The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-02-04
oYAMA SUCCESSFUL IN END
Scrap Was Carried on in a Binding
Snowstorm in Jungle OF Be-
WiIdering Names-japan.
ese Lost Heavily.

Marshal oyama telegraphing yester-
day reports that the extreme Japanese
left holds a line along the Hun river
with its extreme left established on
the right bank. The main body of the
Russians after their defeat at He
iyoutai retired across the Hun river
and occupied Niuyupao. Sufangtal and
a portion of Chantan. On Wednesday
the Russians began constructing de-
fensive works in the neighborhood of
Shufangtai, Chunchiaawopeng and
Changtan. Russian cavalry patrols
were seen Wednesday along the line OF
Tzuyuto. Pinpaotzu and Yuhpaotau
The Russians made a series Of small
attacks on the right army. and the Left
flank OF the left army, but were re-
pulsed in each instance.
Details Of the fighting from January
Is to January 20, which Field Mar
shal Oyama officially designates as the
battle OF Seikoutai show that the op-
erations were more extensive, the
forces engaged larger and the fighting
more desperate than the first reports
indicated. The Japanese casualties to-
tailed 1000. According to the japanese
estimate the Russians lost over 10000.
the armies fought in a driving snow
storm. 1t was bitterly cold and very
difficult to see. 1t was a night at
tack, delivered in the early morning
that brought success to the japanese.
A Russian division surrounded and
attacked Heikoutai January %. Field
Marshal Oyama reports that the gar
rison, though outnumbered, made a /
stubborn resistance, and retired att
night under cover of the darkness to
Kuchentzu. In the meantime Field
Marshal Oyama, warned of the attack, |
ordered an advance for the purpose of |
retaking Heikoutai. 1t was showing
and the movements of the troops were
delayed. January rs, about noon, while |
the attack on Heikoutai was develop
ing, report reached the japanese
headquarters that another division of
Russians, advancing from Chantan,
had surrendered Chenchiehpao and
also that an Independent and smaller
body of Russians was operating west
of Chenchiehpao, threatening the left I
flank Of the Japanese force moving
against Heikoutai, which had deployed
from Sumapao, westward of Heikou-
tai.
It was originally planned to deploy |,
from Sumapao to Taopao, but 1t was
found that the Russians possessed a
line from Heikotai to Taopao The
Japanese therefore deployed to Suma-
pao and Wuchiatzu and attacked Hell
kdltai and Taopao. The latter place
was strongly held, but its capture was
necessary before 1t was possible to take
Heikoutai. The Russian guns skilful-
ly played around Helkoutai, enflladed
the troops attacking Taopao. The
nightfall Of January 26 saw the Jap
anese still struggling to dislodge the
Russians. On January q the Russians
pressing the japanese right wing tenn
porarily retreated. The freed force re-
inforced the japanese center. The at
tack on Heikoutai was resumed on
January 27. A covering force was sent
to protect the right flank, rear ana also
the left flank of the Japanese force
operating at Chenchiehpao. Another
covering force protected the extreme
left.
The troops attacking Heikoutai ad-
vanced fearlessly and despite the ehavy
losses inflicted by the reinforced Rus
slams, constantly gained step by step.
A Russian division advanced from
the direction of Niuchu and struck the
left column on the right flank.
A force Of Russian infantry and
mounted artillery fired into the rear
If the left column. The japanese lost
heavily, and the extreme left wing
vas compelled to retreat temporarily.
rhe Russians made a series Of night
ttacks January "a, in all directions.