Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1904-06-03
JAPANESE AND
RUSSIANS MEET
Desperate Cavalry Encounter
Reported Near
VafangoW.
MANY DEEDS OF HEROlSM
Gallant Feat Of Russian Cornet Made
Him Hero Of Fight - Squadron of
Mikado's Cavalry Was Annihilated
BY Desperate Charge Of Cossacks

Lao Yang, June 2.--The Japanese
lost 200 killed and number Of horses
in the fight at Vafangow on Monday.
The Russians opened fire at o'clock
in the morning and after two hours
and half long range firing the Jap
anese, under General Akkiama, pre-
pared to charge and crush the force
which had been harasslng them fol
twenty-one days. In the meantime
General Samsonoff was approaching
Vafangow with strong force Of cav.
airy. 1t was a sight worth seeing,
when at the word of command the
Russian squadrons formed and rushed
like whirlwnd across the terribly cut
up country, clearing away all OBJ
stacles the batteries at the same
time trotting along the frightful
roads. Having crossed the railroad
station the troops came under the
fire of the Japanese machine guns,
but withdrew without suffering much
loss. The fourth and six companies
of the Eighth Siberian Cossacks, furi-
ously charged the Japanese cavalry
with lances, attacking both TANKS.
In a few minutes shey literally cut
the whole squadron into pieces. This
was the first time lances were used
and they struck terror into the en-.
envy. In some cases the lances
pierced the riders through and wound.
ed their horses. Some Of the lances
could not be withdrawn from the
bodies into which they had entered.
Then the Japanese infantry, num-
bering 300 men to company, and
eight squadrons of cavalry, attempted
to advance, but the Russian batteries
opened fire, and soon the slope up
on which the enemy was advancing
was covered with black spots and the
enemy were forced to scatter and re-
tire. Some of the Japanese cavalry
we're wonderfully dashing, charging
with shouts upon the Russians, who
met and scattered them.
A Ccssack who had lost his lance
and sword wrenched sword from a
Japanese officer and cut off the offlc-
er's head.
Kai Chou, Liza Tung Peninsula,
June "A Russian who was wounded
in the fight near the station at Va
fangow, May 80. says General Sam.
sonoff attacked the Japanese near the
railroad, mile from Vafangow sta
ton A cornet of the frontier guards
was the hero of the fight His ser.
geant was lying wounded and Jap.
anese officer was about to ride over
him, when the cornet endorsed the
Japanese, mounted the latter's horse
and plaead the wounded man on his
own charger. The Japanese cavalry
engaged was the Thirteenth regi
ment. Their horses were splendid
animals. ...
St. Petersburg, June 2.-General
Sakarhoff has telegraphed as follows
under yesterdays date to the general
staff: According to reports. the
Japanese commander in the action OF
May 80, near Vafangow had three bat
talions Of infantry in reserve. Our
losses we're seventeen killed and
twenty-three wounded, and Lieutenant
Meyer and another officer, whose
name has not been ascertained, were
wounded. The Japanese losses were
very considerable. One squadron OF
the Thirteenth Japanese cavalry was
annihilated in a hand to- hand en-
counter, and another squadron which
came to it's assistance suffered great
loss from the fire of our frontier
guards and rifemen. We captured
nineteen horses"