THE WAR IN ASIA.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 194, 17 August 1877, Page 4

THE WAR IN ASIA.

Too, was not without its records of deeds of daring, endurance, and bravery on both sides. The New York Times correspondent sent an account of tbe Russian defence and relief of Bayazid iv advance of the Russian left wing towards Erzerum about a month ago, which advance, as you know, was afterwards repulsed. This small garrison was cut off from the main army, and surrounded by a force of regular Turkish troops, reinforced by a large body of wild horsemen of the warlike Turkish tribes tbat inhabit this mountainous region of Turkey. The heseized army numbered about 1,300 men. The defensive works were weak, provisions were short, and the supply of water little, and of the worst quality. The small garrison was compelled to be under arms day and night to guard against surprises and night attacks. Fortunately for them, the beseigers were not very strong in artillery, but still had sufficient of a seige train to keep fatigue parties of the garrison continually employed in the work of repairing the damages to their works by the enemy's fire. The constant vigilance demanded from the small force, their sleeplessness, and the grinding fatigue of incessant labor, were aggravated by a burning thirst, oppressive heat, and clouds of flies that swarmed about their camp day and nigbt. In this paiu ful condition it was necessary to bring water from outside their works, in the face of the beseiging army. Volunteer parties were daily called on to engage in this perilous duty, whioh became at last complete immolation, in which the volunteers sacrificed themselves to enable their comrades to prolong the defence. Notwithstanding their sufferings they were determined to resist to tbe last man. On the Bth July General Turgakoff arrived at Ingir. From this point he started once more in a direct route to Bayazid, with General Kalboliekhan'a column as an advance guard. On the following day the beleaguered garrison espied the Russian flag in the distance, which they welcomed with a vigorous fire on the besiegers from all the guns in their works, in order to divert their attention from the approacbiug force. The advance of the relieving force was soon made apparent by the roar of artillery and a musketry fire. The Turks for some time held the Russians in check. The fight continued for several hours, with uncertain results, the losses on both sides being very heavy. At length lha Russians made a terrific ouslaught, advancing their whole .line, with a well directed fire, under which the Turks were compelled to fall baok. When the regulars yielded to this last attack the horde of Kurds broke aud fled in every direction, and at the close of the day the brave defenders ot Bayazid were enabled to embrace their equally brave de iver.rs. Afc present the position in Asia Minor is tolerably clear, Mukhtar Pasha is at Kara with about 40,000 men all told, including the Kara garrihou. Geueral Melikoff is at Zaim with about 85,000 men, but superior to the Turks iv cavalry and artillery. The garrison ut Butum has made uo importaut movement, us far as has been reported, siuce its attackers retired. Tue ivussians still hold Ardahan.