THE OCCUPATION OF SOFIA.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5290, 9 March 1878, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE OCCUPATION OF SOFIA.

(European Mail).

Sofia has been occupied by the Russians without opposition, for the small number of wounded mentioned in the Russian despatch was evidently the result of a skirmish with some detachment, probably of irregulars, who had missed their way in making their retreat, and were encountered by the Russians in their march on Sofia. According to the Russian official account, the troops entered Sofia on January 3, the band playing and singing at theif head. There were general rejoicings among the Christian population, and immediately after General Gourku's entry a solemn service was celebrated at the Cathedral. This is the first time since 1434 that a Christian army has entered Sofia. Up to the present the following are the details received On the 2nd General Gonrko personally carried out a recbnnaisance, whereby he ascertained that Sofia was only fortified on the eastern side, while on the- north there were no fortifications, not had any measure of precaution been taken. Consequently he sent* forward twelve battalions under General Weliaminoff against the village of Kumauitza, on the laker, in order to make the chief attack from the north-west. The Turks perceiving this mo vement withdrew from ' Sofia during the night, without awaiting 1 the attack, and retired in a southwesterly direction towards Kisteudelo. They took the well-to-do and influential Bulgarian inhabitants with them, but left their sick and wounded behind. At daybaeak on the 3rd the withdrawal of the Turks was discovered, and the Ru sian forces at once entered Sofia, a vanguard being sent forward on the Kistendelo road towards Balamefendi. A detachment was also sent to join hands with the Servians marching on Sofia from Pirot. The 3rd division of Infantry of the Guard, which is pursuing the Turks who retired from Arabonak, Scbandornit , and Tascbkisena, has already occupied Fatritschew, and Russian cavalry have advanced towarda Kalofer, Otlukioi, Icbschiminn, and Somokowo. Particulars respecting the pursuit are not yet to band. A skirmish was fought on January 2 with’ the Turkish rear-guard near Mirkove, on which occasion General Katalei, commander of the Hrtl Infantry of the Guard, was killed, and General Philosophotf, commander of the Ist Brigade, was wounded. The same day the detachments commanded by General Dandevilla and Brock occupied Siatitza, the Turks retiring from it in an easterly direction. A portion of General Dandeville’s troops were sent in pursuit of the Turks, and occupied Laschen. On January 2 Patritschew was occupied by the Russians, the Turks evacuating the place, and falling back along the plain of Tepolnitza, in the direction of Poibren and Tatar Bazardjik. The Russian troops, who continued the pursuit, advanced as far as Poibren, which is still held by the Turks. Only direct pursuit is possible, on account of there being no side roads by which an outflanking movement might be effected. According to the statements of scouts there are still considerable forces of Turkish ca valry in front of Sainakown and Ichtiman. In the rear of Ichtiman, and in the front of Trajan’s Gate at Kapntsohelc, an infantry force is stationed, which is actively entrenching itself.' A despatch from the head-onailers of the Czarewitcb reports that unimportant skirmishes have occurred near Solenik, IConstanza, Sadina, Gagowa, and Chaidarkioi, on and near the Osman Bazar road. The Russian losses in these skirmishes together were three menlcilled and eleven wounded. At Omurkioi the Russians captured 170 horses and several head of cattle. >•