Washington telegraph., 1854-03-15

tempted to place the Turks between two
fires Information of this was given to
Ahmed Pacha, who by skillful mannuvre,
directed his soldiers to the point, in order to
prevent the junction with the besleged
troops. For this movement he made use Of
three Of his reserved battalions.
The advantage Of the position was now
on the side Of the Turks, who were Oh
ground which sloped toward the Russians.
but the latter were three times greater in
number than the Turks. In spite Of this
inequality, however, the Russians were en-
tirely beaten, and fed in the greatest dis
order They were completely routed,
fact constituting a feat of arms on the part
of the Turks which does great honor to
them, and establishes another important
truth-that the Russians cannot cope with
Turkish troops in equal numbers with them
selves in open field, and that they can only
hope for any success when they have much
more powerful force than their enemy
Their losses in these two simultaneous
affairs, amount to nearly 1000 men. among
whom are included fifty superior officers
The Turks had about 300 killed, and 396
wounded, who were sent to the hospitals Of
Widdin, and Of whom, it is hoped the great
est part may be saved.
According 10 the opinion of some Eu-
ropean officers now at Widdin, this affair il
most glorious one for the Turks, and, if
not productive Of any material result, will
at least prove Of great moral advantage TO
them.
On tie next day, the Russians attempted
to re-occupy the redoubt from which they
had been driven in the night, but the ap-
pearance OF some Turkish battalions dis
couraged them from the attempt, and they
beat retreat
At the time of the attack upon the VIII
lage, the Turkish soldiers, particularly the
Bashi- Bazouks, committed the fault of stop
ping 10 pillage before being entirely assured
of victory, and By this means, in despoiling
the dead, obtained some trihing articles,
much to the prejudice Of the general inter
est 1t is to be regretted that it has not
been possible to derive all the advantage
from this affair Of which it j. susceptible, 1t
least as far az it regards material benefit
but, as far as it regards the moral effect,
there is nothing to desire
Ismail Pacha fought like lion, and more
like soldier than general lie had two
horses killed under him. lie was grazed
with two balls-one on the shoulder and
another on the waist. A third bali struck
the scabbard of his sword.
The Turks took from the field of battle,
beside number of horses, great many
muskets, sabres, schakos, epaulettes, and de-
corations, and also many wounded The
latter coDsoled themselves for their wounds
by the sight of watches or handfulls of gold,
gathered in the midst of dangers, which
were placed by their beds of pain as solace
to their sufferings.
Justice has been done to the bravery Of
the Russian officers, who courageously did
their duty, but were badly seconded BY the
soldiers, whom it was often necessary to
prick with the point Of the bayonet in order
to prevent them from running away Some
Of the Wallachian militia were incorporated
among the Russian troops; but the former
force were in very bad odor with the Rus
sian officers, and were continually subjected
to their jeers. A Wallachan captain re-
fused to march against the Turks and he
consummated his refusal by blowing out
bis brains This fact may be relied on.