Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1904-04-05
RUSSIAN DEFEAT
ACKNOWLEDGED.
CossACKs AND JAPANESE FIGHT
AT cHoNG-JU.
FORMER FORCED TO RETIRE
Garry with Them Three Killed and Six
teen Wounded = Japanese Losses
Heavy-Bravery of Japanese
Causes Comment.
FORMER FORCED TO RETIRE


Causes Comment.
st. Petersburg, March 30.-Gen. Kuro-
patkin, in his first report to the emperor
from the scene of war, announced that :
offensive land operations had taken
place against the Japanese upon the
sixth anniversary of the occupation of i
Port Arthur by the Russians. These OPP |
erations took the form of a cavalry at
tack Monday by six companies of Co.'S
sacks, led personally by Gen. Misht- |
chenko against four squadrons of jap
anese cavalry, which the general be-
iieved to be beyond Chong-Ju, but he
found no occupation Of that town.
Tribute to Bravery Of Japs.
Despite a cross fire which Gen.
Mishtchenko cleverly directed against
the enemy, he pays q tribute to their
tenacity and bravery, the Japanese only
ceasing to fire after combat which
lasted for half an hour. Before the Rus
SLAMS could follow up their advantage
three Japanese squadrons galloped to-
ward the town, which two Of them sue
ceeded in entering, while the third was
driven back in disorder, men and horses
falling. The fire maintained from the
town was so destructive that the Japan
ese were unable to make an effective re-
turn. Further Japanese requirements
arrived an hour later, and in view of the
superiority of the enemy, Gen. Misht-
chenko determined to retire, doing so
without embarrassment, although he
carried with him three killed and 16
wounded.
Admits Russian Defeat.
St. Petersburg, March 30.-The en-
| peror has received a dispatch from Gen.
Kuropatkin giving lengthy report
from Gen. Mishtchenko, dated at ten
p. m. March %, which says that an Inn
portant engagement took place near the
town of Chong-Ju, in which the Rus
SLAMS were defeated, retiring in perfect
order, having with them three killed and
16 wounded. The japanese suffered
heavily. Cavalry and infantry on both
sides were engaged The Russians oc-
cupied commanding position. The
Japanese fought CALAMITY, but owing tc
their heavy losses were unable to oc.
cupy the position abandoned by thu
Russians.
Kuropatkin's Report.
Gen. Kuropatkin's report is as fol
lows: II have the honor to respectful
ly communicate to your majesty the re
port Of Gen. Mishtchenko, dated March
%, at ten p. M, which says:
For three consecutive days oul
small outposts attempted to draw tn,
Japanese cavalry into action, but thei
patrols, after contact was established
retired beyond Chong-Ju (about fit
miles northwest of Ping-Yang). Hav
ing learned that four squadrons of tn
enemy were posted five versts beyon,
Chong-Ju on March 81, six companie
marched toward Kasan, and on Marc
% reached Chong-Ju at 10: 80 q. m. A
soon as our scouts approached the tow
: the enemy opened fire from behind tn
wall. Two squadrons promptly dis
mounted and occupied the heights &C
yards distant. An engagement ensuet
Held Their Ground.
: In the town company Of infantr
q and a squadron of cavalry were lying j
ambush. Our men were reinforced b
r three companies, and attacked the Ja]
c anese with cross fire. Notwithstandiu
: this, and our commanding position, til
Japanese gallantly held their groun
4 and 1t was only after fierce fight of ha
q an hours duration that the Japanes
ceased fire and sought refuge in tt
l. houses The Japanese hoisted the Re
Cross flag at two points.
=. Soon afterwards three squadrons
10 the enemy were seen advancing alo1
o the Kasan road at full gallop toward IL
town, which two Of the squadrons SUI
It ceeded in entering, while the third fe
back in disorder under repeated volle,
Is from our troops. A number of men al
horses were seen to fall. For an no,
} our companies continued to fire on ii
Japanese in the town, preventing the
from leaving the streets and houses.
Russians Retire.
b AN hour and half after the begi
ming of the engagement four compani
were seen on the Kansan road, hasteni,
to attack. gave the order to mour
:. and the entire force, with a covert,
- squadron, retired in perfect order al
formed in line behind the hill. r.
- wounded were placed in front and the r
tirement was carried out with the deli
= Grafton Of a parade.
~ 1.-THE Japanese squadron, which W
% thrown into disorder, was evidently u
N able to occupy the hill which we had ju
- evacuated, and their infantry arrived tt
. late.
) 1.-THE detachment protecting our re
A. guard arrived quietly at Kasan, whe
Il we halted for two hours in order to 81
a. attention to our wounded. At nine p.
10 our force reached Noo-San.
I. The Losses.
n "'It is supposed that the japanese b
+ heavy losses in men and horses. On o
10 side, unfortunately, three officers we
t severely wounded-Stepanoff and An
10 rookie in the chest, and Vaselevitch
le the stomach. Schilnikoff was less
riously wounded in the arm, but did r
is leave the field. Three Cossacks we
at killed and IL were wounded, includi
ae five seriously
10 Gen. Mishtchenko bears witness
the excellent conduct and gallantry
OF the officers and Cossacks, and especial
Mt praises the Third company of the
he pnnok oo,, hx, Krs