The Saint Paul globe., 1904-06-20
BATTLE OF TELISSU
LIKE NANSHAN HILL
Gen. Oku Drove Superior Rus
Sian Force From a Com.
mandinO Position

4 TOKYO, June 10. 3 y. m.--Gen Oku, the
victor of the battle of Nanshan HILL on
May 2G, fought and Won the battle of
Telissu (Vafangow. according to the Rus
sian designation on June Is.
There is a strong similarity between the
two fights. At TellisSu the Japanese had
to drive the Russians from two hills, while
at Nanshan the enemy occupied one hill.
The Russian position at Telissu was su-
perior TO. that of the Japanese and equal
lied the advantage of the Japanese in
having larger force The Russian posi-
tien extended from east to west and
crossed the narrow valley through which
run the Foo Chow river and the railway.
From their positions on the right and left
in the hills which flank the valley, Gen.
Oku drove the Russians down into the
valley.
The Japanese general carried first the
enemy's right and then his left. The
fight at the left of his line was the most
desperate of the day. The Russians held
this position with desperate determine
ton and only fed when they We're almost
completely enveloped. The field had been
disputed all day and when the japanese
reached it 500 of the enemy's dead were
found there.
Russians Brushed Away
Gen. Oku started from a line marked
by Pulandien and the Tassa river on June
13. His right column moved along the
Tassa river his main column along the
railroad and his left column by a road
leading through Wuchiatun, Suchuankon
and Tahoai The japanese cavalry start
ed from Pitsewo over a road leading
through Shunzo, and the small bodies OF
Russians opposing this advance were
brushed away The left column reached
Nachialing on June 16 and the main, or
middle column and the right column
line, between Chiachiatun and TAPPING
kou, seven and a half miles south of
Telfssu the same day.
The Russian forces then held a line be-
tween Tafangshen and Lungwangtiao. The
entire Japanese line advanced, and at 8
tllery opened fire. The Russians had
ninety eight guns and they returned with
spirit until darkness put an end to the
artillery duel.
During the night of the 14th the Jap
anese right column seized a hill between
Tsongchiotun and Wengchiantung. and the
middle column occupied hill to the west
When dawn of the 18th broke the field
of battle was obscured by fog. but the ar
tillery opened early. A portion Of the
north side of bend in the Foo Chow
river. Here these men were greatly ex
posed to the enemy's fire. but the force
of infantry and artillery was hurried for
Heavy Fire From Batteries
The Russian batteries posted at Lung
Tangshan and LGngwantiao poured
heavy fire into these forces, but in spite
of this Smelling the middle column and
the men who were sent forward to re-
lieve the force at the bend in the Foo
Chow river. climbed the heights ahead Of
them and quickly mastered the situation.
In the meantime the Japanese right was
suffering. The Russian left had been re-
inforced until their members were greater
than the opposing Japanese.
The Russians made a series of deSper
ate counter attacks and when the Situa
tion was most critical. Japanese cavalry
struck the enemy on the flank AT this
time additional Russian reinforcements
had arrived, and the Russians held their
position with dogged determination until
their front and both tanks were under
fire. They then broke and fled.
The Japanese cavalry pursued the
enemy for a short time, but the rough
ness of the~country made it necessary
soon to abandon the pursuit.
Ambush the Russians
The Japanese left succeeded in ambush
ing 900 Russian infantry. who were dis
covered retiring toward Wuchiatun They
sent two companies of infantry and one
| battery of artillery to hill east Of Hong
ly trapped. Many Of the enemy at this
point were killed or wounded.
The Russian casualties are not known
with exactitude. The Japanese right found
Seven Russian officers and 300 men were
taken prisoners.
The Japanese casualties reported up to
noon June 1S amounted to about 900 Off
GERS and men, killed and wounded
A dispatch from ST. Petersburg. dated
June IS, stated the total Russian losses
at the battle of Vafangow (Telssu) were
about 1000 men, including more than