The city of Liaoyang was the 
last Russian stronghold for 
the Japanese on the way to 
Mukden. 

The Russian position at Lang 
was well supplied.  The main 
supply line ran along the 
railroad from the city all the 
way to Mukden to the 40 miles 
to the north, anchored on both 
sides by the river Taisu.  An 
8 mile gap in the center of the 
Russian position was defended 
by a cavalry unit commanded by 
Kuropotkin.

The Japanese army under Oyama 
was not planning on a 
conventional battle.  He 
split his forces into two 
groups - the 2nd and 4th Armies 
were to concentrate on Russian 
right, and the 1st Army was to 
cross the Tang River, and 
outflank the Russian position 
on its left.

In the first phase of the 
Battle, the Japanese outflanking
force pushed back the Russian 
left wing and got into the 
Russian main defense line.  The 
Japanese Left forced the 
Russians back, but failed to 
break the defense line.  

The Japanese out flanking force 
lead by Kuroki launched wave 
after wave of ferocious assault 
on the Russian position. 

The intensity of his attack 
convinced the local Russian 
commander that the flank 
probably will not hold.  The 
Russian commander pleaded with 
Kuropotkin for a withdraw, who 
eventually authorized the the 
retreat of the Russian left and 
center forces.

General Oyama decided to 
continue with his original plan 
of more assaults on the Russian 
right, while Kuroki continued 
flanking attacks on the left.  
After three days of continued 
attacks, the Russian city of 
Liaoyang was in sight for the 
Japanese army.  Kruoki was also 
in place to strike the Russian 
supply line along the railroad.

Kuropotkin could have retreated 
into the city, but the fear of 
being trapped caused him to 
decide to abandon his position 
and retreat toward Mukden.  He 
ordered a counter attack to 
forestall any Japanese designs 
on the railroad while the rest 
of the Russian army retreated 
to safety - all counterattacks 
failed.  The retreat could have 
easily turned into a rout, but 
the exhausted Japanese gave up 
on pursuit, and looted the city 
instead.

The Japanese lost 5,000 dead 
and 18,000 wounded, while the 
Russians escaped with 2,000 
dead and 13,000 wounded.