THE SAN FRANCISCO MAIL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5136, 8 September 1877, Page 2

THE SAN FRANCISCO MAIL.

WAR NEWS. (PER PEESS AGENCY.) Before the end of July the Russians concentrated a hundred thousand troops around Plevna, enough to dispense with a garrison at Nicopolis ; they had completed the investment of Rustchuk, and advanced near enough to throw shells into the fortifications. The bombardment of Silistria caused several fires in the town.

On July 81 the Russian right wing, which was 40,000 strong, attacked Osman Pasha at Plevna. The Turkish forces were estimated at 50,000. They occupied a series of positions which were naturally strong, and also artificially fortified in every available spot, forming a horseshoe in front of Plevna, with both flanks resting on the river Vid. The Russian force consisted of the Ninth Army Corps under General Krudener. The thirteenth division and the thirteenth brigade of the second division, under Prince Schakosky, with three brigades of cavalry and 160 guns, were so arranged that General Krudener should attack the Turkish centre at Grivieka and the northern flank of the entrenched position over Rahova, while Schackoaky attacked Rahazevo, and General Skabeloff held in check the strong Turkish force at Loooa, which was the extremity of the Turkish lines. But General Krudener began the battle about half-past nine o’clock. After a long bombardment he succeeded in silencing the Turkish cannon at Grivieka, but could not expel the infantry from the earthworks. He spent the whole afternoon in an unavailing endeavor to forothe northern flank of the Turkish position, desisting after dark, without having gained anything material, and having himself suffered considerable loss. Prince [Schakosky about

noon carried Rahazevo, planting four batterieson the heights beyond, and bombarded the nearest Turkish position, which was an earthwork armed with cannon in front of an entrenched village. After an hours’ cannonade he silenced the Turkish guns; and ..his infantry, after a long and bloody contest, carried the earthwork at the village. The second Turkish position, consisting of a redoubt and a series of entrenched vineyards, which was strongly held, was then attacked, and ultimately carried, but with terrible effort and very severe loss, owing to the heavy Turkish artillery fire. The Russians moreover were unable to utilise the captured position. At 4 o’clock the reserve brigade was brought up, and an attack was made on a position immediately covering Plevna. The attack continued until nearly sunset. The Turkish infantry was in great force in a continuous line under the shelter of trenches, and despite the most stubborn efforts, no impression could be made upon that line. Two companies of Russian infantry worked round to the right of the Turkish trenches, and entered the town of Plevna ; but it was impossible to hold it. 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 with fatal effect ; -but they were compelled soon to evacuate the hazardous spot.. At sundown the Turks made a continuous forward movement and reoecupied their second position. The Russian infantry made a sneoes-. sion of desperate stands, and died like herees." The Turks gradually retook everything they had lost. The fighting lasted long after nightfall. With darkness the Bashi-Bazouks took possession of the battlefield and slew all the wounded. The Russians hold the heights about Badazov, but the Bashi-Bazouks worked around to their rear and fell on the wounded collected in the village of Radigerum. Retreat was compelled in the direction of Bulgarini. A correspondent telegraphs that Prince Schakosky’s division was utterly routed. He had not a man left to cover the retreat. The Turks 'struck without stint. They had the upper hand, and were determined to show that they knew how to make the most of it. They advanced in swarms through the dusk to their original first position, and captured the Russian cannon before the batteries could be withdrawn. The Turkish shells began once moreto whistle over the ridge above Radishova, and to fall into the village behind, which was now crammed with the wounded, who had wended their painful way over the ridge. They were badly wounded, and mostly lay where they fell. Later, in the darkness a baleful sort of whirlwind stormed over the battlefield 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 the cries of pain and entreaties for mercy to the bloodthirsty fanatics. It was indeed an hour to wring the sternest heart. We stayed there to learn if we could what troops were coming- up the valley of the shadow of death below, or whether there were indeed any at all to come. The Turks had our range before dark, and we could watch the flood of flame over against us,, and then listen to the scream of the shells as they tore by us. The sound of rifle bullets was incessant, and 1 the escort and retreating wounded were struck. A detachment at length 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 Radishova it had to be made up of men of several regiments. About nine o’clock the staff quitted the ridge, leaving it littered with groaning men. Moving gently, lest we should tread on the prostrate wounded, we lost out 1 way as we had lost our army. We could find no rest for the soles of our feet by reason of the alarms of the" Bashi-Bazouks swarming in among the scattered and retreating Russians. At length, at 1 o’clock in the morning, having been in saddle since early on the previous morning, |we turned into a stubble-field and, making beds of the reaped grain, correspondent and Cossack alike rested under the stars. But we were not even then allowed to rest long 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-Krudener sent word in the morning that he had lost severely, and could make no headway, and that he had resolved to fack on the line of the -River Osma. Fighting was renewed the following day, with further losses to the Russians. The defeat had a most demoralising effect. The panic extended through the Russian army as far as Sistova, where a few Cossacks arriving, said the Turks were closely following them. The people of Sistova thereupon rushed en hiasst across to Simnitza, followed by the Cossacks, who fled beyond. On the road they came upon a convoy of Russian transport 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 an engagement by the army of the Czarewitch. The Russian killed and wounded were 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. On the same day the Russians attacked Raouf Pasha at Eski Saghra. After seven hours’ fighting Raouf Pasha retreated upon Karabonuar ; but Sulieman Pasha coming up repulsed the enemy and recaptured Eski Saghra, taking several guns and inflicting' considerable loss upon the Russians. A despatch from Sukhum Kaleh, dated August 2nd, says the Turkish frigate Maumadich bombarded the Russian batteries at Teohamtehera on the 30th ult., silencing every Russian gun. The Maumadioh was considerably damaged, and several of the crew were killed and wounded. Near Tchamtohira were GOO Turks inacritical position owing to the advance of the Russian army. Hobart Pasha embarked tbe entire force on August 1, under cover of tbe guns of the fleet. This completes the withdrawal of the Turkish military from Caucasia. Hobart Pasha has the command of the entire - Black Sea forces, consisting of twenty men-of-war and transports.

After suffering defeats south of the Balkans, the Russians strongly fortified Shipka Pass. 25,000 Turkish regulars were ordered from BatchumJ to Varna, and the Servian militia, to the number of 30,000, were called out and posted as frontier guards. Austria has mobilised 90,000 men. Meetings ia Hungary have been held in favor of intervention. Austria has issued a loan of 26,000,000 florins to cover the cost of mobilisation.

Mehemet All’s army at Rasgrad, which is opposing the Russian position on the river Loin, numbers 40,000. The Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs has sent a circular to the Turkish representatives abroad, citiug the barbarous acts committed by the Russians, and stating that it is necessary that the civilised world should become acquainted with these horrors, so as to express its indignation. The inhabitants of Terms, near Tirnova, having on the approach of the Russians taken refuge in a mosque, were burned alive in an enclosure. The Russians having met three hundred carts filled with fugitive families, destroyed them with cannon shot. They completed, their Work .of extermination by massacring all the men and women they could find. In every suburb or village occupied by Russian troops the dwellings of the Turks were given to the flames. The Bulgarians, excited by the example of the Russians, committed against the peaceful and resigned Mussulman population acts 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 Selva unopposed. The Turks at Plevna received reinforcements of 4000 Albanian cavalry. The Russian forces are between Selva and Tirnova, holding strong defensive positions. General Gourka is charged with the duty of protecting the southern outlets of the Balkan passes.

A Vicuna telegram says that strategically the most important news from the seat of war is the occupation of Selba. This exposes Tirnova and the passes. General Gourka’s corps is said to be short of provisions and am-

munition. Rustchuk is no longer invested from the land side. Communication with Shumla is opened. General Gourka sent word to Tirnova that his forces are scattered to protect the Christians in various places against certain massacre. , Mehemet Ali has appointed Rescind Pasha chief of {the artillery, and Blumpsa commander at Varna. Both are Prussians. There is much sickness in the Russian army from fever. ■ , _ Constantinople, August 7. Eight squadrons of Russian cavalry attacked Lovatz, and were repulsed, with 300 killed and COO wounded. A Turkish loan of, two millions has. been floated in London. • A Bucharest telegram of August 12 says an eminent personage here had an interview with the Grand Duke Nicholas, who admits that the troops were somewhat demoralised, and said there was no probability of the resumption of operations for three weeks, when reinforcements of 100,000 men are to arrive. ■ The following were the latest despatches:—A lar"e Russian army under the Czarewioh is facing Eyoub Pasha on the left, and Mehemet Ali on the right. The former is threatened

from the direction of Kashar, and the latter from Osman Bazar. Eyoub is believed to have forty-eight battalions of infantry, sixty-two squadrons of cavalry, and fifteen batteries of artillery, while the army of Mehemet contains 60,000. Shakosky’s and Krudener’s position is confronting Plevna, and Dragomeroff’s division is between Tirnova and Lovatz. This force is probably sufficient for protection, but is utterly inadequate for the renewal of oftengive operations. It is estimated now that from 60,000 to 70,000 Turks are on the Lovatz and Plevna line, and they will take a deal of beating. On the Russian left, the flank of the Czarewioh’s array, which is available for holding the line from the Danube to the Balkans, numbers about 60,000, and is necessarily extended over a long Ifront, so as to leave no gap for the Turks to creep through. The Turks are probably about the same strength ; but if 'Mehemet Ali 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 Lom still virtually constitutes the line of the Rustchuk army. The head quarters" of the 12th Corps have been moved beyond to Kadikoi. The head quarters of the Czarevitch, with the 13th Corps, have been advanced to Kahatjevat, thus confronting Rasgrad, while between Osman Bazar and Tirimva. The first division stands with the head quarters in Kosarevia. The same correspondent telegraphs as follows :— Erom Sistova it has been definitely resolved to bridge the Danube at Pirgo. The correspondent with the Dohrudscha army telegraphs that malarial fever is doing' its worst. Hundreds of sick are arriving at Tchemavoda daily. The majority are from the neighborhood of Meajidge, where the steaming swamp poisons. the water and air alike. Dysentery counts many victims, and in proportion as the season advances the sickness increases.

A St. Petersburg letter states that 40,000 fresh troops are already on their way by railroad to the seat of ' war. The Guards follow in ten days. The force includes 8,000 cavalry, 56,000 infantry, and 250 cannon. Only picked regiments go to Bulgaria. Suliemah Pasha announces the retaking of Karholga, the disarming of the Bulgarians, and the re-establishment of order. He then captured Kalofer, which was defended by the Bulgarians in entrenched positions, and occupied Kalafer Pass. The rebels fled into the Balkans after losing 500 killed. Eleven Turkish soldiers were killed and thirty-three were wounded. Despatches from Batura 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 are awaiting embarkation at Sukhum Kaleh. Hobart Pasha improvised a jetty by mooring small vessels lengthways. A frigate and transport arrined at Batum with 1000 and 900 emigrants respectively ; none were permitted to land at Batum on account of the lack of accommodation and provisions. 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 woman and children given to the Cossacks. By the last military operation south of the Balkans a loss of 12,000 killed and wounded was inflicted on the Russians. The enemy was driven from all positions south of the mountains, and law and order were' restored. General Krudener, who commanded at Plevna, was susperseded by General Lartoff at Kustendje. There was a panic owing to the bombardment of the Turks. Kustendje was occupied by only two regiments of the 14th Army Corps. One battery will evacuate the town in the meanwhile, for the protection of foreign subjects. An English steamer arrived in port from Eulgareni, reports a rumor from a Russian source, which asserts that Bulgaria, while remaining a vassal of the Porte, . will be placed under the Mussulman prince Hassan, son of the Khedive of Egypt, who 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 favorably at Berlin, and he will be supported by England. Prince Eugene of Leiehtenberg, who commanded a force of dragoons and Bulgarians under General Gourka when compelled to evacuate Eski Saghra, had to 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 say, moreover, that they have been misled on certain other points concerning the state of things in Turkey. ' The Grand Duke Nicholas was south of the Balkans when the defeat at Eski Saghra occurred. He was compelled to make a hasty retreat.

The Russians advanced upon Apulkea. (general Tergukassoff has advanced to Balikloute and Ismail. Hakle is retiring from Russian territory towards the frontier. An official despatch from the Governor of Tchildin, Anatolia, states that 10,000 Russian infantry were encamped between Kabravou and Alasbgerd, and that there was a body of Russian cavalry at Arpachier. A St. Petersburg official despatch of the 11th August says the Turkish right wing assumed the offensive along the line from Tchiazza Pass to Kararansarn, drove in Russian posts ■with small loss, and attempted to take Khalfalu, but were repulsed.

The Russian reinforcements to Asiatic and Caucasian armies are stated tobe9o,ooo. 15,000 crossed the frontier and occupied a strong position north of Aid, threatening the right flank of the centre of the Ottoman army. The Russian centre is divided into three columns at Ani, Gilverna, and Kurukdara. The numbers in all are 08 battalions of infantry, 16 batteries of artillery, and 8500 cavalry. Ismail Pasha is west of Bayazid. General Terguksasoff is on the frontier at Karadoudok, with 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 telegraphs that >several hundred Russians were killed in an ambuscade in Kault, south of Ani. The Russian outposts near Ani were defeated, with a loss of 1000 killed. The Turks withdrew on the approach of the Russian reinforcements. AMERICAN NEWS. Tearful riots have been 1 caused by strikes all through the States at the end of July. At Chicago and St. Louis three-fourths of the manufacturers have stopped. The military were called out, and fired at the mob at Chicago, killing fifteen and wounding over fifty. Riots have occurred at Harrisburgh, Columbus, Toledo, Detroit, Scauton, Pittsburgh, Omaha, Jackson ; also in Dianopolis, and a score of other towns. At Baltimore 8000 miners struck.

Cabinet Councils have beenheld in Washington to devise measures for safety; Detachments of military men were sent in all directions. The destruction of property was enormous.

The crops in the Western States are splendid. The wheat average is higher than usual. At San Francisco a mob of Hoodlums arranged a plan for exterminating the Chinese and burning the docks of the Pacific Mail Company which bring Chinamen to the country. A vigilance committee prevented any outbreak. Detachments of soldiers were sent along the central railway lines to secure the safe transit of the mails and passengers.

At Baltimore, St, Louis, and other places the strikers signed requisitions for eight hours. At Reading six people were killed. A compromise was effected in the beginning of August, and work was resumed. In most districts the President’s message is expected to dwell principally upon the labor question. Several members of the Cabinet are known to favor the law forproviding for the organisation of a commission, having a due regard for the interests of all classes. ■ The insurance losses by the St, Johu s fire are 6,700,000 dols. . , . , The workhouse of Samcol was burned, with seventeen inmates. The village of Salem, in Wisconsin, was destroyed by fire, communicated from Fort St. Louis, which burnt for five weeks. One family perished. Several are missing. The Chinese question occupies columns of the American journals. The San Francisco Post of August 8 has a letter stating that hundreds of officers in the civil war are now earning a bare subsistence at the wash tub. August 8. A dastardly outrage has been perpetrated at the New York Aquarium. All the fish were poisoned. The Jado Indian war continues. General Gibbin attacked the Indian camp at Big Hole Basin, arid after a severe struggle routed them. The troops lost 70 of all ranks, and the Indians 150. It was one of the hardest fought battles of the kind. The Indians are retreating. GENERAL. An English and Foreign 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 enforce the slaughter at the place of landing of all cattle from other countries. A communication from Sir Stafford Northcote to Mr. O’Connor Power gives hope of a release of the remainder of the Fenian prisoners. A steamer arrived - at Rouen from La Plata with a cargo of fresh meat in fine condition 112 cays after commencing to load. A despatch says the famine in Madras and Mysore will rage at least six months longer. The situation in India is very critical. There is great danger of an almost universal famine. Dr. Cornish, Sanitary Inspector, says that already a million and a half of people are being fed, and half a million are dead of starvation. 0 At a meeting in Madras a resolution was adopted that all the principal cities of England, Scotland, Ireland, and India be informed of the urgent necessity for assistance. It is said that more people are found dead in a single morning in Madras than had died in the whole of the Bengal famine. Rioting in Londonderry occurred on August 13. The military were called out, and several rioters were wounded.

The Clyde shipwrights have agreed to submit their dispute with the masters to arbitration. A great strike is anticipated. A special from Alexandria says that the Abyssinians are massing troops on the Egyptian frontier, and threaten invasion unless the traitor Walldamikall is delivered up immemediately. Rioting has occurred at Belfast for several days up to August 8. The military were called out.

The village of Garnsel, near Marieserder, was burnt, and 800 famielies are homeless. The town of Sunsoold, in Sweden, was totally burnt. In consequence of troubles in Prance, repressive measures have been taken against the Press. The police forbad the street sale of the portraits of Thiers. At Berlin a French coup d’etat is talked of as probable. Rumors of dissensions in the Cabinet between Fourtier 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 Gov ernment, has made representations of the presence of De Broglie at the head of the Cabinet, and also affirms the determination of the' President to retain the Ministry of the 16th July until the elections. The adversaries of Rouher have submitted to his direction of affairs for the present. A rendezvous of the Bonapartists was held at Chislehurst on August the 15th, when the Prince Imperial delivered an address. GREECE. Athens, August 12th.—Large crowds are parading the streets, and shouting, “ War, war?” The public mind in Greece is very uneasy. There are departures of troops to the frontier daily. COMMERCIAL. New York, August 14. —Wheat, new crop, Idol. 50c. to 1 dol. 66c. ; sperm oil, 1 dol. 15c. to Idol 17c.; winter bleached, 66c. to 70c. Wool dull; spring fine, 22c. to 28ic.; burry, 12c. to 16c.; pulled, 25c. to 35c.; Californian, 17c. to 22c.; petroleum dull. Boston. —Wool dull, market quiet, and prices easier. Sales : Ohio, 14,0001 b choice, at from 44c. to 47c.; 10,0001 b Michigan at 42c.; Californian quiet. Liverpool, August 14. —Wheat, average, 12s. 2d. to 12s, 4d.; club, 12s. 3d. to 13s. per cental. London. —Consols, 96 3-16 ; silver, 54-Jd. per ounce. Gold in New York being 105, makes the relative price of legal tender 95.01.