The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1904-08-12
DETAILS OF A NIGHT BATTLE.
Splendid Test Of Quality of the Armies
at Molten Pass.

Molten Pass, Aug. 9.-(Correspond-
ence of the Associated Press.)-"Night
fighting is the test of soldiers" re-
marked one of the foreign attaches
when he visited the scene of yester-
days bloody affair, and the Japanese
certainly ave proved their quality
this time"
Probably no incident of the wa has
placed the Japanese soldiers in a more
trying situation han the night attack
at Molten pass; and nowhere have
they gained q more complete victory
against great disadvantages.
None of the correspondents With tho
army heretofore has been permitted to
witness fighting at a closer range than
their view of the crossing of the Yalu
from Il safe and comfortable eninence
on the walls of VIII. When CORE
srondeuts or military attaches have
attempted to get the actual scene Of
events. their unfailingly courteous
guardians ave always rebuffed them
With the explanation that 1t is very
dangerous: that they are the guests OF
the Japanese government, and the gov
eminent is responsible for their safety.
On this occasion, however, the cor
respondent of the Associated Press
was able to see the conduct of the SOL
diers on the field. and their treatment
Of their wounded and captured enemies
In the heat of fighting. Whatever rea-
sons of military policy nay render Sc
crecy desirable. there certainly is moth
ing in the actions of its soldiers that
need make the Japanese government
keep spectators to the rear. The treat
ment of the Russian victims CT the
incompetency of their officers was all
tina the most enlightened nation could
expect.
Fighting Half Naked.
When the correspondent arrived at
the trench, where less thar a company
of Japanese, rushing from their beds
without time to dress, a STAYED oft
the Russians onslaught, at first with
bayonets and swords, the Russian dead
and wounded still lay where they had
fallen on the wet grass slope. How
fierce that hours work had been was
evidenced by pools of blood in tho
ditch. and red trails smeared all over
the grass II stones on the hillside
before it.
In this fighting Lieutenant Kono
alone killed several Russians, almost
severing their heads with a single
stroke of his sword. When he exhibit
ed the weapo afterward its edge
looked like a saw blaze. 1t has since
been %sharpened for further use.
Although the fight had begun only
three hours before, the Japanese adj
vance was q half mile down the valley
pursuing the Russians. The japanese
dead had been removed to the temple
behind the crest Of the hill, and parties
OF soldiers from n Of the companies
in the reserve were going about the
field with trenching spades. burying
the dead Russians where they lay,
marking the graves with a stake or a
pile of stones.
The Russians had gone into action
wearing heavy overcoats and carrying
their bags of black bread. They had
dropped both on the field. Already
while some details were burying the
dead, and some We're caring for the
wounded. others had gathered the de-
bris from the field and piles OF coats
were stacked on the temple steps. Thu
Japanese system is not only thorough
! but quick,