The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1904-11-10

On their left flank was broken, nil,
country east OF Taliu mountain. Thei
right flank was over the crests of
range of hills extending in a north,
! westerly direction from Port Arthur tt
Louisa bay. Between the Fenghoant
mountain and the Russian fortresses
was the triangular Shuishi valley, two
miles wide crossed by dry water
courses almost to the foot of the forti-
fed hills. The Russian advance lines
passed through the center of the Shu-
ishi valley.
The fortified ridges upon the east
and west of the city were in the ap-
proximate shape of an obtuse angle,
with its apex in the valley. The out
skirts of the city were between the east
and ives. fortified "idges.
Japs Advance Under Fire.
Although the advance of the Jap
anese center over the valley was COM
paratively easy, owing to the good cov-
er afforded by the water courses and
waving crops of Chinese corn. they
were subjected to a concentrated, con-
verging fire from the forts Upon the
east n west ridges. Before the line
of investment was drawn close about
the fortress much closing was neces-
sary upon the part Of the Japanese
TANKS. Two mountains, Taku and
Shahku, close to the eastern extremity
of the fortified ridges and essential to
a close investment, were held by the
Russians. From the top of Taku. a
precipitous mountain, 900 feet high,
the Russians were able to see the rear
OF the Japanese lines. On the right
flank We're two powerful advance forts.
on hills respectively ia yards and 203
yards high. Three more strong adj
II works were situate upon the
lower peaks of the Same range, ex-
~Is -.
from the city towards Louisa bay.
These works protected the Russian left
flank and prevented the Japanese from
pushing a force on Port Arthur,
through the valley from the shores Of
Pigeon bay, as the works commanded
the gap In the Chair Hill forts upon the
| west coast.
ed and more difficult to take than some
of the permanent forts. 1t was decided
to close in the Japanese left flank. first
taking Taku and Shaku mountains. The
former was rugged, isolatc@ and had pre-
cin!tous slopes on its east and northwest
sides. The advance south was made I'M
der the fire. of the east forts of Shaku
mountain. A division was ordered to take
the hills and August I the Commandment
began in the afternoon, the divisional ar
tillery being assisted by three batteries of
4.7-inCh naval guns and four batteries of
3-inch howitzers.
Russian Guns Siienced.
The Russians replied with field guns
from TaEu mountain and with larger
guns from the east forts. The artillery
on two hills was silenced at s O'Clock in
the evening and the japanese infantry ad-
Vanced at I o'clock in three columns, the
right flank keeping in touch with the left
flank of the main line in the Shuishui val
ley.
The advance was made in the form of a
segment of a circle from the east. Heavy
rain stopped all the movements and early
darkness stopped the artillery fire. When
the infantry closed in on Taku mountain,
where they had previously silenced the
Russian guns. the Russians suddenly
opened a heavy rifle fire from the crcsts
Of the hills and compelled the Japanese
attacking force to build trenches for their
protection from north to east, close to
the foot of the hills slopes.
One japanese regiment took an essential
angle upon the first ascent of the soutI,
slope. In the night a battalion Of Japan
csc reserves was added to the attacking
force upon the south slope. The following
day rain continued. The Japanese upon
the south slope We're sheled in their
trenches from the east forts and were
unable to advance up the slippery slopes.
Russian topedo gunboats appeared off
the coast near Salt park village and bonn
barded a japanese regiment upon the
south slope so that it had to retire. The
fleet finally was compelled to retire under
the fire of the howitzer batteries. Then a
general bombardment commenced, and all
fire from Taku and Shaku mountains was
stopped. Eight Japanese regi1r ants from
the southeast part of Port Arthur and one
from the northwest section gained a foot
hold upon the crests of Taku mountain
and, after o desperate hand to hand en-
counter. compelled the Russians to retire
westward into their permanent forts. -Four
fed guns were captured.
Japanese Meet a RepuIse.
The Japanese regiments then combined
for an attack on Shakhu mountain, but
were repuised and compelled to spend the
night in their trenches at the foot Of the
hills. At 4 o'clock in the morning the at
tack was renewed and the hills were cap
tured. The Russians left hundreds of lead
on their abandoned position. The Japa,
nese casualties were Loo.
Although the Japanese were unable to
permanently occupy the aptured hills.
they robbed the Russians of invaluable
observation points. This enabled the in
vestment liae to be drawn from thhe coast
between the two hills and the eastern for
tilted ridges.
Attention was then turned to the Rus
sian left flank. Two Japanese brigades
were ordered 10 ADVANCE. Ihey started In
the night a line two miles in length. Al
2 In the morning a heavy rain greatly i'm
peded their progress, but they removed
the Russian entanglements under heavy
fire A quarter-inch steel wire compelled
the Japanese to cut the poles to open the
way. The position was captured at
O'Clock in the morning august IA, the
Russian counter attacks being %reDulsed. A
heavy Japanese bombardment of the Rus.
sian advance works, on q low hill north OF
ia yards hill. finally compelled the fire t
slacken. A night attack was made upor
the Russian advance works. The Japanes,
reached the outer entanglements. bu
were then repulsed. Starlight shells 10
Gated the japanese lines, on which search
lights were thrown, after which the Rus
sian machine guns played havoc all nigh
with the Japanese troops in the trenches
upon the hillside. Finally a concerted fir,
from Else mountain and the advance fort
compelled the japanese to cease opera
lions.
Siege Guns Prepared.
It was announced at the Japanese head
quarters August IL that the siege gun
would be IN position and ready to begin
bomhardment upon thhe Goth. The head
quarters August is We're at the village O
Swangtatkow, close to the railroad an
thirteen miles north of Port Arthur. TIL
Associated Press correspondent upon hi
arrival there was welcomed by Genera
Nogi, who said he was jus In time TO sc
: the conclusion of a successful campaig
and the capture Of Port Arthur. The cor
2 respondent went TO the front the morr
: ing of August 10 and saw the position