The figure lying on the ground in the Russo-Japanese War could be a soldier who fell before the main force arrived, or an enemy soldier, symbolizing the harsh realities of the battlefield.

The uniforms and equipment of the Russian soldiers marching through Manchuria are characteristic of the Imperial Russian Army of that era. The soldiers are marching in a line across the desolate plains of Manchuria. The figure lying on the ground may be a soldier who fell before the main column or an enemy soldier, symbolizing the harshness of the battlefield. During the Russo-Japanese War, the Russian army utilized the Trans-Siberian Railway to transport massive troop numbers into Manchuria. 

August 30, 1904. The fall of Port Arthur to Japanese forces appears imminent. The Japanese army had captured all surrounding fortresses and, north of Liaoyang—located about 250 miles northeast of Port Arthur—had effectively cut off the Trans-Siberian Railway. Within the harbor, three Russian battleships were sinking under torpedo and artillery fire from the mainland. More than 22,000 Japanese reinforcements were expected to arrive in Port Arthur shortly. The small number of Russian troops remaining in the city are expected to launch a brave but ultimately futile assault. These losses, combined with the defeat of General Kuropatkin’s corps earlier this month, have dealt a devastating blow to Russia. 

The Japanese victory may be due to a strange new tactic. The night attack threw the Russian army into confusion. Searchlights were focused on the Russian encampments, blinding the soldiers and plunging them into terror. The Japanese army chose to destroy strategic facilities rather than leave them in Russian hands. On the outskirts of Liaoyang, after the Russian army withdrew, they burned bridges and shelled the railway station. The Japanese strategy was so inscrutable that Russian officers were unable to formulate any countermeasures. Even when the Russian army won battles, the gains were minimal. Japanese prisoners of war refused to give the Russian army any sense of satisfaction by committing suicide. August 10. The Russian battleship Askold sailed north in search of safety, leaving Port Arthur to the Japanese conquerors. Dozens of people died when a railway bridge collapsed.