New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-03-15


with especial energy the forces OF Genera
Tserpitsky. which were holding the position
from Ma-Dya-Pu far as the heights east III
Noukden Station, while the Russians unosf
General Gerngross assumed an attack IN the
direction of Tatchekiao, and on the northern
front General Launitz's command beat pack ali
attacks on the whole the outcome of the nshp-
ing on March was favorable to the Russians
who repulsed several attacks on their southern
front and assumed the offensive on the left
where General Linevitch;s army. occupying
eastern hill positions. repulsed numerous at
1acks and took several hundred prisoners ana
several machine guns.
The continued extension, however, of the Jap
anese lines northward. and the concentration
which their superiority in numbers enabled them
10 effect against the northern and northwestern
fronts rendered advisable a contraction OF the
Russian lines and withdrawal from the Shakhe
River to positions on the Hun River was de-
termined
This was in no sense the beginning .)f the
general retreat and Kuropatkn and the gen
erals commanding the armies were far from re-
garding the battle as lost The first army TO re-
tire from the fortified positions east and south
east Of 9Ioukden the Third Army, which
fell back TO positions similarly fortified IN al
vance on the north bank of the Hun River
The burning of abandoned stores, provisions and
japanese followed closely A confusion in or
ders and retirement ia -iTnpenetrabe darkness
across the country were responsible for the falI-
ure OF some organizations to occupy the posi-
lions TO which they had been assigned, and
dust storm like an Egyptian plague. on the
following day made IT impossible to verify the
alignment and ill the breaches, which the jap
anese however, were lucky enough to find and
skilful enough to turn 70 their advantage
ATTEMPT TO SHUT TRAP FAILS.
The Russian positions now formed boot the
toe at Ma-Dya-Pu, and the heel on the Hun
River at Fu-Shun. about five miles wide. TO
meet the apparent danger that the japanese
might plug the top of the boot Kuropatkin sent
thither forty battalions from the command of
General Miloff. which were rendered available
by the shortening of the line. The Russians
began to slowly force the Japanese back at this
critical point, but the Japanese in turn were
reinforced on their extreme right
General Kuropatkin, seeing all apparently
going well at the other positions and determn-
ing TO stake ali on decisive blow, collected the
remainder Of the reserves, strengthened by sew
erai other units, led them personally on March
TO the north front and threw them on the
flank of the japanese. who were attacking San
Tai-Tse and endeavoring to cut the railway.
The scale Of weight was all on the Russian side.
The japanese then retired, abandoning a bat
terry of eight, guns. success apparently crowning
the Russian arms.
At this moment two sets or reports were re-
ceived the first that column Of japanese was
moving further north around the right flank.
. and the second that the japanese on the Hun
River had taken advantage Of the dust storm.
which was blowing the dust in the Rus
SLAMS faces, and of the breaches in the positions
on the Hun. 10 thrust a column through at
Urn Do and nm . of the boot
Here the fords were defended by only three
companies Of the BarnauI Regiment and COM
pany of the Irkutsk Regiment, which were forced
to retire before japanese cavalry and four noun
tain guns
With the entire Russian reserves already en-
gagged. it became impossible to meet the dan
ger IN these two sources, which was immediate
and critical, and at O'Clock in the evening the
brder 10 retire TO Tie Pass was given. Through
the narrow bootleg passage, scarcely five miles
wide. a densely packed mass of transports
pressed northward. coming under the fire of
small squadron OF Japanese cavalry and four
mountain guns. which earlier II the battle had
managed TO dart across the Russian line Of
communication. and conceal themselves in the
mountains TO the eastward.
The forces of General Tserpitzky began an
orderly retirement from the boot top and dur
Ing March 10 Kuropatkin successfully held at
bay the japanese who were trying to reach the
railroad.
THE SCENES AT NdoUKDEN STATION.
The night of March 9 Moukden station pre-
sented a remarkable scene. Shortly after 8
o'clock came the order to complete the evacua-
tion Of the station and city, with directions
that the movement of trains snorthward must
be completed by o'clock in the morning. The
enormous task completed in nine hours
including the hasty embarkation Of the wounded
who crowded the station platform and occupied
the hospitals. Many had already started in the
morning. when the private trains of Kuropatkin
Kaulbars. Sakharoff, Bilderling and Zabelin de-
parted. but thousands remained.
AT $40 p m. the first string of eight trains
was dispatched and a call was sent TO Tie Pass
for thirteen locomotives. The forwarding of
, these locomotives without interrupt!ng the
northward movement of trains was a DELICATE
piece Of train dispatching. but the overworked
railroad staff accomplished it successfully At
3 a. m. the second string was started northward
and al o:45 a. M the last train of the third string
Of sixteen departed. Ali the trains had from
% TO 80 cars. Three trains contained the am
munition OF the park OF artillery, which had
been dispatched the evening before in $40 cars;
another train carried warm clothing, one was
coal laden, and one was loaded with Red Cross
supplies, one with engineers supplies. three with
commissariat freights and the remainder with
wounded. The last train out was the service
train, with all the employees OF the railway
property and station papers.
The skill, exertioIIs and devotion of this little
band of civilians rendered service the impor.
lance OF which cannot be overestimated for
the future Of the Russian army. 1t saved thou
sands OF wounded soldiers. an immense amount
OF ammunition and millions Of dollars worth
OF property and cash. 1t must be remembered