Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1904-05-31
BATTLE OF NANSHAN.
Japanese Win a Bloody Victory Over
Russians. -

e.
There was. terrific battle between
the Russians and Japanese at Nam
shan at the junction Of the Port Ar
thur and Dalny branches Of the Man.
churian railroad last Thursday, the
elimination of weeks campaigning
and manoeuvering for position.
1t seems that after defeating the
Russians at Wiju, on the boundary be-
tween Korea and Manchuria, the ia
panese pushed eastward to the Man
churian railroad, about one hundred
miles, and then commenced working
south toward Port Arthur. The Rus
slams, at first somewhat demoralized,
began to offer more or, less resistance
on May 81, and from that date the
fighting grew more and more severe.
The Japanese defeated the Russians
in number of minor skirmishes, and
on Wednesday met them in strong
force at Kin Chou about thirty-two
miles north Of Port Arthur. From their
spies the Japanese learned that the
Russians were strongly entrenched
with about thirty guns, and defended
by innumerable mines and wire en-
tanglements, at the points where at
tacks were expected. The attack how
ever, was pushed with the utmost
vigor, and notwithstanding heavy ia
panese losses the Russians were forced
to retire to a seemingly. impregnable
position they had fortified on Nanshan,
small mountain at the junction OF the
railroad.
Without hesitation the japanese
made assault after assault on the Nam
shan hill. The Russians met them
with a terrific artillery fire at long
range, and as they got closer moved
them down with rifles. In many cases
every man and officer Of the charging
columns was killed; but this seemed
to in no wise deter those behind. FL
nally it was decided that more artil-
lery was needed, and after an artillery
duel of half hour or more, many or
the Russian guns seemed disabled.
Then the infantry charges were renew
ed. Gradually the Japanese worked
themselves to within 400 yards of the
Russian trenches and here encountered
wire entanglements. A detachment
more intrepid than the rest, found an
opening, and others poured in after un-
til soon there was an immense number
on the hill fighting hand to hand with
Ikl ho6 aVQntnQlly
give way. In the meantime, the hill,
being within range from the deep wa
ter on either side, was being shelled
by Russian gunboats on one side and
by Japanese gunboats on the other.
The japanese had one piece of good
fortune. The ground over which they
had to charge had been mined; but
they accidentally discovered the wires
leading to the explosives and cut them,
thus saving themselves from terrific
loss.
The reports have it that the Japan
ese lost 5000 men in killed alone IN
the charge on Nanshan, and that they
found more than 400 dead Russians In
ana the lISIlCHcS. 1iiCiC 10 tSSA
son to believe that the Japanese loss
is really largely in excess of these fig
ures, and that the Russian loss has
not been underestimated. 1t appears
in fact that there has been absolutely
no information from the Russian side
and that even st. Petersburg has been
dependent upon the. Japanese for news.
After retiring from Nanshan Hill,
the Russians went on to Port Arthur,
and it seems that this stronghold Is
the next centre of interest. The place
can only be taken by siege or assault
and it is understood that the Japanese
have not only determined on the lat
ter method; but. they propose, to COM
plete their work within a few weeks.
They cannot afford to daily until Rus
sian reinforceinents arrive, preferring
rather to pay the tremendous cost In
life that will be involved in assault.
The situation now appears to be grow
ing more interesting daily.