The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-07-06
CENTRAL ASIA.
Russian Report Of the Defeat Of the BOkhari.
ans-The Imperial Army In Samarcand.

l
| Russian Report Of the Defeat Of the BOkhari.
ans-The Imperial Army In Samarcand.
The Journal de ST. Peters0ourg Of June 10 publishes
the following account of the defeat of the BOkhari-
| ans and the occupation of the Samarcand by the
| Russian army
The repeated attacks on the Russian detachments
LEFT no doubt as to the hostile intentions OF the Emir
| OF BOkhara, and obliged General Kaufman to take
up position at Tasch- KOupruk on the 1st Of May.
On approaching Zarovschane the troops came In
diminishing all the time. AS the Beks OF Samarcand
had given the assurance that neither the clergy nor
the wished for Pc
| vanguard with orders to cease firing If the
enemy did not oppose obstinate resistance to the
march of the Russians. The Colonel, at the head Of
body OF Cossacks, was however, received with
musket shots; he then drove back the enemy and
brought up his infantry. Nazem-O uddinH Odja, en-
vOy from BOkhara in 1859, came forward,
bringing conditions from the Emir. He asked that
approaching at the same time on all Sides this re-
quest was not acceded to, and General Kaufman
declined to open negotiations until his soldiers had
arrived at their various Positions
AT this moment rising ground on the opposite
bank OF the river was seen to be crowded
mined to dispute the passage. General Kauf-
mann then signihed to the envoy that he
that if the Bokharans wished for peace they must
Immediately retire or the height occupied by them
would be taken by assault. At the same time four
half squadrons OF Cossacks, four guns and a rocket
battery, under Lieutenant Colonel Strandtman
drove back the masses OF the enemy on the right
and messenger sent by Nazem- Ouddin- Hodja had
not reformed the latter was informed that the
ranged in order of battle were about to marcs
forward. TIE envoy then obtained a further post
ponement OF an hour and started himself to induce
tions of peace which he had brought with General
Kaufman.
that the terms proposed were not the as those
sent by the Governor General OF Turkestan but new
offers in the Persian language, and containing some
important changes. The perndy OF the Emir was
thus shown to be the same as ne had manifested dur
ing all the six months that the negotiations had
the Bokhari9gs not having withdrawn, but having
opened fire with some pieces OF artillery, the Russian
troops prepared tor the attack, their forces comprs
ing twentyo half companies of infantry with six
teen guns. rocket battery and four half squadrons
of Cossacks. The first line was placed under the
command Of General Abramour, while General Kauf
mann was with the right wing.
The attack was led by Major General GOlovatchew.
battery on the left and crossed several arms Of the
Zariavschane river with water breast high. The
troops next traversed marsh a thousand yards
broad and intersected with canals. and then, reach
ing the foot Of the height carried the enemys posi-
don by assault; The Bokharians Ned with such
rapidity that the Russian troops, fatgued by the
long march, could not pursue Them AS for the
cavalry the horses pad great difficulty In extricating
themselves sT from the eSssy ground. IA ..-,..
previously occupied by the enemy. stimuli
taneously with the assault the guard OF the
baggage ndd beaten on an attack maze Dy
strong parties of Bokharians. The enemy left In
the hands Of the Russians all the artillery posted
the heights; but with the exception of one gun they
carried of the battery in the valley. The rst trO
plies OF the Russians were the camp and twenty
one pieces Of cannon. Their Joss was slight, and
consisted OF two men killed. three subofllcers and
twenty-eight men wounded.
The inhabitants of Samarcand had in the mean
tine closed the gates OF the town and refused adj
mttafuce 70 the Bokharian troops, and on the fol-
lowing day, q deputation from the city came
10 the camp to make their submission to
the Emperor OF Russia. General Kayfmann re-
tanned some OF those citizens and sent back the
Others, charging them to invite the inhabitants
throw open their gates and come ont to meet the
Russian troops The General then marched on the
city with detachment OF which the company OF
Afghans formed part. He ordered the inhabitants
to resume their occupations, to reopen their shops
and 20 recall TO the city the families which had taken
refuge in the envrons. The citadel was occupied by
the Russian soldiers, and the confidence OF the peo
pie in the strength and honest intentions OF the Rus
SLAMS was complete
All the troops, from the General down TO the last
soldier, did their duty and gave the example natural
In Russians, Of yaor in the combat and fOrbeaTance
towards peaceable Inhabitants.