The Irish standard., 1904-04-02
FIERCE BATTLE,
is REPORTED
Russians Retreat After an Engagement with
Japanese at Chong- Ju-Togo Tells of
Attempt to Block Port Arthur.

ST. Petersburg, March 30.-The en-
:peror has received dispatch from Gen.
Kuropatkin giving lengthy report
from Gen. Mishtchenko, dated at ten
p. m. March %, which says that an i'm
portant engagement took place near the
town of Chong-Ju, in which the Rus
slams were defeated, retiring in perfect
order, having with them three killed and
JIG wounded. The Japanese suffered
heavily. Cavalry and infantry on both
sides were engaged. The Russians oc-
cupied a commanding position. The
Japanese fought calamity, but owing to
their heavy losses were unable to oc-
>cupy the position abandoned by the
Russians.
Kuropatkin's Report.
Gen. Kuropatkin's report is as fol-
lows: Il have the honor to respectful
ly communicate to your majesty the re-
port of Gen. Mishtchenko, dated March
rs, at ten p. M, which says:
"'For three consecutive days our
small outposts attempted to draw the
Japanese cavalry into action, but their
patrols, after contact was established,
retired beyond Chong-Ju (about fifty
miles northwest of Ping-Yang). Hav-
Ing learned that four squadrons of the
enemy were posted five versts beyond
eChong-Ju on March q, six companies
marched toward Kasan, and on March
:2S reached Chong-Ju at 1890 a. m. AS
soon as our scouts approached the town
the enemy opened fire from behind the
wall. Two squadrons promptly dis
mounted and occupied the heights 600
yards distant An engagement ensued.
Held Their Ground.
In the town a company of infantry
and squadron of cavalry were lying in
Ambush. Our men were reinforced by
three companies, and attacked the jap
Anese with cross fire. Notwithstanding
this, and our commanding position, the
Japanese CALAMITY held their ground.
and it was only after fierce fight of half
an hours duration that the japanese
ceased fire and sought refuge in the
houses. The japanese hoisted the Red
Gross flag at two points.
"'Soon afterwards three squadrons of
the enemy were seen advancing along
the Kasan road at full gallop toward the
town, which two of the squadrons sue
ceeded in entering, while the third fell
pack in disorder under repeated volleys
from our troops. A number of men and
horses were seen to fall. For an hour
our companies continued to fire on the
japanese in the town, preventing them
1rom leaving the streets and houses,
Russians Retire.
IAN hour and half after the BEGIN
ming of the engagement four companies
were seen on the Kansan road, fastening
to attack. l gave the order to mount,
and the entire force. with covering
squadron, retired in perfect order and
formed in line behind the hill. The
wounded were placed in front and the re-
tirement was carried out with the DELHI
<eration of parade.
"The Japanese squadron, which was
thrown into disorder, was evidently I'M
able to occupy the hill which we had Just
evacuated, and their infantry arrived too
1ate
The detachment protecting our rear
we halted for two hours in order to give
attention to our wounded. At nine p. m.
our force reached Noo-San.
The Losses.
"'It is supposed that the Japanese had
heavy losses in men and horses. On our
side, unfortunately, three officers were
severely wounded-Stepanoffa and And
rookie in the chest and Vaselevitch in
the stomach. Schilnikoff was less Sc
ffously wounded in the arm, but did not
leave the field. Three Cossacks were
KILLED and - were wounded, including
five seriously
"Gen. Mishtchenko bears witness to
the excellent conduct and gallantry of
the officers and Cossacks, and especially
praises the Third company Of the Ar
gunsk regiment, commanded by Kras-
lostanoff''
Conflict Expected.
st. Petersburg, March 30.-A corre-
spondent Of the Novosti at Liao-Yang,
under yesterdays date, reports that the
Japanese have moved on the Yalu river,
and that conflict between them and the
ASuoSlili'> StDSCteu ApIll
The Opposing Armies.
London, March 30.--No Japanese re-
port of the lard operations in Korea has
yet been received here, and there is much
speculation as to the size of the oppos-
ing armies, regarding which there is no
reliable information. A correspondent
at Russian headquarters in Mukden tele-
graphs that according to reports re-
ceived there about ten thousand Japa-
nese have crossed the river at Chin
Changau, and 5000 have advanced north
from Chong-Ju. The Chronicles Shang-
hal correspondent asserts that prac-
tically the whole japanese army in
Korea, consisting of 100000 men, is con-
centrated at Pak-Chen and ANU, only
small attachments being left in south
ern Korea to maintain communication.