Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-11-04
RAIN OF SHELL 81 |:
Report Of Proceedings
at Port Arthur.
Japanese Position Mile from
Russian Advance.
Works Well Constructed and Difficult
to Take.

Headquarters of the Third Japanese
| Army in Front Of Port Arthur. Nov. 2.
by way of Che Foo. Nov. 3.-(Censor-
ed.)--When the Japanese drove the
Russians from thei.' strong position on
tn" last range OF hills in front Of the
fortress by a surprise attack July 30th,
the Russians retired to the forts, but
they also strongly held previously pre-
pared advance lines to prevent the
Japanese from closing in on the forti-
! fed ridges. The Japanese position was
q mile from the Russian advance in
the range OF hills called Feng Hoano
mountain.
Through the advance Of the japanese
center cvcr the valley was compare
lively easy, owing to the good cover af-
forde6 by the water courses and sway
ing crops Of Chinese corn, they were
subjected to a concentrated, converg.
, ing fire from the forts on the east and
west ridges. Before the line of invest
ment was drawn close about the fort
ress. much closing was necessary on
the part of the Japanese TANKS. Two
mountains. Taku and Shaku, close to
the eastern extremity Of the fortified
ridges and essential to a close invest
ment, were held by the Russians. On
the right flank We're two powerful adj
vance forts. Three more strong ad-
vance works We're situated on the low
er peaks Of the same range. These
works protected the Russian left flank
and prevented the Japanese from push
ing force on Port Arthur through the
valley from the shores OF Pigeon sbay
as the works commanded the gap In the
Chair Hill forts on the west coast.
The advance works We're well con-
structed and more difficult to take than
some of the permanent forts. 1t was
decided TO close in the Japanese left
flank, first taking Taku and Shahku
mountains. The advance south was
made under the fire of the east forts of
Shahku mountain. A division was or
dered to take the hills and August Z
the bombardment began in the after
noon.
The Russians replied with field guns
from Taku mountain and with larger
guns from the east forts. The artillery
on two hills was silenced at 6 o'clock
in the evening and the Japanese infan.
try advanced at o'clock in three col
umns, the right flank keeping in touch
with the left flank of the main line in
The Shuishi valley. Heavy rain imped-
ed all the movements and early dark
ness stopped the artillery fire.
When the infantry closed in on Taku
mountain. where they had previously
silenced the Russian guns the Rus
slams suddenly opened a heavy rifle fire
from the crests of the hills and COM
PEELED the Japanese attacking force to
build trenches for their protection from
north to east. close to the foot Of the
hill slopes.
During the night a battalion Of Jap
anese reserves was added to the at.
lacking forces from the east forts and
were unable to advance up the slippery
slopes.
Russian torpedo gun boats appeared
off the coast near Salt Park village and
japanese regiment on the
south slope. so that it had to retire.
The fleet finally was compelled to re-
tire under the fire of the Howitzer bat
teries.
Then a general bombardment COM
and all fire from Taku and
shahku mountains was stopped. Eight
Japanese regiments from the southeast
part Of Port Arthur and one from the
northwest section gained foothOld on
the creats Of Taku mountain and, after
l desperate hand-to-hand encounter.
the Russians to retire west
ward into their permanent forts. Four
ieid guns were captured.
The japanese regiments then COM
,ined for an attack on Shakhu noun
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