Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-09-05
sFAKELBERG ESCAPES.

The seven days gigantic CONNECT
around Liaoyang between General Kuro-
patkin's Manchurian armies and the
Mikado's three armies under Marshal
Oyama, in which the combined fighting
strength was nearly half a million men
and several thousand guns, has culmina-
ted in decisive victory for the Japanese.
General Kuropatkin is in full retreat
northward, after sustaining enormous
losses, including more than 80, 600 men
killed and wounded, the First Siberian
Army, numbering $4,000 men, com
manded by General Stskelberg, was lot
time surrounded and cut of, and ms
strongly fortified position with valuable
stores and guns abandoned. Later, now
ever, he managed to extricate his army
and crossed Taitse river. Stakelberg dis
obeyed Kuropatkin's order to cross when
ordered to cross the river at once. Before
evacuating Liaoyang the Russians blew
up the magazines and set fire to the
buildings containing the army stores
and provisions. Later the japanese
entered the city. The Russian armies
are now about 20 miles north of LiaO-
yang. but it is doubtful whether Kuro-
patkin will make another stand until re-
inforced. He will probably continue on
to Mukden. The japanese losses in the
battles about Liaoyang are estimated at
| 80. 900 men killed and wounded. The
retreat of Kuropatkin will be dishearten-
ing to the Port Arthur garrison, which
can no longer hope for relief from his
forces. Meanwhile the japanese coz
tinue their attacks upon the fortress and
a number of tho Russian outer forts arc
now in their possession.
General Kuroki, however, is reported
by Marshal Oyama to be executing a
turning movement encompassing a large
force Of the retreating Russians. Stakel-
berg's escape, it is said at st. Peters
burg, also enables General Orloff's de-
moralized force to get together in a safe
retreat Unless the Car foregives
Stakelberg he will have to stand court
martial for disobeying Kuropatkin's or
der Friday to join in the general re-
treat.
Field Marshal Oyama reports that,
after severe engagements Saturday night
and Sunday morning. the japanese fl
nally occupied Liaoyang.
According to General Kuropatkin'
report of Saturday evening, the greater
part of his army, including Stakelberg'
corps, is moving in the direction OF Muk-
den. The troops left at Liaoyang to
cover the retreat, crossed the river Sat
urday and occupied the right bank.
Kuropatkin last night had reached Tieh-
ling north of Yentai and eighteen miles
south of Mukden. He has asked the
Gar to despatch the Sixth Army Corps
to the front.
General Orloff's detachment, which
was guarding the Russian left flank at
Yentai, suffered enormous losses, one
regiment losing | 800 men. In the bat
tie last Thursday before Liaoyang 5000
Russians fell.
No details are given of the escape OF
General Stakelberg's corps from the
clutches of the enemy, but it is believed
that it owes its safety to the neglect or
the inability of the japanese to follow
up their advantage. General Stakelberg
was allowed to cross the river and came
up with the main army in time to enable
the shattered remnants of Major Gen
eral Orioff's detachment to retreat. This
exploit is likely to coRdone General
Stakelberg's disobedience; but, unless
the Emperor torgives him, he will have
to appear before a court martial, anu
nrohahlv will lose his command.