The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1905-02-01
CARS TROOPS MARCH OUT.
Pitiful Line Of officers and Men
Leaves Port Arthur.
GEN. STOESSEL INTERVIEWED

Live With His Family Soldiers
Looked Well Fed But Very Hasgard
From Their Long ~StraIn-Japs Treat
Them With Great Respect.
Headquarters of the Third japanese
Army at Port Arthur via Yinkow and
Tie.c.Tsin)--Five thousand men Of the
Russian garrison at Port Arthur
marched from the village Of Yahutsui,
on the shores Of Pigeon Bay. for
fifteen miles to the railway station at
Changlingtzu, at 8 O'clock and the
other attachments followed soon after.
Each detachment was accompanied by
six loaded transport cars.
The Russians in the night were
taken on special trains Of open trucks
to Dalny. and there they Immediately
embarked for Japan or transports
waiting in that port.
The long. procession Of the remnants
Of the gallant Russian garrison was q
pathetic spectacle. The first arrivals
at ChanglingHu were four droskies
drawn by sorry looking horses. They
contained the staff officers who had
refused to give their parole. All wore
their swords as they were allowed to
under the terms Of the c%apitulation
contract.
A few minutes later the first detach-
ment arrived. The regimental officers
marched with their men, their heads
bowed and their faces scanned with
lines. showing the result, of the: mental
and physical strain they had under
gone during the long defense.
AS the Japanese soldiers crowded
about them with evident curiosity the
faces of the Russian officers were an
interesting study. ALI of them ap-
peared to feel their humiliating posi-
ton keenly. and, though some seemed
to be resigned to their situation. others
were resentful at being regarded with
curiosity. The men appeared to be
well fed, but their faces, like those Of
the officers. indicated the awful phySi-
cal strain they had undergone. The
officers were clean and well clOthe1.
but the men were clad in dirty looking
sheepskin coats, and appeared to be
resignation. glad that the end had come.
The horses drawing the transport
carts werea suffering from fatigue,
though the loads were small. The
horses were tied to the carts and led
by orderlies. In the procession were
many lean looking pet dogs belonging
to the officers.
In many cases officers refused to
wear their swords, but had them car
ried behind them by orderlies. The
officers saluted the European and
American correspondent with the jap
anese army. and appeared to be both
pleased and astonished at seeing the
Europeans and Americans there.
The prisoners were treated with the
greatest respect and kindness, though
they were regarded with much natural
curiosity. The soldiers received food.
cigarettes and beer, and the CORE
spondent Of the Associated Press even
saw Japanese soldiers voluntarily car
rying the effects Of the prisoners, when
they were overcome by fatigue.
The railway has been repaired and
jthe gauge changed almost to the city
of Port Arthur, into which trims will
enter in a few days.
Telephone and telegraph lines have
been completed to the city. and already
Japanese engineers are surveying the
destroyed forts Of; the eastern fortified
ridges. :.
In an interview General Stoessel said
that he had expected aid from kuro-
patkin or the Baltic feet to the last.
Speaking of his own future plans the
General said with much feeling: ,
81 have served my Emperor in three
wars, and have been thrice wounded
in the war with Turkey. in the Boxer
trouble in China and at Port Arthur.
I feel that'I have earned the right to
return to Russia and pass my old age
with nv family"