The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-03-07
GREAT BATTLE ON.
Nogrs Port Arthur Veterans Are Fight
 iag Furiously.

iag FuriOusly.
 With the Japanese Left Armies, March 5, via F'usan.-The battle for which both armies have been prepar- ing for months began last night when the Japanese troops stationed south ward on the left bank of the Hun River swung into the line of the main body. arriving in position before daylight. Early in the morning, with the troops occupying the east bank of the Hun, they advanced towards the Russisn positio,I under the cover of a terrific bombardment from the Japanese artil- lery on the east bank of the river. The Russian guns replied without stop ping the Japanese advance. which con- tinued firmly until the troops reached points south and southwest of Chantan and neighboring villages, only about a hundred yards from the Russian lines. The Russians at this point had many machine guns and the advance ceased. the Japanese throwing up cov- CT and awaiting q favorable oppor- tunity to attack the Russian trenches. An advance was also made from the di- rection of Shantanpu and Liushukau against the villages on the east bank of the Hun, opposite Chantan, the Japanese still keeping up a heavy bonn bardment of all the Russian positions at this end of the line.
 The extreme left wing, which on Monday occupied a diagonal line, steadily advanced to continue the line formed southwest and probably attack the strong Russian positions northwest of Chantan.
 The general bombardment of the Russian line began last night was con- tinued this morning, the Japanese using very heavy Port Arthur guns. 11-inch Howitzers, the largest ever used in field fighting. These were bonn barding the Russian positions and the Chinese villages in the Russian lines on both sides of the railroad and two or three miles north of the Shakhe River, doing great damage, blowing up villages, buildings and earthworks, and giving General Kuropatkin's army q taste of the unpleasant features of the Port Arthur siege.
 This bombardment was probably the heaviest ever known, hundreds of guns of all sizes raining shells on the Rus sian positions destroying the defenses and causing evident consternation among the Russian troops in the zone of the fire. The Russians did not respond except on their extreme right where a Japanese movement was talk ing place. They apparently were una ble to reply, since 1t was the first time they had remained silent for so long a time during the last four months.
 It is considered probable that after the bombardment of the positions is completed a general attack will be pushed home along the entire line by all the Japanese entire armies.
 The left wing of this force is con tinuing it's advance in the direction of Mukden, attacking small villages in the angle mouth of the Hun River and west of the road. The Russian centre near the railroad began retiring last night. the Japanese advancing on hill and capturing fifteen guns, in- cluding Howtizers and machine guns. Tine Russian loss is estimated at 5000 and that of the Japanese at less than 500. Three Russian counter "a ttacks south of the Hun River were unsuc- cessful
 The right wing of this force advanc- ing eastward has captured Onshiniu and Tachucapu, close to the railroad and twelve miles south of Mukden. The Russian centre retired to TinchaA tun station, ten miles south of Muk- den. It is believed that the Russian have set fire to their stores and re- treated. The left of this army is rap idly closing in on Mukden. general attack Is only a matter of hours.