THE RUSSO-TURKISH WAR.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1037, 22 October 1877, Page 3

THE RUSSO-TURKISH WAR.

—. EVENTS TO AUGUST 31. GREAT BATTLE IN THE SCHIPKA PASS. The interest of the war news in the last week of August was centred in the deeper ite fight for the possession of the Schipka Pass, which began on the 21st of August and was not decided up to tho date of the latest telegrams. The “Daily News” correspondent with the Russian army, who was in the pass until the evening of Friday, the 24th of August, has sent a vivid description of the fighting and of the positions of the combatants. The pass, he says, is not a natural trench guarded on each side with walls of rock that the Russians are defending, but a ridge with valleys on each side, by which their position may be turned. So far from being an almost impregnable position, it is not a strong one, and unless strongly held with widely extending arms of defence, it is easy to be attacked and very difficult to be held with any security. The defect of the Schipka as a defensive position consists in this, that it cannot search with its fire the lateral valleys and reverse slopes which hem it in. A brigade of light infantry might mass in a hollow within one hundred yards of the Russian first position without exposing itself to the artillery fire. The pass was held at first by not more than 3000 Russian .troops, and tho attacking force the correspondent estimates at 50,000. The attack commenced on the morning of the 21st by tho Turks pushing up the steep ground from Schipka, the village at the southern end of the pass, which had been occupied by a certain portion of Suleiman Pasha’s forces since the 19th. The Russians had laid mines in front of their trenches, which were exploded just as the head of the Turkish assaulting parties were massed above them. The result of the fighting on this day appears, however, to have been slightly in favor of the Turkish general, who carried the outer lino of tho Russian trenches, inflicting on them a loss of 200 men. On the 22nd the fighting was not heavy, but the Turks employed the time by making a wide turning movement on both flanks of the Russian position. Mounting the ridges on either side of the Russians with marksmen he could interfere with their supplies and harass their reserves even before coming into action. His endeavors were made with great energy and determination, and eventually the ridges were secured. Having achieved this very decided advantage, Suleiman Pasha determined on the 23rd to follow it up. On that morning he assailed the Russian positions both in front and in flank, and the di fenders were immediately driven in. Although help came to them in the shape of a brigade of the 9th Division, no advantage was gained. Towards six o’clock a telegram was forwarded to the Ozar telling him that they expected momentarily to be surrounded ; since the Turks were steadily creeping to their rear, and all the reserves engaged. “At this time,” says the “ Daily News ” correspondent, “ there was a lull in the fighting, of which the Russians could take no advantage, since the reserves were all engaged. The grimed, sun-blistered men were beaten out with heat, fatigue, hunger, and thirst. There had been no cooking for three days, and there was no water within the Russian lines. The poor fellows lay panting on the bare ridge, reckless that it was swept by the Turkish rifle lire. Others doggedly fought on down among the rocks, forced to give ground, ( but doing so grimly and sourly. The cliffs and valleys send back the triumphant Turkish shouts of ‘ Allah il Allah.’ Tho two Russian

generals were on the peak which the first position half encloses. There glasses anxiously scanned the visible glimpses of the steep brown road leading up there from the Jantra Valley, through the thick copses of sombre green and yet more sombre dark rock. Stobetoff cries aloud in sudden excess of excitement, clutches his brother general by the arm, and points down the pass. The head of a long black column was plainly visible against the reddish-brown bed of the road. “ Now, G-od be thanked,” says Stobetoff solemnly. Both generals hare their heads. The troops spring to their feet. They descry the long black serpens coiling up the brown road ihrough the green copses. A glint of sunshine flashes, banishes the sombre dress, and dances on the glittering bayonets. Such a gust of Russiau cheers whirls and eddies among the mountain tops that the Turkish war cries are wholly drowned in the glad welcome which the Russian soldiers send to the comrades coming to help them,” It proved to be a battalion of the Rifles and a battery of mountain artillery. They were followed by the whole of the brigade, accompanied by Radctzky, the commander of the Bth Corps, who at once pushed an attack on the Turkish left Hank, and although he did not succeed in driving it out from the wood which it occupied, he at all events, for that night at least, staved off the impending disaster. At daylight on the following morning the fighting was resumed more savagely than ever. To dislodge the Turks from the w ooded ridge upon the Russian right was evidently of the first importance, and it was therefore against this position that the effort s of the Russians were concentrated. Their numbers had now been increased to 13,000, and after a fight which lasted till three o’clock in the afternoon the ridge was cleared, and all attempts of the Turks to retake it defeated.

“I,” says this most soldierly of correspondents, “leave the edge of the ridge soon after 11, and pick my way up towards the peak on the top of which generals and staff are surveying the scene. The bullets hero are singing like a nest of angry wasps. One bullet strikes on the left knee General Dragirniroff, who has been standing calmly in the face of the fire, looking down upon tiro battle. One of the best generals in the Russian army is hors tic ci>>»hiit. He is as brave as he is skilful. He never so ranch as takes Ins spectacles off, but quietly sits down, and ripping up his trousers lee, binds a handkerchief round the wora;’. Surgeons gather round him, but, like the true soldier lie is, he cava he will take his turn when it comes, Ho is carried out of the line of tiro somewhat, his boot removed, and the limb bandaged; then he is placed on a

stretcher and is borne away. The last wordon the noble soldier’s lips are a fervent wisfor good fortune to the arms of the Czar. By noon the Russian riflemen had, notwith ■ standing considerable loss, worked their way in among the trees on the Turkish side. At tho same time it was determined to deliver a decided blow. The 2nd Brigade of the 14tlDivision issued now from the ditch of their redoubt, where they had been under cover until required, marched round the head ot the valley to turn the position, but are met by the fire both of artillery and of infantry. Nothing daunted, however, they increased their pace and entered the wood, apparently gaining ground, but it was evident that it would be as they could manage to execute the task allotted to them. At the critical moment, however, two companies which had been left in reserve came up to their assistance, led by Radetsky, the general commanding, in person, and shortly afterwards the ridge was cleared. Repeated attempts were nevertheless made to retake it until 3 p.m., when the enterprise was abandoned, and by six o’clock the fighting was over for the day. The Russian losses were estimated a), 1500 killed and wounded.”

The fighting was renewed with great vigour on Saturday, the 25th, and down to Tuesday the battle still raged. On Saturday General Doroschinsky, a Crimean veteran, who commanded the Russian? until the arrival of General Radetzsky, was killed. On Tuesday Suleiman Pasha telegraphed that the Russians were blocked in from three sides, and that every effort was being made to cut them off from the road to Gabrova, Telegrams from the Russian headquarters of the same date state that the Czar’s troops continue to hold their positions, and that they are well supplied with provisions. The losses on both sides must have been very heavy. Suleiman Pasha, in a despatch dated Sunday last, stated that 3000 Russian dead had been found on the battlefield alone, and that 2000 muskets had been collected. His own losses he did not give, not having received any returns from the commanders of his troops. A Russian telegram says tlrnt the total number of wounded from the 21st to the 27th of August was 2480, including ninety-five officers. The number of dead was not known. Military critics do not find it easy to understand the utility of Sulieman Pasha’s desperate enterprise, even should it prove successful, for, it is pointed out, that forty miles farther east lay the Iron Gate, tinough which, under the shelter of the outposts of Mehemet Ali, and with a far greater facility for effecting his junction with the army of that general, Suleiman could have made his way across the mountains without the loss of a single man from hostile fire. One explanation suggested is that the advance on the Schipka Pass was not to have been an isolated movement, but that somehow or other the combination failed. DESPERATE BATTLES IN ARMENIA. In Armenia the Russians sustained another check, if not a serious reverse. The battle appears to have taken place near Kurukdara, on the high road from Kars to Alexandropol, and about half-way between these two places, but the descriptions of the fighting are conflicting. Mukhtar’s account of the battle, dated August 25th, is as follows : —“ We have achieved a groat victory. During the night we advanced against the enemy’s position. The division under Hachim Pasha upon tire left carried the heights of Kizil-Tepe, and invaded the Russian encampment. The Russian forces at Baldipovan were hastily brought up, and made three successive j attempts to recapture Kizil-Tepc. Two j hundred guns were brought into action, and the engagement assumed the proportions of a great battle, which lasted until six o’clock this evening. The enemy was routed along the whole line, and wo remained victorious masters of the battle-field. Four thousand Russians were placed hors de conduit, and we captured four ammunition waggons and guncarriages, as well as an immense quantity of arms and munitions of war. "We lost 1200 killed and wounded, including several officers, and my horse was wounded. The commander of the enemy’s cavalry, General Tchouchowassoff, was killed by a ball.” ! Telegraphing to the Porte on the 27th inst., j Mukhtar Pasha says : —“ We have buried 1064 j Russians, whose bodies were picked up on the battle-field of the 25th inst. Besides this loss the enemy carried a number of killed | away with them. The Turkish ambulances j surmounted by tho Red Crescent, have been fired upon the Russians.” An official Russian account of the battle is given in the following telegram, dated Knrukdara, August 28th:— ;

“ At daybreak, on the 25th inat., Muhktar Pasha, with all his forces, attacked the positions held by General Loris Melikoff, striving to surround our left wing. The battle lasted until five o’clock in the afternoon. The Turks were repulsed along the whole line, and fell back after experiencing heavy loss to their former positions at Aladja. Unfortunately, in the early morning the Turks gained possession of the heights of Kizil Tapa, which was defended by one battalion. Our loss was not inconsiderable.”

An Erzeroum telegram states that simultaneously with these operations the Russian corps from Baldovan marched into the plain near Soubatan, whe.ro a battle, ranging over a distance of twelve miles, was fought till four o’clock in the evening, when the Russians retreated, leaving the Turks masters of the field. A “Daily News” telegram from Kuruk Dara, on the other hand, says that the Turks retired at sundown, with heavy losses, and that the Russians were not greatly fatigued. The Turks threw their whole force on the Russian right, but were repulsed by desperate fighting. The same correspondent says that in the fight at Ivizil Tepo the Russians lost about ‘JSO men killed and wounded, and the Turks, on the evidence of deserters, 3000. The heights of Kezil Tepc, which were carried by Hassim Pasha’s troops, were, it is stated, defended by one Russian battalion. Protected by their siege guns, which were used with terrible effect, the Turks swarmed down the mountains, and a desperate (lank attack was made on Kuruk Dara, which was, however, repulsed. It is reported from Erzeroum that renewed fighting is imminent. Russian reinforcements, it is stated, continue to arrive at Alcxandropol; and 12,000 Russians, with forty-eight guns, have reached Erivan to reinforce General Tergukassoff. The “Times” correspondent at Therapia says that Mukhtav Pasha’s victory is of unusual importance, because it has been gained by the Turks fighting on the offensive and in gu open country, and therefore disproves the view that they will only fight or. the defensive behind earthworks. Mukbtar had a horse killed under him. His generalship is spoken of in the very highest terms by a competent English military critic, who aim gives his opinion that the Russians have no longer any chains or success in Asia. On th, otl'ef tftaUj a St, peterubuegh telegram the

39th August says that reports received froo r,he headquarters of the array of the Caucasu represent the military situation as unchanged md state that the fighting last Satnrdu appears to have been unattended by any posi tive success for either side.

WAR ITEMS. Colonel Yal, Baker is in command of i portion of the cavalry of Mehemet Ali’army. He has several other English officer*with him. A train conveying some of the mobilised guards to the south was nearly broken to pieces at Tcherinkofi, and many of the soldiers killed. The Baroness Burdett Coutts has started a fund for the relief of the sufferers in Roumania. Eight thousand pounds has already been seni to Mr Layard tor distribution. There artthousands of refugees in the greatest want at Adrianople, “The tone of the German semi-official press is becoming very hostile to Turkey. The Go V'-rnment has remonstrated with t he Porte on the disregard by its troops of the terras of the Geneva convention. The Austrian and Italian Governments have acquiesced in the remonstrances. The war correspondent of the “ National Zeitung” states that after the battle of Plevna, on July 31st, the Russian authorities circulated a report claiming the victory for themselves, in order to avert a panic among the Bulgarians, which was seriously apprehended. Mr Macgahan, one of the special correspondents of the “ Daily News,” reports that the Russians before Plevna are profoundly discouraged. Success is regarded as hopeless while the head-quarter’s staff remains unchanged. Their imbecility excites bitter complaints. There are 14,000 wounded Turks in Plevna.