THE HERZEGOVINIAN INSURRECTION.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 559, 3 April 1876, Page 4

THE HERZEGOVINIAN INSURRECTION.

{Home News,) The Turks appear to have met with a serious defeat in the Heiz govina. A Vienna despatch says— 11 Intelligence received here from Ragusa announces that six Turkish battalions were attacked and routed on January 18th, on the road between Ragusa and Trebinje, by an insurgent force under the leadership of Peko. The Turks are stated to have lost 300 killed and a large number wounded. The insurgent loss is said to have been thirty dead and many wounded. Special telegrams to the Times confirm this news. The following telegram from Ragusa concerning the recent defeat of the Turks is from the correspondent of the Times— 1 ' I have just returned from the field of the late combats, and witnessed the attack on the Turkish entrenched position on the Trebinje road at Saro. One breastwork was captured, The attack was suspended at nightfall, the innermost breastwork holding out gallantly. It was evacuated, however, last night, the fifty men surviving escaping, but encountering the insurgent guard, a number were killed. The column engaged in the late operations comprised five battalions and 400 irregulars. Trebinje is completely demoralised. No troops moving for the relief of the beleaguered detachment. During two days the road has been in the uncontested possession of the insurgents. Trebinje is threatened with famine, and the population is mutinous. The total of the Turkish: dead left on the field was on the first day 250, and on the second 130. The insurgent loss in both affairs is 100 killed and disabled. Maxime was killed and Pope Perovich wounded.” Three thousand five hundred men of the Turkish garrison of Trebinje made a sortie on January 25th, with the object of obtaining supplies from Zarnina, and thus obviating the capitulation of Trebinje, rendered imminent by the insufficient supply of provisions in the place. On arriving, however, at Duzi, the Turkish force was met by the insurgents and driven back. In the battle of January 28th, the whole available Turkish force in Herzegovina, estimated at 80'0 men, with artillery and irregulars, attacked the insurgents (2000 strong) occupying the positions captured in the last battle. With the left wing extended in the plain, the troops moved iu three columns, receiving the insurgents’ fire steadily to 150 yards. They then halted, and threw a strong column round the insurgents’ right, whiwh fled precipitately. The left wing covered the retreat, and, while withdrawing deliberately, kept up fire and checked pursuit. The left wing was commanded by Vukalovich, whose name was omitted in the list of the chiefs engaged. The losses were twelve killed and thirty wounded. The Turkish losses are unknown.