The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1904-07-21
RUSSIANS
HEAVY LOSS
COUNT KELLER'S TROOPS DE-
FEATED IN ATTACK.
FIGH WAS DESPERATE
AS Usual Russians Retired in per
feet Order and Inflicted Heavy Loss
on the Enemy. Battle Lasted
From 10 a. m. to 8 p. m.

~ CtCA hC AOAAO"AliS SA5-
patch from Gen Kuropatkin to the
emperor dated "July IL on our east
ern front"
AT 10 p. m. July Is, the head Of
the column advanced from Ikhavuan.
AT II O'Clock battalion of the sec
ond regiment dislodged a japanese
out post at the point Of the bayonet
at the crossing Of the Lakho and the
Sinka roads.
"The details of this engagement
have not yet been verified but it's gen
eral course, according to telegraphic
reports sent in by Gen. Keller, was as
follows:
During the night the japanese had
evacuated Siae Kao pass and the
heights surmunted by the temple,
leaving only outposts there. At dawn
Gen. Kastalinsky's column occupied
the passes, driving back the Japanese
advance posts.
AT about 5 80 in the morning of
July II the japanese in considerable
strength and with numerous guns oc-
cupied Wafankwan pass and the
mountainous bluffs to the south on the
flank Of Gen. Kashtalinsky's column.
From this position and from the crest
OF the mountains to the east of the
heights surmounted by the temple the
enemy directed very heavy rife and
artillery fire.
"Gen. Kashtalinsky advanced to oc-
cupy the bluffs, sending forward at
once one Of the three battalions but
the attempts failed Notwithstanding
the support given by the horse noun
tain battery as our field guns could
not be brought into action on account
Of the nature Of the ground.
"At s a. m. Gen. Keller, who was
directing the fight around Ikhauan,
deemed it necessary to lend assistance
to Gen. Kashtalinsky's column by
bringing up from the general reserve
three battalions to the heights sur
mounted by the temple. In order to
maintain the positions he had already
occupied it was necessary, owing to
the enemy's pressure, to reinforce i'm
mediately with other reserves the
troops on the fighting line, but these
positions, owing to their situations
were untenable.
"Gen. Kellar found the strength of
the enemy SO great compared with
ours that he decided not to continue
the fight and not to bring up either the
special or the general reserves, espec-
tally in view of the fact that in case
Of ultimately taking the offensive it
would be necessary to attack without
support of the field artillery.
In consequence of this Gen. Kel-
Ter decided about 1890 to withdraw
his troops to the positions originally
occupied in the Yanse pass. The
troops retired slowly, step by step, and
in perfect order, covered by the fire of
field battery which had been brought
into action. Towards midday an Of
fensive movement by the enemy in the
direction Of the right flank Of the
Yanse pass position developed and at
the same time japanese mountain
battery was brought into position in
the village of Tsoudiaptz, two and
one-half miles south Of Ikhavuan.
After thirty-four shots had been
fred the third battery of the third
brigade which held the saddle to the
south of Yanse pass the japanese bat
terry was finally reduced to silence.
"The fight ceased at p. m. and the
troops returned to Ikhavuan.
"The japanese advance was stopp-
ed above the valley Of the Iantakhe
river at position occupied and main
tanned by us.
I'm consequence of a sleepless night
and the heat Of the day our troops
were greatly fatigued, having been
over Is hours on foot and fighting.
"Our losses have not been exactly
ascertained but Gen. Keller reports
that they exceed one thousand.
ssThe gallant oath regiment suffer
ed most. Gen Keller especially men
tions the activity, courage and cool
ness shown by its commanding officers.
Toxic. Gen. Kuroki reports that
| two divisions Of the Russian army
made a desperate assault on Molten
Pass at dawn July II, but were re-
pulsed Casualties were not stated.
At 3 O'Clock Sunday morning a
heavy fog yelling their movements two
divisions of Russians commanded by
Lieut.. General Kellar, made an assault
on the japanese positions at Molten
Pass. Gen. Kuroki adds that the Rus
slams assaulted all the Japanese posi-
tions at Molten Pass