The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-09-15

sat nightfall, undisturbed by the lap
anese we commenced the evacuation of
our advanced tons, which already
had rendered great service in weakening
the enemy by enormous losses. ThanKs
to the sufficient number. Of bridges and
the manner in which the roads leading 70
them had been laid out, all the troops
destined to take the offensive. were sa re-
~ on the right bank of the river on
the morning Of September LIST. The ene-
my did not occupy our abandoned ad-
vance positions until the evening of Sep
TENDER list, when they opened an artll-
lary fire upon Liao Yang. No trophies
o f war fell into,ithe hands OF the enemy
II adopted the following plan of ope-
ra lions: Having crossed to the right bank
Of the river, the army had taken up
a position between the village of Syil-5
wantun and heights near the Cen TAI
mines, which 1t was intended to- occupy.
with ali our, attachments, composed of
thirteen battahons. Taking the position
near Sykwantun as a pivot, 1t was in
tended that the army effect. a movement
to flank the Japanese positions, which
extended from the Taitse River near the
village of kwan7 sTun toward the Yen
Tai colierles. Offensive operations be-
gan when all the troops had taken up
their allotted positions.
Had to Change Plans.
."rhe night Of September LIST the COM
mander of the corps on the right flank
sent a dispatch stating that the Japanese
having taken5the offensive. and occupied
the district northwestward Of our s5yk-
wantun. position, which was of great am
portance to us, the Russian regiment
holding tho district was torcsd TO retire
and / was Obliged to change my plans IN
order to retake the lost ground the fol-
lowing day.. 1t was not until the evening
of September I'd that the entire mountain
village of Sykwantun was in our hands.
At first our attacks did not succeed.
but the fighting was continued With un-
abated yigor, even after darkness mad set
in. We repeatedly gained possession OF
the heights, but were finally compelled TO
withdraw temporarily Many OF our de-
tachments became mixed UP, ana IN the
disorder unity OF command was rendered
very difficult. Leaders OF il,:.Ii,s5 4
tachments, however, continued the at
Ia cks time after time, and at last sue
ceeded In occupying the desired position,
thereby attaining the object OF the OPERA
jtions of our right flank. AS soon as tho
lcft5flank in the vicinity Of the fans'Iel
mines on September I'd <Orloffs detach-
ment) occupied the heights to the norm
OF the mines, holding a. strong position
facing S0ulT Ic oIIcllcH - = ~ 49, ~,
teries and engaged the army IN an artll-
lery duel. Orloffs right flank was then
four miles from the left flank and the
remainder of the army. In order 70
aid our troops holding posi- tons near
sykwantun, Orloff sent part Of his force
from the hills ana attacked the enemy ~
the direction Of the village or saRhunlooll
This movement was carried out IN corn
Fields Our men, with a frontal ana n
flank fire, and losing their bearings In
the cornfselds began to retire The
troops remaining In the hills also re-
tired westward.
SPY that time Orloff's detachment was
within mile and a third of our other
forces. Orloff himself was wounded MS
was also General FomIn, who subse-
tquently died.
1"After the evacuation Of the position
which had been intended to serve as q
base for our attack. the Japanese ex-
tended northward and occupied the whole
range Of hills and the Ven Tel mines,
samsonoff's sotnla OF Cossacks dis
mounted and defended our positions with
the utmost courage, but We're gradually
driven back.
Decided to Retire to Mukden.
8iis,oThe enemy was now established IN an
extremely strong position on the hills,
and II would have been too, faza rdous
for our left flank to attack tfem.ein View
OF the losses sustained In the previous
five days We, therefore. Withdrew to
the village Of Talienko, and decided
to retire to Mukden, the retreat being
accomplished on September 18th, Tho