Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-08-05

sian line facing the Japanese defenses was
more than a mile and a quarter long. Iney
occupied the temple and the road Leading
directly right to Molten pass; the ROAD ne
Ing nearly parallel with the Japanese posi-
ton for a few hundred yards, with a deep
chasm a quarter of a mile across at the
widest. separating the two forces; also a
wooded hillside in front of the pass Ihe
fighting along this line was severe for more
than four hours, but comparatively few
Japapese were hit. The Russians were un-
able to employ artillery here, although
they were using battery in another fight
on the right, and afterward in the valley
during the retreat they fired a few shots.
Battery Raked the Russians.
The fog. lifting at I am, enabled
Japanese battery stationed on height to
rake the attacking force effectually. The
Russians later began to retreat when the
Japanese threatened their road of retire
ment. which was still further endangered by
the advance of another detachment of Jap
anese on their left.
The Russian officers had collected their
companies for retreat in close formation, as
usual making them splendid targets. thelr
dark coats forming huge blots against the
brilliant green shrubbery. Several shells
burst among the retreatlng troops, scat
tering them into temporary confusion. and,
as the Japanese from their trenches saw a
dozen men moved down by a single shell,
they stopped shooting and loudly shouted:
"Banzai" From 10 am. until noon the
Russians slowly and doggedly retreated
down the valley, gathered in close, Solo
bodies with rear guards deploylng TO cover
their retirement.
The shrubbery was so dense, with frequent
clumps of trees to furnish cover, tnat raplu
pursuit was impossible No matter now
sorely pressed, the Russians maintained
their formation with admirable discipline
Russians in High Spirits.
Some prisoners taken say that yesterday
being the anniversary of the taking OF the
shipka pass and lucky day in the Russian
calendar, the soldiers had entered the fight
In tho highest spirits. confident of victory,
and as European troops determined to prove
their mettle.
If was evident that the Russians expected
to occupy the pass, because they had struck
the tents and packed all their camp pag-
gage in wagons, long trains OF Whlch 1ol-
lowed the army.
Yesterday was intensely hot and the
wounded of both armies suffered fearfully,
living in the sandy cornfelds peneatn tne
blazing sun. Many of them spent the nleh'
undiscovered and unaided in the WOODS or
underbrush, and the WORK OF searching io'
them continues.
Burial detachments are yet busy, ana
wounded men are still arriving at the hos
pitals
Comparatively few unwounded prisoners
slams were rescued by their own FORCES,
whose white-covered ambulance wagons
could be seen hurrying about WITHIN their
lines all day
Tonight no Russian camps are visible
from Molten pass, and the japanese nave
undisputed possession of the valley.
Another point where most stubborn re-
sistance was made at Manga pass,
position between Simoucheng and Ha1cheng,
which was held by General Zassalitch, who
had been placed in command of a newly
formed corps, including the 3lst DIVISION,
belonging to the 10th European corps, ana
two Siberian battalions, altogether 1900
men. =,
General Zassalitch's misfortune at the
Yalu river was duplicated, owing to the
superioritw of the Japanese artillery. He
was making a splendid fight until he sud-
ners were enfilading his batteries.
1t appears that Zassalitch in this case
was not to blame.
Abandoned Their Guns.
The information that General Zaroubaieff
had received orders to retire had not yet
reached him with his own orders for with
drawal of the Russian support of the
right, and consequently he allowed the
Japanese to take up a new position, sud
denly unmask batteries and overwhelm the
Russian gunners, who made desperate ef-
forts to remove their pieces. but were COM
PEELED to leave six of them behind.
There has been no further fighting of any
importance since August l. according to the
latest reports received by the war office
In the opinion of the general staff, both
sides need rest after fighting three days
in the terrible heat, and the officials here
are inclined to believe that the japanese
will not be able to resume their advance
for several days.