The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-12-19
FIGHT FOR HILL.
Russian Commsnder Describes the Sam
 guinary Engagements.

chefoo. Dec. 1s.-For ferocity and sustained desperation on both sides, the struggle for the possession of High Hill probably was the most remark able In the history of the siege of Port Arthur-a siege noted for slaughter.
 This statement Is based on an Inter- view which the correspondent of the Associated Press had with Commander Mizzeneoff, executive cficer of the bat tleship Poltava up to ..ie time the ves- sel was disarmed and who, as already told, headed the party of seven Rus sians who left Port Arthur in sail boat December IS and after extreme suffering while crossing in a driving snowstorm, arrived here December Is, bearing dispatches which were turned over to the Russian Consul for trans mission to St. Petersburg.
 These dispatches, 1t is understood. consist partly of a statistical report of the effect of the Japanese bombard- meiIts and there is nothing in them to indicate that General Stoessei Is with out hope that the fortress win be able to hold out.
 Commander MizzeneoY. who was wounded in the leg during the battle of High Hill said to the Associated Press correspondent: since the Japanese on the 2sth began their attack on High Hill, which they call 203 Metre Hill. the fighting has been continuous. The steep and sandy slopes of the hill were streaked and dotted with snow when the Japanese began the battle which was destined to furnish so many deeds of heroism that they became common place. There was so much slaughter that even Port Arthur's war hardened veterans shuddered at the sight.
 Japanese were compelled to clam Der up the slopes of the hill in many cases without firing, in the face of one of the most murderous deluges ever poured from rifles and machine guns. I was there, and 1t seemed to me that flesh and blood would be unable to stand our fire for a minute.
 The enemy went down in squads and companies but always there were oth- CTS grimly coming forward. Their bravery was beyond praise as was that of our own men. Sometimes the fight ing was hand to hand with the mug zles of the rifles at the breasts of the contestants, the bayopets being used as swords.
 The sides of the hill were strewr with bodies and the snow was crtm- soned with the blood of the wounded some of whom had crawled into 1t. seeking in it's coldness surcease for their dying agonies.
 Eventually as in similar instances which were % follow. we retired leav- ing the work of driving the enemy from the summit to the reslstless guns of the neighboring forts. notably those of Liaoti mountain.
 One incident of this assault will remain forever impressed upon my mind. When Japanese standard bear CT reached the summit and planted his flag. a gigantic Russian corporal left his retreating comrades. and rushing back seized the flag which he was tearing with his hands and with his teeth when he fell, pierced with several bullets.
 When the Japanese retired under an artillery fire the Russians re-occupied the summit. The second and third as- saults were replicas of the first. al- though the second was the most fero- cious, being nearly all hand to hand fighting in which mercy was neither asked nor given.
 A remarkable incident occurred in the third assault as the Russians, still facing the enemy. retreated. A Jap anese standard bearer, holding his flag aloft, climbed the pinnacle and fell dead clutching the colors. In his tracks another rose with the colors only to fall instantly with a dozen wounds in his body. Six others followed and met the same fate. At last when the ninth man appeared a Russian officer ex- claimed: Don't shoot that fellow with the flag; 1t will be planted anyhow.
 The Japanese adopted curious ex- pedient which assisted them greatly ID the third assault They had prepared huge piles of wood, coal and cornstalks which they ignited. the wind being in the faces of the Russians The re- sultant fire was immense and the James and smoke compelled the Russians to retire.
 The red glare from this fire disclosed ghastly picture, more internal than