The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-05-04
FIGHT WAS MOST BLOODY.
Japs Drive 1stissians From Position
 at Point of Bayonet.


 at Point of Bayonet.
 St. Petersburg, May s.-The Emperor has received the following telegram under today's date from General Kuropatkin: General Zassalitch's report, dated to- day, on the fight of May 1st, says that the battel was fought under the follow ing circumstances:
 The 18th and 22nd regiments and the End and 3rd batteries of the 9th brigade of artillery were engaged In battle, which began with heavy cannonading on our right flank by siege guns at wiju and field batteries in the distance.
 After Hull, the firing was resumed with extraordinary violence against the left flank of our position at Turen Chen and or our position at Potietinsiky. A fusilade was also begun by small parties of Japanese across the Tho River
 The situation of the defenders posi- ton became increasingly difficult, espe- cttily at Potietinsky, which was bom- harded on the front and on both Hanks. Thirty Japanese guns were pitted against our battery at Potietinsky, which after having silenced the enemy's mountain battery directed It's fire on the Japanese infantry and sustained few losses so long as it was not obliged to take up another position owing to the withdrawal of our infantry from the bank.
 The Japanese under our fire made continual bayonet attacks on our troops Japanese bodies lay in heaps at the river lords.
 Simultaneously with the attack at Potieunsky an attack was being made on our left flank at Turan Chen and the Russian trenches had to be abandoned under the Japanese fire. Our reserves several times mingled with the first line, thus enabling it for a long time to main tain It's position
 Finally all of the supports were brought up into the firing line. but owing to the great distance from our main re- serves, it was impossible for them to reach the advanced force in time and our men retired from the principal posi- tion to another position In the rear of Turen Chen, followed by the concen- trated fire of the Japanese, who could not make up their minds to descend from the crest they occupied and face the fire of our batteries and poulemetts They dug fresh trenches and opened a heavy artillery fire on our new position and be- gan to turf our left flank towards Chin Chow.
 1.-TWO battalions of the 11th regi- ment and the 3rd battery of the 3rd brigade of artillery belonging to the main reserves, were ordered to Lao Fun Hou. They occupied position with double firing line, thus permit ting our advanced line, which had suf- fered heavily, and our wounded to re- tire.
 "A battalion of the 11th regiment. both Hanks of which were repeatedly turned by the enemy. advanced with fixed bayonets. preceded by buglers to clear a passage. The Japanese, how ever, declined a hand to hand conflict and recoiled.
 Tn front of the regiment chap lain bearing cross was struck by two bullets.
 Ut was only by advancing on the Japanese with the bayonet that the regiment was able to secure time to retire.
 "'On the arrival of a battalion of the 10th regiment. all the troops were able to beat a retreat.
 "'The losses of the 11th and 12th regiments were very great, but they are not yet exactly known. In the 1lth the killed included Colonel Lam- ing and Lieutenant- Colonels Dometti and Raievski. The 12th lost nine com pany commanders killed or wounded
 "yThe End and 3rd batteries of the 9th brigade having lost the greater number of their men and horses. were compelled to abOndon their guns after rendering them useless. For the same reason six guns of the 3rd brigade of artillery and eight poulmetts. which could not be brought away, were also disabled.
 up to the present, 800 wounded. in cluding fourteen officers, have been brought to the hospital at Fengwang Cheng. Their eventual transportation elsewhere is assured.
 "'The Japanese losses were very heavy at the passage of the Ali River, at their position at Turen Chen. and al the hill occupied by the two battalions of the 1lth regiment. According to the statements of participants in the battle at least 5000 to 4O0O were kilIed.''