The Sun.
London, England, 1855-10-18 00:00:00

THE RUSSIAN DEFEAT AT KARS.

HAMBURG, Oct. 15.—A private despatch has been
received here from an authentic source, which gives
some ( etails of the Russian defeat before Kars on
Michaelmas-day. The battle lasted for more than
eight hours, and was carried on with the greatest
desperation on both sides ; the Russians appearing
determined to take the place, and the Turks man-
fully resolved to keep possession of it. At one
time the Russians succeeded in taking two batte-
ries ; but before they had time to turn the guns
round, or even to spike them, the Turks rushed
upon them with such vigour as not only to regain
possession of the batteries, but this movement, being
effected suddenly, to decide the fortune of the day.
Being repulsed with such fury, the Russians were
quite taken by surprise, and fell back upon their
comrades, who were thrown into confusion. The
Turks then rushed out of the fortress, and mas-
sacred an enormous number of the enemy, before
they bad time to form their ranks and recover
from their surprise. The despatch (which is from.
a Russian source) adds that although a great num-
ber of killed and wounded were carried off the
field of battle during the action more than 4,000
were left dead under the walls of the fortress. A
couple of hundred Russians were made prisoners,
and some pieces of ordnance fell into the hands of
the Turks. In consequence of this disaster, adds
the despatch, the Russians determined to raise the
siege, and when the courier left they were making
preparations to carry this resolution into effect.

THE CAVALRY ACTION NEAR
EUPATOtad.

PRINCE GORTSCHAKOFF'S REPORT.
The following is Prince Gortschakoff's report of
the above affair, published in a supplement to the
Invalide Busse of October 9 :

"On the 29th of September, at break of day,
the enemy, consisting of a considerable force of in-
fan try, cavalry, and artillery, went from Enpatoria
in the direction of Tegesch.
"Our detachments of observation were thus dis-
posed :—Lieut.-General de Korff, with a regiment
of Lancers of her Rua]. Highness the Grand Du-
chess Catheripe Mikhailovna, and the light battery
of horse artillery, No. 19, at Pup Mamai and Orta
Mamai, and Major-General Terpelevsky, with the
regiment of Lancers of the Archduke Leopold, at
Tegesch.
" In accordance with the instructions which had
been issued for the case of an attack by the enemy
in superior force, these two detachments were to
fall back, the first on Karagourt, and the second
on Boz Oglou. Major:General Terpelevsky exe-
cut, d this order ; but Lieutenant-General de
Korff, before arriving at Karagourt, having lost
sight of the enemy, who was marching in pursuit
of Major-General Terpelevsky, halted between
Kouroulon-Keneghez and Koughill, made his
men dismount in order to raise the guns from
their fore-carriages, and did not dispose his
advanced posts in convenient order, and at the
requisite distance from his position. The result
was, that a great part of the enemy's cavalry,
numbering from two to three thousand men,
making a rapid movement to the right, appeared
suddenly on the right flack and the rear of Lieut.-
General de Korff, who after that had no time to
draw up for battle or prepare for a combat. The
regiment of Lancers were compelled to disperse and
to fall back upon Karagourt, fighting with the
enemy. Six pieces of the Horse Artillery opened
fire oia the appearance of the enemy ; but they had
lost the opportune moment of attack, and they
were surrounded and captured. Two other pieces
which were not loaded were replaced on their car-
riages, and carried off at a gallop.
" Our loss consisted of 150 Lancers, one subal-
tern officer, and the six pieces, with a part of their
attendants."