Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 36, Number 127, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 November 1904 — MONTHS OF CARNAGE. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

MONTHS OF CARNAGE.

AWFUL SLAUGHTER ON SLOPEB OF PORT ARTHUR. Story of Fighting Around the Russian Stronghold Forms One of the Bloodiest Chapters in History—Slaughter Has Continued Over Three Months. Since August 1 the operations against Port Arthur have cost thousands of lives, and embrace a series of fierce assaults, hand-to-hand struggles and artillery duels without parallel in history. When the Japanese drove the Russians from their strong position on the last range of hills in front of the fortress by a surprise attack July 30 the Russians retired to the forts, but they also strongly held previously prepared advance lines to prevent the Japanese from closing in upon the fortified ridges. This line of forts was fourteen miles long, forming a semi-circle from the oust coast to four miles from the west coast aud circling five miles northwest Of Port Arthur. The fortress belt proper was a twelve-mile semi-circle

from coast to coast. The Japanese position was a mile from the advance Russian line in the center of a range of hills called Fenghoano Mountain. Results of the operations since are as follows: August 7. —General bombardment stopped Russian fire from Takhu and Shakhu mountains; eight regiments climbed to crest of Takhu, and, after desperate hand-to-hand' fight, drove the Russians into their permanent forts and captured four field guns. August B.—Heavy Japanese attack before daylight on Shakhu mountain repulsed but successfully renewed; Russians left hundreds of dead in the abandoned positions; Japanese casualties, 1,400. August 14.—Two Japanese brigades captured important positions on the Russian left flank, after suffering frightful losses in cutting a way through entanglements under heavy fire. August 19.—Covered by. heavy bombardment Japanese infantry made a general advance under a withering fire and captured fort on west slope of 174 yards hill at point of bayonet; took five field guns and four machine guns; Jap casualties, 1,400 ; 350 Russian dead found in position. Russians abandoned Keekwan Fort, set afire by a shell, but repulsed infantry attack on other forts. August 21. —Russians attacked and recaptured Keekwan Fort, but later in the day, without orders, a Japanese regiment broke ranks, stormed the height in face of a point-blank fire and recaptured the position at the bayonet point; West Bnnjußan fort also captured. August 23.—Japanese captured remainder of Banjusan forts, forcing the Itussinns back to foot of fortified hills. Japanese casualties from August 19 officially put at 14,000. August 25 to September 18.—Russians sortie and nttack working parties almost every night, while guns l>ombnrded by day. Quarter not asked or given; stretcher bearers fired on and killed. October 2.—Fire directed on battleship Pobieda. Fifth shot pierced forward decks of ship, sending up huge columns of smoke and leaving a gaping rent. Russians placed hospital ship in line of fire to protect other warships. October 13.—The West Urh fort damaged. Battleship Fcrosviet struck by several shells from the howitzers and caught fire. Golden Hill Fort greatly, damaged. October 10.—Japanese attacked an inLenciied hill enlled Hachimake Ynma, between the east Urh and west Benjamin forts. Under cover of a tremendous bombardment the companies of the center division charged the glacis with baj-onets and captured the trenches at the crest. October 20 to November 3.—Furious general attack begun with the object of forcing surrender before Nov. 3, the Mikado’s birthday. Five warships reported sunk and Ribbing mountain aud Sungshu mountain, which lies between the rnilroad and Ribbing mountain, captured.

GENERAL STOESSEL.