Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-01-04
FEARFUL CARNAGE.

A dispatch from the headquarters ol
the japanese Third army in front Of
Port Arthur, dated December 80, says:
After many weeks OF patient toll by
regiment Of the center division, the max.
ing of mine tunnels under the north wall
of Rihlung Mountain fort through solid
rock was completed, aud the mines laid
on December IS.
Without warning seven mines, con-
tanning two tons Of dynamite, were ex-
ploded at 10 o'clock on the morning OF
the 2Sth. The spectacle was magnlti'
cent. The entire front walls OF the Tort
seemed to be lifted into the air IN tre-
mendols opaque curtain Of earth and
debris OF all kinds.
There was no preliminary lombard
ment to give the Russiansa hint OF what
was in store for them. Half the gar
rison persisted as the result Of the ex-
plosions aud The subsequent charge OF
the japanese. The force of the explo-
sions was tremendous. The entire hill
side was covered with earth and debris,
and the moat was filled to level with
the broken walls of the fort.
In anticipation Of a stubborn resistance
by large garrison, the Japanese before
daylight pushed large force into the
trenches, where they remained con-
cealed until the explosions took place.
The moment the mines we're fred a
whole park of siege guns opened
concentrated fire upon the fort, which
was obscured from view by the bursting
shells.
Under cover of this wonderful prac-
tice large force in the nearest saps
charged over the flled-in moat, and at
tackled the first line OF Russian trenches,
behind which were machine guns.
The Russians were thrown into the
greatest confusion, and many Of them
we're killed by the explosions. Never
theless, they fought desperately, but
were not able to Withstand the number
and determination of the japanese, who
passed over the broken walls like rats,
in the face of fire from the machine
guns and tae first line OF trenches was
captured after twenty minutes Of awful
fighting.
The fort was arranged in two levels.
Ia the lower level there were infantry
in the trenches and upon the walls, and
in the rear were machine-gun trenches,
with deep interior. In the center Of
the highest level there were quick-firing
guns and heavier guns in the emplace-
ments. In the rear Of the higher level
masonry were the concreted barracks,
the magazines and the kitchens OF the
garrison.
When the japanese captured the
lower level in the first spirited charge
they were not able to advance farther.
With splendid courage, however the
black masses of troops maintained their
position, Notwithstanding an awful con-
centrated fire from the fortress and
from artillery in the forts of Anlse and
Else mountains, across the gorge OF
the Shui.hu Valley, and made trench
line from the broken walls to capture
the machine-gun trenches and the lower
section of the fort. Then they charged
the higher level in splendid form, going
up in lwos and threes, until a Large
body had gained the crest Of the north
east corner.
Before dark the walls Of the higher
level we're black with men who had
gained the interior in small parties,
despite the awful fire. In the mean
time more japanese gained the higher
level of the fort from the gorge at The
west side.
The japanese attacked in oyerwhelm-
ing numbers from all sides, but the rem
nant of the garrison continued to hight
with splendid spirit, contestlng every
inch of the interior.
Under cover of the darkness the Jap
anese captured the last sections and the
barracks at 3 o'clock in the morning
One hundred aud fifty of the garrison
escaped through the connecting trenche'
in the rear of the fort, which they de
stroyed by mines to prevent pursuit
Three prisoners were taken and th'
others Of the garrison were killed. Ih'
japanese losses during the day anC
night were about 1000 killed o.
wounded
With the fort the japanese capture'
four guns of large cRliber, seven quick
firing guns, and two machine guns, be
sides others not yet counted. In lh'
gorge at the rear of the fort they cap
tured thirty quick firing guns, whIcl
had been ready to repel any attack OF
the fort from the rear.
Before retiring the Russians SET fire t.
the barracks and kitchens, which ar
still burning. Considering the enor
NOUS strength of the fort its capture
such small cost Of life was great sue
cess.
Tf,f,fox.f n