AN HEROIC BATTALION

Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 32, 30 January 1878, Page 3

AN HEROIC BATTALION

The Pall Mall Gazette* m a letter fromaConstantiiiopleeorresponclent, gives an .account: of the storming of Fort St. Nicholas, m the Selii p ka Pass :— •" The attack was led by an Englishman, Major Campbell, who headed a battalion 800 strong; they took the fort, and held it six hours, and then had to retreat. Of the 800 men who'formed that battajion only sii, including lilajor Campbell, came back; My iuformant, who knows Major Campbel) well, adds «t it. Was tHe pluckiest thing that been clone iii the war, to vyhich ould add. that, so far as I can judge, it is the pluckiest thing that has been done m any modern war. We read of Sbuiething of the- sort at Tliermophlse; " but not' eyeii m" pur own much-lauded Balaclava charge; was greater heroism shown than the * effete ' Turk exhibited on this occasion. Of course, it is comfortable to us to thin k that a compa rtipt led^tTie attack; 1 but it is tolerably clean wherever any one will lead the Turks will follow. With such a spirit animating a whole nation, the Christianity-mongers have a hard nut to crapk.