The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-09-07
NEWS OF THE WEEK.
THE WAR IN TIL e EAST

THE WAR IN tn EAST
DISPATCHES from London on Aug. 30 state
that after the desperate but unsuccessful at
empt of the Turks to drive the Russians out
of Schipka pass the attack was not renewed,
and up 10 Tuesday the opposing forces confined
Themselves to outpost skirmishing. The Turks
anpear to have secured possession of some
heights which threaten the Russian TANKS and
are beyond reach Of the Russian batteries.
Radetzky had been heavily reinforced, and ex-
pected 10 be able to hold his position, while
the Turks were taking advantage of the sus-
pension OF actual fighting to construct strong
earthworks in the valley of the Tlndja.
A telegram from Pera, dated Aug. 81, says
1.-THE preliminary useless and bloody assaults
on the front of the Russian positions have been
abandoned, and the investment of the Russian
right flank commenced. The natural obstacles
encountered by the Turks are Of tremendous
magnitude. Guns have been dragged by hand
up heights almost impossible by unencumbered
footmen. In the charges and counter-charges
at the position gained by the Turks on the
Russian flank the results were niurderous.
On the slopein front of the Turkish guns de-
Tending the line of the rihe-pits 210 Russian
bodies were left within space seventy-fve
yards square. Quarter was rarely given or
taken in this attack. From the beginning of
the assault on Schipka, the fighting has been
often hand-to-hand, and the dead outnumber
the wounded"
An estimate of the losses at the battle Of
Schipka pass places those of the Russians at
~. M
The Russians continue their advance in Asia
Minor. Russian accounts report some fighting,
inwhich they claim to have defeated the Turks.
A telegram from Erzeroxm says the Russians
have changed their position, and are now be-
tween the Turkish army and Alexandropol.
Constantinople dispatches report a severe
battle in Bulgaria, on the 90th ult, between
the Russians and Mehemet Ais forces. The
Turks made an attack in force along the line of
the River LON, and there was some hard fight
ing throughout the entire day, resulting, ac-
cording to Turkish accounts, advantageously to
their arms. They admit a loss of 200 in killed
and wounded, and claim that the Russian loss
was much heavier.
A London dispatch says From accounts
reaching here it would seem that the Russians
have Jared better in recent engagements than
has been supposed. The battle at Pelisat has
resulted in the defeat of Osman Pasha, with a
loss of 800 in killed and wounded, while the
Russians only lost 500. The fighting was for
the possession. Of a formidable redoubt
held by the Russians. The Turks
fought with the most desperate valor,
and were moved down by hundreds by the
CALLING fire of the Russians, and were finally
compelled to retire, leaving the coveted posi-
ton in the hands Of the enemy"
Suieiman Pasha has abandoned the attempt
on the Russian position in Schipka pass.
1t is stated that Grand Duke Michael, Com
mander-in- Chief of the Russian army in Asia
Minor. has assumed command of Gen. Nell
koff's army in person. that officer having been
removed for exceeding his orders.
The Grand Duke Nicholas long-expected at
tack upon the forces under Osman Pasha, by
which he expected to retrieve the Plevna dis
aster, began at 10 o'clock Oh. the morning of
Tuesday, Sept. 4. The assault was made along
the whole line, and was irresistible. The fight
ing that ensued as soon as the entire move
ment had been fairly unmasked by the Russians
was of the most terrific character, both on
the part of the Turks and their assailants. Al
most every strategic point along the whole line
of operations was the scene Of desperate
charges by the Russians. In nearly every in
stance when the Russians reached the Turkish
positions they succeeded in carrying them de-
spite all the irregularity of the ground. The
defense of the Turks was determined and des-
perate, but they were unable to Withstand the
onslaught of their opponents, and were COM
PEELED to retire sullenly from position after po-
sition.
Advices from Asia Minor report that the
Turks have evacuated and the Russians reoc-
cupied the Black sea port Of Sookgoom Kale {;
that the Abschasian coast is now clear Of
Turks, and that the instruction in the interior
has been suppressed.