The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1904-12-22
For Ferocity 1t Was the Most
Remarkable in the History
Of the Siege.
WERE MANY DEEDS or HEROISM,
Fort Arthur's War Hardened yeter.
ans Shuddered at the Sight of the
Slaughter Of the Japanese.
Some Times the Fighting Was Hand.
To-Hand With Rifle Muzzles at
the Breasts Of the Deter
mined Contestants.

Chefoo. Dec 19.-For ferocity and
sustained desperation on both sides
he struggle for the possession OF Tiirh
hii probably was the most rcmarka
BE in the history or the siege Of Por,
Arhur-a siege noted for slaughter
This statement Is based on an inter.
view which a press correspondent had
pm Commander MizzenoH. executive
rhcer OF the battleship Poltava.
Commander MizzenoG. who was
sounded In the leg during the hattie
q High hill. said.
Since the Japanese. on the 2sth
month not mentioned began their at.
nck on High hin. which they cali sOs
Metre hin the lighting has been con.
nuous. The steep and sandy stones
the hin were streaked and dotted
YIN snow when the japanese BEGAN
Do battle. which was destined 10 fur.
sh so many deeds OF horoism that
hey became commonplace. There
pa, So much slaughter thar even Port
irihHr's war hardened veterans shud.
frci ai the sight
japanese ~Nrc compelled TO clam.
ip the sio.Fcs Of the him. in many
sos without firing, I'm the face OF one
thc most murdcrous deluees ever
ourcd from rifles and machine Guns
vas there. and 10 seemed to me thar
sh and blood would De unable 10
and our IRE Tor a minute.
The enemy went down I'm SQUADS
d companies. but always there wero
lcrs grimiy coming forward. Thor
avery was beyond praise. as was
ai or our men. Some times the arht.
was hand-to-hand. with the muz.
b. oi the rifles a. the breasts OF the
afesiauts. the bayoncts being used
swords
The sides of tho hin were strewn
A bodies and the snow was Grim
ped with thc blood OF tho wounded
ne of whom had crawlod into IL
KING ia its GOODNESS surcease for
cr dying agonics.
Eventually, as in similar instances
l'ch we're TO follow. we retired. leav.
ihe work OF driving the enemv
'm ihe summit TO roslstlcss guns OF I
ne.shboring forts. notably those OF
aou mountain.
me second and third assaults were
ucas OF the first. although the sec
was the most ferocious. being
r.F an hand-to-hand fighting I'm
eA mercy was neither asked nor
sem.
A remarkable Incident occurred in 4
ihlrd assault as The Russians. sun
ing the enemy. retreated. \ Jan
So standard bearer. holding his
aioit. climbed the pinnacle and
dead clutching the colors. In his
eAa another arose with the colors
20 fan instantly with a dozen
ands in his body Six others FOL.
ei aud met thf same fate. At last
n the ninth man appeared a Rus
oihcer exclaimed. Don't shoot
fellow with The flag. il will be
lted anyhow
The japanese adopted a curious OK.
TENT which assisted them greatly
,ae third assault They had pre-
ea huge piles Of wood. coal and
osiolks which they ignited. the
being In the faces OF the Rus
The resultant IRE was i'm.
So and the flames and smoke com
ed the Russians TO retire
DO red glare from this IRE dis.
ea CHASTITY picture more Internal
ever dreamed by Dante
De assaults thus far had cost the
-nese easily 1900 men. while our
We're under 1900. The sides of
Dill were literally covered with
and wounded The trenches we're
'eis OF blood and every visible
4 vas dyed crimson.
We might retake The hill said
Stoessel. but the hin is not OF
aent importance 60 US to Justify ,
Il er sacrifice
'"fceiy an officer participating in ,
'eitie OF High hill escaped unhurt
\ ,ne proportion OF young officers :
was very high. :
SINCE then numerous small engage.
nave been waged. but the re. :
sioilily for keeping the japanese {,
occupying the hin in force or
mounting guns thereon. has been
mainly 10 the shrapnel fire from
forts"