The Sun.
London, England, 1864-11-10 00:00:00

The Russians on the Asiatic Frontier.

The Invalide Busse publishes the following de•
tails respecting the military operations of which
the Russian frontier of Asia was the theatre during
the months of July and August ;

" We announced some time since that the cities of Tur-
kestan and Aoniiett had been occupied by our troops with
the view of reuniting the Oldenburg line to that of Siberia.
This operation had scarcely been effected when the inhabi-
tants of Khokan commenced to concentrate in considerable
masses in the environs of Tchemkent to attack our troops.
Having been informed of this assemb'ing, General Tcher-
niaief, who was with a detachment at Aouliett, resolved to
frustrate the enemy 'a intention by a movement on Tchem.
kent. H wing commenced his march on the 19th of July,
with six weak companies of infantry, a sotnia of Cossacks,
in a 111,298 men and 10 guns, he arrived on the 22d at the
locality named Yaski-Tchou, situated on the Arys, at 50
versts from Tchemkent. At the same time Lieut.-Colonel
Meyer was directed to advance on Tchemkent from an-
other side of Turkestan, with two companies of infantry,
a sotnia of Cossacks, three pieces of artillery, and some
rockets. On arriving at Yaski-Tchou, having learnt that
Tchemkent was occupied by 6,000 men with four guns, com-
manded by Minbai, and that the principal forces of Khokan
were expected there under the command of Alimkoul,
regent of the Khanat, General Tcherniaief proposed at
first to remain in this petition to covers ouliett and to
take the enemy in rear if he proceeded to Turkestan ; but
having received notice on the 25th that the detachment
of lieutenant-Colonel Meyer was one march from Tchem-
kent, the general proceeded rapidly to hs assistance. On
the next day his detachment performed a considerable
march below the Arys, and on the 27th the major of Cos-
sacks, Katanief, was sent to the assistance of Lieutenant-
Colonel Meyer with 50 of his men, 75 riflemen on horseback,
and two guns. After having marched for about 50 versts,
the major heard the fire of LteutenantsColonel Meyer's
detachment and was himself attacked by considerable
numbers of Khokans, which prevented him from effecting
the junction as intended. Dating the 26th and 27th
Lieutenant Colonel Meyer sustained a desperate combat
against the enemy. Having passed the Arys, and having
arrrived at the place called Ak-Boulatt on the evening of
the 25th, at daybreak he saw himselt surrounded by nume-
raus parties of people from Khokan. He rapidly entrenched
himself behind his baggage, and resolved to accept battle.
The eneLny began the attack. Repulsed by grape shot and
by musketry fire, the Khokans sought shelter behind the
nearest inequalities of tue ground and replied with mus-
ketry. Led by Ensign Ortchinnikof and a cornet of Cos-
sacks, some volunteers of the riflemen dislodged them
with the bayonet, and during all the day the Khokans
refrained from any new attack on the detachment,
but having mounted three guns, as well as some
falconets and wall pieces, during the day they con-
tinued a well-directed fire of grenades and bullets, which
inflicted considerable damage on us, For their own protec-
tion, the detachment during the day and night occupied
themselves in raising a parapet, in the construction of which
even the corpses of those killed were used. Notwithstand-
ing the want of shovels the parapet was ready on the fol-
lowing morning. At daybreak on the 4th the enemy
commenced preparations for a decisive assault. His
cavalry occupied the neighbouring haights, and a mass of
sarbazes (regular troops of Khokan), formed in good order,
showed themselves before one of their ft onts. After a
violent cannonade against the camp the enemy rushed
to the assault from all sides, but was received by a
deadly and well sustained fire, and after some hesitation re-
tired without discontinuing his fire. In order to put an end
to this resultless fusilade, Lieut.-Colonel Meyer pezmitted
the Khokans to collect their dead and wounded. The
fighting then ceased, and the rest of the day wee passed
quietly. On the morning of the 28th the lieutenant-
colonel fell back on Birudjar, some versts in the rear.
Towards the evening of the 28th General Tchernaiers
detachment attacked the height of Altyne-Tube, eight
versts from Tchemkent. The complete exhaustion of
the men after a forced march under a temperature of
4 ' degrees Reaumur would not allow of a continu-
ance of the movement on this day : but as soon as
day broke next morning the general sent forward Lieut.-
Colonel Lerche, with three companies of infantry, a sotnia
of Cossacks, and f Jur guns, with instructions to rejoin
Lieutenant-Colonel Meyer. Having, by an artillery fire,
dispersed about 3,000 Khokans assembled in view of the
camp, Lieutenant-Colonel Lerche opened the road to Tur-
kes'an, and having effected his junction with Lieutenant.-
Colonel Meyer, the two detachments returned to
Altyne-Tube on the 29th. In this affair about
12,000 Khokans ineffectually attacked a Russian

detachment consisting cf no more than 405 men,
including officers. According to the Kirghis and the pri-
soners, the loss of the enemy in all the affairs before
Tchemkent was about 3,000. After three days of rest given
to the troops, General Tcherniaief on Aug. 3 undertook the
reconnaissance of Tchemkent. Notwithstanding the res:st-
ance of the Khokan cavalry, amounting to 15,000 or 20,000
men, the detachment approached within cannon-shot of
Tchemkent, and, after having affected the reconnaissance,
returned to camp without the least loss. Two days after-
wards the troops commenced their march fcr Aouilett and
Turkestan. On his side the regent of Khokan, having been
informed of the movements of the Bokhara people and the
troubles on the frontier of the Chinese possessions, also re-
tired with his troops.