The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-09-30
Details of the Engagement
at Kill Tepe.
PASSING THE RUSSIAN oUTPOSTS.
Charge Of the Circassian Cavalry
Led by a Woman.
THE GENEVA CROSS SOCIETY.
HEADQUARTERS OF THE RUSSIAN Army.

just returned victorious from Zewin, where no had
achieved important victory. His troops, bong
within lew hours OF Kars, immediately hur-
ried forward He declared that he would take Alex
andropol and drive the Russians beyond the Caucasus
Ho even talked OF capturing the Grand Duke Michael
and his army. With af2irs In this condition We re-
treated slowly down here to Kuruk Dara Mukhtar
Pacha followed parallel line to the right Of US and
took possession Of the mountain full Wow Of
our camp. Tho distance was about thirteen miles
Russian soldiers could Turkish doting the
dark mountain s,dc and fortacatlons and rifle pits
appeared on the important heights Our gen.
cral then sent competent iorce 10 occupy little
cobble collection OF cellars called Bashkudkla
This place Is about eight miles northeast OF Mukhtars
headquarters but IL seems lie almost at the foot OF
u range OF mountains. Bashkudiklar Is fair spec-
ment OF the Turkish villages which figure so I'M
posngiy in the Porte's ''humanc" dispatches to the
European Powers when it discourses on ourages In
the middle OF the plain between Mukhtar's army and
the village rocky hills rise to height OF 600 feet
This isolated emincnce is known as Kizil Tcpe and
wus the sccno of the battle OF which am about to
writo
RgcoNXoIssAScEs.
FREQUENT Reconnaissance had been made beyond
the Turkish in tho direction OF Kars and
along the mountain range that trends southwark
toward Mount ARAFAT Tho Russians had oven ex
ancient capital The Russians found the Turks swarm-
ing that direction elsewhere for tho whole coun
try In arms, except few vrtuous daggerdscora-
ted farmers who supported the thieves that roamed
abroad by raising miserable quality or wheat and sup
plying them with chickens, eggs and cucumbera Tho
Turks we'll supported by the citizen kurds, who
had joyiuy turned bashi-bazouEs ready to steal, XIII
mutiate, and were patriots and faithful follow
Of the "ony ,ruo Prophet On the 18th inst.
entire army madc general assault on the Turkish
line. Their skirmishcrs driven p, and the vii
age and tort Of Soubatan captured directly under tho
guns Of Mukhtar Pacha's headquarters This was an
important step. as the half completed fort when
filled with Russian guns would prevent the Turks from
sallying down that way aud putting cannon on
q small mountain called Karajal, which overooks and
commands Kuruk Dara Karajal was SO near TO Kuruk
Dara that Winchester rife could send ball from the
nearest summit into General Melikon's tent But as
the mountain extends about four miles toward
tho Turks It would have been easy for them TO
mako a dash ut night and plant q battery upon its
crest Then they could have shoed not only Kuruk
Dara and Bashkudiklar, but they would have COM
manded both the roads loading from Kars 10 Aexan-
dropoi Their guns would have covered the very
plain where the great victory was won by the Rus.
sians in 1854
AN ARcnDoTcuER's WORK.
The Turks were evidently annoyed ut tho result OF
the 6gnt on the 18th and the capture OF Soubatan.
The Russians jubiant and the bands OF tho army
played opera airs and military music In front OF Gen.
era Heymsnns tcnt while tho staff enjoyed little
frontier banquet in tho open air until tho went
down. II had boon said by officials next 10 tho gen
oral In command that tha demonstration was merely
IN extensive reconnaissance, but after day OF hard
fighting correspondents were suddenly informed that
the movement to enable General Dcvel 10 move
limo. But appears that the advance mado to
assist General Devcl In getting endorsements
to Tergukosso The intervening day between Devel's
departure and the reconnaissance enabled tho Turks
to md what gong on, and they improved tho
occasion 10 strike blow at the Russians who had left
only 500 KILL Tepe heights, and Withdrawn
their Soubatan. Startling tho statement
may seem, the Russians had not since tho hour OF
It's occupation placed single gun upon the height,
and tho moment OF the opening Of tho engagement
only company Of foot soldiers and few Cossacks
wero stationed ut this important pontonly another
specimen OF tho blind lethargy which scoms 70 alict
every officer In the Russian army at present.
THE SURPRISE.
About three o'clock yesterday morning l was par
TALLY awakened by what seemed the rattlipg Of a dis
tant wagon train. But had heard these vehicles at
all times OF night since tho Investment Of Kars,
una thought SO little Of tho that about
fall usccp again when realized suddenly, that 1t
muskotry firing. Thon q dozen voices IN adjoining
officers tents shouted tor horses had on my clothes
and OF the tent before eyes were fairly
open. Cossacks hurriedly saddng horses In the
spendor Of tho moon, and there was general and
IN exceedingly earnest shout tho camp
The hrng was tho direction OF Bashkudiklar II
soon became terrific Rushing 10 the place whore my
horse picketcd, found my Cossack with chatter
h,si
Russian soldiers, his discipline admirable, and in
q few momonts our ready for the '1ront."
We rode away toward tho Turks and their shadowy
mountains. Oflccrs coming out Of their tents
We galloped through the camp soldiers were quietly
forming into line. whilc the beatcd struggled o
get Their long legged boots. No one know whether
tho Turks out in full force and were going to
army pieces with the assistance Of bashi
bazouks, or whether detachment Of the pagans
merely Strengthening tho outpos,s retaliation.
cent nossancea The irsl thought was hat dis-
covering the absence OF part OF our troops they
going 70 annhilate Us II they could.
MORN.NG's DAWN
l did not know definitely whittier was going, ex-
cept TINT my horse travelling toward the terrible
conflict Dark masses OF troops already on the
troublesome marching across nelds, others following
the bropd roadway. ARTILLERY wagons moved forward
with sharp rafting SOUND. Cossacks dashed the
plain ut gnlop while othors came IN from outposts
GU the run; but there was no shouting drumming
nor disorder OF any kind. There excitement but
II the excitement o disciplined activity. Every
body pushed steadily toward the sound OF the mus
kerry. Four miles from kuruk Dara we came IN sight
Of Bashkudikar and the heights OF Kizil Iepc. AS
ccnding u spur OF karaja Mountain, which extends
into the PLAIN near kiz Tepc, wo looked down upon
tho marvellous landscape. The situation was grandy
revealed In the gray light of tho morning IL now
day, und u mountain sunrise nlling the heavens
with splendor The innumcrablc mountains from,
Mount Ararat 10 Fort Kars seemed to
noat in Nh atmosphere OF tho most delicate
violet; ana this violet abyss was tingcd with
rosy purple which analy lost itself In tho pearl OF
the morning. IL was in this ocean OF beauty, among
q thousand shapes without voice. that the crater like
mouth OF XIII rcpc blazcd with fire and thunder
Tho Turks had just taken the height anu driven the
handful OF defenders with remorseess slaughter
Russian reinforcements from Bash udikar were firing
cannon from the bottom, whe Loris Nclikon and his
army rapidly approaching from Kuruk Dara
General kamaron led strong Iorce toward Soubatan
with Hcymann supporting his right Thus losan Tho
battle OF the Gay.
CRAFTY gyEMY.
A few words here concerning some facts as 10 Turk
ish knowledge Of cur movements VIII DO pertinent
Gu the night before the attack General DeveI and
about thousa nd lett camp to JOIN Tergukosso