386 CHINO-JAPANESE WAR. 
Field Artillery. For about four minutes the Japanese artillery bom- 
bardment went on without any reply from the Chinese; and the 
Japanese had every opportunity of ranging on the Isuzan forts. 
Their shooting was most regularly carried out, from right to left of 
the whole line of guns, with an interval of 10 seconds between each 
round. ‘Then the Chinese began; and the scene immediately before 
us, as the sun rose, was most effective, whilst away over the hills to 
the south-east the Japanese fleet could be seen slowly steaming past, 
and the boom of big guns told us that the coast forts were firing at 
the ships. 
The bombardment continued for about an hour ; and in order to get 
a nearer view, we moved up to the right of the artillery and were just 
in time to see the Japanese infantry advancing up the slopes to the 
western Isuzan fort. ‘The Chinese did not wait to receive them, and at 8 
o’clock Isuzan was taken amidst loud cheers from all parts of the field. 
Rifle firmg was then heard to the south-west, and we rode on in that 
direction over a very rough stony country; but were too late to witness 
anything. It appears that a small Chinese force had advanced on the 
west side of the harbour, and had been met and repulsed by the infantry 
of the Ist brigade, who were in reserve during the attack on Isuzan, 
which was carried out by the 2nd brigade. As we were too late, we 
had nothing to do but return to the Field Artillery position in order 
to see the expected attack on the other forts by Hasegawa’s brigade. 
The batteries had just changed position as we came up and were be- 
ginning to fire at Shojuzan, and General Hasegawa’s men were already 
moving forward from the ridge east of Suishiyei. 
The attack that followed was a sight to be remembered for a life 
time. As the Japanese infantry moved down the open slopes to 
the intervening valley, they were assailed by a perfect storm of shot 
and shell from the forts and entrenchments on the ridge in front. 
The ground was ploughed up in all directions round them, and it 
looked as though it would be impossible for them to live through it. 
On they went, however, and gained the shelter of the valley, where 
they halted for a short time and commenced firing, and then the ascent 
of the hill began. On the right six companies were directed against 
Niriozan fort and a half company against Shojuzan, which was the 
fort at which the artillery were firing. On the left three companies 
were sent against the fort next to Niriozan and one company against 
the fort next to that again. The Japanese gunners had now got the 
range to Shojuzan and shells began to burst over it, and at 11.10 a.m. 
the garrison could be seen streaming away to the rear, and then as the 
last man left it the magazine was blown up and a huge column of smoke 
rose slowly into the air amidst the cheers of the Japanese. 
The artillery then turned their guns against Niriozan, but they were 
not fortunate in getting their range in good time. 
The infantry attacking Niriozan, mounted the hill at a good pace, 
firing occasionally, and reached a fold in the ground 200 yards below 
the fort. Here they halted for a few seconds to get their breath, and 
then on they went again, but hardly had they started when the hill 
side in front of them seemed to burst open, and it was seen that a row 
