The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1876-12-23
The Battle Of shc Ncr2va,


between the Turks and Scrvians on the
Morava:
Then opened such fire as can mover
he described. 1t was the meeting of
desperate men--Of Serbs urged forward
by reckless Russian leaders, of Turks
longing to strike their enemy. The
question was, which could be reinforced
the longest and the quickest. Fresh
Seryian battalions were coming into
action every moment and extending the
line of attack: fresh Turks were coming
down the slope, and gaining the shelter
trenches. which. as / have before re-
marked. the Turks with admirable fore
thought, had constructed.
At first the men could not be per
suaded to lie down ; they wanted to go
forward, and expected every moment
to sec them charge with the bayonet.
But they were gradually prevailed upon
to avail themselves of the cover. and
hence the great disparity between their
loss and that of the Serbs. Among
these latter we could see that great
slaughter was taking place, for their
line, although continually fed, did not
appear to increase: while. in addition
to the rifles of orr infantry, our guns
were able to throw whole volleys of
shell in among the blue coated soldiers
With what yell went those terrible
missiles on their way They seemed
to break. every one of them, exactly
where wanted, and to strew the ground
with dead and dying every moment.
The rifles, quickly seconding them,
added to the carnage which took place
in that valley. | will not pretend to
say whether the Servians actually
crossed the bridge over the Morava by
some who were on the spot it is denied,
by others it is admitted. I thought at
the time that they did. Moreover. as
the fight progressed our line wavcred,
as the Scrvians. in increasing numbers,
were hurled against tine left flank. But
this was onl Y for while the men were
simply borne back, not disheartened,
and fresh troops were hurrying up to
succor them. HATH pasha himself be-
ing almost the foremost in that gallant
fight It was fearful struggle truly,
and seemed to extend all along the line
at this moment indeed, it is believed
that sixty Servian battalions were at that
moment engaged.
But all to no purpose the steady
courage of the Turks prevailed against
the ncwly-found bravery of the Serbs,
and was making itself more and more
apparent every moment. How admira-
bly, the Snider acted then, as always
The ground was covered with disabled
Serbs, and still that astonishing roll of
muskctry maintained itself along the
Turkish front, the men firing each five
or six shots IL minute. At length the
crisis came. The Scrvians made one
more great effort. there was tremend-
Gus crash. fearful roll, as if of thun-
der, and then the enemy began to give
ground. With n wild shout the Turks
rise and pour volley after volley into
.hcir retiring ranks. Our guns fire
shell, which burst over their heads, in
front of and behind them, dealing death
and destruction to all around every mo-
mcnt. The Servians turn and fly; their
effort has been in vain they must seek
the shelter of their guns, or be killed to
a man.
Without further delay they rush to
their haven Of comparative safety. lcav-
ing their dead and dying on the ground
and the Turkish forces alone in their
weli-carncd glory
The COBRA. While the Earl of Al
bermarlc was performing military ser
vice in India. he had frequent acquaint-
ance with that deadly reptile, the cobra
Iii capello. At one time, servant who
had been bitten by cobra was brought
to the government house, in hopes that
the physicians III attendance could save
his life. The remedies given were inef-
fectual. and the man died in half an
hour. His death appeared perfectly
painless, for so long as life remained
his body rested in state Of complete
rcpo.e, with the hands open and the
palms upward. The cobra can he do
mcsticated. and when tame allows itself
to he handled by persons to whom it is
accustomed with perfect impunity An
instance of its amiable bearing is cited
hv the Earl:
The general in command Of the Bar