The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-07-20

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 this expedition
airy force consisting of three battalions
was dispatched towards Sybey Pass.
The center column, commanded by
Major General Kashtalinsky, consist
ing of fourteen battalions, with twelve
guns was destined to attack Siaokao
Pass, the heights surmounted by the
temple and Wafankwan Pass. The
right column, one battalion strong,
was occupying points where the roads
leading to Sinki and Lakho Passes
cross in order to cover the right flank
of General Kashtalinsky column.
THE general reserve was left at
lkhavuan and a portion of the force
occupied a position at that place.
Japanese Outpost Driven In.
'At 10 p. m. July 16, the head of
the column advanced from Ikhavuan.
At II o'clock a battalion of the sec
ond regiment dislodged a Japanese
outpost at the point of the bayonet
at the crossing of the Lakho and the
Sinkia roads.
1.-THE details of this engagement
have not yet been verified but its gem
eral course, according to telegraphic
reports sent in by General Keller,
was as follows:
During the night the Japanese
had evacuated Siaokao Pass and the
heights surmounted by the temple
leaving only outposts there. AT dawn
General Kashtalinsky's column occu-
pied these passes, driving back the
Japanese advance posts.
AT about $50 on the morning on
July 18th the Japanese in considerable
strength and with numerous guns oc-
cupied Wafanngwan Pass and the
mountainous bluffs to the south on
the flank of General Kashtalinsky S
column. From this position and from
the crest of the mountains to the east
of the heights surmounted by the
temple, the enemy directed a very
heavy rifle and artillery fire.
General Kashtalinsky advanced to
occupy the bluffs sending forward at
first one and then three battalionS
but the attempt failed notwithstand-
ing the support given by the horse
mountain battery as our field guns
could not be brought into action on
account of the nature of the ground
Russians Find it Too Hot.
cat about 8 a. m. General Keller,
who was directing the fight around
Ikahavuan, deemed it necessary TO
lend assistance to General haShta-
linskys column by bringing up from
the general reserve three battalons
to the heights surmounted by the
temple. In order TO maintain the po-
sitions we had already occupied II
was necessary owing to the enemy
pressure to reinforce Immediately
with other reserves the troops IN the
fighting line, but these positions owing
TO their situation were untenaDle.
"General Renner found the strength
Of the enemy so great compared Win
ours that he decided not to continue
the fight and not to either Dflng up
the special or general reserves, espe-
ciaIly in view of the fact that IN case
of his ultimately taking the offensive
it would be necessary to attack Win
out support of the field artillery.
.In consequence of this, General
Keller decided about 1890 to with
draw his troops to the positions orlgl-
nally occupied in the YanZe Pass.
The troops retired slowly step by step
and in perfect order covered by the
fire of a field battery which had been
brought into action.
Towards midday an offensive move
ment by the enemy in the dlrectloh
of the right flank of the YanZe Pass
position developed and at the same
time a Japanese mountain battery was
brought into position in the village OF
Tsoudiaputse, two and half miles
south of Ikhavuan.
after thirty-four shots had peeh
fired from the third battery OF the
third brigade which held the saddle
to the south of Yanze Pass, the Jap
anese battery was finally reduced to
silence.
The End OF the Fight.
'"The fight ceased at 3 p. m. and the
troops returned to Ikhavuan
1.-THE Japanese advance was stop
ped above the valley of the Iantakhe
river at position occupied and main
tanned by us.
'In consequence of a sleepless night
and the heat of the day our. troops
were greatly fatigued having been
over fifteen hours on foot and f1ghung.
Our losses have not yet been exactly
ascertained, but General Keller re-
ports that they exceed one thousand.
1.-THE gallant twenty-fourth regiment
suffered most. General Keller espe-
cially mentions the activity, courage
and GOODNESS shown by it's command
ing officers. Colonel Koschltz was
severely wounded in the leg but re-
NAMED in the ranks until the end OF
the action"