Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1905-06-23

and shakhe rivers. re believed BY mold
ing Houtai he could operate south
ward and In time turn Oyauna's hank ana
cut or Japanese communication by 3
road with N~ewchwang and Dalny.
Gen. Kuropatkin gave a reluctant con-
sent and Gen. GTipenbcrg made the at
tempt. lis sent 6o,vto to 5000 men against
the Japanese left wing on January -
In three days he lost 1900 men and en-
tricated his army with the greatest diff
Guilty.
This disaster caused an irreparable
breach between Gen. Gripenberg and the
commander in chief. G~ripenberg gave up
his command and without even showing
his chief the usual courtesy OF a FORMAL
farewell, took the train back to st. Peters
burg, whore he poured out his grievances
to the public press. 70 the war office, ana
to the car himself.
Final Disaster at Mukden.
Russia,s crowning disaster OF the war
came with the defeat OF Kuropatkin's
armies In the battle OF Mukden, which be-
lyond question was the greatest combat az
arms the world has ever seen. Kpropat-
k.n's strength IS believed to have been
$4,000 men and 1900 guns. Oyama's
| strength was nearly 500, O0o, liz not more.
and at least 1900 guns. Kuropatkinss
losses In the battle In killed and wounded
We're from 10000 to $4,000, and 10000 TO
$1,000 OF his men were taken prisoner.
The battle began en- February II seven
miles south OF Tsinkhetchin and sixty-one
miles southeast of Mukden, when Line
witch, In command of tho left wing OF the
Russian army. attempted to turn the Jap
anese flank. He gent R-ennenkampf with
two divisions against Re a pass. Renncn-
kampf Unexpectedly encountered Kawa-
mura's fifth army marching from Sal
matte TO turn the Russian left.
Kawamura drove Rennenkampf back 70
Da pass and thirteen miles TO the north
ward. Then, while Kuroki crossed the
Sha river and continued the battle with
Rennenkampf, Kawamura's army con-
tinued It's march around the Russian left.
disappearing into the hllly regions far 10
the northward of the Hun river, for the
purpose OF closing in or Telling later In
the battle.
Kurokf In the meantime continued tho
attack on the Russian left wing. kuro-
patkin. thinking Kuroki was about 70 turn
his left flank. began TO shift his divisions
to Linevitch's aid. Whereupon Nodxu.
TO check any further withdrawal OF
troops, began an impetuous attack ON the
Russian center, making no fewer than
thirteen assaults on poutiloff and Novgo-
rcd hills. eighteen miles south or Mukden.
For the same reason, Oku, 70 prevent the
reinforcement of the Russian center from
the west attacked the Russian right wing.
forcing II back almost to tho walls OF
Mukden.
While Oku was smashing the russian
right wing, Nogi with 10000 mer. made q
forced march around behind the battle
and reached a position five miles west OF
Mukden. Kuropatkin, TO meet this new
and unexpected danger, withdrew three
army corps from his eastern army and
sent them to Kauibars' assistance. This
weakened his entire army and did not pre-
vent Oku and Nogi from crushing his
western arm. Therefore, k~uropatksn or
dered a retreat.
The retreat TO Tiel.ng viii be memorable
as the greatest military catastrophe in his
tory. Only a few remnants or Kurcpat-
kin's great army reached Tie pass. The
others were shot down or compelled to
surrender.
The rout OF the Russian army was conl-
plete. The Japanese captured an immensa
quantity OF stores. guns, rifles and ann
munition. Kuropatkin's army reiterated in
4 d~isorganized mass TO Telling, hoping to
make a stand there. The Japanese pur-
suit. however, was so vigorous that Tel
Ing had TO be abandoned. III was not UNI
I'll the Russian army had retreated TO
Gunshn pass, los miles north OF Tieiing,
that x was able to stop and reorganixe.
In the meantime General kuropatkin was
/ ItHloNth bg VIE 9E1nff Gih SiS AiiAE~
Witch made commander IN chief. Kuropat-
kin. at his own request, took command Of
the army formerly commanded by Line
witch.
Baltic Fleet Wiped Out.
The Russian Baltic fleet sailed from
Madagascar March 10. ordered by the czar
TO retrieve the disaster or Mukden By de-
stroying the japanese feet and regaining
control Of the far eastern seas. The tiect
was sighted twice on It's way across the
Indian ocean. Rojestyensky passed
Singapore April s and arrived at Kamranh
bay. on the French Indo-chiua coast,
April IA. Here he re-coa.ed his ships ov-
erhauled them. and awaited the arrival or
Rear Admiral NebogatofY wish the third
division OF the feet. Nebogatoff arrived
May s, and May IA the united fleet sailed
from the French coast. May 20 the feet
was sighted In the Bagbee channel; south
OF Formosa. May Is several Of the Rus
sian ships appeared at Shanghai. and tho
whole feet was reported at Saddle islands.
sixty-hve miles away. ON the night Of
May % Rojestyeusky. with a feet cf
t~hirty-six ships, including eight battle-
ships, three coast defense ships, three ar
mored cruisers five protected cruisers.
four hospital and repair ships, and thir-
teen dcstroyors, sailed from Saddle ial-
ands. =
The morning of May q the entire feet
was sighted at the entrance of the Korean
straits, steaming n~orthward.
a noon, May q. the feet wcc passing
/ uT.x.u1swA~ I'D =. q 49, - 49, .@x..t 80 ~