New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-08-27
p ST S C RIP +.
3:45 a. m.
LATEST FOREIGN NEWS.
THE DEFENCE OF HE sHlPkA FASe'
HURRIED FohWAhp-ihh N0
SLAMS SHOWING GREAT yALOR

SLAMS SHOWING GREAT YALok'
LONDON Monday, Aug 81 IS77
Tho correspopdent of The Daily hCcs who was an
eve witness OF Fridays battle in the Shipka fass'
te,egraphs from Student, Saturday. as follows
Riding backward from Shipka through the nlght
nossed masses of endorsements of artillery and III
FAINT hurrying forward to Shpka. Their strength
is such as ought to secure the safety OF the aii--
portant position.
The same correspondent telcgraphs from Buchar-
est. Sunday rs follows: Information follows me
here that the fighting at the Pass Is stlll raging
having been again renewed to-day, but that hauet%AJ
continues to hold his own. 1t is now n question oi
endurance, but / adhere to my impression
that the Shipka Pass as now no'd J"
Radetzlkv is safe. and that unless Sulelman
Pasha can run a column through another pass, lo-
earding the practicabilty or contrary OF when
know nothing, he will wreck his army oy tluS u'9i-
ing it continually against Shipka.
DETAILS OF THE SCENE OF COMBAT.
The correspondent explains that the Shipka Pass
consists merely of a section of the Balkans lowerthah
the surrounding heights. There Is no pass properly
socaled but merely track this lower section
or ridge which is extremely broken and billy. The
highest point of the road is fanked either side by
mountainous spurs higher than itself and command
ing il and also a ridge behind she first OF these
two spurs can rake the road leading up 10
the Russian positions. These spurs break oil ab-
rupty and precipitously at the edge therefore al
fording no access no the valleys north OF the BAL
kans Their sole to the Turks, Therefore, was III
affording positions from whence 10 flank the central
Shipka ridge. 1t ~ possible also lOT tIVoPs 10
descend from them, struggle through the IN
teryenng glens and climbing the steep slopes
of the Shpka ridge, give a hahd 10 edeh o an:
on the road which runs along its summit ms
done the Shipka position would of course be turner,
but the advantage would be of little avail tai the
road had been opened ~ carrying we Iof rI'd
constitutes for an army the only practicable line 0I
communication in this section of the Balkans.
RUSSIANS MINES EXPLODED.
On the DIST inst, when fighting commenced, the
Russians probably were little over 5000 strong
with forty cannon. The Russians on this day had
laid mines in front of their trenches which were ex-
ploded just as the head of tho Turkish
assaulting parties massed above them.
II is reported that a large number Of
Moslems were blown into fragments. BY Thursday
evening the Turks had so worked around on both
the Russian TANKS that II seemed rs though the
claws of a crab were about mOmentarlly 10 close De-
Alud the Russians, and that the Turkish columns
climbing the Russian ridge would give mana 10 each
other on the road in the rear of the Russian POSITIONS
TIE RUSSIANS RENDERED DESPERATE.
At this supreme moment the two Russian Generals
expecting momcntarily to be enyironed sent at
last n telegram to the Car telling him what
they expected, how they tried to prevent
IT.. and how please God, when driven INTO
their positions they would hold these until re-
Inducements should arrive; al all events they and
tbnir mon would hold their ground TO The last drop
All tbelr blood At o'clock there was q luli m the
fighting of which the Russians could take no adVan-
tagc, since the reserves were all engaged. HE men
were beaten ont with fatigue, hunger ana thirst
There was water within the Russian lines ana men
ay painting lac bare ridge reckless OF the fact tnat
10 was swept boy the Turkish rifle iire Otneis Nos-
gtaiy fought on down among me rocks 1ut WtIS
forced 10 give ground. The ellis resOundcd Win
triumphant Turkish shonts
TIMELY ARRIVAL or RADETZKY.
II was at this juucture that rcinforcements under
Radctzky arrived. Eadctzky took command OF
these, with others who arrived subsequently,
which brought up the number Of
the defenders of the Pass TO about
$4,000. The road even in the rear Of the Russian
positions. along which the achievements had to adj
vance. was swept by the Turkish fire. and the rem
f1rconcnts suffered heavily. The object Of
Fridays battle was 10 clear the Turks
from wen wooded position which thanked the Rus
sian positions on the road. The fighting was solely
confined 20 musketry, and continued all day most
desperately. The Russians could make LtJlc I'M
preston by front attack on the Turks.
TIE TURKS DRIVEN FROM TIE RIDGE.
The correspondent says: Occasionally at some
point the Russians would be hurled clean back ont
of the wood altogether. l could mark the Turks
following them eagerly to its edge, lying down
while pouring ont a CALLING fire. The troops who
were charged with making this front attack merely
succeeded IN preventing the Turkish efforts TO work
round to the Russian rear. 1t was therefore
decided at noon TO deliver n counter flank move
meut. Two bgttalOns executing this movement
had to advance under tremendous fire from the
Turkish mountain guns. The fighting on the Turkish
front and flank lasted for full hour, but at
last the Turks were Withdrawing their bat
terry of mountain guns near the riVht flank, which
was a sure Sign that danger menaced IL II
it stayed longer. Their left battery followed
their example, which showed tie Russians
gained the ridge on the Turkish LETT
also. There remained but the central peak OF the
Turkish position. That carried, the ridge would be
ours and our right aal would be set free from the
dangerous pressure on IT,"
The foregoing describes the situation up to the
time the correspondent quilted the pass.
THE PASS ALLEGED TO BIZ TAKEN.
The Tjm@s IhoIapia dispatch, dated Sunday, says
the Governors of Adrianoplc and Philppopolis tele
graph that Suleiman Pasha has taken the Shipka
Pass. [Note.-No news of this has come direct
from SuClman Pashal.
[for other Foreign Neics see First Page.l