The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-06-24

place, on the Dobrudscha side, the long
stretch of swamp land before referred to
had to be planked for the passage of the
artillery. The foot soldiers did not wait
for this event, however.
PASSING OVER THE PoNrooSs.
No sooner had the last plank been laid in
the main structure than the men, already
drawn up in battalions. were ordered to
prepare for the crossing. Eight thousand
men and two batteries of artillery then
passed over as rapidly as possible, each bat
TALON forming directly it had reached the
dry ground. BY the time the guns were
ready to be brought over preparations for
landing them across the marsh were fin
ished.
DRIVING BACK TIE BAsH1-BAzouKs
The enemy, in the shape of scattered,
irregular cavalry. had shown themselves at
various points, and when the main body of
troops had formed and the batteries had
been placed. the Cossacks were ordered for
ward to drive back the videttes.
THE TURKS MAKE AN ATTACK.
An advance was then made toward
Matchin, the object being to attack ct once,
before the place could be reinforced.
The Turks were found posted on a
range of hills to the northwestward
of the town. The batteries on these
hills opened on the invading Russian troops,
and strong detachment of irregulars SAL
lied out to meet their inveterate foes, the
Cossacks. They did not risk close en-
counter, however, and few SHELLS from the
Russian battery posted on the assailed fl ank
dispersed the Bashi-Bazouks and caused
their inglorious retreat under cover of the
batteries on the hills
THE FIRST ENGAGEMENT
Without delay the Russians we're ordered
to advance and charge the batteries. After
a severe hand to hand fight the outlying
Notifications were captured and the guns
turned upon the fleeing Turks. Thus favor
ably opened the armed occupation of the
Dobrudscha.
TAKING THE MAIN FORT.
The second assault followed as soon as
the men could be reformed, and, with the
aid of the newly acquired field pieces, the
heights we're carried by storm. These most
desperate struggles, in which the fighting
was in many instances hand to hand, con-
tinued until late in the afternoon.
IN THE ExEMx's CAMP
Driven from their intrenched position the
Turks fell back on Matchin. Nightfall of
Friday settled down over the hills and val
leys, and the victorious invaders deemed it
wiser to rest on the successes of the day
than to attempt to follow up the retreat of
the Turks. But the Russians bivouacked
for the night in the deserted camp.
UNHAPPY SIGHT FOR THE TURK.
The camp fires burned brightly and could
be seen, doubtless, from the village of
Matchin, distant only two and half to three
miles. During the night the utmost activity
prevailed in the camp, and it was soon gen.
orally known that Matchin was to be attacked
on the morrow. ..'...
THE LOSSES IN THE FIGHT.
It was impossible to ascertain the losses,
but from their exposed position, it is prob
able the Russians lost more men than the
Turks. Prisoners captured place the num-
Der of the Turkish garrison at 5000 men,
but it is believed that this estimate is too
large. The Turkish force probably num-
bered 5000, including the irregular cavalry.
ovERMATcHrNo THE TURKS.
On yesterday Saturday morning the
battle was renewed. During the night the
Turks had made great efforts to strengthen
some earthworks which were in front
of the eastern or most feasible APP
proach to the village. but after
few shells had been thrown into the en-
trenchments and the town the Turks evacu-
ated the former.
MATcHIN OCCUPIED.
The Russians advanced and occupied the
town only to find that it had been aban-
doned by the main body of the Turkish
troops during the darkness. Therefore by
six o'clock on yesterday morning the Rus
slams held the key to the Dobrudscha All
day yesterday the crossing at Ibrail con-