New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-12-14
THE BATTLE OF THE INGOUR.

| OF the battle of the Ipgour we now have, thanks
to the arrival of the Baltic three distinct accounts
short and confused official Turkish dispatch, an
equally obscure article of the Monicar, and letter
from Mr. Lawrence Olphant, The London Tim's's
correspondent who was an eyewitness to the oper-
alton Though his report is written with anything
but mi itary clearness, yet 10 it We can pretty we'll
ipguith the main features of the affair The
Russians had made small fort called Ruchi, on
the southern or left bank of the IngOur the center
of their position, and had constructed several bat
teries in advance of it, beside Telling the trees
next to the waters edge and making abatsis of
them. To attack them here 10 front would have
been utter madness. But force Of 900 to $4,000
men, mostly Mingrelan militia, was not strong
enough to oppose etfectually, on all poil to of
generally fordable river the passage of superior
army. To turn the position was the simplest way
of forcing it. Accordingly Omer Pasha had two bat
teries constructed opposite this Russian position
and left Skenda Pssha to occupy the attention of the
enemy at this point, while he with the main body
descended the river to ward the delta, passed over
one branch, and then advanced on the next Col
Ballard British indian officer, led the advanced
guard and drove the Russians across the main
branch OF the river, when the Turkish main body
advanced to force the passage. At this moment
how ever, the Russians unmarked battery On the
left bank, the fire of which arrested the Turks
While the firing went on here-as usual. withOu
any result both parties finding ample cover in the
thick woods on the river side-Omer Pa.ha dis
patched Osman Pasha with six battaons to
ford mile and q half lower down There was
Russian force here too but, 40 it appears, not 10
trenched. Osuan Psshs's troops passed the river,
the water reaching their srmpits and at once
charged the Russians, who fed in disorder. At
the same time Ctl. Simmonds, another British
officer concentrated two battalions of tue line with
three compaoes of rifles in the center, under shell
ter Of Col Billiards. FIRE; he, too, passed the river
ard took the battery, which, as before stated, had
defended the ford the Russians, after vainly at
tempting a fapk-attack upon the assailants, were
completely routed and retired in disorder, leaving
five guns in the battery. This decided the action
The position at Fort Ruchi, higher up, was absn-
doned by tie Russians after they had learned the
defeat of their center and left wing.
The battle does great honor to the troops of
Omer Pssha. 1t is the irst tune since Tshetate-
nearly two years ago--thst Turkish troops appear
with sue cess in the open field; it is the first time
that they are successful in the open country in
Asia. They were, it is true, in superior nun
bers; they also had for opponents troops on whom
little reliance was placed but in an army Is
young o. the Turkish army in its present European
organization, such q success shows that the new
militar, system begins to become familiar to
the troops and that was the greatest obstacle
to be overcome. The question was, not whether
the Turk, were naturally brave, but whether they
were capable of forming modern army and they
begin to show that with ,Od commanders, the
thing is not impossible. Whether it is possible
with native chiefs il another question, st leas for
some time 10 come.
Omer Psshs conducted this battle very we'll, as
far as We can Judge, and the Apglc Indian officers
seryipq under him have shown that they have
learned how to treat Eastern soldiers But now
comes the most curious part Of the business
{ mer Pssba, at The head of superior, victorious
army, employs his victory, not to follow up the
teaten Russians but to intrench himself In deten
sye position on the Ipgour. Hero we meet sgan
II at obstinate faI cy of this general for hed"drks
and defensive positions. Whether he conquers or
is conquered, there must be held"ork'' From
Oltenitza ard Kalefst down to Eupssoria and the
Insour, it is always tue same and, after all this
shows whtre the weakness of the Turkish troops
LEE. Oner PAsba certainly knows them a' well
as sny nan and il, whenever there il chance OF
On attack be takes care to intTench bis army, he
must co it from the certain knowledge that h's
troops are not reliable uoder all circumstances
that they are eaiily open to panic in one
word, they lack soltity. Hero be obtaios vic.
tory which might have been made decisive BY