ARRIVAL OF THE SAN FRANCISCO MAIL AT AUCKLAND.

Kumara Times, Issue 299, 8 September 1877, Page 5 (Supplement)

ARRIVAL OF THE SAN FRANCISCO MAIL AT AUCKLAND.

..FULL ACCOUNT OF THE BATTLE OF PLEVNA.

RU&SJAN LOSS 24.000 KILLED AND

WOUNDED.

/ [fress agency. J / Auckland, Sept. 7. Th/e City of New York arrived with the EngMish and American mails, after a passage/ of 22 days 4 hours. New Zealand i passengers—Rev. Charles Clark, Messrs Kennedy and Henneberry, Captain Mast, ,and Mr Buchanan and wife, for Lytteltom Freight—for Auckland : 1268 packages, tons; Wellington : 203 packages, 68J tons ; Lyttelton, 70 packages, 2\ 'tons; Port Chalmers, 400 packages, 15 i tons ; Sydney, 13,780 packages, 488 tons; Melbourne, 500 packages, 20£ tons. 281 bags of mails for New Zealand.

WAR NEWS.

Before the end of July the Russians concentrated 100,000 troops around Plevna, enough to dispense with the garrison at Nicopolis. They completed the investment of Rustchuk, advancing near enough to throw shells into the fortifications.

The bombardment of Silistria caused several fires in the town.

On 31st July the Russian right wing of 40,000 Btrong attacked Osman Pasha at Plevna. The Turkish force was estimated at 50,000. They occupied a series of positions which were naturally strong, and were also artificially fortified in every available spot forming a horseshoe in front of Plevna, with both flanks resting ou the river Var. The Russian force consisted of the 9th army corps under General Krudiner; the thirteenth division and thirteenth brigade of the second division under Prince Schako3ky, with three brigades of cavalry and 160 guns. It was arranged that General Krudmer should attack the Turkish centre at Grivicka, and northern flank of the entrenched position over Rohova, while Schakosky attacked Radagevo, and General Skabeloff held in check a strong Turkish force at Locoa, which was the extremity of the Turkish lines ; but General Krudiner began the battle about half-past 9 o'clock. After a long bombardment he succeeded in silencing ihe Turkish cannon at Grivicka, but could not expel the infantry from the earthworks. He spent the whole afternoon in an unavailable endeavor to force the northern flank of the Turkish position, and only desisted after dark without having gained anything material, haying himself suffered considerable loss. Prince Schakosky, about noon, carried Raidigue. Planting four batteries on the bridge beyond, he bombarded the nearest Turkish position, which was an earthwork armed with cannon in front of entrenched village. After an hour's cannonade he_sile,nced the Turkish guns. His in-1 Gantry, after a long and bloody engagement, carried the earthwork and village. The second Turkish position, consisting of a redoubt and a series of entrenched vineyards strongly held, was then attacked and ultimately carried, but not without a terrible effort and very severe loss, owing to the heavy Turkish artillery fire. The Russians, moreover, were unable to utilise the captured position, and about 4 o'clock the reserve brigade was brought up and attack made on the position immediately covering Plevna. The attack continued until nearly Bunset. The Turkish infantry was in great force, in a continuous line, under the shelter of the trenches. _ Despite the most stubborn efforts no impression could be made upon that line. Two companies of Russian infantry had worked round to the right of the Turkish entrenchments, and entered the town of Plevna, was impossible. The Russian batteries pushed boldly forward into the position first taken, and attempted to keep down the Turkish cannonade which was crashing into the infantry in the open ir. a fatal manner, but they were compelled soon to evacuate the hazardous spot. At sundown the Turks made a continuous forward movenment, aud reoccupied their second position. The Russian infantry made a succession of desperate stands, and died like heroes. The Turka yradually retook everything they . had lost; the fighting lasted long after nightfall. With darkness, the BashiBazouks took possession of the battlefield and slew all the wounded. The Russiansheld the heights about Bazozio, but the Bashißozouks worked around to their rear, fell on the wounded collected in the village of Radigavana, and a retreat was compiled in the direction of Balvarian. A correspondent telegraphs that Prince Schakosky's division was utterly routed. He had not a man left to cover the retreat, and the Turks struck without stint. They had the upper hand, and were determined to show they knew how to make the most of it. They advanced in swarms through the dusk in their original first position, and captured the Russian cannon before the batteries could be withdrawn. Turkish shells began once more to whistle over the bridge above Radischova and fall into the village behind, now crammed with wounded, who had wended their painful way over the ridge. The badly wounded lay where they fell. Later, in the darkness, a balefulsortof "Krankentranger" stormed over the battle field in the shape of BashiBazouks, who spared nothing, lingering ■ on the ridge till the moon rose. The staff could hear from below on the still night air cries of pain and entreaties for mercy of the bloodthirsty fanatics. It was indeed an hour to wring the sternest hearts. We stayed there to learn if it might be, what troopi?:were coming up the valley of the shadew of death below, whether there were indeed any at all to come. The had .our range before dark, and we watch the-flash of flame over against

the retreating wounded were struck. A detachment from the heights began to come straggling up, but it will .give some idea of the disorganisation to say that when a company was told off to cover some of the wounded in Radisbova, it had to be made up of men of several regiI ments. At nine o'clock the star quitted the ridge, leaving it littered with groaning men. Moving gently lest we should tread on prostrate wounded, we lost our way as we had lost our army ; we could find no rest for the soles of our feet by reason of alarms of Bashi-Bazouks, swarming among the scattered and retreating Russians. At length, at 1 o'clock in the morning, having been in the saddle since 1 o'clock the previous morning, we turned into a stubble field, and making beds of reaped grain, correspondent and Cossacks alike rested under the stara, but were not even then allowed to rest before an alarm came that the Bashi-Bazouks were upon us, and we had to rouse and tramp away. What in the morning was a fine army was now a handful of weary Cossacks. General Kludiner sent word in the morning that he had lost severely and could make no headway, and had resolved to fall back on the line of the River Osmna. Fighting was renewed the following day with further losses to the Russians. The defeat had a most demoralising effect, and a panic extended through the Russian army as far as Sistova, where a few Cossacks arriving said the Turks were following them. The people of Sistova thereupon rushed en masse across to Sironinza, followed by the Cossacks who fled beyond. On the road they came upon a convoy of Russian trasport waggons, and spread panic among the drivers, who, leaving their charge, ran in all directions. Next morning order was restored by the arrival of a large number of prisoners at Sistova, said to have been captured in engagement by the army of the Czirovitch. The Russian killed and wounded are estimated at 24,000. The defeat completely disarranged the Russian plan of operations, and reinforcements were pressed forward. Osman Pasha did not follow up the victory, awaiting reinforcements. I

On the same day the Russians attacked Raouf Pasha at E3ki Sagrha, and after seven hours fighting Raouf Pasha retreated upon Karabonnav, but Sulieman Pasha coming up repulsed the enemy, captured Eski Saghra, capturing several guns ind inflicting considerable loss to the Russians.

A despatch from Sukum Kale, dated August 2, says :—The Turkish frigate Maumadich bombarded the Russian batteries at Techamtchiva on the 30th ult., silencing every Russian gun. The Maumadich was considerably damaged, and several of the crew killed and wounded. Near Techamtchiva were 600 Turks in a critical position, owing to the advance of the Russian army. Hobart Pasha embarked the entire force safely on the Ist inst, under cover of the guns of the fleet. This completed the withdrawal of the Turkish military from Caucasia.

Hobart Pasha has command of the entire Black Sea forces, consisting of 20 men-of-war and transports. After suffering defeats south of the Balkans, the Russians strongly fortified Shipka Pass. Twenty-five thousand Turkish regulars were ordered from Batchog to Varna. The Servian millitia, 30,000 strong, are called out to be posted as frontier guards. Austria has mobilised 90,000 men.

Meetings have been held in Hungary in favor of intervention to protect Ottoman territorial integrity.

Austria has issued a loan of 26 millions florins to cover the coat of mobilisation.

Mehemet Ali's army at Rasgrade, opposing the Russian position on the river Lom, numbered 40,000. The Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs has sent a circular to Turkish representatives abroad, reciting the barbarous acts committed by the Russians. He said it was necessary that the civilised world should become acquainted with these horrors, to express its indignation and to brand them.

The inhabitants of Ternis, near Tirnova, having on the approach of the Russians taken refuge in a mosque, were burned alive in the enclosure. The Russians having met 300 carts filled with fugitives fainting, destroyed them with cannon shot, and then completed their work of extermination by massacreing all the men and women they could find. .

In every suburb or village occupied by the Russian troops, the dwellings of the Mussleman we're given to the"*flames. The Bulgarians, excited ty the example of the Russians committed against the peaceful and resigned Mussleman population, actß of barbarity and outrages still more atrocious and more horrible than those perpetrated by the invaders. On the 6th, a Turkish division from Lovatz occupied Silva unopposed. The Turks at Plevna received reinforcements of 4000 Albanian cavalry. The Russian forces are between Silva and Tirnova, holding a strong defensive position.

General Gourk is charged with the duty of protecting the southern outlets of the Balkan passes. A Vienna telegram says, strategically the most important news from the seat of war was the occupation of Silva. This exposes Tirnova and pass. General Gourk's corps is said to be short of provisions and ammunition.

Rustchuck is no longer invested from the land Bide, and communication with Shunila is opened. General Gourk sent word to Tirnova that his forces are scattered to protect the Christians in various places against their certain massacre.

Mehemet Ali appointed Rasad Pasha chief of artillery. Blumpsa, and the commander of Varna, both are Prussians.

There is much sickness in the Russian army through fever.

In Dobrudscha a camp of 70,000 man to be formed.

■eWAu

:»at 7

attacked Louatz, but wererapulsed with 300 killed and 600 wounded. A Turkish laan of a million has been floated.

London

A Bucharest telegram oi August 12th says an eminent personage here had an interview with the Grand Duke Nicholas. He admits the troops to be somewhat demoralised, and said there was no probability of the resumption of hostilities for three weeks, when a reinforcement of 100,000 men would arrive. The following were the latest despatches :—A large Russian army under the Czarewitch is facing Eyoub Pasha on the left and Mehemet AH on the right. The former threatened from the direction of Kashon, and the latter from Osman. Bazar Eyoub is believed to have 48 battalions infantry, 62 squadrons cavalry, and 15 battalions artillery, while the army of Mehemet contains 60,000. Shackoskys and Krudener's position is confronting Plevna, and DragomerofPs division between Tirnova and Lovatz. This force is probably sufficient for protection, but utterly inadequate for renewal of offensive.

Tfc is estimated now that from 60,000 to 70,000 Turks are on the Lovatz and Plevna line, who will take a great deal of beating. On the Russian left flank, the Czarewitch's army, which is available for holding the line from the Danube to the Balkans, numbers about 60,000. It is necessarily attenuated over a long front, so as to leave no gap for the Turks to creep through. The Turks are probably of about the same strength, but if Mehemet AH chooses to take the offensive, he may concentrate at Rustchuk, Rasgrad, and Osman Bazar. The Russians must be ready to face him everywhere, consequently they must remain strictly on the defensive. The River Lorn still virtually constitutes thd line of the Rustchuk army. The head-quarters of the Twelfth Corps ha 3 been moved beyond, to Hadikoi; the head-quarters of the Thirteenth Corps has been advanced to Kabatzevat, thus confronting Rasgrad ; while between 03man Bazar and Tirnova the First Division stand with their head quarters in Hosarivia.

The same correspondent telegraphs as follows from Sistova :—Been definitely resolved to bridge the Danube at Giurgevo. A correspondent with the Dobrudscha army telegraphs that malarial fever is doing its work. Hundreds of sick arrive at Tchernavoda daily, the majority from the neighborhood jf Meajadge, where the steaming swamps poisoned water and air alike. Dyserttry counts many victims. As the season advances sickness increases in proportion.

The St, Petersburgh states 48,000 fresh troops are already on their way by railroad, to the seat of war. The guards follow in ten days. These include 8,000 cavalry, 56,000 infantry, and 250 cannon of the Landwehr. Only picked regiments are to go to Bulgaria. Sulieman Pasha announces that Hassan Pasha has re-taken Kartoga, disarmed the Bulgarians, and re-established order ; then captured Kalofir, defended by the Bulgarians in entrenched positions, and occupied Kalofir Pass. The rebels fled into the Balkans after losing 500 killed. Eleven Turkish soldiers killed and thirty-two wounded.

Despatches from Batoum describe a great exodus of Circassians from the Caucasus, in consequence of the withdrawal of the Turkish expedition. 50,000 people and 150,000 cattle, were seeking embarkation at Sukum Kale. Hobart Pasha improvised a jetty by mooring small vessels lengthwise, while the people and cattle were walking about the vessels. A frigate and a transport arrived at Batoum (with 1000 Government immigrants respectively. None were permitted to land at Batoum, on account of the lack of accommodation and provisions. They will all go to Trebizond.

The Russians succeeded in stopping the exodus from one district and drove the people back with great cruelty. It is reported that all the men who participated in the insurrection are to be sent to Siberia, and their women and children given to the Cossacks. By the military operations south of the Balkans, a loss of 12,000 killed and wounded was inflicted on the Russians. The enemy were driven from all localities south of the mountains, and law and order restored.

General Krudiner, who commanded at Plevna, was supersded by General Lartoff.

At Kaistanye there was a panic, owing to a bombardment of the Turks. Kaistanye was occupied by only two regiments of the Fourteenth Army Corps, and one battery, who will evacuate the town in the meanwhile. For the protection of foreign subjects, an English steamer has arrived in port. A Bulgarian rumor from Russian source asserts that Bulgaria, while remaining a vassal of the Porte, will be placed under Musslemen. Prince Hassan, son of the Khedive of Egypt, is spoken of as the future sovereign of Bulgaria. He was educated in Germany, and the suggestion of his name as Prince of Bulgaria is regarded as favorable at Berlin. He will be supported by the English. Prince Eugene, of Leuchenstbourgh, who commanded a force of dragoons and Bulgarians, under General Gourk, when compelled to euacuate Tokiloghra, cut his way out with a loss of 800 men.

It. is rumored that General Ignatieff has fallen into disgrace, and that the passage of the Balkans was mainly resolved on in consequence of his assurance that with the Turks anything might be ventured upon. The Russian Government says, moreover, that it has been misled on certain other points concerning the state of things in Turkey. The Grand Dnke Nicholas was south of the Balkans when the defeat of Eski Saghra occurred. He was compelled to make a hasty retreat.

,-^BfrGlGy

ASIA MINOR.

i^advanced

imoii Apulkia,

lute, and [lsmael Pasha is retiring from Russian territory towards the frontier. An official despatch from the Governor of Tchildin, Anotolia, states that 10,000 Russian infantry were encamped between Kabraoon and Alasbgerad, and a body of Russian cavalry at Arpactuir. A St. Petersburg official despatch of August 11 says :—The Turkish right wing assumed the offensive along the line from Tchiazzi Pass to Karvantorn, and drove in Russian outposts with a small loss. They attempted to take Khalifalu, but were repulsed. The Russian reinforcements to Asiatic and Caucasus armies are stated to be 90,000. Fifteen thousand crossed the frontier and occupied a strong position north of Ani, threatening the right flank of the centre of Ottoman's army. The Russian centre is divided into three columns at Aniglverna and Kurudara, and numbers in all 68 battalions of infantry, 16 batteries, and 8500 cavalry. Ismail Pasha is about one hour's march west of Bayazid. General Karodondok has 18 battalions of infantry, 7 batteries, and 7 regiments of cavalry. Mukhtar Pasha telegraphs that 1000 Karapaka horsemen defeated two Russian battalions near Ardahan.

Mukhtar also telegraphs that several hundred Russians were killed in an ambuscade in Koul, south of Ani. The Russian outposts near Ani were defeated, with a loss of 1000 killed. The Turks withdrew on approach of Russian reinforcements.

AMERICA.

Fearful riots caused by strikes took place all through the States at the end of July. At Chicago and St. Louis, threefourths of the manufactories were stopped. The military were called out and fired on the mob, killing fifteen and wounding upwards of fifty. There were riots at Harrisburgb, Columbus, Toledo, Detroit, Scanlon, Pitttsburg, Omaha, Jackson, Indianoples, and a score of other towus. At Baltimore 8000 miners are on strike. Cabinet Councils were held at Washington to devise measures of safety, and detachments of military were sent in all directions. The destruction of property is enormous.

The crops in Western States are splendid. Wheat average higher than usual.

At San Framsisco a mob of hoodlums arranged a plan for exterminating the Chinese and burning the docks of the Pacific Mail Company, which brings the Chinamen to this country. A Vigilance Committee was revived to prevent outrage. Detachments of soldiers were sent along the Central Railway lines to secure the safe transit of mails and passengers. At Baltimore, St. Louis, and other places, the strikers signed' a requisition for eight hours law. At Reading six people were killed. A compromise was effected, beginning in August, and work resumed in most of the districts.

The President's message is expected to dwell principally npon the labor question. Several members of the Cabinet are known to favor a law for providing for the organisation of a commission, having due regard for the interests of all classes. Insurance losses at St. John's fire were 6,700,000d015.

The workhouse at Samcol was burned with 17 inmates.

The village of Tolen, Wisconsin, was destroyed by fire, communicated from Fort street, which burned five weeks. One family perished, and Beveral are missing.

The Chinese question occupies the columns of the American journals. The San Francisco Post, of August 8, has a letter stating that a hundred officers, who were in the civil war, are now earning a bare subsistence at the wash tub.

On August 8, a dastardly outrage was perpetrated at New York. An aquarium full of fish was poisoned. The Idaho Indian war continues. General Gibbin attacked the camp at Big Hole Basin, and after a severe struggle routed them. The troops lost seventy of all ranks, and the Indians 150. It was the hardest fought battle of the>ge. The Indians are retreating.

ENGLISH AND FOREIGN.

A convention for the suppression of the slave trade has been signed between England and Egypt. The Cattle Plague Committee of the House of Commons "agreed to stop all importations from Germany, Russia, and Belgium, and to enforce the slaughter at the place of landing of all cattle from other caun tries.

A communication from Sir Stafford N orfchcote to O'Connor Power, gives hopes of the release of the remainder of the Fenian prisoners.

A steamer arrived at Rouen from Plata, with a cargo of fresh meat in fine condition, one hundred days after commencing to load.

A Calcutta despatch says that the famine in Madras and Mizpore will rage at least six months longer. The situation in India is critical. There is great danger of almost universal famine. Dr Cornish, Sanitary Inspector, says already a million and a half are being fed, and half a million are dead of starvation. At a meeting in Madras a resolution, was adopted that all the principal cities in England, Scotland, Ireland, and India be informed of the urgent necessity for assistance. The mover said more people were found dead in one single morning in Madras than had died in the whold Bengal famine.

There was rioting in Londonderry on August 13. The military were called out, and several wounded.

The Clyde shipwrights have agreed to submit their dispute with masters to arbitration. A great strike is anticipated.

A special from Alexandra says the Abyssinians are massing troops on the Egyptain frontier, and threaten an invasion unless the traitor Walldamikall bedelivered up immediately. """

days to August 8. The miliary were called out.

The village of Garnsel, near Marieserder was burnt, and 800 families are homeless.

The town of Sundsocad, Sweden, was totally burnt. In consequence of the troubles in France, oppressive measures have been taken against the Press. The police forbade the street sale of portraits of Thiers. At Berlin a French coup d'etat is talked of as probable. The rumors of dissensions in the Cabinet, between Rouher and De Broglie, are officially denied. The Moniteur says, the question of a state of siege was never raised, and denies that Germany or any other Government has made representation of the presence of De Broglie at the head of the Cabinet, and affirms the determination of the President to retain the Ministry of 16th July umil the elections. The adversaries of Rouher have submitted to his direction of affairs for the present. There is to be a rendezvous of the Bonapartist leaders at Chiselhurst on August 15th, when the Prince Imperial is to deliver an address.

Athens, August 12,

Large crowds are parading the streets shouting " War ! War ! War !" The public mind in Greece is very uneasy, and there is a departure of troops for the frontier daily.