The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1905-03-08
FIGHTING ABoUr MUKDEN.
Fierce Nature OF the Combat--Battle
C0nfinues Fsa 4

II Mukden, March 7-4:35 p. m.-Fight-
ing of the fiercest nature, which is like
ly to decide the fate Of the battle which
has been in progress for ten days, be-
gan at dawn to-day and has continued
uninterruptedly up to the present time
on a front fourteen miles long west of
the railroad and on a line with the
Shakhe river. The Japanese also have
made desperate attack on Bentsia-
putze, and reports are arriving here
that fighting was renewed this morning
on the extreme left of the Russian
army. Both sides are fighting with
desperation to the westward, though
the troops are well-nigh exhausted
The issue of the battle may depend
largely on the relative physical condi-
tion of the rank and file. In its main
features the combat is very much like
that at Liao Yang, and if the Russians
should be able to crush the thanking
force victory may be regarded as won
The losses in the ten days of battle on
both sides are already far greater than
were the casualties in the battle Of Lao
Yang, and are likely to increase as the
days pass before the issue is fully de-
cided. MIL u Y. If
Beginning at 2 o'clock a. M, the Jap
anese made a succession of desperate
attacks on General Tserpitsky's divis-
ion on the west front south of Mukden,
repeating the assault at intervals of
two hours, with cor slant reinforce
ments. About $4,000 japanese, with 200
pieces of artillery, participated. All the
attacks were repulsed, there being
enormous losses on both sides. One ex-
tremely important position changed
hands several times. Finally General
Tserpitsky on horseback, placing HIM
self at the head of his troops, led his
regiments to the attack, with colors fly
ing and music playing. The attack was
successful. After it was over the VIC
torious soldiers crowded around Cen
eraI Tserpitsky, shouting his praises
and even kissing his hands and feet.
The Russians captured several quick
fire guns and many Japanese prisoners,
including officers. st..
1t was reported that Major General
Gerngross, of the East Siberian Rifles,
toward evening had taken and held
Tatchekiao. Here and to the north
ward the Russians many times attack
ed by columns and battalions, storn1ing
positions with the bayonet and without
firing shot. Foreign correspondents
and military attaches found language
inadequate to express their admiration
of the heroes of the Russian troops.
All last night and to-day Japanese
prisoners have been arriving in Muk-
den from the west front. The majority
of them are wounded and all appear
downcast and ravenous, many of them
crying.
Monday night the Japanese attacked
Yenhsitun, Alanpu and Erthtaitzu and
also made four furious attacks on the
villages Of lithuanian early this morn
ing. On the fourth attack the Japanese
were temporarily successful in driving
out the Russians and rushed directly
toward the field kitchens where the
morning meal was being prepared and
commenced to bolt the food The Rus
sian troops, however, with a shout Of
"save your dinner, brothers." fell upon
the Japanese like a hurricane and
drove them out of the village at the
point of the bayonet.
A captured Japanese said they had
had nothing to eat since Sunday, and
that they had been told this morning
to capture the Russians dinner Or
starve
At Erdagou, on the center, regi-
ment of Chasseurs made night at
tack, but the Russians were caught
by the Japanese flank and many Of
them killed, fifty being captured.
At Bentsiaputze, the Japanese storm
ed as far as the wire entanglements,
but were repulsed with great loss.
An attack ON the east front early this
morning resulted in the capture of sew
eral Japanese position near Oubene-
pusa and the seizing of two Japanese
quick fire guns. The Japanese made a
counter-attack and a long and desper-
ate struggle ensued, the Russians cap
turing third quick fire gun and hold
ing the positions.
The cannonading in the neighborhood
of Tatchekiao is now increasing in in
tensity. The japanese apparently have
brought up reinforcements and are at
tempting to crush General Gerngross.
t. The Jaanese are bringing up supplies
by the Sinmintin road, and apparently
are using the railroad as a line Of
communication. !