THE RUSSO-TURKISH WAR IN ASIA.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 934, 22 June 1877, Page 3

THE RUSSO-TURKISH WAR IN ASIA.

PROGrRESS OP EVENTS TO MAY 23

The following is the form in which the San Francisco correspondent of the New Zealand Times narrates the news which had been received up to mail day regarding the military movements in Asia Minor : EAKLY MOVEMENTS. The centre of the Russian forces, advancing from Alexandropol, occupied two Turkish border forts. General Melikoff left his camp on 29th April, accompanied by twelve battalions of infantry, forty pieces of artillery, and a large force of Cossacks. His cavalry reached Yizinkeff, an outlying point of Kars, on the evening of the 30th. Eight Turkish battalions with field artillery issued from the fortress of Kars and occupied a position protected by the fortifications. The Russian art illery fire dismounted one Turkish gun. General Mclikolf, on the Ist May, leaving a body of cavalry at Yizinkeff, returned with the remainder of his forces to his camp at Ziami. The Russian loss was one killed and five wounded. The Russians took over 100 Turks prisoners. The Russians occupied Dyadia on the Bth May, and encamped within three hours’ march of Arghilar. There were only outpost skirmishes. From the Ist of May provisions were dear, and the Russians found great difficulty in obtaining supplies. 60,000 Russian infantry were despatched from Yaskand to reinforce Russian garrisons in Central Asia. On the 11th May the Russians captured Mahlaster, and stormed the heights shirting the river Kinprisoi (sic). They lost twelve killed and sixteen wounded. The Turkish losses were reported as heavy. On the 21st May it was recorded that the Russian left had withdrawn from Kaghisman. A Russian war steamer from Sebastopol reached Ratum on May 13th, and sent four gunboats with torpedoes to attack the Turkish frigates lying there. Fire was opened, and the Russian boats drew off. On the 16th the Russian right was seen in force at Batum, and on the 17th it was rethat they had ported sacked and burned all

the villages near Batura and massacred the people. TUB FIRST BATTLE. In the evening heavy firing commenced at Batum, the attack beng made by the army under the Grand Duke Michael upon the town. The correspondent of the Daily Telegraph thus describes the engagement which followed next day: —About five o’clock in the morning the Russians, largely augmented in force, advanced with their field artillery and made a furious attack upon the heights defending Batum on the land side, occupied by Bashi-Bazouks. The Ottoman troops, who were intrenched, opened a terrible and wellsustained fire of cannon and musketry, which literally mowed the Russians down in swaths. They fell by scores and hundreds on the plain below the Turkish positions, during their attempts to make way against this fire. A body of Turkish horse and foot, taking advantage of the thick fire, broke upon the flanks of the Russian column, and effected great slaughter ; the Muscovites being upon ground perfectly open, and having no chance but to fight or fly. In a short time the spot which was the scene of this flank movement became covered with dead and dying Russians ; but the enemy quickly brought up reinforcements, and the battle was renewed with much determination. Many fierc efforts of _ the assailants were desperately maintained; but towards midday their artillery fire gradually slackened, and they at length withdrew, after suffering considerable losses. The witnesses of this important engagement testify that the Ottoman soldiers behaved admirably. They had, however, during the great part of that action the advantage of being entrenched on high ground, and to this fact is due their success. Compared to those of the Russians their losses were insignificant. The Telegraph’it Batura despatch, dated Saturday, says the victory was won by the extraordinary courage of the Bashi-Bazouks. The dead and wounded Russians exceed 4000. The engagement lasted over eight hours of actual fighting, and the last of the Russians did not withdraw until near midnight. The Russians lost many guns. THE FALL OF ARDAHAN REPORTED.

The capture of Ardahan by General MeliIcoff, who, it may bo remembered, had withdrawn previously from Kars, was next reported, though in a contradictory fashion. The following is the news concerning it in succession ; —On the 19th May the Russians attacked Ardahan, but were repulsed. In several attacks that then took place, with over 60 guns, the Russians lost 235 men. They then cut the telegraph wires, but a despatch from General Melikoff states “ The walls were breached by artillery at six o’clock, and the Erivan, Till is, and Bakee regiments, with the Sappers, advanced to the assault. The enemy could not withstand the onslaught, and fled, leaving a great number of dead. At nine o’clock our troops traversed tho whole town and fortifications. The troops arc full of enthusiasm. Our loss is believed to ba one officer and fifty soldiers killed, and four officers and 100 soldiers wounded. Tbo fall of Ardahan opened Russian communications with Okhltr.iki; the troops comprising the garrison at at Ardahan retreated to Ardaludnsip. Tho Time a Vienna correspondent remarks that the fall of Ardahan, besides securing to the Russians the position before Kars, opens out new lines of operations, either against Kars or Erzcrum. Tho body of a Turkish chief of the staff was found amongst the slain at Ardahan. SUBSEQUENT MOVEMENTS, The Russian left column left Kaghisman to reinforce the central division before Kars. The Council of Ministry at Constantinople, on Sunday, determined to send all the reinforcements still arriving at Constantinople to Bn turn, c>i > onte to Erzcrum. The authorities at Constantinople seem to overlook the fact that these troops in making their way to Kars or Erzcrum would have to break through the Russian divisions barring f lic way. Indeed, the advance of the Russians against Datum seems to have been undertaken with the aim of locking up thirty-four battalions of Turks, and preventing them or any oilier reinforcements from getting to a point on the line to Erzcrum, or to other threatened positions. The Turkish detachment which was expected to attack the Russian left at Bayazid has fallen back towards the main body. A St. Petersburg despatch, dated Satschi, reports that the Turks attacked the Russian position at Ardrler (sir), and a severely contested engagement ensued. A Turkish man-of-war has been violently bombarding Ardler since 10 o’clock in the morning. THE INSURRECTION IN THE CAUCASUS. The Caucasians arc in full insurrection. The Sultan ordered the purchase of 20,000 revolvers, to be paid for out of his private purse, for distribution in the Caucasus. On May 11th tho Russian Government declared three Caucasian provinces in a state of siege. On May 19th 6000 Caueassians rose; cut the telegraph wires, and declared for the Turks. Insurrectionary agents were sent, from Constantinople to Sukhum Kaleh. On the 21st a Turkish telegram reported that the Russians wore massacring tho Caueassians. The Russians brought troops from Trazmoi, Arglum, Daghestan, and Tchotobna to suppress the insurgents. Tho insurrection was unexpected in Russia. A Berlin despatch says it is reported that the Caucassian revolt had been suppressed. Troops from 1 raznioi and Argban, as well as the local garrisons at Daghestan and Tcbetehna, arc being concentrated tor joint operations against the insurgents. The greater part of Tcbetehna is in arms against the Russians. Daghestan is still quiet, A Vienna despatch says the effect produced by the Caucasian insurrection seems to bo all the greater in Russia as it was quite unexpected. All accounts previous to war were such as to excite no apprehension. On the coni rary, loyal addresses were prepared by the officials, and offers were made by the population to furnish regiments of volunteers. EGYPT. Prince Hassan, son of the Khedive, with 6000 Egyptians, embarked for Constantinople. The Egyptian contingent in Turkey is to be increased to 12,000. Tho war tax is expected to produce £2,500,000. THE BRITISH ATTITUDE. It is stated that England has given notice that she will oppose everything which might hamper the passage of merchant ships or men-of-war of neutral powers through the Suez Canal. She informed other Powers of her notification to Turkey. Tho blow thus dealt her sovereign rights Turkey seems disposed to accept, and Russia does not seem to intend raising any objections. THE RUSSIAN FLEET IN THE ATLANTIC. The Now York Tribune says it bus reason to believe that tbo Russian fleet is now keeping watch along the coast for the purpose of intercepting vessels having munitions of war on board for Turkey. It is stated that the Russian commander has been informed, that a steamer would soon leave tho vicinity of New Haven with a large cargo for Turkey.