Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1904-05-07
JAPS WON Fierce BATTLE
FIRST LAND ENGAGEMENT OF
JAP.Russo WAR.
Russian Army of $4,000 Completely
Routed and Compelled to Retreat
Their Losses Very Heavy-Japs Had
TO Wade Yalu River While Under
Fire-Second Battle Occurs.

Toxic, March 1.-The war office has
received dispatch from General Ku-
roki. commanding the Japanese ad-
vance, which tel of complete Japan
csc victory in the first general engage
ment on land of the war. The Russian
army of 10000 which Genei al Kouro-
patkin boastfully declared would sweep
the Japanese into the sea is completely
routed and was compelled to retreat
I'm confusion on Feng Huan Cneng.
The Russian losses are very heavy,
while those of the Japanese are de-
clared TO have been much smaller than
might have been expected considering
that they had to wade the Yalu river in
the face of a witnering nre from the
Russians, who were very strongly en-
trenched. The Japanese soldiers fought
with desperate courage and after tAeI
Russian artillery had been silenced
by the Japanese guns they carried the
Russian entertainments in a gallant
bayonet charge, in which the officers
stroye to be the first to reach the in
terror of the Russian positions
The unquenchabIe valor which re-
suited in the uninterrupted series OF
victories during the war with China
was again very much in evidence.
Nothing could stop the troops, VINO,
tired with their long stay in the
trenches near WIJu, were anxious to
show that the army was fully as able
to bring honor to the mikados colors
as has been the navy.
Toxic People Delighted.
The scenes in Toxic this morning
are well nigh indiscribable The streets
have been filled ali night with anxious
people waiting TO hear the latest news
from the front. Unfortunately, beyond |
the fact that great Japanese victory |
had been won, there is little else to be
learned. If the war office has re-
ceiyed a complete report it is with
held for strategical reasons.
Another Stormy Battle.
General kurokis preliminary report.
a summary of which has been made
public, states that at ddybreak on Sun
Magee, I +. }panese artillery which dur
Gagdene night had been posted on the T
left bank of the 4alu, opened fire on
the Russian entertainments, which eX-
tended for four miles along the bank
of the river from Kin Lien Cheng to
Yuju ko. The gunners served their
pieces with frantic energy and shell
after shell burst along the line, anu
one after the other the Russian guns
were dismantled and put out of ser
vice. The fire was kept up until 1880
a. m, when the last of the Russian
guns had been silenced.
Wade the River Under Fire.
Immediately a general assault was
ordered, and despite severe rifle
fire which filled the air with nail, the
intrepid Japanese waded the river,
which in places was up to their waists
and were soon on the right bank. 1t
had been planned that the lines would |
reform SO soon as the Manchurian |
bank was reached but there was no |
stopping the soldiers, and with their
bayonets fixed to the muzzles of their |
pieces they swept up toward the Rus
sian trenches. 1t was beyond the pow
err of human beings TO check this |
charge, and in exactly As minutes the
Russian position had been captured |
and the army of 10000 men was in |
full retreat toward Feng Huan Cheng |
The bugle ordering the charge sound |
ed at S:15 and at 9 o'clock the entire |
line of Russian entertainments, four
miles in length, was in the possession
of General Kuroki's men. The Russians
left many dead and wounded in the
abandoned trenches, as well as a num-
Der of cannon, which they had been
unable to keep with them in their hur-
ried retreat.
Did Not Follow the Russians.
No attempt was MADE to follow the
Russians toward Feng Huan Cheng.
All that had been planned by the gen.
erals staff had been gained and base
in Manchuria, which is so necessary
to ultimate success, had been secured.
The second army is now crossing the
Yalu without encountering any opposi.
ton, While the japanese are in a 20
sition to land the fleet of transports
on which the third army is at present
being embarked, in the wide mouth of
the Ialu at the very point where Gen.
eral Kouropatkin boosted week ago
that the Russians would always re-
main. 1t is understood that the mikado