The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-10-18

other day OF stubborn combat. II n
now the sixth day OF 0ght unprece-
dented In history for the stubbornne9
and tenacity shown by both stdeA
The fighting Friday morning was
resumed At O'Clock. We again ad-
vanced from 6hakhe, capturing the
advanced positions held by the Japa-
nese by brilliant attacks by the Epi-
fanievsky-Y Yukhnovslky regiments We
reached their second line positions,
but here Q fierce artillery nre COM
PEELED our troops to halt, and q des-
perate artillery duel was commenced.
Twelve japanese guns were silenced.
every gunner being killed. and their
infantry support also being driven
back. The guns stood In plain view,
but It was impossible for us to take
them Two battalions which were or
dered to secure the japanese guns. ad-
yanced in the face OF a terrible can
nonade and rifle fire from the Japa-
nese rear positions. 1t was, however,
an impossible task. The shrapnel of
the enemy decimated the advancing
ranks, whole companies withered un-
der the terrific IRE. and our men were
compelled to abandon the attempt.
Later In the day a similar fate be-
fell three Of our batteries. They had
advanced behind our infantry to pave
the way for an attack on the japanese
position. but the infantry was forced
back. the artillerymen were almost all
killed and the guns remain alone. The
japanese made repeated desperate adj
vances in the hope OF securing the
guns, but each time were driven OF,
and towards nightfall we removed tho
guns safely.
"Our artillery action was beyond
praise. Throughout the day the SER
vice of the guns and the accuracy of
the fire was splendid. An entire bat
talon Of japanese was moved down
while attempting to advance. the
troops fighting brilliantly and blood
literally flowing in streams. Every
where death seems to be a secondary
consideration.
Toward evening the fighting at
Shakhe abated. and we and the Japa-
nese retained our respective positions.
Excellent news was received from
the eastern division Friday night, but
1t is so sensational that it seems un-
advisable to believe until it shall have
been officially confirmed. We can only
counsel patience. Any hour may de-
eide the fate oe the battle"
wuTOLE REGIMENTS SHOT TO
PIECES.
Mukden, October 15-One Of the
bloodiest episodes of the desperate
fighting between the Shakhe river and
'Yentai during the last three days oc>
CURED at the village of Endotiula. west
Of the railroad and on the neighboring
heights, east OF the railroad. The Jap
anese had been driven out of those po-
sitions with terrible losses. but Octo-
her 18th they concentrated such a mur>
derous artillery fire on the village that
it became necessary for the Russians
to withdraw. the railroad, however, be-.
ing held. The same evening the Rus
sian commender gave imperative orders
to re-occupy Endotiula. The Zaraisk
regiment without firing a single shot,
marched under cover of the darkness
and bayoneted several battalions Of the
Japanese, many Of whom died as they
slept. A few Japanese escaped and
sought shelter in stacks Of Chinese
corn, but the Russians, carried away
by the frenzy Of revenge, rushed upon
the survivors and literally tore up their
bodies with bayonets. The Russians
then rolled themselves in the Japanese
blankets. The next morning the jap
anese again Shelled out the regiment,
while their artillery, came on at a run
and secured a position east of the rail-
road. Again General kuropatkin or
dered the Russians to re-take the po-
sition, but the efforts of his troops
were in vain. The Russians could not
reach the Japanese trenches, SO wither-
ing was the Japanoe fire and only few
returned where companies had charged.
The companies in some cases were COM
manded by sergeants after oil the Off
GERS had fallen. One officer. his face
streaming with blood, liniped up to a
general, who was furious.
Where is your company?" asked the
general.
This is all that is left of it, replied
the officer. 1T was like a slaughter
house"
The artillery fight Wednesday was
the f1ercest of the war. The japanese
handled their guns superbly and chose
splendid positions. Their guns seemed
to have every range measured. They
would concentrate the fire Of two hum
dred guns first on one place and then
on another. Some of the Russian reg
iments were literally shot to pieces.
The bombardment reached a climax at
o'clock in the afternoon when the
Japanese tried TO envelop and break
through the Russian left wing.
BATTLE FAVORABLE TO THE JAP
ANESE.
At the Russian Front, Thursday. Oc-
tober 13, by way of Mukden, October Is.
The japanese offensive began Tues
day along the whole line. The heaviest
work was on the Russian right, where
the fighting for the possession of Hau
Pass and Tumin Pass did not cease un-
til midnight The Russians succeeded
in capturing the latter, though at fear
full cost. The position at Poliasautzi,
still further toward the Taitse river
held by the Tomsk regiment, was furi-
ously assaulted and the regiment lost