The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-06-19
The Chocolate Clouds of
Bursting ShrapneI.
THE RUSH OF TROOPS
Picture OF Russian GaIIantry Vain
Against Japanese Determination
and Disdain Of Death. Further
Reports of Fighting. A
Steamer Sunk.
(By the Associated Press.)

~ADNONASAtOu
Lao Yang, June 1.-THE CORE
spondent of the Associated Press who
was present at the battle of Vafan-
gov described the fighting as follows:
THE stern, logged fighting at the
battle of Vafangow was like another
Forodino. The roar of the machine
s, ms and the boom of the cannon still
ring in ones ears
Throughout the three days of COM
bat the officers and men We'd with
each other in pluck and heroism They
Fave added a glorious page to Russia
military history.
"The enemy'S advance originally
Included the fifth, eighth and eleventh
divisions, twelve squadrons of cavalry
and splendid artillery. About two
hundred guns were belching a cOntin-
nous stream of shot and shell. Large
achievements enabled them to turn
the Russian flank. A diversion on the
right precipitated the battle in the
morning of June Is.
Major General Gorngross, who was
wounded. commanded the left flank,
and General LoutchkovSl;y command
Cd the center, having four battalions
concealed in a small wood whence
they dealt death and destruction on
the enemy.
The Russian right was protected by
Cossacks, dragons and Siberian
Iites
While the big guns were thunder
ing L made my way at about IL a. m.
to the Russian right flank and climbed
a hill whence | could view the whole
field of battle Behind me a battery
lad taken up a position from which
tl,o
advancing ranks of the enemy.
Through glasses l could see che sandy
Valley of the TaSsawith, the Chinese
village Of Fafan, the heights of Foo
Chou, the railroad bridge ana the
surrounding slopes Weer occupied by
Japanese infantry. Then black lines
of infantry like threads could be seen
creeping through the verdure Nearer
tie slope of a hill was dotted by the
grey shirts of Russian riflemen. A
hroWnlSh smoke overhung some If the
batteries and others showed flashes
cs flame. The crackle of rifle fire was
punctuated by the roar of guns De-
caslonally l heard the hiss cf d Jap
slnese bullet.
The scene was aWe--inSpiring
over the Russian center and left flank
hovered chocolate clouds from BURST
ing shrapnel. 1t was evident that the
tide of battle was coming toward the
Russian right. l saw reserves hurry
ing forward, the CoSsacks galloping,
followed by columns of infantry at the
double. Suddenly they disappeared
in an adjacent defle, The valley
where the Russians had camped was
emptied as if by magic. Rafting
Volleys were fired behind the screen
of hills which concealed the fighting
troops from view in that direction, the
sound of the firing being the only
Of
ceeding there. This continued for
half an hour. Suddenly a company
of CosSackS appeared on the crest
of hill and began to descend. They
were followed by infantry. The ia
panese gunners promptly pursued
began falling.
"A moment of narrowing suspense
was relieved by a thunderouS shout
of 'hurrah' 1t was from couple
of thousand of Russian troops just
brought up by train. They quickly
jumped from the cars, fixed bayonets
and literally ran into the fight.
Again the crackle of musketry
under cover. during which the retir-
ing Russian regiments formed up and
and moved off in complete order to-
ward the railroad. While a long line
of commiSsariat wagons. escorted by
CosSacks took to the road a battery
of horse artillery stationed near the
railroad banged away furiously as it
covered the retreat. The Japanese
shells were then falling on the sta
ton buildings, from which train af
ter train had moved.
Il descended the hill and just sue
ceeded in jumping on the footboard
of the last car. Some of the Russian
batteries on the left flank were still
firing. The main force then began
slowly to retreat towards Vantsialin
thirty miles north of Vafangow and
at about one in the afternoon had ac,
complished it's strategic mission The
battle of VafanSow had DETECTED
considerable Japanese forces from
Port Arthur.