Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1854-01-04
European News.

An important naval engagement has been fought
between the Turks and Russians. The first ac-
count we had of it, was very unfavorable to the
former, indicating the almost entire destruction of
the Turkish feet. We are happy to learn, how
ever that the disaster is not so bad az reported
The true statement appears to be-, that the Rus
sian Admiral Machinof, on the 3Oth ult., attack
ed part of the Turkish feet off port Sinope, and
after desperate engagement succeeded in des-
troying thirteen OF the fourteen Turkish vessels
engaged in the battle. The Russian force was
nearly double that of the Turks, the former num-
bering twenty four, the latter fourteen sail. The
Russians lost two ships of the line, three frigates
and two steamboats,. The Turks fought with the
most desperate bravery-the remainder of the
Russian fleet being rendered almost useless, the
flag ship being injured scarcely to be able to
get into port. Part of the Turkish squadron
were transports, having on board large numbers
of troops. The English and French Ambassa-
doris at Constantinople, Immediately dispatched
two frigates to Sinope to gain intelligence of the
battle. Had there been any thing like equality
in the two forces, the Turks would have gained
an important victory.
Persia has declared war against Turkey. This
is caused by treaty, offensive and defensive con-
cluded between Russia and Turkey some months
ago. - II "a
This adds new complication to the difficulties.
The Asiatic tribes continue to pour IN to the sup
port of the Sultan. His armies on every battle
field have SO far been victorious.
The Turkish troops are distributed as follows:
in Kalafat, Widdin and the neighborhood, $4,000
Dol A. n
| At Sistow, 5000. At Rustchuck, &c, 900. At ST.
listria, 10000. At Rassova, 1900. At Hirsova
and lower down the Danube, l4O0O; making to-
tai Of 1876, ,00O The Russian troops are stationed
at Braita and Oltenitza $4,000; at Turva 10000;
in Karakal 5000; at Krajova 5000. Including the
Cossacks, the Russians have perhaps 10000 able
| bodied men in the field
1t is stated, on apparently good authority, that
the English and Faench governments, immediate
ly on the receipt of this news, resolved on sending
| their fleets into the Black Sea in pursuit of the
Russian fleet. The remaining fleet of the Sultan
with those of France and England, now near Con
stantinople are powerful enough to sweep every
Russian ship out of the Black Sea- and blow like
that, promptly struck, would do more for peace
than ull the diplomacy in the world
The reports from the Caucasus represent the
Turks as every where successful, and that impor.
tant advantages have been gained. A letter wri
ter from London, in speaking of the, vast regions
that are arming to aid the Sultan, says:
"From the shores of the Yellow sea, along the
Chinese wall, through the Tartar deserts, on the
Caspian, in Khiya, Affghanistan, Persia, Georgia
the Caucasus and on the Danube, the tide of hos
tlity to Russia is rolling its waves
And he thinks that the whole power of Russi,
will have to be exerted to the utmost, not for con-
quest, but for defence. 1t would be just retri
button if this ruffian attempt at conquest shoule
| result in the dismemberment of portion of the
Russian empire. We believe that Georgia ane
Circassia will be restored to freedom in the end.