The Portland daily press., 1877-08-02
FOREIGN.
The TurcO-RussianH War.
A GREAT BATTLE AT
PLEVNA.
Russians Defeated With
Great Loss.
The Defeated Army Retreating
Across the Danube.
The Russians South of the Raj.
kans Also Falling Back.

JAM ALUM HIN hQ A.
A Great Turkish victory-The Rus ,inns
Defeated'After Two Days' Engage cement.
PERA, July 81, midnight-Inteligence from
Osman Pasha announces great Turkish vic
tory, and the enemy completely routed after a
two days fighting with a loss of 5000 killed and
10000 wounded. Turkish casualties compare
lively small, owing to the fact that they fought
on the defensive.
LONDON, Aug. 1.-Osman Pasha claims a
great victory at Plevna. The battle lasted two
days and CO. 900 Russians took part.
An official telegram from Osman Pasha Civ
ing account of Tuesdays fighting, was received
at ConstaDtinople. and is almost identical with
the Daily Telegraph's account. but estimates
the Russian wounded at "a 600. out of a force
of ten divisions, and says that the Russians re-
treated to their encampment,
The Standard despatch from Bucharest this
evening contains various rumors, which though
probably exaggerated, show fbe serious light in
which the Russian defeat at Plevna is viewed.
The correspondent says there can be 20 doubt
that great disaster has befallen the Russian
army. Today reinforcements have been pour
ing southwark as fast as trains could follow
each other. 1t is asserted that the Gear has
begged Prince Charles to cross the Danube i'm
mediatey with the main body of the Rouma-
nian army, that the headquarters of the ambu-
lapces are falling back to Sistova, and that the
disorganized troops are retreating across the
Danube.
The Daley News correspondent telegraphipg
from point Is miles east of Plevna gives de-
tailed account of the fighting on Monday. The
Turkish forces were estimated at $4,000. They
occupied a series of positions naturally strong
and artifcially fortified in every available spot
forming horseshoe, in front of Plevna, with
both fanks resting on the river Vid. The Rus
sian force consisted of the ninth army corps
under Gen. Krudener, the 3Oth division and
30th brigade of the second division
under Prince Shackesby with three brigades of
cavalry and 160 guns. 1t was arranged that
Gen. Krudeuer should attack the Turkish CEN
tire at Guvicka and the northern flank of the
entrenchment position over Rohova, while
Schackesky attacked Radizoo, and General
SkobeleH, Jr., held in check strong Turkish
force at Looca. Gen. Krudener began the bat
tie about $50 O'Clock. After long lombard
ment he succeeded in silencing the Turkish
cannon at Grivaca, but could never expel the in
fantry from the earthworks. He spent the D. m.
unavailingly endeavoriDg to force the northern
flank of the Turkish position, dessting after
dark without having gained anything material
and having himself suffered considerable loss.
Prince Schokosky about noon carried Rodizevo
and planting four batteries on ridge beyond
bombarded the nearest Turkish position, an
earthwork armed with cannon in front Of an
entrenched village.
After an hours cannonade be sileuced the
Turkish guns and his infantry, after long and
bloody contest carried the earthwork and vii
lage The1second Turkish position, consisting
of redoubt and series of entrenched
VINEYARDS strongly held, was, then at
tackled and ultimately carried with a
terrible effort and very severe loss owing to
heavy Turkish artillery force. The Russians
moreover, were unable to utilize the capture
About o'clock reserve brigade was brought
up and an attack made on the position immed-
ately covering Plevna The attack continued
great force in continuous line under shelter
of trenches. Despite the most stubborn effort
no impression could be made upon that line.
Two companies of Russian infantry marched
round to the right of the Turkish trenches and
entered the town of Plevna, but it was mposs.
BILE to hold it. The Russian batteries pushed
boldly forward into the position first taken to
attempt to keep down the Turkish cannonade,
which was crashing into the infantry in open
field, but they were compelled soon to evacuate
this hazardous spot. At sundown the Turks
made continuous forward movement and re-
occupied their second position. The Russian
infantry made succession of desperate stands
and died like heroes. The Turks gradually re-
took everything they had lost.
Fighting lasted till long after nightfall with
darkness. The Bashi Bazouks took possession
of the battle field and slew all the wounded.
BUCHAREST, Aug. 1.-The Russian army
continues to receive renforcements.
suspicious Silence of the Russian.
Only Turkish reports have been received
since the first battle at Plevna. 1t is surmised
that If the Russians were fariDg prosperously
there would be official bulletins from st. Pc
tersburg.
The Turkish Advance ON Rustchuk.
A correspondent atVienna telegraphs that the
Turks are again moving to the relief of Rust
chuk. Notwithstanding their defeat by the
Czarovitch, they have advanced on the Russian
position, and fierce battle is begen near
Rustchuck. The Turks are making deperate
effort to reach the town, and if possible cut off
part of the investing Russian forces A later
despatch states that Turkish communication is
reestablished with Rustchuk.
Russians South Of the Balkans Retreat.
ing.
A despatch from Adrianople says the Rus
slams on the south Balkans are retreating be-
fore Suleimau Pasha, and it is thought they
will concentrate at Kesanlik.