Jasper County Democrat, Volume 7, Number 9, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 June 1904 — COSSACKS CUT UP THE JAPS [ARTICLE]

COSSACKS CUT UP THE JAPS

Lane* Proves Too Much for the Mikado's Men at Vifenfuchu. Liao-Yang. June 2.—The Japanese lost 200 killed and a number of horses in the fight at Vangenfuehu. The Russians opened fire at 8 in the morning, and after two hours and a half of long-range firing the Japanese, under General Akkiama, prepared to charge and crush the force which had been harassing them for twenty-one days. Meantime General Samsonoff was approaching Vagenfuohu with a strong force of cavalry. It was a sight worth seeing when, at the word of command, the Russian squadrons formed and rushed like a whirlwind across the terribly cut up country, clearing away all obstacles, the batteries at the same time trotting along the frightful roads. Having passed the railroad station, the troops came under the fire of the Japanese machine guns, but withdrew without suffering much loss. The Fourth and Sixth companies of the’Eighth Siberian Cossacks furiously charged the Japanese cavalry with

lances, attacking both flanks. In a few tninutes they literally cut the whole squadron into pieces. This was the first time lances were used, and they struck terror into the enemy. In some cases the lances pierced the riders through and wounded their’ horses. Some of the lances could not be withdrawn from the bodies they bad entered. > A Cossack who had lost his lance and sword wrenched a sword from a Japanese officer and cut off the officer’s head. The Cossacks picked up boots which had been taken off by the Japanese to facilitate their flight and flourished them on their lances as trophies. Mukden, June 2. —A hospital train lias arrived here with wounded from the fighting nt Vafangow. One.of the wounded said: “These Japanese tight very well. Shooting is their strong point, but the Cossack's lance charge completely surprised them. Many of the Japanese were ridden down. Others ceased tiring and fled.”