Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-07-04
forrian Correspondence.
Turc0- Russian War In Asia.

ERzRooM, May 0, 1877.
There can now be little doubt as TO how
the much vexed Eastern question is to be
settled. Already the clash of arms has gone
up from these parts. For seven months IL
has been only too evident what the outcome
of all this preparation would be. The Turks |
have exerted themselves to the last degree |
in amassing munitions of war; and gather
ing the troops from far and near We have |
had an open winter for the most part, which |
has rendered 1t favorable for pushing for |
ward the soldiers, and they have been pass
ing beneath our windows by hundreds and |
thousands for weeks aud months. Now that |
the campaign has actually begun, there is a
lul in that direction for little, and not un-
frequently we see them coming back from
the field of battle, sick and wounded with
not a few deserters as well.
As to the extent of the fighting and the
amount of losses we find it very hard to
ascertain accurately; for though eye-wit-
nesses have come into the city, yet that
"many men have many minds " we must
down at once that the truth is put far off
this is especially so with reference to Turk
ish officials.
And yet through the courtesy of the Eng
fish Consul of this place we are enabled to
get pretty reliable reports from the front,
and the facts as to the situation seem to be
the following, as pertains to these parts
The Russians have brought up in readiness
along the border not less than one hundred
and twenty thousand men, of whom some fit
teen thousand are cavalry. The Turks have
some ninety thousand with which to meet
them, and are Fastening on reinforcements
now as fast as possible. | should here state
that the Turks have rolled up the soldiery
as few supposed they could. But most OF
them are raw recruits, ignorant in the ex-
IRENE, and there is no time to train them.
The Turkish governments ruling passion
at this present time seems to be for arms.
If we were to judge from appearances, we
should say they thought an array Of cannon,
with plenty of welI-armed men, was all that
was needed to insure the victory. But
fancy they will learn that brain is quite as
important as muscle and arms. The Turks
from childhood are Injured to hardship and
exposure of every sort, so they are very well
fitted for army life in that respect and yet
they are so ignorant of the laws of health
that they cannot take care of themselves.
They will miss very much the English Of
| haI, baI ,,,t . . L.,
with Russia. As have said, they are not
lacking in frst-class arms-to the credit of
our country be it said which furnished them
largely Many of the muskets are the Win
sixteen rounds. Many of the well-known
Krupp cannon are looking out from the cir
cult of earthworks about our city.
But what of all this without the GOODNESS
and strategy of efficient leaders Whether
this latter can be counted on remains to be
seen for the most part, as no serious engage
ment has taken place as yet. The Russians
made their debut over the line at Gumri
some three weeks since. The Turks marched
forth from Kars to meet them, but, strange
to say, fell back without formal engage
lnent to Yeniknoi, some two days march
towards Erzroom. There the main army has
made its stand under Aghmed Pasha as com.
mander-in-chief. The Russians in strong
force have encamped near Kars, cutting off
telegraphs and other methods of communi-
cation, and by this time from all we can
learn, we suppose the city is under seige
This is very strong hold, having in the
center of the town high bluff surmounted
with plenty of guns that overlook the whole
region.
The Turks claim that their retreat was a
feat of strategy TO set trap for the enemy
They claim to be laying plan to swing
around, attack the enemy's center in the
rear, and thus cut off their retreat.
Meanwhile the Russians are content to lei
them plot, since they, too, have a similaI
plan on foot. They have quite strong righ'
and left VINES that hope to strike hands be-
tween the Turks and Erzroom. thus cuttin
' off their retreat. 1t remains to be seen no ,
D much of this will be realized. 1t is evident a
battle must come soon, but with what resul,
we cannot feel very sure at present II. M. c.