New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-02-06
GAMBIA
PROGRESS or THE REyoLJTION-ENrnUS SLASH or
THE CRETANS.

THE CRETAHs
From Oso couespondent - 49,
The village OF Xurba would have been a
temple IN the Greek days and maybe IN tho classics
OF the twenty fifth century A. D. famous ThernO-
pyle December Il Il sustained ia third serious attack
with the result which distinguished above a Cha
villages OF Crete in the campaigns OF Mustaphs Pasha.
and the recent attack already reported The TURK
Ish commander smartng under that repuse. organized
new expedition composed OF four battaons OF regulars,
aud number OF rregulars and five mountain guns
and marching by all the defes which lead up 10 Zurba
hoped TO carry the position by comp de main. Tho
village stands a kind OF natural bason, the plateau at
whose summit upes the south with the slopes OF tho
almost impossible White Mountains The outer edge OF
the level is occupied by line Of houses, which form
Kind the doors all opening inward on the
little place beyond which, and at the foot Of the slope II
the Of the village above which and commanding tho
open space line Of ntrenchments thrown up'by the
Cretas The attack began at early light the troops march
ing up an cannonade this time there
in the village $50 Cretans and 90 MOreOe volunteers under
Hadgi Micha the most active and capable OF all the
Cretan chiefs. The little force in spite Of the adyan
tages Of position, obliged 20 withdraw slowly but
cOntestng the ground well as they could The Turks
forced the steep activity with the greatest persstency
until toward sunset they had gained shelter of tho steep
ledge which formed the face OF the bason and where
they in great protected from the Christian
fire FROM this shelter they worked their way into the
line OF houses which they occupied but on nj.
tempting TO into the open place they we're received
by such ire tha, though tney persisted an hour ,ney
were unable to gam footing Every man VINO showed
his head in the street greeted with hail OF balls aud
night approaching, Jretans Crarls
with his band Of the bOdest being already IN sight
the Turks withdrew at p M, and retreated precip
lately pursued by the Cretans to Iakus having lost by
the admission Of Turkish officers, about go killed The
Christians by this time numbered nearly 0O and Craris
having united his band and some Sphak0tes arriving
with two OF the guns hidden away the past winter re-
turn party prepared for the Turks al Lakus where
they fortified
series OF partial combats followed the Cretans de-
scendng 10 the rayines around kus Fin Skenae and
other points where Oup0sts Of the Turks could be
red and the 18th and 10Th, according 90 Turkish ac
counts 600 men ana SIX cannon aslalian for the two
sX-pOunders) attacked Lakus with great yigOr There
five Turkish detachmens posted 10 DO able to
concentrate To the assistance of either the GARRISON
OF Lakus, but Hadg Micha arranged his attack that
they were all engaged at the time, and the com
municauons between them cut by the Cretans.
The main force OF the Turks was at Aukianu. in tho
plain, and could from Canea the smoke of the
battle and hear the reports OF tho in the mmed
ate vicinity OF that place showing tho Crcfas had
descended completely into the Hat country, on at least
cued the borders OF the plain and giving great color Of
probability 10 the rumors In today that the Turks
have been driven down TO Alkianu We have official
Christian reports yet but the Turks very gloomy and
admit heavy losses but nothing about tho result Of
the affair One battalion which was in the fight camo out
with % men, and az all the troops the camps around
Canea have been ordered on and gone, II is pretty ey
dent that help was needed Some Christian peasants who
have come in report great victory for their side, but
until We have something more Trustworthy We can only
judge that at least they suffered no worse.
The Cretans are In the highest state OF enthusiasm con
sstent with their hafsarved condition, and will turn
made them. Meanwhile the Mussulman element In tho
towns s In state OF great fermeDt the prophecy
ing great disaster and repeating old tradition which
they say OF their books contains that they will finally
be driven out OF Crete by English feet and French
army VI QeegpsayFi sqQ AZ AZ kpstsQ 2al2s eaa 80