Gilpin observer., 1904-07-07
Russians Report Engagements.

st. Petersburg, July 5.-The general
staff has received the following dis
patch from Lieut.. Gen. Sakharoff. ;.
chief of staff of Gen. Kuropatkin, dated
July 4th
July Sd the advance guard of tho
Russian force operating east of Lao
Yang occupied position at Land-Tse
pass. Towards evening the same day
our scouts ascertained that a detach-
ment of the enemy's advance guard.
$500 strong. had occupied the villages
of Ekhavuan and Tcha-Kumen-Za, the
main force having remained in Fen
shut and Molten passes.
"At this moment we discovered the
movement of a japanese detachment
consisting of a battalion of infantry to
turn our left flank positions in the
Yang-Tse pass, in the direction of
Lian-Dian Sian. In order to check
this movement, force of five compa.
nies Of infantry, two detachments of
mounted hussars and half company
Of Cossacks was sent forward in tho
direction Of the threatened point.
"In order to learn the strength OF
the enemys position in front Of Yang.
Use pass, the commander OF the de-
tachment ordered out was reinforced
and reconnoitering party Of ten COM
panies was sent in the direction of
Ekhavuan. under the command Of
Colonel Letschitsky.
with the view of making a demon
stration insuring the return Of Letsch-
itsky's detachment, three companies
under Lieut.. Col. Gernitsky marched to
MahoumiZZa, about a mile and a half
south Of Ekhavuan, to the crossing of
the roads leading to Sin Xii and the
Lok river passes.
Firing began about 80 p. m, July
4. Gernitsky's column reached the
cross roads and dislodged a company
Of the enemy's advance guard, which
was almost annihilated. Simultaneous.
ly Letschitsky's column dislodged the
enemy's advance posts without firing
a shot, and approached the foot of the
heights. which were surmounted by a
temple. The temple is less than milo
east of Ekhavuan. where, although ex-
posed to q heavy frontal and flank fire,
our troops dashed forward and dis.
lodged the Japanese from their en-
trenchments and occupied the pass. AS
the enemy was preparing to deliver a
frontal and flank attack, our column
then retired as previously instructed.
Three companies Of Gernitsky's force
occupied the position which they had
been ordered to secure.
when Letschitsky's force began to
withdraw, the enemy opened a heavy
fire from the heights. In spite OF this
the column retired in perfect order.
Brave Letschitsky remained continu-
ally on the fighting line and directed
the column with remarkable ability
and cooness. He was the last to re.
tire, with his chief OF stan and ad-
jutant.
"Gernitsky's column behaved with
equal brilliancy and GOODNESS, carrying
out their task with no sign OF agita.
ton.
"Our casualties were: Letschisky
bruised and wounded; Col. Poapelow,
Lieut.. Col. Trakhemovsky. Capt. Solo.
lief, Lieuts. Markoff. Latkine, Robros-
kovsky and Kozine, Second Capt. Palic
an several other officers wounded and
200 soldiers killed or wounded.
II observed the fighting with my
stan from the Tkhacouan tower, and
SO can personally testify to the con.
duct of the troops.
II cannot pass in silence the re.
markable devotion OF surgeons and
the chaplain, who attended the wound.
ed under hot fire and even helped to
carry them OF the field.
"All the wounded were removed.
ION the morning of July 3rd our
reinforcements occupied Liam Dian
Sian. One soldier was killed during the
hghting The same afternoon detach-
ment Of the enemy, consisting Of two