INCIDENT OF THE WAR.

Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 24, 9 January 1878, Page 3

INCIDENT OF THE WAR.

A correspondent of the London " Times " who is with Mehetnet Ali's force m the field, narrates the following extraordinary incident: — On Thursday, the 6th September, a combined attack on Kacelyevo was carried out m excellent style. The Russians defended themselves extremly well, and made the most of the advantages of their position; but it was manifest that they were outnumbered. The Turks showed good courage, and advanced with coolness against a very heavy artillery fire, delivered with admirable precision. The enemy had intrenched themselves iii three lines, but the first was soon carried. The second was more obstinately contested, ant here occurred, probably, one of the most extraordinary episodes of the war. As the Russians began to waver and their fire to slacken as the. Turks were pressing forward with increased vigor,; a young Russian officer was seen standing just behind one of their batteries waving his sword and boldly encouraging his men to stand their ground. Over and over again he rallied the troops, who were pouring out of the trench, but it was of no use; it was not m his power alone to stem the tide of Victory. His men, animated by his example, turned and held their own for a few minutes, but the fire was too heavy for any human thing to stay and live. They could not bear it. They fell on their knees and entreated him to fly, but not an inch would he stir, and at last he stood for more than a minute-iabsolutely alone, save for the dead _hd : dying piled inSheaps around him. It. could only ena one way amid the storm of bullets which were raining around him as thick as hail ; one at last found, its way to that noble heart, and he fell dead. As the Turks swept oyer the parapet and dashed past, the spot where he lay, the Colonel, struck by the boy's extraordinary courage and devotion, gave orders that he should be . decently buried. In the evening he re ported to the Commander-in-Chief that the body was that of a girl. I give this most astounding declaration of the Colonel upon the authority of one of; the English officers on the Sedar's staff, who tells me that he was actually present when it< was made. It seems almost incredible; but, true or false, no braver heart ever beat than no w sleeps m that little grave on the sunny slope Kacelyevo.