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 Ju:y and August ;

" We announced some time since that the cities cf Tur-
kestan and Aonliett had been occupied by our troops with

the view of reuniting the Oldenburg line to that of Siberia

This operation hai scarcely been effected when the inhah

tants of Khokan commenced to concentrate in considerable

masses in the environs of Tchenakent to attack our troops,
[laving been informed of this assemb ing, General Tcher-

niaief,who was with a detachment at Aouliett, resolved to
frustrato the enemy's intention by a movement on Tchcm.
kent. Having commenced his march on the 19:-1 of July,
with six weak companies of infantry, a sotnia of Cossacks,
in all 1,29 S men and 10 guns, he arrived on the 221 at the
locality named Yaiki-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

chemkent WEtS 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 pcsition to cover P.ouliett and to
take the enemy in rear if he proceeded to Turkestan ; but
having received notice on the 25th that the detachment

of Lieuteno.rt-Colonel Meyer wee one march from Tchem

kent, the general proceeded rapidly to h's assistance. On
the next day his detachment lerformed 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 Lteutenant•Colonel Meyer's
detachment and was himself attacked by considerable
numbers of Khokans, which prevented him from Effecting
the junction as intended. During the 26th and 27th
Lieutenant Colonel Meyer sustained a desperate ccmbat
against the enemy. Havirg passed the Arys, and having
arrrived at the place called Ak-Boulak on the evening of
the 25th, at daybreak he saw himself surrounded by nume-
rous parties of people from Khokan. He rapidly entrenched
himself behind his baggage, and resolved to accept battle.
The enemy began the attack, Repulsed by grape shot and
by musketry fire, the Khokans sought shelter behind the
nearest inequalities of the 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 ccrpsea of those killed were used. Notwithstand
ing, the want of shovels the parapet was ready on the fol
lowing morning. At daybreak on the :47th the enemy
commenced preparations for a decisive assault. His
cavalry occupied the neighbouring heights, and a mass of
sarbazes (regular troops of Khokan), formed in good order,
showed themselves before one of their fronts. After a
violent cannonade against the camp the enemy rushed
to the assault from all sides, but wa■ 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 was 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 Tchernaief's
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 ft): ward Lieut.-
Colonel Lerche, with three companies of infantry, a sotnia
of Cossa,:ks, and f Air guns, with instructions to rejoin
Licu'enmat-Colonel Meyer. Having, by an artillery fire,
dispersed about 3,000 Nhokans assembled in view of the
camp, Lieutenant-Colonel Lerche opened the road to Tur•
kes'an, and having eff_cted his junction with Lieutenant-
Colonel Meyer, the two detachments returned to
Altync-Tube on the 29:h. In this affair about
12,000 Khokans ineffectually attacked a Russian
detachment consisting ef 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 resist-
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. Oa 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.