Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-03-09
Review of the Eighteen Days of
Fighting, Probably Greatest
- Battle In History
BEGUN BY THE RUSSIANS
Condensed Story of tho Fighting
Around Mukden Since Its Beginning
on February 10 - kuropatkin's
Army Not Lacking in Bravery, But
Unable to Cope With Japs.

London, March 9.-The story Of the
battle of Mukden is the record of the
greatest battle in the history of war.
In no other combat is there record of
a million men and more being locked in
mortal combat for eighteen consecu-
tive days before the defeated army was
dislodged from its position.
The battle extended along front of
eighty miles. thru mountains, across
frozen rivers, over broad plains. Dur
ing many of the days the snow was so
binding that the gunners sighted their
artillery only by the roar OF the guns
in the opposing trenches.
Russians Began 1t.
The battle which has resulted SO dis
astrously to Russia was brought on by
the aggressive tactics of General Kur-
opatkin's new army commanders. Cen
eral Linevitch, just placed in command
of the left wing, attempted to turn the
flank of Kurokis army, just as Grip
enberg had tried to turn the Japanese
left at Heikoutai last month.
Linevitch failed just as Gripenberg
did. He sent Rennenkampf with two
divisions to the far eastern lines, with
his base resting at Tsinkhetchem, fiji
ty-five miles southeast of Mukden, and
his advance post occupying Haba and
Vanez passes, seven miles south and
southeast.
Its History Day by Day.
Thus the battle began. Its history,
as recorded day by day, may be con-
densed briefly as follows:
Beginning on February 10, the Jap
anese captured Haba pass by q night
assault and took vanze pass the fol-
lowing day, rolling the Russian adj
vance back to Tsingetchen. In vain
Rennenkampf made counter attacks on
February 21. The Japanese come on
in constantly increasing numbers. and
on February % the Russian position
at Tsingetchen was flanked. The fol-
lowing day the Japanese captured
Beresneff hill, the Russian line base of
supplies, and on February "a the Rus.
slams evacuated Tinsketchen and be-
gan the disastrous retreat to the Hun
river. twenty-six miles to the north
ward.
Rennenkampf's Hard Struggle.
From February "a to 26 the struggle
on the extreme eastern flank continued.
Rennenkampf fighting for two days to
hold his ground between Tsinghetchen
and Da pass, eight miles to the north
ward. But, smothered by superior
numbers, he was compelled to beat a
hasty retreat northward.
From February 26 to % Rennen-
kampfs division retreated thirteen
miles miles in binding storm OF
snow, managing to save his guns, but
being compelled to lose most of his
supplies. The Japanese, unhampered
by wounded and supplies, clung to the
flanks of the retreating divisions and
harrassed them day and night.
coccask is Forced Back.
On February % Rennenkampf, al
most surrounded, made last desperate
stand at Waito mountain, fighting
with desperation to hold the Japanese
in check until he could get his wound-
ed and his supplies across the Hun
river. He had sixty guns and after
getting across the river he sent thirty
guns after them, and then withdrew
the shattered remains of his army to
the north bank Of the Hun and began
falling back to the railroad.
Up to March l all the fighting had
been along the extreme eastern lines,
the Japanese force engaged being, it is
believed, the fifth army, under Lieu
tenant Geenral Kamimura, which had
advanced from Saimatze to position
east of Kurokis army.
March 1, however, Kuroki began his
advance, and the battle thus extend
ing westward that night Kurok cross
ed the Shakhe river and seized Kaotu
pass, thirty miles southeast of Muk-
ken This advance was pressed only
enough to prevent reinforcements be-
ing sent to Rennenkampfs aid.
The Japanese center fell into the
action the same day by opening fur
ious bombardment on Poutiloff hill
with eleven inch mortars and siege
guns.
March !, Oku began his attack on
the Russian right wing, twenty-six
miles southwest Of Mukden. His
troops stationed southwark on the
west bank of the Hun river swung In
to the line of the main body, arriving
in position before daylight.
Artillery Couldn't Stop Japs.
Early on the morning Of March 1,
with the troops occupying the east
bank of the Hun, they advanced to-
ward the Russian position under the
cover of terrific bombardment from
the Japanese artillery on the east bank
of the river The Russian guns re-
piled without stopping the Japanese
advance, which continued firmly until
the troops reached points south and
southwest of Chantan and neighbor-
ing villages, only about 100 yards from
the Russian lines.
The Russians at this point had many
machine guns and the advance ceased,
the Japanese throwing up cover and
awaiting a favorable opportunity to
attack the Russian trenches.
Advance from Two Directions.