New-York tribune., 1904-10-04
4 RUSSIAN FORL0RN HOPE
Succeeds in Recapturimg Port
4rthur Height.

Che-Foo. oct 3. p, n1.-An official report
from General Stoessel. dated September 23,
reached Che Foo to-day. confirming previous
report Of the repuse OF the Japanese attack
on Port Arthur which began September 10 and
ended September %. The fighting was of an
extremely severe character. The Japanese hav-
ing retired. General Stoessel issued the follow
ing proclamation:
Glory, Thanks God! Glory to our heroic
garrison Glory 10 Illmanu. Sychan and Pog-
gorsky-heroes all Thanks TO our valiant Noiuh-
teers who routed the enemy from the trenches
destroying them. God has permitted us TO re-
pulse the enemy. Praise to God!
The volunteers referred to by General stoessel
in his proclamation were the men called upon TO
take a high hill which had been captured by
the japanese. From seni-official sources it is
learned that the attack began on the 10Th along
the whole line and lasted four days. various
positions changing hands many times.
The high Hill mentioned was a very important
position to the Russians. The Japanese attacked
repeatedly. day and night, finally occupying the
position the night of September D.. after
suffering very severe losses. The attempt 10
retake this hill being extremely hazardous, Gen
eral Stoessel refused TO issue the order, but
called for volunteers. Everybody called upon
sponded. whereupon a requisite number of men
was selected. Lieutenant Poggorsky and Cap
tain Sychan leading them. Soldiers ana officers
alike carried grenades explosive shells weighing
from two TO six pounds, which thrown by
hand. and with these they attacked the Jap
anese temporary fortidcations and drove the lat
ter from all their positions. Several mines were
exploded in the general battle. causing severe
losses The Russians calculate that the total
japanese losses for the four days lighting reach
20000 men.
A private letter received here from Port Ar
thur. dated September 2,, gives further details
Of the lighting from September 10 to September
- The attack began with a heavy lombard
ment directed against nearly all the Russian
outposts and many Of the main forts The
shelling OF the redoubts protecting the water
supply of Port Arthur was tremendous Night
fan on September 10 found the water works
redoubts reduced TO mere heaps Of debris The
garrisons OF the redoubts thereupon retreated
safely 10 the main fortifcatons under cover OF
the darkness.
At / O'Clock the same afternoon September
l9 the japanese assault on High Hill began
The japanese plan Of attack never Varied First
a bombardment and then an assault and. when
repulsed. bombardment again. and then an
other assault. The desperate determination Of
the japanese 10 capture this position amounted
TO fanaticism, their efforts never ceasng for
four days. one battalion Of japanese having
retreated into a valley was exposed to the
Russian shrapnel fire and was almost ami; +
lated. Eventually the japanese succeeded in
placing one field gun and two machine guns I'm
position behind hastily made barriers Their
tenure Of the position. owing 10 the fire from
the inner forts. very insecure and when
Lieutenant Poggorsky and the volunteers
charged the tide turned agains them one bat
TALON, composed Of the remnants of two com
Ianies. was annihilated in the trenches. which
IL refused to desert. Another detachment
was driven into the Russian intrcnchments
where Captain Sychaff"s force was waiting and
completed its rout. Two other attempts made
by The japanese 10 retake the positions failed
Chinese who left Port Arthur on October |
and who We're previously engaged i'm burying
the dead say the effect OF the Russian shells
and machine guns is terrific, The slopes OF a
high hill were Uttered with mangled bodies and
severed heads and limb. I'm one trench the
Chinese buried three hundred japanese and two
hundred Russians.
While 1t is true that the regular water supplv
OF Port Arthur has been stopped by the jap
anese, the fortress has other supplies which can
be taken only when the city falls
TIE garrison OF Port Arthur now has sudlcient
1000 but supplies Of timed meats are nearly ex-
hausted, and the troops are now slaughterinc
thirty donkeys daily for fresh meat which is
worth 81 20 pound. Eggs cost 20 cents each