after sending a message to the garrison of port arthur demanding surrender (which was immediately refused), the japanese began their assault at dawn on august 19, 1904. the main thrust was directed at 174 meter hill, with flanking and diversionary attacks along the line from fort sung-shu to the chi-kuan battery. the russian defensive positions on 174 meter hill itself were held by the 5th and 13th east siberian regiments, reinforced by sailors, under the command of colonel tretyakov, a veteran of the battle of nanshan.