The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-11-08


shells At IL O'Clock a small party OF
the second regiment charged forward
to gain the foot OF the west slopes. TIE
Russian batteries were evidently wait
ing FOR the japanese. as a most woaJer-
fl Shrapnei fire WAS opened on tneIr.
Every man seemed TO fall. Though
but at rife range. the firing OF Snrap-
mel continued for ten minutes. after
which all the Japanese were down. eth
CT wounded or killed. The Russians
had retired TO their first line of trenches
during the night and several companies
of japanese were extended along the
slopes under cover Of the brow OF the
ridge. With a rush they carried the
trench line on the crest OF the hill. The
last rush OF the Japanese was a splendid
spectacle, ending with a bayonet Ct
counter with the Russians on the FIJI
SKY line. Stones. bayonets. swords
and hand grenades were used by bosl
sides. The utmost ferocity was dis
played. When the japanese had car
RED the east half OF the ridge. the
Russians retired to the west half. Be-
fore darkness the japanese were n
possession OF the whole ridge Taisa.-
kow, Tigers Tail. and Liao Tie for.s-
-Four assaults were made by the japan
csc during the mex two days. bu; they
were all repulsed. The third regiment
~ a. A@~% NoAAARN&ANN ~ ANAAAS NA&
trenches at the foot OF the hill by a cot
.~centrated Shrapnel fire fom the valley
below The unsuccessful attempt 10
CAPTURE the advance fort resulted N
two thousand japanese casualties.
Every inch the japanese gained
was by laborious sapping against the
determined opposition of the Russians.
who fought with tremendous earnest
ness, sortieing every night agains. the
sappers.
The first battery of 11-inch Howitzers
sopened fire October / against the Uar
fort. The next day fire was directed
on the battleshfp Pobieda, in the 1ar1
Dor. The fifth shot pieced the forward
decks of this ship sending up huge CO!
umns OF smoke and leaving a gaping
rent.
The fire Of the eleven inch Howitzers
was so effective against the vessel tea
the Russians resorted to placing a hos
pital ship in tn direct line of the fire.
The battleship Peresviet was struck
by several shells from the Howitzers
and caught fire.
It was announced on October % hat
the following day there would b. n
~bombardment of the east fortified ridge
and also the Chair Hill forts, to he
followed by infantry attacks. The bonn
bardment commenced early in the
morning. increasing in volume until 5
O'Clock in the evening when a regiment
% the centre division emerged from
Ia parallels at the foot of the east UTh
fer another regiment of the right d.
vision left the parallels at the foot of
the west Uhr fort simultaneously, TN
der cover of a tremendous fire Of shrap-
mel. When the first regiment gained
the trenches at the crest of the Glacis
of east Uhr fort the Russians exploded
a mine. Pieces of timber earth, stones,
and some Japanese were hurled hun-
dreis of feet. The trench lines on both
hills were captured with $50 casualties.
PORT ARTHUR IS DOOMED.
Che Foo, Nov. 3.-Port Arthur is
doomed.
h correspondent of the Associated
Press here has received information,
the reliability of which is beyond ques-
ton that the japanese now occupy po-
sitions which place the eastside of the
town at their mercy.
The last assault a gained for them
positions which insure their ability to
enter the main east forts whenever
they are ready.
The japanese calculate that OF the
Russians do not surrender now they
will be capable of ~prolonging the fight
ing by making their inal stand al
Liaoti ~promontory and Tigers tail, for
a month longer, with the mere hope
Of continuing the struggle.
Long before the second squadron ar
rived in the Pacific the japanese flag,
it is now believed. will wave over the
wrecked citadel.
This will end Viceroy Alexief's
dream of an unconquerable city.
The Japanese have not occupied the
main forts and highest points of the
east hill. but the occupy in overwhelm-
ing numbers positions which will ena-
BILE them to drive the Russians back
whenever they desire.
When the Japanese occupy eastern
ridge of the ports the will completely
dominate the other Russian forts with
their artillery.