New-York tribune., 1904-10-19
OKU'S SWIFT ADVANCE.
Russians Rapidly DriUen Back IN the
Early Fighting.

EGfy FfghtlRg.
Headquarters OF General Okus Let army
| Oct. 1.-THE strategy Of the japanese appar-
entity has been entirely successful. and the CO.
operation Of the left centre and right armies
has been perfect The battle began unexpectedly
on Sunday night. October 8. by an attack on
hill five miles north Of Yentai, which the Rus
SLAMS had begun to fortfy. The right column OF
the left army advanced against this hill on that
night ana drove the Russians out after hand 10
hand encounter. On the same night the centre
and left columns advanced and took up positions
in a lire OF villages four miles north OF Yentai'
placing their artillery and preparing for con-
diet on Monday.
On Monday morning the Japanese began shell
ing the Russian positions. The Russians
answered briskIy and a terrific artillery duel
was kept up all day. At night, when it ended,
the result was not decisive. In the night the
Japanese infantry moved within 15OO yards of
the Russian lines taking UP a position along a
line of villages
During Tuesday the Japanese repuised fierce
Russian attacks. the Russians three times dash
ing across the plain separating the two lines
against the Japanese trenches and recoiling from
the shock. All that day the field guns of both
sides poured shrapnel into the trenches, while
the infantry fired almost continuous volleys
across the plain.
The Russians lost heavily in the attacks, the
attackers being almost annihilated In the night
the Russians withdrew for some two thousand
yards and the Japanese took up an advanced
position at the same time
Early on Wednesday morning the Russians
made an attempt to drive the Japanese back.
but the attempt was not successful. The
Japanese continued their steady advance for
ward At o'clock in the afternoon the japanese
made their last rush. arriving at the Russian
position in disorder. but capturing the full bat
tery Of eight guns. The whole force of artillery
of the left army turned on the retreating
Russians. causing much havoc among them.
The left wing crcled the Russians extreme
right forciGg the Russian flank back on the
centre and capturing twelve guns in q desperate
infantry charge.
The Russians during the day fought bravely
and desperately. doing all that men could do.
but they were unable to check the advance OF
the Japanese.
The loss OF the Russians is believed to ex-
ceed by far that of the japanese as the result
of the days fighting.
The japanese centre column captured four
guns and the left column took 10000 rounds of
gun ammunition.
The japanese artillery repeated the excellent
precision that it has displayed in other battles
According to their practice. the japanese usei
a number Of batteries captured from the Rus
SLAMS. On Wednesday night and Thursday
morning the whole left army advanced between
two and three miles. swinging its hanks toward
the railway and driving the Russians 20 a hill
east of the line
In the mean time. General Kurokrs right army
occupied line IN the high hills to the east cut
ting off the Russians. General Nodzu's centre
army. which formed the bottom of the net
ing. but they quickly carried out their plans by
slowly driving back and encircling the Russians
capturing guns, ammunition and men
On Thursday morning the Russians occupied
line on q range Of hills extending generally in
southeasterly direction, the north end OF the
line resting just across the railroad. It is be-
Iieved that this is the range of hills formerly
occupied by General Kurokis forces To the
southeast was the plain occupied by General
Oku.
The battle opened at daylight with heavy ar
tlIlery fire on both sides The japanese gradual
~ moved forward during the day. swinging heir
let wing around and partially envolop!ng the
Russian right At dusk the Ieft wing Of the
left army moved TO the right. and a strong ad-
vance was made during the night almost to the
root OF the hills on which the Russians were
Oh FTloay morning the artillery flght was re-
sumed The Infantry also advanced The left
coIuhan TOOK a village, capturing twelve guns
ana then moved on to another village. The Rus
SLAMS made counter attack. and were only re-
pulsed after a sharp hand-to-hand encounter.
The Russians broke in confusion. and retired in
the direction Of Moukden.
At Il o'clock in the morning the Japanese aag
was raised IN hill on the extreme right of
the Russian position. The only position now
hela by the Russians is in the centre. where a
neFce night Is now being wnged. The Russians
appear to be cut or