New-York tribune., 1877-05-15
THE FIGHTING IN ASIA MINOR.
DETAILS OF THE ATTACK oS THE HlGHrs Al BATUM
HEAVY loss INFLICTED on THE RUSSIANS
TuV

nrr,us OF The ATTACK OS THE HIGHrs AT BATUM
HEAVY loss INFLICTED on THE RUSSIANS
FLOODS IN THE TIGGIs.
LONDON Monday, May II, 1877.
Batum Friday midnight telegram to The Daity
TI.,y,pB saws: About o'clock this morning the
Russian forces, which had been largely augmented
Gov the nurpose. advanced with batteries of field
artillery and made furious attack upon the nights
defending Batum on he land side which were occu-
MED by Bashi-Bazouks. The Ottoman troops were
irtrepcbed in the usual effective manner upon the
slopes and lodges of these hills, and upon
tbe advance Of the enemy they opened
m his columns a terrible and we-sus-
famed fire of cannon and musketry which
literally moved the Russians down in swathes
They fell by scores and hundreds on the plain below
tbe Turkish positions. During their attempts TO
make way against this fire body Of Turkish horse
end foot taking advantage Of a thick forest, broke
forth upop the flank Of the Russian column, and
effected great slaughter. The Muscovtes being upon
ground perfectly open, and having no choice but to
fight or tlv in a short time the spot which was the
scene of this flank movement became covered with
dead and diving Russians. But the enemy quickly
brl,,gbt mn re;uforccmentS and the battle was
ne,qed with much determinations For many hours
the efforts Of the assalaHts desperately main
famed but toward midday their artillery fire
g1adually slackened, and they at length Withdrew
after suffering very considerable losses myself
was an eve. witness of this important engagement
from first to last and can testify that the Ottoman
soldiers behaved with gallantry which was most
admirable. They had, however, during great part
Of the action the advantage of intrenchments on
high ground and 1t is due to this fact, no doubt,
that their losses, compared to those inflicted upon
the enemy, were insignificant. The victory was won
by the extraordinary courage of the Bashi-Bazouks.
The dead and wounded on the Russian side will ex-
coed 1000. The engagement lasted over eight
hours actual fighting. The last of the Russians did
not withdraw until near midnight. The Russians
lost many guns. The only Turkish officer of note
killed is Khalim Bey, major Of irregulars."
The Times in a leader, says:
Tho war I'm Asia Minor viii clearly not be the kind OF
parade Tor the Russians which was anticipated by IN
g-h alaunsts. The Russians run great RISK OF disal
pOntmcnt they erdeavOr 20 repeat the rapid tilumhs
Of lS2s and 1929
The Timcs'S correspondent at Pera telegraphs as
follows:
As evidence Of the general condition TO which 10 days
OF ucesstut rain have reduced the hsatlc region, We
need only read tho intelligence from Bagdad describing
the food which las overwhelmed both banks or the
Tigris similar inundatiOn Is unknown since time I'M
memorial the river having thrown out a new branch
above Bagdad, which has completely bOcEadcd the city
and swrpt away 200 houses ia the village of hiamZie.
Tho worst evil which the Russians may bring upon US by
80 ncouen can hardly fail TO produce among
their troops.