Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-03-30
LAND BATTLE.
Russian Defeat and Retirement
in Perfect Order.
Japanese Suffer Heavily, But Russian
Loss Not Stated.
Cavalry and Infantry on Both Sides
Engaged.

ST. Petersburg. March 29.-General
Kuropatkin i'll his first report to the
Emperor from the scene of war, an
nounced that offensive land operations
had taken place against the Japanese
upon the sixth anniversary of the occu-
patton of Port Arthur by the Russians
These operations took the form of a
cavalry attack by six companies of
CosSackS. led personally by Gen.
Mishtchenko. against four Squadrons of
Japanese cavalry which the general
believed to be beyond Chong Ju. bur
| which he found III occupation of that
town.
Despite 4 cross fire which General
MiHEtcheHko cleverly directed against
the enemy, he pays i tribute to their
tenacity and bravery. the Japanese only
Cea&inG to fire after Il combat which
LASTED for half an hour. Before the
Russians could follow up their advan-
tage three Japanese suuadrons gal
Hoped towards the town. which two Of
them succeeded in entering, while the
third was driven back III disorder, men
and horses falling.
The fir" maintained from the town
WAS SO destructive that the Japanese
We're unable to make an effective re-
tuln.
Further Japanese reinforcements ar
rived an hour later ana in view of the
superiority Of the enemy Gen. Misht-
chcnEo determined To retire. doing
50 without embarrassment. although h"
+, carried with him three killed ana l6
wounded.
Cen. Mishtchcnko's Cossacks have
been cndcavoring for some days to
come in contact with the Japanese
! patrol bat the latter refused the COM
bat.
The skirmish of today viii have the
effect of firing the policy of the Rus
slams TO retard as much as possible the
advance of the Japanese army.
| Cen kuroratkin's dispatch reporting
| Cen. Mishtchenko's operations does not
give the place of it's origin. but il is
presumed that the chief
is either At Lao Yang or en- route to
New Chwang.
st. Petersburg. March 29.-The EN-
reror has received dispatch from
Gen. kuropatkin giving a lengthy re-
port from Gen. Mishtchenko dated at
10 p. NJ. March 2S. which says that an
important engagement took place near
the town of Cheng Ju. in which the
Russians were defeated, retiring in
perfect order. The Japanese suffered
heavily, but the Russian losses are not
stated. Cavalry and infantry on both
sides We're engaged. The Russians oc-
cupied a commanding position.
The Japanese fought calamity, but
owing to their heavy losses were I'M
able to occupy the position abandoned
by the Russians.
General Kuropatk!ns report is as
follows:
Il have the honor to Respectfully
communicate to Tour Majesty the re-
port Of Gen. MishtchenI1o, March 2S. at
10 p. NJ, which says:
FOR three consecutive days our
snail outposts attempted to draw the
japanese cavalry into action, but their
patrols. after contact was established.
retired beyond Ciong Ju (about so
miles northwest of Ping Yang).
Having learned that four SQUAD
rons of the enemy were posted five
vcrts beyond Chong Ju on March q
six companies marched toward Kasan.
ana on March rs reached Chong Ju at
iV."o ~. N. as soon as our scouts ap-
preached the town the enemy opened
fire from behind the wall. Two SQUAD
rons promptly dismountcd and found
the height GOO yards distant. An en-
gagement ensucd.
In the town a company of infantry
and Il squadron OF cavalry were lying
III ambush. Our men Were. reinforced
by thrc companies and attacked the
japanese with n cross fire. Notwith-
standing this our and commanding DO
sition. the japanese CALAMITY held
their ground ana it was only after a
fierce fight of half an hours duration
that they ceased fire and sought re-
Confined on page 2.)