Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1854-04-19
TIE BATTLE OF CITATE.
Awful Slaughter of the ISuSSinns---.
Terrible Contest.

Awful Slaughter OF the 1SuSSl0nS-""A "A
Terrible Contest.
A private letter to the London Times,
gives the following account of the desper-
ate battle between the Turks and Russians
at Citate
On Friday, the 9th of January, the
Turkish troops, under the Orders of Is
mail Pacha and Ahmed Pacha, marched
to attack the Russians, who had fortified
themselves in the village of Citate, which
is about five hours march from Kalefat.-
The force Of Ismail Pacha was composed
of three regiments Of one regular cavalry
and one regiment of Bashi-Bozouks, with
six-guns. Ahmed Pacha was stationed
at some distance from the village, with
some reserve troops, consisting Of five
battalion, and also six guns. The Rus
sian force in the village consisted of three
bnttalions of infantry, commanded by Co.
lionel Bonnegarde, three squadrons of hus-
sars. and two squadrOns of COssacks with
six guns.
The Turkish troops were, as will be
seen. superior i'll number ; but the posi-
ton Of the Russians, who were distributed
in all the houses in the villages, which is
of great extent, and which is surrounded
by double ditch. rendered the attack
extremely perilouS, as the enemy, well
sheltered, were enabled to direct muir
derous fire upon the Turks, without the
latter being able to reply to it.
In spite Of this evident disadvantage,
Ismail Pacha gave orders for the attack.
and threw himself into the village Hlder
shower Of balls from all the windows
At first the Turks received very serious
injury but. although this circumstance
somewhat disorganized their attack, their
impetuosity was by no means checked
The greater portion of the soldiers, who
had never before been exposed TO mus
kerry, nevertheless displayed indomitabIe
courage.
After n desperate struggle they attack
ed the house, and fought hand to hand
with sword and bayonet. The massacre
was frightful. The Russians i'll vain beg
ged for quarter. In the fver 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 character
OF Mussulman's. No quarter was given
to them. Cutters Of blood ran down the
streets from the wholesale human saugh-
may be stated that number of pigs
which had been let loose were seen eaten
the dead bodies.
All who could escape the slaughter took
refuge in q redoubt at the head Of the
village, and thence recommended a muir
derous fire upon tic Turks, who returned
it vigorously but not without receiving
considerable injury from the Russian
guns.
AT last the enemy. incapable of any
further struggle decided on abandoning
the entertainments. A number Of Rus
sian troops had already evacuated the
place, when a colonel of Turkish cavalry
conceived the unfortunate idea Of endca-
Yoring to oppose their passage. The
Russians, finding themselves surrounded.
and having no outlet for escape, and no
resource but the terrible energy derived
from despair, no other alternative but 10
conquer or die, recommended the fight
with desperation. and in vigorous SOrtic
they succeeded in capturing TWO guns
1t should be stated that the Turks. upon
the first success in the entertainments.
committed the Incredible fault of not de-
stroying the enemy's guns.
While the battle was thus going on in
the village, twelve bastalions of infantry
OF the Russian army and squadron Of
cavalry with sixteen pieces Of cannon,
were brought TO the assistance of the be-
selged' and attempted to place the Turks
between two fires. Information of this
was given to Ahmed Pacha, who. bv a
skilful man9uver, directed his soldiers 10
the point, in order to prevent the junction
with the beseigcd troops. For this move
ment. he made use of three Of his reser.
we'd battalions.
The advantage Of the position was now
on the side of the Turks, who were on
ground which sloped towards the Rus
SLAMS but the latter were in three times
greater numbers than the Turks. In spite
Of this inequality, however, the Russians
were entirely beaten, and fled in the grea-
test disorder. They were completely
Touted-a fact constituting feat of arms
on the part Of the Turks which does
great honor to them, and establishes ano-
'her important truth-that the Russians
cannot cope with Turkish troops in equal
uunoetS 10 themselves in open field, and
ma tney can only hope for any success
E "eN Iney nave much more powerful
1orce than their enemy. Their losses in
these two simultaneous affairs amount to
nearly 1000 men, among whom arc ;o
cluded 50 superior officers. Tn, ,T,-i..
had about 800 killed and 396 wounJad
/ who Eere sent TO the hospitals at Widdin
and Of whom 1t is hoped; the greatel
NAV he saved