Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-08-06
MOLTEN PASS BATTLE.
Graphic Description of Fighting-The
Russians Repulsed.

Cen. knrokrS Headquarters in the
Field, July Is. via Seoul.-F'rom later
information July 11th'S engagement
proves 90 have been more general aud
NOR. important than could be al,pr"
riat..d by observers ut Molten. pass.
whose vision of the field was bounded
by high hills guarding both sides. ANA
whose reports W"r" written before the
JrWtn"sr pursuit of the Russians down
the Valley was ended.
II is impossible to describe accurately
some of tine most important features nf
the fight brcausr the number of Rus
sian troops engaged can only be esti-
mated from tn" regimental insignia on
their uniforms and the conflicting
stories told by prisoners while censor
ship prevents giving the number of or
gauiZilions present on the Japanese
sil" II is believed that seven Russian
regiments participated in the battle to
which vas opposed at the most one
briCnd" with one or more additional
hnttalnus Of Japanese troops.
The hardest fighting was done to the
right of Molten pass. in the valley APP
preaching the Japanese line Of de-
fcuc" which lay between high wooded
hills.
\ Russian contingent. consisting of n
regiment or more. attempted by adj
vancing through the valley to turn the
Japanese position ty n thanking move
nent nr from behind the pass, but was
repulsrd after an action lasting until
sunset when the Japanese troops aban-
d"n"d pursuit. and the Russians who
Stuhhornly contested the ground as
they We're forced back marched away
toward the town of Gahoto. One Japan
cs. company lost all of its officers in
this action and Il sergeant major was
finally In command.
Tn" expulsion of the Russian troops
from the valley leading TO Molten pass
vas greatly assisted by a Japanese
force consisting of Il battalion of infan-
try and several guns sent from q Jap
nucSe brigade stationed On tns left of
MhfAntry valley winch attacked the
Illusions on their flank. mcnacing their
rear and line Of retreat.
ON the morning of July Il. the J,p-
anesr outpost line protecting Molten
pass WIS entrenche | on In" lower
ridge, where the fight occurred on July
~
Major Gen. Okawaki expecting an at
tack had ordered the outpoets If con-
front ID ny superior force to Withdraw
to tn, min line of defenc, on the high
est ridge. where the pass was narrow
est
The outrosts discovered company of
cavalry and n large body of infantry
adVancing in the darkness at about 9 81
y. NJ. and retired according to instruc-
lions
When firing began about S A. NJ. the
russian line. facing the Japanese
trenches was more than mile and :,
quarter long. They occupied the tenn
PIE and the road leading directly right
l" Molten pass. the road being nearly
parallel with the Japanese position 70,
a lew hundred yards with a deep chasn
quarter OF mile across at the widest
separating the two forces; also a wood
Ell hillside i'm front of the pass.
me hGhting along this line was So.
we're Tor more than four hours I'm,
comparatively few Japanese were hit
Tue russians We're unable Ia emn,o,
afuiiery here. although they We're usips
battery in another fight on the rigb
i,'' wards in the valley during tn,
Ieat 'hey fired 4 few shots.
me log lifting at A. NJ. enabled .
Japanese battery stationed on q bairb
~ rake the attacking force arsao,r,I,,
Inc russians later began 70 ra,raa