New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-06-18
BATTLE OF WAF4NG-KAO.
Russians Brace Defence-HeaUy
JapQneSe Losses.

IIao-Yang, June IA correspondent OF The
Associated Press, who was present at the battle
OF Wafang-Kao, sends the following account OF
the agement:
The stern logged fghtlng at the battle OF
Wafang-Aao Was Ike another boIouLlu- ne
roar of the machine guns and the boom OF lhs
cannon stu ring in ones ears.
sno men Yec with one another IN PLUCK ana
heroism. They have added q glorious page 10
RUssia's military history.
The Japanese advance originally included the
9th, Sth and 1lth Divisions, twelve squadrons
of cavalry and splendid artillery. About 100
guns were belching continuous stream OF shot
ana she'll Large reinforceInents enabled them
TO turn the Russian tanks. A diversion on the
right Precipitated the battle in the morning OF
June ID
commanded the LETT flank, and General Loutcn-
kovsky commanded the centre, including four
battalons concealed in q small wood, whence
they dealt death and destruction on the enemy.
The Russian right was protected by Cossacks.
dragons and Siberian Rifles.
While the big guns were laundering I made
my way, at about il a. m. to the Russian
right flank, and climbed hill, whence l could
view the whole field Of battle Behind me a
battery had taken UP position from which 1t
Kept up a CONTINUOUS fre upon the advancing
ranks Of the enemy. Through glasses l could
see the sandy valley Of the Wassa, with the Chi
nese village OF Wafang
The heights Of Foo-Chow, the railroad bridge
and the surrounding copses were occupied by
japanese infantry. Then black lines Of infan-
Try, like threads, could be seen creeping through
me Neroure. Nearer the slope Of a hill
ootted with the gray shirts Of Russian rife
men A brownish smoke overhung some of the
batteries, and others showed flashes Of flame.
The crackle Of rife fire was punctuated by the
roar OF guns. Occasionally heard the hiss OF
japanese bullet.
The scene was awe-inspiIing. Over the Rus
sian centre and left flank lowered chocolate
clouds from bursting slrapnel II was evident
that the tide OF battle was coming toward the
Russian right I saw reserves hurrying for
ward the Cossacks galloping, followed by co.,
nInns Of infantry at The double. Suddenly they
disappeared in an adjacent dehle.
The valley where the Russians had camped
was emptied as if by magic Rafting volleys
We're nred behind the screen of hills which
cealed the lighting troops from view in that
Nlrecuon the sound Of the firing being the only
evidence OF the deadly struggle proceeding there.
This continued for half an hour Suddenly
company Of Cossacks appeared on the crest of a
Hill and began 10 descend. They were followed
by infantry. The japanese gunners promptly
pursued them with shrapnel. Horses and men
a moment Of narrowing suspense was relieved
by thunderous shout Of Hurrah!" II was
from a couple Of thousand Russian troops lust
brought up by train. They quickly jumped from
the cars, liked bayOnets and ran into the fight
Again there was a crackle of musketry under
cover, during which the retiring Russian regi-
nents formed Up and moved of in conplete or
Ger, toward the railroad. While long line of
cofnmlsSari2t wagons, escorted by Cossacks
took the road a battery of horse artillery
stationed near the railroad banged away furf-
ocsly as = covered the retreat. The Japanese
snels were then falling on the station buildings.
descended the HILL and just succeeded IN
Jumping on the footboard of the last car Some
OF The Russian batteries on the left flank were
sim nrtng. The main force then began slowly TO
retreat toward Nantsialin, thirty miles north Of
Ma1aHg-heo and al about l o'clock IL the
afternoon had accomplished it's strategic mis-
sion. Tie battle Of Wafang-Rso had DETECTED
considerable Japanese forces from Port Arthur
The lighting was glorious For two DAYS the
Russian regiments vigorously maintained their
positions and took the offensive on the left so
pressing the enemy there that a couple OF Ian
enese batteries fell into the Cossacks' hands
The Russian soldiers went into battle singing
their spirits net affected by the fierce heat and
furious cennonading, whose intensity NAV he
geUged from the influence IL had on the atInos-
pheric conditions. Rain fell heavily ar the
height OF the battle. although the day dawned
clear.
Nary Russians have fallen, but a greater
NUMBER OF japanese We're killed. The Russia n
shells and bullets moved them down like wheat
The whole valley was bestrewn with their
corpseS and the river Tassa ran red but with
japanese more than with Russian blood
LEFT the field on the last train with General
stakeleerg This train was in collision with the
one preceding it near Vantsialin. but II was not
danaged. 49,
When passing Kai-Ping we saw three Jan
anese cruisers.
The whole road north was OCCUPIED nv rre
Sian troops. The Russians say the Japanese
cannot advance much further north even when
they recover from the effects Of the battle of
Wafang-raO NN- -