The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1904-07-19
KELLER WAS In COMMAND
For Fifteen Hours Troops on
Foot and Fighting.
kashfalinsky's Column Stirred Up I
Superior Force of Japanese
and Reinforcements Were
Sent to His Aid.

to the Emperor, dated July II, on our
eastern front" was given out tonight:
After the occupation by General Ku-
. roki's army of the passes in the Fen
shut Mountain chain, our information
concerning his forces and dispositions
was, in general inadequate. Accord
ms to some reports, his army had been
reinforced and he had extended his
forces towards Saitmatsza. Other re-
ports stated that a displacement of his
troops had been made in the direction
of Ia Pass and Siuyen. These indicated
that Kuroki had transferred his head
quarters from Tskhakhekan to Touin-
pu.
On the strength of the information
received and on the basis of recon-
noissances which had been made, the
hypothesis was formed that the prin-
cipal forces OF the enemy were to con-
centrate around Lianskankwan and
that their advance guards had been
strengthened in the passes of Siaykao,
Wafankwan, Sinkia, Lakho and Papau,
as well as at sybey pass. two and half
miles north of the road and half the
height of Siayokao pass.
Keller Takes the Field.
July II, in order to determine the
strength of the enemy. 1t was decided
to advance against his position in the
direction of Lianshankwan. Lieuten-
structed not to start with the object
of capturing the pass, but to act ac-
cording to the strength of the force
that he would find opposed to him,
The left column of the eXpeditionary
force. consisting of three battalions,
was dispatched today to Sybey pass.
The center column, commanded by Ma
jor Kashtalinsky. consisting of four
battalions with twelve guns, was des-
tined to attack Siayskao pass, the
heights surmounted by the temple and
Wadankan pass. The right column one
battalion strong, was occupying points
where the roads leading to Sinkia and
Lakho passes cross. in order to cover
the right flank of General Kashta1in-,
sky's column. The general reserve was
left at Ikhavuan and portion of the
force occupied position at that place.
At 10 o. M, July 16. the head of the
column advanced from Ikhavuan. At
Ii o'clock battalion of the second
regiment dislodged a Japanese outpost
at the point of the bayonet at the cross
ing of the Lakho and the Sinkia roads.
Story of the Battle.
The details of this engagement have
not vet been verified, but it's general
course, according to Geographic reports
sent in by General Keller was as fol-
lows:
During the night the Japanese had
surmounted by the temple, leaving
pnly outposts there. At dawn General
Kashtalinsky's column occupied the
passes. driving back the Japanese ad
vance posts.
At about $50 the morning of July
II, the japanese, in considerable
strength and with numerous guns, oc-
cupied wafankwan Pass. and the
mountainous bluffs to the south on
the flank of General Kashtalnskys
column From this position and from
the crest of the mountains to the east
of the heights surmounted by the tenn
pie, the enemy directed a very heavy
rifle and artillery fire.
General Kashtalinsky advanced to
occupy the bluffs, sending forward at
once one of the three battalions, but the
attempt failed. Notwithstanding the
support given by the mountain horse
battery, as our field guns could not be
brought into action on account of the
nature of the ground.
At about a. M, General Keller. who
was directing the fight around Ikha-
yuan. deemed 1t necessary to lend as
sistance to General Kashtalinsky' )
column by bringing up from the gen.
erai reserve three battalions to tho
heights surmounted by the temple.
Positions Found Untenable.
In order to maintain the positions,
we had already occupied 1t was neces-
sary, owing to the enemys presence,
to reinforce Immediately with other re-
serves the other troops In the fighting
line. but these positions. owing to their
situation, were untenable.
General Keller found the strength o.
the enemy so great compared with
ours, that he decided not to continue
the fight, and not to bring up either
the special or the general reserves es-
pecially in view of the fact that in
case of his ultimately taking the Of
fensive it would be necessary to at
tack without support of the field ar
tillery.
In consequence of this. General KEEL
Ter decided about 1890 to withdraw his
troops to the positions originally oc-
cupied in The YanZe Pass. The troops
retired slowly. step by step. and in per-
feet order covered by the fire of a
field battery, which had been brought
into action Towards midday an Of
fensive movement by the enemy in the
direction of the right fonk of the
Yanze Pass position developed, and at
the same time a Japanese mountain
battery was brought into position III
the village of Tsoudiaputse. two and d
half miles 7outh of Ikhavuan
Japanese Battery SIlenced.
After thirty four shots had been firct
from the third battery of the Bird brig
ade, which held the saddle south of the
Yanze Pass. the japanese battery was
finally reduced to silence.
The fight ceased at p. M. and the
troops returned to IkhaVuan.
The japanese advance was stopped
above the valley of the Iantakhe River
at a position occupied and maintained
by us.
In consequence of a sleepless night
and the heat of the day, our troops
were greatly fatigued. having beer
over fifteen hours on foot and fight
ing
Our losses have not been exactly as
certained. but Keneral Keller reports
that they exceed 1000.
The gallant oath regiment suffered
most. General Keller especially men
lions the activity. courage and cool
ness shown by its commanding officers