The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1905-03-12
PAINFUL INCIDENTS
OF RUSSIAN RETREAT

TIE PASS, March IL. - For many
versts all the approaches to Tie pass
are covered with troops, artillery and
baggage transports pressing northward
and twenty-five miles away the strong
rear guard of troops, which is person.
ally commanded by Gen. Kuropatkin,
Is retiring slowly, doggedly disputing
with the pursuing enemy every foot of
ground in order to cover the retreat Of
the remainder of the army.
The losses in this defeat, which Is
the most bitter yet experienced by the
Russian army, by moderate computa-
ton, is not fewer than 200 900 men,
Russian and japanese. The Russians
in addition sacrificed enormous quanti-
ties or munitions and stores the greater
part OF which were set on fire before
leaving Mukden. 1t is impossible to
say whether the Russians will be able
to put up a fight and hold this posi-
ton or whether it will be necessary to
continue the retreat to Hardin, but
the rank and file. whose military quail
ties never shine so brightly as in re-
treat and defeat. are far from being
panic stricken, and under capable Lead
ership and given a brief time to
strengthen positions. may be able to
check their pursuing enemy at this
point
The order to abandon Mukden and
y
o'clock in the evening of March 9. At
dawn of March 9 the Russians held a
line on the Hun river from a point
ten miles east of Fushun to Madyapu
the west front extending to a point six
miles north of Mukden station, the con-
tinuous line of battle generally paral-
leling the railway four or five miles
distant. A terrific dust storm ragged
and tension had reached its limit II
was realized that If any portion of the
RUSSIAN line gave way all would be
lost. The position in the most extreme
danger appeared to be north of Muk-
den station, where it seemed for a time
that the Japanese might break through
and cut the lines of retreat. Gen. Kuro-
patlxfn concentrated heavy columns
here, took command himself and dur
ing the morning forced the Japanese
back from the railway and drove off a.
body of japanese east of the railway.
The maneuver appeared to point to
success, when suddenly and uneXpect-
eddy news arrived that the Japanese
had broken through between the slen-
der first and fourth army corps. tax
ing advantage of the hurricane that
was blowing clouds of dust into the
faces OF the Russians to deliver an at
tack which the Russians were not pre-
pared to meet. 1t was impossible to
support the retiring corps, as the re-
serves to the last man had been sent
to the line of battle at other points. and
as the danger of the communications
being severed by this attack from the
east was imminent, retreat was deter
mined on and Immediately begun. The
four principal roads leading north
ward towards Tie pass were occupied
by continuous file OF artillery and
transport. and the retreating army
blackened the country between the
roads.
Before beginning the retreat all the
depots, stores and military buildings
and everything that would be of serv-
Ice to the Japanese were set on fire. A
large amount of baggage and many
guns were abandoned. All rolling stock
belonging to the main railroad was
brought away and not a car or locomo-
tive was left at Mukden, though some
cars belonging to the military roads
behind the Shakhe positions were
abandoned
About $500 severely wounded Rus
slams and several hundred JAPANESE
were left at Mukden hospitals. togeth-
er with complete Russian medical
staff, which was intrusted to the care
or the chivalrous Japanese. The re-
mainder of the wounded in hosnitaIs
were sent northward, and a railroad
train remained behind almost with the
rear guard and brought off a trainlos,1
of those wounded in the retreat. MANY
of whom reached Tie pass without
their Injuries being bandaged. MuJx-
den station was abandoned at o'cIck
Friday morning. The retreat was