THE BATTLE OF VLADINA,

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 238, 8 October 1877, Page 4

THE BATTLE OF VLADINA,

TURKS VICTORIOUS. Subjoined is an account of the battle of Vladiua, one of the series of battles fought by Osman Pasha, after the terrible defeat of the Russians at Plevna, on the 31st July:— The Times' special from London says: — Disaster appears still to attend the enterprises of the Russian army in Bulgaria, anJ particularly their efforts to "retrieve the misfortunes of Plevna and Lovatz. The confidence engendered by their easy passage of Ihe Danube, and their rapid progress towards the Balkans still impels them to attack the Turks in their strong positions, and tbe latter seem to be satisfied at simply receiving (heir assaults and repelling them, tbe advaotnge of such tactics being found in the disparity of loss. Osman Pasha, the Turkish commander, in his recent successes on the lines of Vid and Osraan rivers, was disposed to humour the disposition of the Russians to attack, him ia bis strongholds, and cooly selected his own positions. While the Russians were engaged in concentrating large forces, designed at all hazards to retrieve the defeat of Plevn*, Osman Pasha eeleeted the village of Vladina, on a spur of the mountain ridge ruuning south-west and north-east, as the point at which to receive the attack. In this position his right was protected by the river Osman and the town of Loftcha, and his left by the entrenchments which he had time to greatly strengthen. On Tuesday, the 7ih of August, the Russians advanced to the attack, opening with the usual fire of artillery, which played fiercely on the Turkish position. The Turkish artillerymen replied with equal vigor, and the duel with cannon was kept up for a considerable time. Under cover of the roar and smoke of the guns, a movement was made by the Russians on tbe flanks and centre of the Turkish position. The Russian infantry poured in masses on the Turkish works, and were received with the dogged resistance which always characterises the Turks. Behind the entrenchments a firm and bitter fire was kept on the assailants, under which they recoiled, and at last fell back, leaving the ground in front of the Turkish works covered with dead and wounded. The repulse was only temporary, however, for tbe Russians, with splendid gallantry, re-formed, and charged again and again upon the obstinate defenders, but with the same unavailing and dreadfully fatal results as in the first onset. Nothing but undoubted pluck could have withstood the Russian assaults persisted ia against the murderous fire from the rifles and cannon that ploughed their ranks through and through as they advanced. All day this fearful fire want on, the Russians hurling themselves with desperate courage oo the entrenchments of the Turks and as steadily being repulsed, every assault leaving its ghastly contribution of dead and wounded. Only at the close of the day, when the Russian line staggered before the Turkish fire, did Osmau Pasha give the word to attack, and from a firm and steady defeuce the Turks assumed the offensive, ruahiog upon their foes with overwhelming force and audacity,. At night, Osman Pasha was victorious aloog the entire line of battle. The losses on both sides were heavy, but heaviest on the Russian aide from tbe openness, boldness, and persistency of their attacts, and the comparatively sheltered position of the Turks.