GREAT ARTILLERY DUELS.

Evening Post, Volume LXVIII, Issue 48, 25 August 1904, Page 5

GREAT ARTILLERY DUELS.

A RUNNING FIGHT FROM KAIPING. A Russian correspondent, telegraphing fiom Tushichiao, via Liaoyang, under <lute July 9, says: — "I buve just urnved hero with the Russian rearguard, nfter a running fight horn Kaiping to about midway between that place and Tashichiao. We evacuated Kaiping to-day, after a fight lasting throughout the Bth. At Pintzau we made a short stand, but the Japanese kept oil our heels, and there were constant exchanges between our batteries and their artillery. The Japanese advanco stopped eight miles south of hero. The fighting along the road was lively, but our looses were small. "Thore had been preliminary skirmishing and manoeuvring for position around Kaiping since July 5. On that day two Russian companies were caught and surrounded in the hill« eastward of the town j by six Japanese battalions. They cut their way out, however, and returned to Kaiping, bringing many wounded with them. "On the morning of the 6th our scouts roported that a strong Japanese force was taking up a position in the hills to the south-exist. On the 7th Eckhordt, with a small detachment of mounted volunteers, made a bold and rapid sweep through and around the Japanese lines, and returned with exact information of the enemy's disposition. Eckhardt penetrated as fair as Senyuchen, and found that two divisions of the enemy were moving in three columns along three i parallel valleys towards our leit flank. The main Japanese force was bivouacking at Wafangkau. "Early on the morning of the Bth the hilto south and east of Kaiping were apparently deserted, bat wo were aware that the Japanese were ready for a spring. We on our side had destroyed the railway bridge south of the town, and had dug a strong line of rifle-pits on the river bank. It was a brilliant morning. CAREFULLY MASKED BATTERIES. "The Japanese infantry began to advance from the defiles where they lay concealed, taking cover among the thick growing trees and gardens south of the river. They kept their batteries on the hilltops carefully masked. While the Japanese centre crept up to within 100 yards of the rivor, keeping up a fierce exchango of fko with our riflemen, another column started to work round our left flank through a deep valley. "The sound of heavy rifle fire from the railway station told us that this column had come into collision with our outposts. Then our bnbtery behind the station opened fire, and the advance in that direction was checked. Wo had a squadron of cavalry and a battalion of infantry across the river, and through a golden haze of dust we could sco these troops manoeuvring to meet a Japanese column. They engaged the enemy fiercely, and finally drove them back. "In the meantime the Japanese cavalry on the extreme west tried to creep round the shore of the Gulf of Liao-tung, but our batteries headed them off and drove them into confusion. By noon the enemy's advance was checked at all point*, although increasing numbers of Japanese were seen gathering in the hills, and their batteries threw an occasional shell into our lines. "Both sides held their positions through a wurm starlit night, during which the Japanese reserves were hurrying up and concentrating for the morning's attack. It was clear, however, that we had held out as long as was advisable in the face of the growing numbers of the enemy, and we quietly prepared to evacuate tJie town. "The Japanese advance began at dawn, at first quietly and cautiously. Then, with a rush, 35 companies of infautry hurled themselves across the river. They must have been surprised to find themselves unopposed, and greeted ouly by the smoke of the warehouses we had pet on fire before retiring. Our batteries bad long before limbered up and trotted away to a position noth of the town, whence they received the Japanese with a hail of shrapnel as soon as they started^ to follow our retreat.. "The day woe a loug aeries of artillerj duels. The enemy's front covered the plain on both sides of the road and the defilee of the efcsstoni hills. Wherever they appeared, the bark of the quickfirers and the drumming of the machine guns greeted them. There wao little rifle fire, as our main column was already proceeding north, while a few Cossacks hovered in the rear supporting the batteries. At noon the Japanese artillery arrived, «nd engaged our Coseack horse battery. "We made no serious attempt to contest the ground. When it became necessary we retired to fresh positions, and confined our efforts to worrying the enemy, tie whole of our artillery remaining in the rear to cover the retreat of the infantry. At Pintzau we allowed tho Japanese to come up, and shelled them. Again the conflict became tolernbly warm. The enemy brought up fresh batteries and bombardod the village. General Stackelberg stuck to th* place till late in the afternoon. We could hear his guns growling behind us as the column moved north. Then quiet ensued, and the march was continued without interruption to Tashichiao." — Reutor.