The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1904-06-24

in u.:nSers lay reason Of civil en-
ploymen< which they could not
leave, was divided into platoons.
One platoon was designated as
Russians, the other Japanese in or
der to modelnizs the battle. The
japanese were commanded uy Cap
uan Oscar n Williams Lieuten-
ant Thomas II, Briggs. Who was
to have commanded the Russians,
owing to the fact tiat he is a
Spanish VA veteran, was relieved
from his comEand and assigned
to duty with the attacking force
Japanese. Lieutenant Harry n.
klmble was assigned to command
the Russians, He played the role
OF kuropatkin, while CAPTAIN Will
Jams impersonated Kuroki.
The objective point was Tobin's
park. a peninsula formed by the jim
river, comprising twent-eight acres
of ground and covered with heavy
| timber. This was designated as the
Lilo Tung peninsula. Toward its
upper end, was the speakers stand,
the we'll and ice-cram stand and the
dock. These were assumed TO be
Port Arthur. The natural condi.-
lions were very favorable for a re-
production OF the famous campaign
now going on between the Russians
and Japanese on the Lao Tung pen
insula.
Tobin's new thlee and a half horse
power gasoline launch. capable of
carrying twenty men at a maximum
speed of eight knots per hour. PLAYED
the part of a japanese transport. 1t
was designated as the Shikishima.
After each man had been issued
thirty rounds of blank cartridges,
the troops separated. The Japanese
went across the long railroad bridge
and took position back of the gravel
ridge, Il qurater of a mile distant.
The Russians took advantage of a
natural depression in the ground
near the river along the western side
bridge. which furnished them splen-
did cover.
The battle was begun by the Japa-
nese. They opened with five volleys
from their strong position. To this
the Russians replied with ii few vol.
leys, followed by a scattered fire from
their outposts.
The Japanese then separated.
Lieutenants Briggs and Gregory
took a small detachment and pushed
forward. by rushes, toward the Rus
slams lines. The object of this ruse
was TO engage the Russians atten-
tion while Captain Williams stole
down a side ravine to a point on the
river, a quarter of a mile south,
where. under cover of the woods, he
embarked them OF the Shikishima.
He then sailed up the river near the
Russians left flank and opened up
on them at short range by volleys.
He vas joined in this attack by
Lieutenants Briggs and Gregory from
the opposite bank of the river.
This was u of the prettiest feat
ures OF the engagement. 1t was the
evident intention of Captain Will
liams to pour such a deadly lire into
the Russians ranks, from the Shiki-
shimi, that he could hold them in
check while ~Lieutenants Briggs and
Gregory, with their detachment,
crossed the river on the bridge then,
while they were trying to turn tine
Russians left flank, he would dis
embark bis men in water shoulder
deep, wade ashore, and make a co M
bined bayonet assault on them.
Those versed in military science who
were witnessing the event, saw the
possibility OF such a move, lis was
evidenced by the conversation of
the old soldiers who were ~plancing
with enthusiasm. like old spawned
race horses. to- get into the fray.
Lieutenant kimble, who command
ed thu Russians, foiled this attempt
by placing a strong out post under
the bridge, near the waters edge.
where they bad splendid protection
behind the large hardwood piles
that sustain the bridge.
Captain Williams finding the Rus
isan fire too strong. ordered the
launch back down the river arouEd
the bend, to a good landing place a
half mile distant, where he hastily
disembarked his men: formed a
skirmish line; double-quicked back
on the south side of the bridge, and
so successfully out-fianked the Rus
slams who were being entertained by
Lieutenants Briggs mt Gregory from
the opposite bank Of the river, as to
alomst cause a stampede. Lieuten-
ant Kimble ordered his men to the
rear at a "double-time. They