff's rifemen
rallied quickly, repulsed the dragons
and fell back slowly in good order
One of the Russian batteries scattered
the enemy's skirmishers with a we'll
directed fire, and Orloffs infantry
withdrew toward Paitapu. The Rus
sian guns were shifted under fire to
the latter town where they renewed
the fight, having the advantage Of bet
ter support. No further gain was made
by the enemy in the afternoon, the fir
Ing being discontinued at dusk.
General Kur0lSi's forward brigades
were pressing north through the au-
thracite fields. midway between Taip-
ing Mountain ard the Imperial Tombs
Of Yang Pass. Cossack sotnias recon
noitering southwark from the Hun,
east of Mukden, We're fired on by his
vanguard, and withdrew without
complete idea of his strength. 1t is
an accepted fact here, however. that
Kurokl is making all speed possible in
his detour against this point. General
Kuropatkin has disposed adequate
forces along the eastern road. and 1t is
believed the Japanese will not cross the
Hun in that direction without o disas-
trous battle. 1t apparently is no part
Of General Kuropatkin's purpose to be
outfianked by Marshal Oyama without
determined resistance. The turning
tactics of the enemy cannot find the
Russians unprepared. as in former
stages of the Manchurian campaign.
Moreover, the relative positions Of the
opponents practically are the same as
before the battle Of Liau Yang, while
the Russian commander has several adj
vantages he did not possess in that part
Of the country. A general engagement.
whether fought here, as expected by
the more practical, or around Tie Pass.
as Russian optimists hope, will find
Kuropatkin ready for any stratagem
Oyama may employ.