The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-03-09
ALONG FOURTEEN MILES.
Fighting OF the Fiercest Nature That
May Soon Decide the Battle.
(By the Associated Press.)


Mukden, March 1856 p. M
Fighting of the fiercest nature which
is likely to decide the fate of the bat
tie that has been progressing for
ten days began at dawn today. and
has continued uninterruptedly up to
the present time on front fourteen
miles long west of the railroad and
on a line with the Shakhe river. The
Japanese also have made desperate
attack on Bentsiaputze, and reports
are arriving here that fighting was re-
newed this morning on the extreme
left of the Russian army. Both lines
are fighting with desperation to the
westward though the troops are well
nigh exhausted. The issue of the bat
tie may depend largely on the rela-
tive physical condition of the rank
and file. The loses in the ten days of
battle ON both sides are already far
greater than were the casualties in
the battle of Lao Yang and are likely
to increase as the days pass before the
issue is fully decided.
Beginning at O'Clock a. M, the
Japanese made a succession of desper-
ate attacks on General Tserpitsky's
division on the west front south of
Mukden, repeating the assault at in
tervals of two hours with constant re-
Inducements About so, 900 Japanese
and 200 pieces of artillery participant
ed. All the attacks were repulsed
there being enormous losses on both
sides. One extremely important posi-
ton changed hands several times.
Finally General Tserpitsky on horse
back placing himself at the head of
his troops led his regiments to. the at
tack with colors flying and music play
ing. The attack was successful. The
Russians captured several quick-firing
guns and many Japanese prisoners in
Guiding officers.
1t was reported that Major Cen
eral Geringross of the East Siberian
Rifles, toward evening had taken and
held Tatchekiao.
All last night and today Japanese
prisoners have been arriving in Muk-
den from the west front. The ma
jority of them are wounded and all
appear downcast and ravenous, many
of them crying.
Battle of The Kitchens.
Monday night the Japanese attacked
Yinheitun, Alanpu and Erthtaitzu and
also made four furious attacks on
the village of lithuanian early this
morning. On the fourth attack the
Japanese We're temporarily successful
in driving out the Russians and rushed
directly toward the field kitchens
where the morning meal was being
prepared anu COI1Hl6HC6Q To DOiI the
food. The Russian troops, however,
with a shout of "Save our dinner,
brothers fell upon the Japanese like
hurricane and drove them out OF
the village at the point of the bayo-
net.
A captured Japanese said that they
had had nothing to eat since Sunday
and that they had been told this morn
ing either to capture the Russians
dinner or starve. At Erdagou on
the center, a regiment of Cossaeks
made night attack, but the Russians
were caught by the Japanese flank
and many of them were killed, fifty
being captured.
AT Bensiaputze the Japanese
stormed as far as the wire entangle-
ments but We're repulsed with great
loss.
An attack on the east front early
this morning resulted in the capture
of several Japanese positions near
Oubenepusa and the seizure of two
japanese { quick firing guns. The
Japanese made a counter attack and
a long and desperate struggle ensued,
the Russians capturing a third quick
fire gun and holding the positions.
The cannonading in the neighbor-
hood of Tatchekekiao is now increas-
ing in intensity. The Japanese appar-
emily have brought up reinforcements
and are attempting to crush General
Geringross. The Japanese are bring
ing up supplies by the Sinmintin road
and apparently are using the railroad
as 9 line of communication.