The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1904-09-23

the Russian regiment holding the dis
trict was forced to retire and was
obliged to change my plans in order Il
retake the lost ground the followins
day. It was not until the evening OF
September 21 that the entire noun
tain village Of Sykwantun was in oul
hands. At first our attack did net
succeed, but the lighting was con:
tinued With unabated vigor, even at.
ter darkness had set in. We repeated.
ly gained possession Of the heights
but were iiually compelled to with,
draw temporarily. Many Of our de-
tachments became mixed up and in
| the disorder unity of command was
rendered difficult. Leaders Of indi.
vidual detachments, however, cOntin.
ued the attack time after time and at
last succeeded in occupying the de.
sired position, thereby attaining the
object OF the operations Vt the right
flank. AS soon as the l,ft flank in
the vicinity of the Yentai mines on
September , (OrlUtf's detachment,)
Cccupit d the heights to the north OF
the mines, hold ng strong position
facing south, he opened fire with two
batteries and engaged the army in an
artillery duel. Orloff's right flank
was then four miles from the left
flank and the remainder Of the army.
ln order to aid our troops holding
Los tions near Sykwantun, Orloff sent
part OF his force from the hills and at
tackt d the enemy in the direction OF
the village OF Sakhumoon. This
movement was carried on In corn
fields. Our men with frontal and
flank tire, and, losing their bearing in
the corn fields, began to retire. The
troops remaining IN the hills also re-
tired westward.
by the time Orlotf's detachment
was within mile and third Of our
other forces, OrlCn himself was
wounded, as was also Gen. Fomin,
who Subsequently died.
After the evacuation of the posi-
tion which had been intended to serve
as base for our attack, the Japanese
extended northward and occupied the
whole range Of hills and the Yentai
mines. SamSonoif's Sotnia OF CosSacks
diSmounted and defended our position
with the utmost courage, but were
gradually driven back.
ENEMY'S STRONG POSITION.
The enemy was now established
in an extremely strong position on the
hills, and it would have been too haz.
ardouS for our left flank to attack
them, in view Of the losses sustained
in the previous five days. We there
fore withdrew to the village of Tai
enko, and l decided to retire to Muk
den, the retreat being accomplishe &
Cn September 7th. The evacuation
OF Liao Yang began and was con-
cluded the morning Of September 4th
All our equipment was moved and
there was no time to save commits
sariat reserves, which was sufficient
tc last the whole army eight days.
These were all destroyed. The pom
toon bridges were dismantled and car
rled oil by the troops. while temper
ary pontoons. were burned and the rail
way briupes wrecked The army re-
tired in perfect order. The enemy
attempted to pursue, but were re-
pulsed.
Precautions were taken on Sep
tember and 1 to prevent turning
movement from the east Tne Japa-
nese to the sOuLhward took no yigor.
Gus initiative, but Gen. kuroki as
Sumed the offensive to the eastward.
Our detachments holding positions at
Talienko sustaiced a furious night
attack, which was particularly deSper-
ate on September 5. We retained
our position, but suffered heavy losses
one regiment, which bore the brunt
OF the fight, losing in 500 killed or
wounded.
by evening OF September the
danger of simultaneous attack on
our front and left flank had disappear
ca. The removal Of cur artillery,
transport and baggage trains was
effected in the face of immense difi-
cultieS, but was successfully conclud-
ed. Our retirement ON Mukden on
September was covered by strong
rear guard Of cavalry.
We abandoned l.othing from Aug.
30 up to the time Of our arrival at
Mukden. Our engineers worked with
the greatest devotion. Throughout
all the lighting they rendered invalu-
able service i'll making and repairing
roads and assisting in the railway
traffic.