Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1905-03-17
LOSSES IN THREE BATTLES.

Russian. Japanese.
Mukden l55 600 $4,000
Liaoyang $4,000 1900
Shakhe river 1880 15S7a
The battle of Mukden-or Hun
river, whichever it may be called, as
the fighting began at the Shak he
river, crossed the Hun, swept over
Mukden the sacred burying ground
OF Chinese dynasties, and will prob
ably end at Tie Pass, 35 miles north
OF Mukden-goes upon the pages of
history as the greatest battle known
to the world.
Since hostilities began the Russians
have lost from the front twenty.six
general officers-ten of whom are
prisoners, six killed, five wounded
and five recalled in disgrace. They
have also lost fifteen admirals-four
who are prisoners, three killed, four
recalled and four ordered to sea. On
the other hand the japanese have
lost but one general officer-killed
In battle-and two admirals, both of
whom were drowned on a sinking
ship. And it can be said that not
an officer of the rank mentioned has
been deprived of his command since
the war commenced, and all of the
commanders have the confidence of
the Emperor, which cannot be said
of their adversaries.
Nearly three weeks ago the fight
ing In Manchuria was resumed after
short winters rest In previous
issues we have endeavored to give
our readers as ineligible accounts
as meagre reports would admit. To-
DAY we can succinctly record the
closing and most important features
in this awful drama.
With about half a million troops
the Japanese not only outnumbered
the Russian army of 100000 nearly
two to one, but have outgeneraled
and outfought the enemy at every
stage. They hemmed in the Rus
slams at Mukden, and by feints made
them believe the bulk of attack
would be on the east when in fact
the Port Arthur veterans were ad-
vancing on the west, and later swept
the entire Russian right wing into
Kuroki's jaws on the east, while
Oyama in person broke through their
centre. The ''foot-race" to Tie Pass,
the only gap in the mountains north
of Mukden, was hot one, bat Kuro-
patkin is said to have gotten through
with about half of his srmy-100, 900
or 100000 worn troops. Here the
curtain is drawn for this week. The
scene now shifts to Tie Pass.
THE TIDE OF THE BATTLE.
From the Shakhe river, across the
Hun river, into and out of Mukden
and for 35 miles north to Tie Pass
most vicious, savage, unrelenting no.
quarter battle has ragged for three
weeks. The Russians had stores of
plenty to feed upon; the Japs started
out with three-days' rations, and for
the rest had TO rely upon captured
provisions-a precarious living, and
one that brought some of their
armies almost to starvation's door.
Let these dispatches record the days
of battle:
March 9.-It is officially an
nounced that the Russians began re-
treating yesterday morning. The
japanese armies are pursuing them.
General Kuropatkin has been badly
beaten. The battle was the bloodiest
of the present war. The Japanese
have achieved great victory before
Mukden and the Russian army is in
full retreat. The casualties are nu-
merous on both sides. The Russians
last night, under cover of darkness,
evacuated the whole line along the
Shakhe river and are now in full re-
treat northward 10 their Notifications
on the Hun river. The Japanese in
fantry is pressing them closely. The
fall of Mukden appears imminent.
March 10.-Mukden fell this (Fri.
day. morning. The Russians are
panic-stricken. Thousands of pris-
oners and enormous quantities of
stores and guns have been captured.
General Kuropatkin has sent the
following dispatch to Emperor Mich.
olas: "Last night began the retreat
of all our armies. Dnring the night
there was no fighting, but heavy
cannonade." 1t is believed that the
Russians may attempt to reach Kirin,
225 miles northeast of Mukden
through. the valleys, but a special
Japanese corps from the direction of
the Yalu river probably General
Kamamura's forces) threatens to cut
them of. The Russian Sixteenth
army corps was practically ami
hilated at Tatchekiao. Eight thous-
and Russians fell at Leukuanpeo.
The advance of the Japanese was
facilitated by the freezing over of
the Hun river. Kuropatkin is re-
ported to have lost in the fighting
around Mukden 800 guns, 10000
prisoners and an equal number of
dead and wounded. General Oku
captured Sujaton Station, Russia's
main supply depot, with enormous
quantities of stores. It is estimated
$4,000 Russians, with 1858 guns,
are engaged IN the present battle.
General Oyama cables his army is
too busy to take an account of the
prisoners, supplies and munitions
ne captured at Mukden.
March 1.-THE latest telegram
from Kuropatkin states laconically:
81 am surrounded"
4
March 12.-Information from the
Russian headquarters in the field
show that General KuropatkiE, after
suffering by far the most severe
defeat of the war, has succeeded as
ne did after the battle of Liao Yang,
in extricating the remnants Of his
army from position, which military
experts twenty-four hours before,
believed Would resnlt In its annsh;lo