THE RUSSO-TURKISH WAR.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5163, 9 October 1877, Page 3

THE RUSSO-TURKISH WAR.

DATES VIA SAN FRANCISCO TO SEPTEMBER 12.

by telegraph.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Auckland, Monday. San Francisco, September 12. THE DESTRUCTION OF ESKI SAGHRA. Tlie New York Tribune's Constantinople correspondent, describing the destruction of the city of Eslci Saghra, captured by Sulieman Pasha, says :As the Turkish troops approached the city the Moslem _ inhabitants began to issue forth from their hiding places, and before the troops had fairly entered the place the Moslem citizens began to break m the doors of the Bulgarian houses. It took hardly ten minutes to plllage_ 500 houses. There was a continuous and rapid fire all over the city. At the same time the Turks say the Bulgarians fired from the houses and churches on the troops. There ore no Bulgarians left to five their version of the story. All the Bulgarian men seemed to have been k lied as if by pre-arrangement. The women and children were spared as a general thing, but a pillage, accompanied by firing and shrieks and shouts, continued all night. The great districts of the city were burning, as if all other horrors were not enough. At daylight Sulieman Pasha ordered all the Moslems and Jews, whom the Turks protect as if they were thenown people, to leave the place, since his contemplated operationsdid not include thedefence of E<ki Saghra. So the Turks loaded up their loot and women and children in waggons, and went to the nearest railway station, followed by what seemed an endless train of Bulgarian women and children, who had lost These poor creatures could see in the Turkish waggons goods stolen from their houses, but they dare not ask for them. Eski Saghra was left to the flames, and in its streets and surrounding villages the rattle of rifles was con«tant for three or four days. It seemed to be the purpose of the Turks to kill every Bulgarian male over ten years of age. The fair citv set on a hill used once to look over the plain which'teemed with a busy peasantry at work in fertile fields. Now, from a scared and blistered hill you look over the plain, and its forty villages are blackened ash heaps, foul from the hand of death. No one will ever know the exact loss of life at Eski Saghra. Seven thousand women and children of its Christian population are dependant on charity in Adrianople, and to-day these people believe that all their relatives are killed, Eski Saghra is entirely wiped out of existence. Iwo American missionaries, the Revs. Bond and Marsh, with their wives and five small children, were in Eski Saghra during the previous taking of the place by the Russians, and sheltered some poor wretches who were m danger at the hands of the Bulgarian mob. The missionaries also fed some of their Moslem neighbors. In consequence of this, and other kindness, their Moslem neighbors rallied around them during the destruction of the cp.y, and saved their lives. At one time the Circassians drew their swords and came at the missionaries tokillthem, but the Turks withstood them, and between entreaties resistance kept the ruffians away, although, iu one case the missionaries had to pay the Circassian 60 dollars in gold as a .ransom. The Turks then not word to the Governor of the city, who at once came to see the missionaries and provided them with a guard of regular soldiers, which kept off all marauders ; and thirty or more Bulgarians were saved from death in their houses. These missionaries lost everything they possessed, escaping to the railway with only the clothes they had on, and on the road sleeping for three nights on the bare ground and living on raw wheat. As to

MKHEMKT ALl’s OPERATIONS. _ The accounts of the battle before bski btjuuni are very fragmentary arid conflicting. Ihe numbers engaged do not appear to have been very great, although the battle was stubbornly contested. A Vienna special says the Russians numbered 7000 and the Turks 14,000. According to Russian official accounts the Turks took the offensive in great force on August 22nd, and drove back two Russian battalions from Jaslari. The Russians subsequently retook Jaslari. Skirmishing continued throughout the night, and next day, the 20rd, the Turks made three attacks in the neighborhood of Jaslari, but were brilliantly repulsed. A despatch dated Eski Ejumn, Thursday ni-'bt, reports that “steady fighting was going on for the last thirty-six hours between the Turkish advance posts and the Russians, who are attacking in force along the line from Jaslari to Popskoi. The Turks were at first driven in, but were reinforced, and retook their original positions, which they hold at this moment.’’ The Loudon Times correspondent with the Turkish army telegraphs the following with regard to the battle, made from personal observation : Early this morning Medjib Pasha advanced from Adakenj, near Rasgrad,_ with three brigades of infantry, two batteries (if artillery, and two squadrons of cavalry, witii one brigade of infantry in reserve. Mehemet Ali and Prince Hassan took up positions with their staff on a high hill immediately north of Yeneko, which commands an uninterrupted view from Rasgrad to beyond Osman Bazar. The Russians from their batteries behind Sadova opened fire about 9 o’clock on the advancing Turks. Nedjib steadily advanced and entered the burning village of Sadova. By 11.20 tt.ni. the Russians were hotly pressed, and they retired precipitately to Karassau, where they made a vigorous stand, bafvet Pasha created a diversion by attacking Haidarakoi. The Russians had a battery of three guns to their right near Haidarakoi, and made splendid practice at the advaucingTurks; but these cleverly opened out, and advanced ri"ht and left of the village in a workmanlike style. The engagement now became general, and extended over some fifteen miles. The heavy and continued roll of fire of the skirmishers was heard along all the ridges from Basisherder to near S:edon. By -1 o’clock Karassau was iu flames. The Russians gragually "ave way, and the Turks redoubled the energy’ of their attack. At 5 o’clock the enemy wore scampering from Haidarakoi, and the horses were trottkig to take off the guns

of the batteVy. The Turkish batteries were making splendid practice. The Turks cheered and dashed through the blazing village, and away to the left of Popukoff, like a pack of hounds. The Russian camps were hastily cleared out, two guns covering their retreat, and making excellent practice ; but the Burks and Egyptians still scampered over the ground in fine style. The Russians were now ill full retreat in every direction, and by sunset the Turks had proved themselves, for the second time, not only capable of meeting the Russians in the open field, hut also of driving them from strongly entrenched positions. In ten days the Russians have lost the magnificent double positions of Lorn and Ivaralom. What may happen next no one knows. It is impossible to tell what forces the Russians had engaged, nor can their losses yet be estimated. Probably they were not heavy, except around Karassan, by which name this engagement is designated by the Turks. There are long accounts of the

RIGHTING AT PLEVNA. A London special dated Porediu August 31, contains the following:—Osman Pashas attack on the Russian position at Peliset and its vicinity was one of the most hardly fought battles of the war. The Turks early in the fight captured a Russian redoubt one mile south of Pelisst. In the course of an hour this redoubt was taken by the Turks, retaken by the Russians, and again taken by _ the Turks. The Russian left wing was driven back on Peliset, in front of which trenches had been dug, and it was lined with troops. The Turks advanced as though determined to drive our left out of Peliset, and turn it. The Turks began to descend the hill in that direction, not with a rush, but leisurely, and without firing, scattered and diffused. They came down about half way in this manner, the Russian artillery tearing up groups'of men all the time in the most savage manner. The Russian infantry fire, which had for the last five minutes been very heavy about Sagalance, now began to roll abrng the hill crest in our direction, and the Turks who, in wheeling, were just coming into range, began to drop rapidly. The Turkish advance now veered to the left, and went at the Russian trenches on the crest of the hills between Peliset and Sagalance with shot. At the same time the Turks descended into a little hollow, and were lost to sight for a time, while the Russian trenches flamed and smoked, and a storm of halls poured into the advancing Turks. This lasted 15 or 20 minutes, during which time a fearful loss of life occurred. Then we saw the Turks begin to withdraw, carrying off their wounded. The Turks had no sooner withdrawn from the Russian fire than they formed and advanced again. Many dead bodies of the Turks were found within teu feet of the Russian trenches. The little slope on the crest of which the trenches were situated was literally covered with dead. I counted seven on a space of not more than teu feet square. The battle here was terrible, but the Turks were again repulsed. It will hardly be believed that they went at it again. It seemed madness, because we could see that the Russian fire never slacked for an instant, and the Russian line never wavered, while reserves were waiting behind ready to fall in at the least signal of wavering. This scene of carnage was again repeated, but only lasted a moment. The Turks, completely broken, withdrew suddenly, firing, and carrying off their wounded and many of their dead. They fell back on the redoubt which they had first taken, apparently with the intention of holding it, but were not alio veil to remain there long. Their attack on the Russian centre had been equally unsuccessful with that on the Russian trenches on the left. The Russians pursued the retreating Turks with a murderous fire, and then six companies went at them with the bayonet, and swept them out of the redoubt like a whirlwind. At 4 o'clock the Turks were in full retreat everywhere. The Russians occupied the whole of their positions, besides pursuing the Turks for a short distance with their cavalry. Russians were about 20,000 strong, and their loss may be estimated at 500, and the Turkish loss at 2000 killed and wounded. On the 4th September

THE RUSSIANS ASSUMED THE OFFENSIVE. Fighting began iu the morning about 10 o’clock. The advance began about 6 o’clock, but there was considerable delay owing to the inequalities of the ground. At the various points along eighteen miles of front the Turkish outposts were encounttred almost immediately by the Russian skirmishers’ line, but they fell back without any hesitation, after seeing that the advance was made in force. When the Turkish outposts had fallen back upon their main picket the line firing became brisk. The skirmishing line of the Russian army was at once strengthened, and engaged the enemy until the artillery began to arrive. Tim regiments as they came up were immediately formed into line of battle, and at once became engaged. The artillery fire along the Centre of the Russian advance was steady and destructive, The Russian gunners by their rapid practice admirably covered the advance of their infantry as the latter pushed forward, seeking a closer contact with the enemy. The Turks in the meantime fought stubbornly, but entirely on the defensive. The fighting that ensued as soon as the entire movement had been fairly unmasked by the Russians was of a most terrible character, both on the part of the Turks and their assailants. Almostevery strategic point along the line of the positions was the scene of desperate charges by the Russians. In nearly every instance when the Russians reached the Turkish positions they succeeded in carrying them despite of the irregularity of the ground occupied. The Turkish positions, though in the main well chosen and on hilly ground, were stormed with an impetuosity that swept the enemy before it, though in many instances at heavy loss in killed and wounded. The defence of the Turks was determined and desperate; but they were unable to withstand the onslaught of their opponents, and were to retire suddenly from position to position. Before noon the Turks had been driven into their last line of intrenchmenta. Meanwhile, having been informed by spies of the existence of a by-road on a sort of spur on the main thoroughfare between Biela and Fievna, the Grand°Duke ordered a division of cavalry to make the detour necessary to reach it, and to attempt a flank movement from the northward. This operation is now being executed. As I wrote the last sentence a courier dashed into camp. He lias reported that the troops of the left wing were doing good work before Lovatz, and that the town would certainly be taken before dark. A staff officer high in rank said to me a moment later, “ If that be true, we shall enter Plevna to-morrow morning.” I can only say that everything seems to indicate such a result. The battle still continues, and from the artillery firing which I hear off in the distance to the northward, it seems probable that the (lank movement has been discovered. Go to the moment that the courier departs with this despatch the Russians have not suffered any serious chock, and it seems very probable that the prophecy regarding Plevna may prove true. A correspondent telegraphing from Foredin t-ives the names of the various corps and brigades comprising the army before Plevna, showing that there are 80,000 infantry, including 28,000 Roumanians ; cavalry, 10,000, including 4000 Roumanians. With the addition of other arms of service there is a compact, wcdl equipped army of about 100,000 men, with 250 guns, including siege artillery. A correspondent with the Russian army, at THE BATTILE OF LOVATZ,

after describing the artillery engagement and capture of the other redoubts, gives the following account of the capture of the last redoubt;—Mount Tlous was within easy cannon phot of the position attacked. The attacking force was compelled to cross a plain half a mile wide before reaching the base of the hill on which the redoubt was constructed, under a musketry fire of the Turkish infantry, securely ensconced behind their parapets. Along the road and on the left bauk of the Osina Jliver were several low ridges of earth, hhdi enough to cover a man in a creeping posture. These places of refuge were resting places in the deadly race for tho bluff. The cemetery through which tho Eussiaus also had to pass had a number of tall flagstones standing upright, and these were taken advantage of by the advancing soldiers. The attacking force

contained two regiments named after the German Emperor, and some men of the army corps which was at Plevna. It was commanded by Major-General Razmindaff. At half-past two the order to attack was given, and the men rushed across the valley amid a perfect hailstorm of bullets. In five minutes the ground was dotted with dead and wounded. The Russians advanced in open order with a rush, and the Turks kept up a steady stream of fire- There was not the slightest break in the rain of bullets, yet it was wonderful to see how small a portion of them took effect. Sometimes a single soldier would run across the whole space between the river and the biuu. I could see where every bullet hit around him hy the dust which it threw up, and yet he generally got across unhurt. There were minutes when no Russian was under fue, yet the Turks never stopped. It appears they were lying down in the trenches, and were filing over the parapets without looking, ihe Russians declare they never saw even a head above the bank. By three o’clock a considerable force had collected under the bluff, and commenced working around to an angle of the redoubt, looking up the ro id, while another party, to distract attention from the first, crept up the face of the bluff and opened a scathingfire on the face of the redoubt towards Lovatz. Away to the northward of the Plevna road a Russian force now made its appearance, with a battery of artillery, to cut off the Turkish retreat towards Plevna. Another attacking column is now seen advancing up the River Osina from our extreme right. I hey are scattered in open order, and steal ah mg unobserved by the Turks to reinforce the party under the northern end of the bluff. All this time the Turks keep up an incessant rifle fire, but the guns on the hills at the back of the redoubt only fire occasionally, as our troops cannot be seen from that position. The Russian artillery thunder away very rapidly, and two batteries are now advanced down the road nearly to the edge of the city. The Russians gathered under the bluff now make a rush forward and secure possession of the trendies in front of the eastern face of the redoubt, within a hundred yards of the ditch. It is 4 p.m., and the decisive moment approaches. Men along the Lovatz front of the works open fire and draw the hulk of the Turkish fire in their direction, when suddenly about 50 Russians make a rush upon the eastern face of the redoubt and appear within 50 yards of the ditch. They are compelled to retire by a tremendous fire. After twenty minutes of desultory firing the real attack is made up the slope facing the eastern side of the The Russians rush up in open order, keeping a steady stream of reinforcements following the advance. A perfect deluge of shells is poured upon the redoubt from our batteries as the men run up the slope, while the iurkish infantry fire is incessant, and if it were well directed every Russian would have been shot down ; as it is many fell. Our artillery ceases firing as our men leap into the ditches, and clamber up the parapets, while another column rushes along the Lovatz face of the redoubt to clear the advance on the trenches. The Turks in the trenches fly to the westward, firing as they go, and falling under the Russian fire in the redoubt. In the western face of the work there is a traverse covering this gorge, and the Turks are jammed between the traverse and the western parapets. In a few seconds the firing ceases, and the day is ours, and the Turks are in full retreat to the westward, where no force had been sent to out off their flight. A Chicago Tribune's London special says that semi-official German papers declare that

THE POLICY OF GERMANY consists just now in pushing peace negotiations iu a disinterested and unspeoulatlve manner. THE POLICY OF ENGLAND is to put an end to hostilities as soon as possible. THE RUSSIAN POLICY. At the Russian head-quartersj it is staled that no overtures for peace will be listened to until after some, overwhelming victory, when the Czar can dictate his own conditions. The Russians are determined to fight to the last, and the Czar has recently declared that he will return to Russia either dead or victorious. THE WAR. Safvet Pasha has been appointed Minister of Justice, succeeding Assym Pasha, who is apoiuted President of the Senate. Fawcett, sent by La\ ard to report upon the condition of the fugitives south of the Balkans, find to distribute relief, writes;—‘‘All that has been written gives no adequate idea of the extent of misery and destitution which prevails among the refugees, or of the barbarities perpetrated on both sides. The British relief committee of Adrianople, after careful investigation, have ascertained that over 10,000 fugitive women and children need relief at once. Of these 1700 are Jews, and 5000 are Turks.” A correspondent says it is announced from Galatz that from August 25 to September 7 30,000 men and 6000 horses,, to reinforce the Russian army, passed over Barbaschi Bridge. Fifteen batteries were included in the above reinforcements. Half have already arrived at Plevna. Belgrade, September 11. A despatch dated Thursday says mation has been received from Tranaeverin, that the prefects have been ordered to have everything in readiness for 50,000 Russians, who will march through Transeverin on their way to cross the Danube, and enter Servian territory. On the Servian bank everything is prepared for the crossing of the Russians. The Servian Brigade of Belgrade leave to-morrow for the frontier. A Bucharest correspondent telegraphs that the change of weather is exceedingly trying. The thermometer has fallen thirty-five degrees during the past five days, and there is now a sharp frost at night. THE INDIAN FAMINE. A despatch from the Viceroy of India, dated August 15, states that thogeneralimprovernent in the crop prospects iu Madras, Mysore, Bombay, and tlie north-west was maintained during the past week. Rain is still much needed iu the Punjaub, Rajpootana, and the western part of the north-western provinces. The prices of grain continue exceedingly high throughout the famine districts, but in Madras they are slightly easier than during the week preceding, and are still lower in every part of that presidency than in the worst parts of Bombay and Mysore, The question of grain stock and supplies continues to cause, anxiety. The grain trade at Galoutta is exceedingly active. Ninety thousand tons shipping have been engaged. The condition of Mysore continues critical. The Governor of Bengal telegraphs concerning the condition of Bombay that the prices of grain are slightly easier, but still very high. Improvement in tlie situation is retarded by the want of rain, and people are feeling still more the continued pressure of high prices. The difficulty iu Bombay is aggravated by the state of Madras and Nizam, and by the inability of the railway to bring forward grain sufficient for the demand. There has been a further increase in Madras of the number relieved of 180,000, making 385,000 increase during last fortnight. In Mysore the laborers on the works are decreasing and charitable aid increasing. In Bombay the reverse is occurring, but there is a slight general iucrea-e in tlie totals relieved. In Madras there are 983,000 laborers on the works and 1,000,000 charitably relieved. In Mysore, 400,000 on work, and 164,000 charitably relieved ; and iu Bombay 265,000 on work, and 119,000 charitably relieved,

AMEEXOA. The Indian war does not progress satisfactorily. Bad management is rampant. Gibbons’ reported victory turns out a disaster, caused by a precipitate attack by General Howard at Stephensville. The day after the fight the settlers carried on a disgraceful trade with the savages, supplying them with everything. General Sturgess, with six companies, is camped on the Yellowstone waiting to pounce on Joseph on entering the valley, THE NEW YORK FIRE originated through Nicholas Monk, varnish rubber, heating varnish while his back was turned. The varnish got aldaze, and the flames spread like a flash. Monk fled for his life, giving the alarm as he ran ; but the windows being open the flames swept through the

buildings. It is supposed that about 200 people were employed in the buildings at the time. Several firemen say that from the windows of the upper storey of the factory men were calling for ladders and for help, “for God’s sake;” but that the ladders were not long enough to reach them, and even if they were they could not be placed in position owing to the heat. Some fell on the pavement, and others after wildly waving their arras fell back into the burning mass behind them. The wildest excitement _ prevailed as the flames leaped to the adjoining buildings, mainly tenement houses, and men, women and children fled for their lives. They saved nothing. Over fifty buildings in all have been destroyed. Some of the most terrible scenes of the fire occurred in tenement houses. One fireman rescued an infant and its helpless father from a fourth floor, and then went back at the peril of his life and found another child just expiring from suffocation. Ann Sweet, an occupant of a tenement, died from fright. When the walls fell it became easier for the firemen to work, and the intense heat subsided somewhat, enabling them to approach and play on the burning masses. It was noticed that during the day no employes were to be found, and therefore it was believed that they had perished in the flames. Latest estimates place the losses at 3,500,000dols.; insurance, 1,900,000d015. BRIGHAM YOUNG. The body of the Prophet lay in state in the Tabernacle on September 1, enclosed in a metal coffin, with a glassplate through which the face could be viewed. Thirty thousand persons visited the remains. The funeral obsequies crowd was immense, but the proceedings were orderly. All the apostles (except two absent in England) were present. Very conspicuous were four surviving brothers of Brigham Young, and in the immediate vicinity of the ooffiu°were his children and near relatives, notable among whom were Brigham Young’s first wife, Mary Ann Angel ; next to her his favorite wife, Amelia. At twenty minutes past 11 o’clock the coffin was closed and covered with flowers, the great and a band of eight stringed instruments playing the “ Bead March in Said ” and Mendelssohn’s “Funeral March.” Prayers were offered up by several apostles, and eulogies pronounced on the deceased. Apostle Erastus Snow concluded his panegyric as follows: —“He has passed away beyond the persecution of his enemies | —he needs no other monument than the one he has himself built. He was a great leader in the sense we accept the word, and yet he was not a leader in an earthly sense. God was the leader who worked through him.” The speaker exhorted the people to follow the leadership of God. John Taylor (president of the Twelve Apostles) drew a powerful contrast between Joseph Smith’s death and that of Brigham Young. “ Joseph Smith laid down his life among a ruthless mob. He was surrounded by no family, no friends. Brigham Young has gone to sleep peaceably, surrounded by his family, his friends, and his near associates.” Brigham’s will dealt with property to the extent of about two million dollars, which he left to be equally divided among his wives and children, the mothers of the children to receive their income till they are of age. Brigham left seventeen wives and fiftysix children. All manner of reports are circulated as to who was to be Brigham’s successor. Three leaders are spoken of. First, the Twelve Apostles ; second, John M. Young ; third, one of the sons of Joseph Smith. On September the 19th the Twelve Apostles issued an epistle claiming to have a revelation from God directing them to preside over the Church without electing a new prophet. Apostle Taylor is acknowledged to be the president of the quorum of the Twelve Apostles. This, it is considered, has definitely settled the question of the leadership of the Church upon the Apostles exclusively.