The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-09-09
LAO YANG BATTLE
Fighting Of Sept. l Described
by a Correspondent.
Oku Sacrificed 10000 Men in
Five Assaults.
II Il II ID IL II q m NInHmTNG
FIERCEST FIGHTING
The World Has Known Since
American Civil War.
Japanese Fought Four Days on
Rations in Their Knapsacks.

| London, Sept. 9.-The Times cores
pendent with the Japanese left army
sends a long description of the Lao
Yang battle of September 1, saying:
THE general impression was that we
had only to advance and occupy the
town, but Generals Nodzu's and Oku's
armies required a days rest. In so
hours Oku had made four general as
saults which had failed and he had sub
sisted through the Indictment weather
on rations carried on the person, while
reserve ammunition required replenish-
ing.
THE Russians had fallen back in
good order taking with them every
thing except some 200 of their latest
dead, while the only prisoners to fall
into the hands of the Japanese were
seven men who were entombed in an
observation mine casemate on a brush
covered hill. A japanese storming par
ty had piled sandbags over the difiec of
the casemate. 1t was an extraordinary
incident, for the entombed Russians had
shot two officers Who wished to parley
with them and eventually surrendered
80 hours later in a horrible state.
Il will not dwell upon the sickening
and narrowing sights of the battlefield
except to mention one incident:
THE Japanese StormerS had penetra-
ted the trenches and had overpowered
the Cossacks holding them, but Rus
SLAMS from splinter proof shelter be-
hind had fallen with their bayonets on
the gallant Japanese in the moment OF
their success and the bodies of both
japanese and Cossacks were piled thick
upon each other in hideous heap.
The casualties of the Japanese in
five divisions at the lowest computa-
ton were not less than 10000, and thew
were probably many more. for, owing
to the crops of millet, several of the
wounded have not been found and they
must have died miserably, while many
bodies will never be found until the
crops are cut.
1T is impossible to estimate the Rus
sian losses which are likely half those
of the Japanese. 1t must be remember
ed that this estimate of the latter does
not include the Tenth division of Ku-
rokiS army.
full Russian response to the Japanese
fire.
Trains have been seen leaving all
during the day"
Oku's artillery attacks as one of the
most severe artillery duels the world
has ever seen. Every gun belonging to
two of the Japanese corps was trained
in rapid fire on the left of Kuropatkin's
position.
The correspondent says:
1T was a magnificent and withal awe
inspiring spectacle. The Russian go
station building and nothing could live
under the attack. The end of the Rus
sian resistance had come, and the Jap
anese gunners rested from this part of
devastation and slaughter, when sud
denly out of the midst of smoke and
murky dust left from the reeking
came counter flashes from two
or three Russian batteries. One almost
felt inclinde to cheer, but it seemed
that it was their last ffort-a magnifi-
cent farewell to the enemy whom they
had fought for so long.
I'VE had evidence that Lao Yang
would be abandoned, but it seemed GER
tain, though defeated and forced by
superior numbers and superior artillery
and to some extent by superior troops,
Kuropatkin had in turn defeated Japan
csc strategy. for, as far as we could
learn or judge by the direction of the
fire Kuroki was still fighting to get
astride the Russian communications.
THAT evening the remaining Rus
slams in the trenches still kept the Jap
aneSe at bay, but the iron minded Oku,
little reckoning, that his fierce attack
mad already cost 900 men determined
upon final enveloping assault on this
stubborn rear guard. The last reserves
were pushed in and at 3 o'clock in the
after five days of the most Sc
we're fight the world has sen since the
American civil war, the Japanese cap
tured the railway bridge and won in
occupation of Lao Yang.
gineers for field works had been over |
looked. 1t was evident at the outset |
that Oku's previous success mad caused |
him to despise the staying of the en- |
envy. for without waiting for adequate |
preparations he pushed his infantry |
down to the limit of the standing crops |
which had come under the Russians |
precautionary SickleS.
THE Russian tactics at Lao Yang |