The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1877-05-23
THE INVASION OF TURKEY.
The Russians Defeated in the First Engage
mcnt.-All Europe Preparing TO ARM.
General News of the War.

The Russians Defeated in tho First Engage
mcnt--Al Europe Preparing TO Arm--
General News Of the War.
The newspapers of C~onstantinople re-
port that m engagement has taken place
on the Asiatic frontier, near Ardahan,
which is on the road from the stronghold
kars to Batoum on the Black sea. The
Russians were compelled to fall back.
Fresh skirmishing occurred at Gumro,
III the vicinity of Kars, but no important
engagement has yet been fought. The
Russian army at that point is under the
command of the Grand Duke Michael, a
younger brother Of Nicholas, and q more
experienced officer. Muktar Pasha Is
the Turkish general.
Safvet Pasha has sent the following
dispatch to the Turkish; ambassador at
London:
"The first engagement has just been
fought at T~churukson, near Batoum.
After some fighting, the enemy WAS de-
fcated and put to rout with the loss of
500
It is expected that a state of siege will
shortly be proclaimed in Constantinople.
The Turkish troops are reported to
have crossed the Danube at Widdin and
occupied Kalafat.
The greater part Of the Russian troops
are moving in the direction of Bulgrad,
on the Pruth, to. apparently secure a
passage through the Dobrudscha, which,
it is stated, is expected to be the object
Of the principal attack. 1t is thought
doubtful that the Turks will be able to
arrive in time to prevent the passage of
the Russian army. The telegraph lines
between Ro1mania and Turkey are III
terruptcd.
The number of Russians who have en-
tered Roumania is estimated at $4,000.
They are concentrating at Barboshl,
where the railroad crosses the Sereth. No
Russians have passed the Sereth or the
Danube. This confirms the report that
the Russians are apparently advancing
upon the lower Danubian province of
Dobrudscha.
A dispatch to the London STANDARD
from Pascani, Moldayia, says $4,000
Russians have passed through Ungheni,
O,OOO through Lcova and 81, 900 through
Bulgrad. These troops are to effect a
UlllcllOu ut Otudtd SlO bAoAo
The Pesth correspondent OF the Stand
ard reports that Osman Pasha has adj
dressed a proclamation to the inhabitants
of Kalafat assuring them that they need
not fear the Turks, who will occupy the
town rs friends.
A Vienna dispatch states that the
Roumanian project of Kalafat has been
INSTRUCTED to receive the Turks rs friends.
The first battle may be expected to take
place AZ Tultcha, in the Dobrudscha, on
the south bank of the Danube, forty
miles from it's mouth, where the attempt
of the Russians to cross may be looked
for very shortly.
\ Pesth special says it is feared that a
Russian column has passed over the
Danube near Gladowa, in northeastern
Servia, apparently an attempt to flank
the Turkish line.
4 dispatch from Pera asserts that a
Turkish fleet is bombarding Chcfketl.
\ dispatch from Pera says it is re-
ported that the Turkish fleet, under
command of Hobart Pashn, left to take
up its position before Odessa. The
telegraph wire at lbraila has been cut
by Cossacks, who are three or four
thousand strong there.
\ special from Sera reports that Ho-
bart Pashn is at Rustchuk, fully two
hundred miles up the Danube, on board
al iron-clad, and must force his way
past Ibraila and Galatz in front OF the
Russians in order to return to the Black
seq.
The sultan has issued a proclamation,
addressed to the officers and men OF the
fleet, especially recommending them to
protect the Mussulman population OF the
Crimean and Caucasian coasts now groan-
ing III Ter the Russian yoke.
The following is the full text of the
s~ultan's proclamation to the army:
Russia has declared war. We are
forced to take mp arms We lave always
wished peace, listening to the advice OF
the powers in this respect; but Russia
wants to destroy our independence, and
50 ii Russia attacks us God, who pro-
tccts right and justice, will grant lis VIC
tory. Our soldiers will defend with
tiicir blood the country gained by their
ancestors, and with the help Of God
maintain the independence of the Os-
raM2i. The nation will protect the
wives aud children OF the soldiers.
Should it be necessary the sultan will
go to the army and riisc the standard of
Ike khalifat and the Sultanat. The
sultan is ready to sacrifice his life for
the honor and independence Of the