The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1854-02-24
THE BATTLE OF crTRALE.

/ A@sua, tuaICueu 70 ATTACK the huSslane, VINO nau
fortified themseves in the village Of citrale which
L. about five hours march from Kalafat The Turk
ish troops were superior in number but the advan
tageous position of the Russians rendered the at
tack extremely perious. private letter to the
London Times gives the following account of the
desperate battle 'Ea
In spite OF bis evident disadvantage. Tsh,uail
Pasha gave orders for the attack and threw hins ef
into the village under shower of ball%4red from
all the windows At first the Turks received yery
serious injury: but although this circumstance
somewhat disorganized their attack their impctu-
osity was by no means checked The greater nor.
ton OF the soldiers, who had never before been e.
posed to musketry, nevertheless displayed indomi
t lble courage.
After desperate struggle they attacked the
house, and fought hand to hand with sword and
bayonet. The massacre was fightful. The Rus
SLAMS in vain begged for quarter. In the fever of
the fight the Turks listened to nothing and slaugh-
tered without pity, all who fell under their hands
| The Mussulmans of the Crimea, Incorporated with
the Russian army, in vain appealed to their charac
| ter of Mussulmans No quarter was given to them
Cutters of blood ran down the streets from the
wholesale human slaughter. To add to the horrors
of the scene 1t may be stated that number of pigs
which had been let loose were eating the dead
bodies PED
All who could escape the slaughter took refuge in
redoubt at the head of the village and thence re-
commenced murderous fire upon the Turks
| who returned it vigorously, but not without re-
ceiving considerable injury from the Russian gnns
At last the enemy, incapable of any further strug
| gle, decided on abandoning the entertainments A
number OF Russian troops had already evacuated
| the place, when colonel OF Turkish cavalry con-
ceived the unfortunate idea of endeavoring to op
pose their passage. The Russians finding them
selves surrounded, and having outlet for escape
and no resource but the terrible energy derived
| from despair. other alternative but to conquer
or die, recommended the fight with desperation, and
In vigorous s0rtie they succeeded in capturing two
guns Ii should be stated that the Turks upon the
| fret success in the entrenchments committed the
| incredible fault of not destroying the enenly's
guns.
While the battle was thus going on in the village
twelve battali0ns of infantry OF the Russian army
and squadron of cavalry, with sixteen pieces Of
cannon, were brought to the assistance Of the be-
seiged, and attempted to place the Turks between
two tires Information of this was given to Ahmed
fasha, who, by skiliul manoeuvre, directed his
soldiers to the point in order prevent the junc
tion with the besieged 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 ON ground which
sioped towards the Russians; but the latter were
| In three times greater number than the Turks In
! spite of this inequality, however, the Russians
were entirely beaten. and fled i'll the greatest dis
order. They were completely routcd-a fact con
stituting feat of arms the part of the Turks
which does great honor to them, and establishes an
other important truth-that the Russians cannot
cope with Turkish troops in equal numbers to
themselves 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
4,UU0 men, among whom are included so superior
officers. The Turks had about 300 killed and 1876
wounded, who were sent to the hospitals at Wild
din, and OF whom it is hoped the greater part may
be saved.
According to the opinion of some European off.
GERS at Widdn, this affair is most glorious one
for the Turks and, if not productive of any mate
rial result will at least prove of great moral ad
vantage to them
On the next day the Russians attempted TO re-
occupy the redoubt from which they had been
driven in the night, but the appearance of some
Turkish battalions discouraged them from the at
tempt, and they beat retreat.
Isnael Pasha fought like lion, and more like
soldier than general. He had two horses killed
under him. He was grazed with two balls -one on
the shoulder, and another on the wrist A third
ball struck the scabbard of his sword
The Turks took from the field of battle besides
number of horses, great many muskets sabres,
schakos, epauettes and decorations and also ma.
ny wounded. The latter consoled themselves for
| their wounds by the sight of watches or handiuls
OF gold, gathered in the midst of danger which
they placed by their beds of pain, as solace to
their sutferings.
Justice has been done to the bravery of the Rus
sian officers, who courageously did their duty but
were badly seconded by the soldiers whom il was
often necessary TO prick with the point of the bay
onet, in order to prevent them from running away.
IMPORTANT IF TRUE.
The New York Courier des Etars Unis. of Satur.
day last has article in relation to the Russia and
Turkey war, in which it is stated that there are
now in New York several officers of rank in the
military and naval service of the Empire of Rus
sia oseRsbty for the purpose of experimenting the
construction of two steam frigates now building in
one of the shp-yards on the East river but reaIy
for the purpose, in which they are actually engaged
in recruiting sailors for the Russian servicei The
Courier says:
About two months ago, some of the New York
papers were thrown into considerable excitement
FIVE may use 30 strong an expression, by the ar
rival in this city of several Russian officers Among
these officers, some belonged to the naval and some
to the military service of the Czar The arrival of
the first squad waste extent explained by the
necessity of experimenting the construction of two
steam trigates then building the East river for
| the Russian Emperor. But this superintendance
did not certainly require the presence of so large
number of persons-(seven or eight if we are cor.
recuy nformed) )least of all. such individuals as
Brigadier General, and officers of the Imperial
Staff.
1t then notices the rumors and reports to which
the arrival of these Russian officers give rise, and
says that its inquiries authorize it to say:
THAT not only is active elistment of Sailors
instead OF soldiers quietly going on in New York
and various other ports OF this Union but that the
object tor which they are to be used is not the form
alton of regiments, but the manning and equipment
Of privateers and cruisersw
The Courier adds:
The assertion may seem to be daring one;
it would in any be less remarkable than that
of which we spoke above. But We have reason to
consider it well founded. f4rsst
The affair has been managed throughout with
discretion which savors, in the highest degree, of
| European diplomacy but for which, we freely
confess had not been prepared by the bare faced
conspiracies that we have from time to time been
called upon to renounce. But for this very reason
| the peril is the greater, and more imminent
A small number OF agents. selected with extreme
and skill, have been bought over and enrolled
| and then sent to work among the sea-faring and
other adventures, with which the Uniou has been
swarming for some years past. Through them 1t
has been cleverly ascertained what would, In GER
tain cases. be the reception accorded by certain In
dividuals, to categorical propositions openly invt
/ ing them to act against the French aud English
shipping. Conferences of more or less explicit
nature, have been brought about with particular
parties varying in their character according to the
person thus approached lists have been drawn
/ up, tables OF crews and equipments prepared, and
the very ships selected which would be the most
likely to suit! So thoroughly has this work been
| done, that upon the receipt ofintegence that the
| first cannon shot has been fired in the Black Sea
nothing would remain to be done buf iii 3 fillin0 mn