Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-09-10

quickly took up other positions as the
shells fell behind them. Both armies
remained in touch during the after
noon. Then a severe thunder storm
came with heavy rain, in the midst of
which the artillery on our left wing at
tackled Daidenstu. There seemed to be
no single firing, but several shells every
moment mingled their thunders with
the thunders of the heavens, making
an awe inspiring volume of sound in
which one was unable to tell where the
artillery ended and the thunder began.
There was little shelter that night
for the wounded. All lay in common
fellowship upon the mud, drenched to
the skin, while the pitiless rain contin-
ued all night and until nearly midday,
when a thick fog covered the country.
During the afternoon of Aug. p, L
was permitted to ascend the captured
heights. Lines of gathered corpses still
twisted in their death agonies lay in
fields around the village at the foot of
the hill. awaiting cremation. AS 1
reached the top picturesque scenes were
visible. In front appeared line upon
line of glistening bayonetted rifles in
awaiting the word to march. Behind
them here and there rough mounds of
newly dug earth market the graves of
the Russian soldiers who had persisted
in the battle. Russian oVercoatS ana
blankets lay around.
Beyond there was nothing but wall
of mist into which the troops that were
constantly arriving disappeared. The
long lines of infantry dressed in mud
soaked, skinny khaki, some of them
armed with wire cutters and others
with trenching tools. melted away. AL
most every man was carrying a pack
age wrapped in blue cloth above his
knapsack, which held extra food. Each
soldier had white armband as dis
tinguishing mark during a night at
tack.
Here stood standard bearer, Il
middle-ag ed man, bearded and grave of
aspect like an italian signor. His
wounded head was swathed in band
ages and he bore with pride this dis
tinguishing badge of honor. Every now
and then a soldier in the ranks walked
with a specially proud air. Lint and
iodofOrm revealed where his wound
was, a wound which he refused to al
low to keep him from battle.
There seemed to be a CeaseleSS pro-
cession ascending and vanishing into
darkness beyond the thin fog which
had partly lifted. Twelve hundred feet
below the fresh green valleys shone
out. while around in a monster half
circle myriad mountain peaks came
out.
"Then through a gap in the hills al
most due northWard a silver streak ap-
pearnd. shaped like n horseshoe. Our
glasses We're instantly raised and q
thrill of emotion Welt through us. This
was our Jordan. our promised land ly-
| ing beyond. Now the streak of light
| became clearer. marking the path of
| the river Tang. which showed itself by
its sandy banks. Upon the distant yell
| low sands we could distinguish rows of
tents. and then dark. hurrying masses
of retreating Russian troops, foot,
horse. and artillery, all pouring to-
ward the bridge.
! "Our soldiers are now advancing to-
ward Anping. which is their goal. The
task before us presents many difficult
ties. The Russians hold the hills on
the opposite side of the river apparent
ly in great strength and with abundant
artillery. To make n direct crossing
| would be an arduOuS task, yet no
thought but of victory animateS our
men. These soldiers believe themselves
to be heaven sent members of an ever
| victorious army"