The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-09-15
iKUROPATKIN'S REPORT.
Russian General Describes Operations
of His Army.

st. Petersburg. Sept. 15.-Under
date of September II, Gen. Kuropat-
/ kin reports to the emperor as fol-
lows;
1T is now possible from details of
the battles since August &c in which
various army corps participated, to
furnish your majesty the following re-
| port of operations;
ION August 20 the Manchurian
army occupied three groups of posi-
lions, the first at Pettsu and Anping,
on the left flank; tile second at Liam
dianSian, in the center, and the third
at Anshanshan, on the right flank. The
same day the Japanese assumed the
offensive along the whole front. At
Liandiansian all their attacks We're re-
pulsed. and on the left we retained
our principal position at Anping.
; After a desperate battle the Japanese,
however, succeeded in securing the
position at Pellsu, thus threatening
the line of retreat of the corps along
the Tan river. simultaneously a lur-
ing movement by considerable force
of Japanese was observed on the left
flank of our position at Anshanshan.
Taking advantage of our positions
at Liandiansian and Anping, in order
to gain time and infiict severe losses
on the enemy, withdrew all the army
corps from advanced positions to Lao
Yang.
"In consequence of the mountain
GUS nature of the country on our
front and the bad condition of the
march toward Lao Yang was of the
most difficult kind, and only the devo-
ton of all the troops on the east front
enabled it to be carried out in good or
der. Only after incredible difficulties
was it found possible to drag the guns
without exception and all our baggage
through the passes. Some of the guns
were carried through the mountains by
infantry. Difficult as was the retreat
through the passes under pressure from
the enemy the march across the open
country was still more arduous. The
left and center column succeeded in
getting their artillery and baggage to
Lao Yang.
The march of the right column.
which was obliged to cross westward
to the railway where the country mad
suffered more severely from rains, was
especially difficult.
considerable forces of the enemy
followed rear guard which maintained
a stubborn resistance. The guns Of one
of the retiring batteries began to sink
in the mud. Every effort was made TO
save them. Twenty-four horses were
hitched to each piece companies OF IN
fantry as assisting with ropes. The
horses and men, however, sank so deep
il was necessary for the comrades to
haul them out. Gen. Ruthkopsky re-
manned so long, covering the extrtea-
ton of the guns that his forces lost
heavily and the general himself and
Col. Faben, commanding the Fourth
regiment of East Siberian sharp shoot
ers, were captured.
1T was finally necessary to abandon
the guns.
ION August 90 the army concentrated
at Lao Yang. One corps took posi-
ton of the right bank. While another
held the left bank. August 80 ana Il
the Japanese attacked our advance po-
sition with great energy but were re-
pulsed with enormous loss.
During August 81 it could clearly be
seen that a considerable force of Gen.
HrnGERd
bank of the Taitse river. Owing to at
tacks on our left on August so and 81
1t was supposed that the main body of
Kurokis army had been told off to
attack our line of communication. In
consequence 1 resolve to withdraw
with corps to the main position ana
concentrate large force against ku-
roki's attempt to hurl his army back
on Taitsi river. Only at certain points
were they carried successfully AT
nightfall undisturbed by Japanese we
commenced the evacuation of our adj
vanced position which already had rem
dered great service in weakening the
enemy. Thanks to the sufficient num-
Der of bridges and manner in which
roads led out all troops destined to
take the offensive were safely on the
right bank of the river on the morn
ing of September 6. The enemy did
not occupy our abandoned advance po-
sition until the evening of September
1 when they opened an artillery fire on
Lao Yang. No trophies of war fell in
TO the hands of the enemy.
81 adopted the following plan of OPP
erations: Having cross to the right
bank of the river, the army has taken
up a position between the village of
and Heights near the
Yenta mines which it was intended to
occupy with all our detachments COM
posed of 10 battalions- Taking the
position near Skywantun as a pivot it
was intended that the army on a move
ment to flank the japanese positions
which extended from the Taitse river
near the village of Kwantun toward |
the Yentai collieries. Offensive opera |
ton began when all the troops had ia
ken up their allotted positions.
1.-THE night of September 10 the |
of the corps on the right |