Milford chronicle., 1904-07-22
RUSSIA DEFEATED
II IN FIERCE FIGHT
b BattaliOns Thrown Against Japs
Were Repulsed.
RUSSIANS LOST OVER 1000 MEN

hGGQnNdib6dUCE OF q Eei S| SNot~s
st. Petersburg, July 19.-The Rus
sian and japanese forces which are
lined up expecting a clash grappled
IN a serious fight Sunday morning ac-
rording to a report from General Kuro-
patl5in received here late last night
The report indicated that the Japanese
nisinterpreted the movement and that
instead of it being an attempt to take
No Tien Pass it was a reconnaissance
pn a large scale.
An important fact developed by the
reconnaissance was the exact location
Of a powerful Japanese force secreted
In the region between Fen Shut and
Mo Tien Passes. It's strength is indi-
rated by the fact that p battalions
we're insufficient to permanently force
the Japanese positions, though some
Of them were occupied temporarily.
On the other hand it would appear
from the report that the Japanese were
sither disiuclined or unable to follow
hp Lieutenant General Keller when he
retired to his former position at TX
havuan. The seriousness of the days
Hghting is shown in General Keller's
estimate that the Russian casualties
we're over 1000.
General Kuropatkin's report is as
follows:
After the occupation by General
Kuroki's army of the passes in the
Fanshui mountain chain, our informa-
tion concerning his forces and dispose
lions was in general inadequate. Ae-
cording to some reports, his army had
been reinforced and he had even eX-
tended his forces to Saimatsza. Other
reports stated that displacement of
his troops had been made in the direc-
ton of Ia Pass and Siuyen. There
we're even indications that Kuroki had
transferred his headquarters from
Tskhakhekan to Touinpu.
"On July II, in order to determine
the strength Of the enemy. it was de-
cided to advance against his position in
the direction of Liam Shan Kwan.
Lieutenant General Count Keller had
been instructed not to start with the
object of capturing the pass, but to act
according to the strength of the force
he would find opposed to him.
THE left column of this expedition
ary force, consisting Of three battal-
ions. was dispatched towards Sibey
Pass. The centre column. commanded
by Major General Kashtalinsky, con-
sisting of IA battalions, with II guns,
was destined to attack SiaokaO Pass,
the heights surmounted by the temple,
and Wafankwan Pass. The right col
umn, one battalion strong, was occupy
ing points where the roads leading to
sinkia and Lakho Passes cross, in or
der to cover the right flank of General
Kashtalinsky's column. The general
reserve was left at Ikhavuen, and a
portion of the force occupied a position
at that place.
AT 10 p m, July 16, the head Of the
column advanced from Ikhavuan. At
II o'clock a 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.
The details of this engagement have
not yet been verified but its general
course, according to telegraphic re-
ports sent in by General Keller was as
follows
During the night the Japanese had
evacuated Slaokao 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 of
July II the japanese in considerable
strength and with numerous guns oc-
cupied Wafankwan Pass and the noun
famous 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, Notwithstanding 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.
AT about a. m. General Keller,
who was directing the fight around TX
havuen, deemed it necessary to lend as
Bistance to General Kashtalinsky's col
umn by bringing up from the general
reserve three battalions to the heights
surmounted by the temple. In order to
maintain the positions we had already
occupied it was necessary. owing to the
enemy's pressure, to reinforce imlhe-
diately with other reserves the troops
in the fighting line, but these positions,
Dwing to their situation, were unten-
able.
General Keller found the strength |
Of the enemy so great compared with |
ours that he decided not to continue the |
fight and not to bring up either the spe-
cial or the general reserves, especially |
owing to the fact that in case Of his ul- !
timately taking the offensive it would 1
be necessary to attack without support I
of the field artillery.
"Tn consequence of this General Kel- !