The New York herald., 1877-07-26
CAPTURE OF THE SCHIPKA PASS.
Turkish Treachery and
Barbarity.
The Turks TreacherousIy and Inhumanly Be-
head Their Prisoners and the
Russian Wounded.
RUSTCHUK, WlDDiN AND SlLlSTRiA.
rBY CABLE TO THE HERALD

CBY CABLE TO THE HEnALp.1
LONDON, July 26, 1877.
The HERALD correspondent at Bjela tele-
graphs under date of Monday, July 23 as
follows:-"My last telegram gave you an ac-
count of General Gourkha's passage of the
Balkan Mountains into the Tundscha VAL
ley in Roumelia. The following narrative
details the subsequent events of the move
ment and the vigor with which the Rus
sian commander pushed his success in the
face of the enemy
TURKISH RETREAT.
"After the Russians had forced the
Hanksoi Pass, which is directly southwark
of Helena, on the 14th of July, the Turks
retreated to the westward of Knnaro. a viii
lage midway between Kasanlik and Slivno,
in the Tundscha Valley, where they waited
for assistance. The surprise had been so
complete that they were utterly demoralized
at first, and their retreat was made under
the influence of decided panic. Being
now accustomed to the slow deliberation Of
the Russian movements the Turks were
entirely unprepared for the exceptional
vigor of General Gourkha's advance
through what they considered were i'm
passable defles
ATTACK ON THE RUSSIAN VANGUARD
''However, the Turks were reinforced next
day, and, recovering their courage some
what, they attacked Gourkhas vanguard,
where it had adVanced to feel the way
howard Kasanlik and the southern end of
the Schipka pass. After very sharp skir-
mish, lasting nearly two hours, the Turks
were repulssd with severe loss, and Kanaro
was occupied by the Russian vanguard
Two Turkish camps were captured the same
day, having been hnstily abandoned by the
panic-stricken occupants after brief de-
fence.
TaE CoSsACKs AGAIN.
"While these operations were in progress
toward the west the Cossacks were actively
pushing their way to the eastward and down
the Tundscha Valley toward the Jamboli
and Adrianople Railroad. On the same day
that the village of Klnaro was occupied col
umn of Cossacks. sent to Jeni Saghra, sue
ceeded in cutting the railroad and telegraph
lines at that point. This expedition was
met by detachments of Raouf Pacha's forces
and sustained the check which the Turks
claimed as decided victory.
oouHEHA MOVES IN FORCE.
'On the 10Th General Gourkha marched
on MagLis (or Myghlys), village southeast
by east of Kasanlik, his division being
Uplami this force was stopped by strong
Turkish position occupied by infantry, cav
airy and artillery. The disposition Of the
Turks gave them fair control of the ground,
but the Russians advanced in such vigor-
Gus and skilful manner that the Turkish
choice Of the field afforded them little ad-
vantage.
THE BATTLE BEGINS
"The commencement of the action that
followed was marked by very severe artil-
lery Gre from the Turkish lines, which was
promptly answered by the Russians. The
Turks soon became hard pushed and
showed signs of wavering. when they were
suddenly reinforced by body of Anatolian
nizams, who opened fire at very long
range, said to have been 1000 PAGES.
RUSSIAN DISCIPLINE.
''This fire began to harass the Russians as
they gradually advanced on the Turkish po-
sition. Ehey had been forbidden to fire
until within 600 yards range, and conse-
quently had to march forward under hail
of bullets without replying. This they did
with admirable co urage and discipline al
though in the meantime they suffered con-
siderable loss.
WITHIN SIX HUNDRED YARDS
"No sooner did the Russians arrive within
tho prescribed distance of tho enomy than