Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-03
Details Of the Engagements
From Jan. % to Jan. 29.
BATTLE OF HEIKOUTAI
OPERATIONS MORE EXTENSIVE
THAN FIRST REPORTED.
Armies Contended in Driving Snow
Storm-Bloody Hand-to-H Hand En-
counters-Casualties Heavy.

Detailed dispatches relating to the fight
ing along the Shakhe river January 25-2g
show that the engagement was OF larger
proportions than earlier reports indicated.
fleid Marshal Oyama reports that his
losses were 7,c00, while he estimates the
Russian casualties at 10000
The actual result of the fighting is not
yet definite. beyond the fact that il has
not materially altered the positions of the
two extensive lines and that the Russian
| attempt to advance was checked.
Field Marshal Oyama. telegraphing Tokyo
yesterday, reports that the extreme Japa-
nese left holds line along the Hun river,
with its extreme left established on the
right bank.
| The main body of the Russians. after
treir defeat at Hekoutai. retired across
the Hun river and occupied Niuyupao shu-
fnngtai and portion of Shangtan On
Wednesday the Russians began construct
ing defensive works in the neighborhood of
Shufangtai, Chungchiawopeng and Chang
tan.
| ne sday along the line of Tzuyuto, Pin
paotzu and Yuhpaotazu. The Russians
| made series of small attacks OH tie right
| army and the left flank of the left army,
but were repulsed in each instance
TOKYO. February "details of the fight
Ing from January % to January 80, which
Field Marshal Oyama officially desiguates
IN, iii tcb tta
Heikoutai. show that the operations were
| more extensive, the forces engaged larger
| and the fighting more desperate than the
first reports Indicated The japanese casu-
| alties totaled 1000 According to the Japa-
nese estimate the Russians lost over
1oO00
The armies fought in driving snow
storm, it, was bitterly cold and very diff.
| eule to see. A night attack delivered in
the early morning brought success to the
japanese.
Oyama Ordered an Advance.
A Russian division surrounded and at
| tackled Heikoutai January %. Field Mar
shal Oyama reports that the garrison,
though outnumbered. made stubborn re-
sistance and retired at night under cover of
darkness to Kuchengtzu In the meantime
Field Marshal oyama. warned OF the at
tack. ordered advance for the purpose
of retaking Heikoutai.
1t was showing and the movements Of
the troops were delayed. January 20, about
noon while the attack on Haikoutai was
developing a report reached the japanese
headquarters that another division of Rus
slams advancing from Changtan had sur
rounded Chenchiehpao. and also that in
dependent and smaller body of Russians
was operating west of Chenchiehpao. threat
ening the left flank of the japanese force
moving against Heikoutai, which had de-
ployed from Sumapao, westward of Hei-
koutai.
Original Plan to Deploy.
Ii was originally planned to depIoy from
SUmapao to Taopao. but it found that
the Russians. possessed a line from Hell
| koutai to Taopao. The Japanese there
| fore, deployed to Humapao and Wuchiatzu
and attacked Hekoutai and Taopao. The
latter place was strongly held, but its
capture was necessary before it posi-
BILE to take Heikoutai. Thirty Russian guns
skillfuly placed around Heikoutai enflad-
ed the troops attacking Taopao.
The nightfall of January 26 the Jap
| anese still struggling to dislodge the Rus
slams. On January 27 the Russians press
ing the Japanese right wing temporarily
retreated. The freed force reinforced the
Japanese center. The attack on Heikoutai
was resumed January q. covering force
was sent to protect the right flank rear and
also the left flank Of the japanese force
operating at Cbenchiehpao: Another cover
ing force protected the extreme left.
The troops attacking Heikoutai advanced
| fearlessly and despite the heavy losses in
| fticted by the reinforced Russians, con-
stantly gained step by step.
Russian division advanced from the di-
rectlon of Niuohu and struck the left col
umn on the right flank.
Hand-to-Hand Encounter.
A force of Russian infantry and mounted
artillery fired into the rear of the left COLI
umn. The Japanese lost heavily and the
| extreme left wing compelled to retreat
| temporarily. The Russians made a series
of night attacks January ~ in all direc-
| tions They succeeded in catching d de-
| tachment stationed al Sumapao in the front
and rear. desperate hand-to-hand en-
counter followed The Japanese finally sue
| ceeded in reputsing all the attacks.
\ portion of the Russians remained con-
cealed at Sumapao and on the morning of
January % fired into the rear of the Jap
anese center The Japanese turned at
tackled and practically annihilated the Rus
slams. only 200 of them surrendering. The
| fighting continued throughout the day and
night OF January 2s. The japanese, who
| were everywhere outnumbered. decided to
| make :. general night attack.
Oyama Advised Night Attacks.
| In his report Field Marshal Oyama says:
"Our object had not been attained, so 1
encouraged all columns to make night at
| tacks. All columns of the attacking force
expected annihilation. We attempted sew
eral attacks and movements, but suffered
| heavily by the enemy's artillery, especially
| the machine guns. All columns continued
| the attack with all their might. The enemy.
unable to withstand vigorous attacks,
began to retreat at $50 in tie morning.
Our forces charging into Heikoutai, occu-
| pied the place firmly and entirely at $50
| o clock in the morning.
| The Russian force engaged Is estimated
I .xrfZ3 wit h
/ division OF cavalry. Prisoners report that
| the 4th Russian Infantry Regiment was
practically annihilated