New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-06-20
ST'4KELBERG'S RETREAT.
Kan Hampers Japanese Desperate
Fighting at Wafang-Kao.

liao-NanE, June i delayed IN transmission).
The japanese continued 10 press the Russian
forces returning from the battle Of Wafarr-
Kao on the night OF June 15 They had re-
manned at Wafang-Kao all day and at night
peTsistenty pushed forward and tried to get
around the Russian right wing which had borne
the hrunt Of such heavy fighting the previous
day.
A terrific thunderstorm burst at night. rem
dering the roads almost impossible. They were
bad for the Russians and equally so for the
japanese. who were unable 10 overlap the Rus
sian right The Russians, therefore. were en-
abled TO retire gradually to the north.
Il is said here that General Kuroki. with the
main force Of the japanese is at Siu-Yen II IS
believed he intends 10 unite with the force ad-
vanciag from The south, and make a combined
attack on Hai-ChenR.
Further details Of the fighting on June -
show that the Russian advance on the Japanese
position. when it was hoped that General
Stakelberg would drive back General Nodzu's
COku's) army, was most brilliant affair. Soon
after dawn the japanese were discovered in
strong force on a hill north OF Dyaiwo. The in
fartry was well intrenched and supported by ar
tillery
DEADLY FIRE OF JAPANESE.
The Russian left was thrown forward with
reserves 10 clear the hill They had a little over
a mile Of open country 10 cross. their only cover
being two small hills and two shallow valleys.
The japanese concentrated deadly fire on the
Russians az soor as they reached the open
The Russians formed in open order and rushed
from point 70 point taking advantage Of every
depression IN the ground. dropping and firing.
then advancing again. until they gained a hill.
where they halted for breathing space.
The japanese threw shrapnel over the hill,
which burst with deadly effect Some squad
rons haG every Officer killed and half their men
wounded. In spite Of the terrific punishment IN
fiicted one regiment gained the hill The 9th
Company of the 3D. Regiment got 10 within
twenty PAGES Of the japanese intrenchments.
They lost all their officers and half of their men.
Captain Hasken was the last to fall. He was
shot through the stomach.
HAND TO HAND CONFLICT.
The men lay painting under the Japanese
trenches and out Of range Of their FIRE. The
japanese raised themselves over the trenches
and fired the Russians greeting the hail Of shots
with chafY. and the japanese, angry at their in
ability TO disIoege the attackers, threw stones
them.
The battle at this point became hand-to-
hand fight with stones and gun butts. and the
remainder Of the Russians, taking advantage OF
this diversion gained the shelter OF a neighbor-
in., ravine but were unable to hold the POSI-
lion IN the face Of the hail of shells and shrap-
mel concentrated there by the Japanese batteries.
The Japanese heavy guns silenced the artil-
lery supporting the Russian attack Thirteen
Russian guns were smashed to atoms and
their horses killed. A majority Of their
Eunners were killed or wounded The
guns were useless 20 the japanese as they
were literally shot to pieces before they We're
abandoned The remainder of the artillery re-
tired to Wafang-Kao.
THE JAPANESE MAIN ATTACK.
The Japanese then delivered their main at
tack. A whole division was thrown against the
Russian centre and two divisions around the
right flank The hard pressed right held out
until II o'clock in the morning, when two regi-
r1ents rushed 10 its assistance The whole force
then advanced cheering, and actually rolled
bacI, the Japanese onset but General Nodzu
(Oku poured in fresh troops, regiment after
regiment The Russian commander saw that he
was being enveloped rallied his reserves. and
retired in order.
The Russians burned the storehouses at Wa
fang-Kao and retreated at O'Clock, and the
position was occupied by the Japanese at C.
The Russian losses are about 5000 far as
can be ascertained.
II is reported that the japanese killed many
wounded Russians. partly because OF their
hatred or the Cossacks. and also because OF /
their desire not - be burdened with prisoners. /
Some Russians who were close TO the Jap (
anese position say that many OF the enemy were /
TAIL and were entirely different IN appearance 1
from the Japanese themselves.