The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-09-05
WAR NOTES.
THE BATTLE OF PELIsAT.
The turks Repulsea with Heavy Loss.

LONDON, Sept. A Daiiy Ne1rs special.
dated August 81, says: Osman Pashas at
tack on the Russian position at Pelisat and
vicinity was one Of the most hard fought bat
ties Of the war. The Turks early in the fight
captured Russian redoubt one mile in front
OF Pelisat. In the course of one hour this re-
doubt was taken by the Turks, retaken by
the Russians and taken again by the Turks.
The Russian left wing was driven back on
Pelisat, in front of which trenches had been
dug and were lined with troops. The Turks
advanced as though determined TO drive our
left out OF Pelisat and turn it. The Turks
began to descend the. hill in that direction,
not with a rush, but leisurely and without
firing: not in masses or lines, but scattered
and diffused They came down about half
way in this manner, the Russian artillery
tearing up groups all the time in the most
savage manner
The Russian infantry fire, which had been
very heavy for the last five minutes about
IeOglince, now began to roll along the hill
crest IN our direction. and the Turks, who
were Just coming into range, began to drop
rapidly. The Turkish advance now yeered to
the left and went at the Russian trenches on
the crest Of the hills between Pelsat and
Ieoglinee with shout, opening fire at the same
time. The Turks descended into hollow
and were lost to sight for time while the
Russian trenches famed and smoked. and q
storm Of balls was poured into the advancing
Turks. This must have lasted fifteen or
twenty minutes, during which time a fearful
loss OF life must have occurred.
Then we saw the Turks begin to withdraw,
carrying off their wounded. The Turks had
no sooner withdrawn from the Russian fire
than they formed and advanced again.
Many dead bodies of Turks were found within
ten feet Of the Russian trenches. The little
slope. or crest on which the trenches were
situated was literally Covered with dead. I
counted seven on space Of not more than ten
feet square. The battle here was terrible.
but the. Turks were again repulsed. It will
hardly be believed that they went at it again.
and yet they did So It seemed madness be-
cause we could see that the Russian fire never
Stacked an instant and that the Russian line
never wavered, while reserves were waiting
behind, ready to fall in at the least sign of
wavering.
The scene of carnage was again repeated
but only lasted moment; the Turks com
pletely broken, withdrew suIenly. firing
and carrying off their wounded and many OF
their dead; They fell back ON redoubt which
they had first taken, apparently with the in
tention OF holding it, but We're not allowed to
remain. long. Another attack on the Russian
centre had been equally unsuccessful as that
on the Russian trenches on the left The
Russians pursued the retreating Turks with
a murderous fire. Six companies went at
them with the bayonet, and swept them out
OF the redoubt like O whirlwind At o'clock
the Turks were in retreat everywhere and the
Russians occupied the whole of their first DO
sitions, besides pursuing the Turks short
distance with cavalry. The Russians were
at 800 and the Turkish 5000 killed and
yrpiIp5nI