Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1904-09-12

which Numbered before LlaOyang yes
terday from early morning until dark
ness and hid foe from foe was certain
ly the most stupendous and spectacu-
lar of history. The combined armies
of Japan, with the exception of the
part of the force under General Kuro-
Xxi, concentrated their batteries against
the Russian lines under General Kuro-
patlzin and several hundred guns, prob
ally not less than 800 upon each side,
were worked necessarily for IL hours.
Even after nightfall and in the driving
storm of wind and rain that swept
over the field CT battle the conflict did
not cease entirely, for the Russian
shells are still bursting over the hills
before the Japanese positions.
Not alone the number of guns in
action, but their unceasing and rapid
fire, made the conflict of today re-
markable., For several hours the can
nonading averaged 60 shots minute
and the rate seldom fell below 20 shots
a minute
From high mountain, almost over
eign attaches and the newspaper cor
respondents with General Kuroki's
army had a view of the fighting which
probably never will be surpassed.
Some Russian guns were aligned in
almost broken horseshoe around
the plain south and east of Liaoyang;
others were posted five miles from the
city; still other detached batteries
were facing west from a group of hills
On the Russian right, while another
range of hills behind the city facing
the east bank of the river furnished
positions for the Russian batteries pro-
tecting the railroad and the rear of
! the army.
! The Japanese guns in the mountains
formed an irregular arc 20 miles or
more in length.
Looking down upon SO vast a scene
participating, it was often impossible
! to discern the details of the positions
or what units were opposed to each
other. In some places the Russian
guns appeared to be arranged in tiers,
two or three batteries being placed
one above the other.
The whole Russian front was Dor
dered with twinkling lights, this being
the flashes from guns. Much of the
artillery was In skilfully covered posi-
tons and absolutely smokeless powder
was used.
Clusters of white shrapnel smoke
broke out fitfully around some Of the
Japanese positions in the mountains
and then drifted slowly away, showing
that often two or three batteries upon
either side were pitted against one
another.
The nearer ridges of mountains and
the edge of the plain were constantly
dotted with sudden flashes of white
smoke from exploding shells and the
sound that came to the ears of the OBJ
servers was as a continuous rumble of
thunder, varied by SUGGESTIONS of
sharp peals as two or three batteries
united and fired together.
Throughout the day the positions of
the opposing forces were but little
changed and at nightfall the honors
appeared to be even.
The Japanese infantry, which was
massed behind the hills, was often un-
Ter severe fire, especially when the
Russians discerned regiments advanc-
ing from one point to another.
There was some infantry fighting on
the Mills bordering on the plain.
Bodies of Russian troops could be
seen marching about Liaoyang with
the appearance of great activity and
one Russian column composed of sew
eral regiments of cavalry moved out
to the left of the Russian rear as
though to protect the retreat of the
main body. Trains could be seen
steaming out of Liaoyang northward
every half-hOur during the day