Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1877-05-23
War News I!
Special Correspondence from, the
Seat Of War.
MIR. CLIPPERS. Correspondent.

Kischineff, May 12th.-It is of.
ficially confirmed that the Russians
sunk large Turkish gunboat in
the Danube, yesterday. A shell
penetrated the boiler, resulting in
an explosion, which fred the mag
azine. The gunboat sank and the
entire crew and two hundred SOL
diers persisted.
The London Telegraph's special
from Batoum, Friday, midnight
the 18th, says: "About 5 o'clock
this morning the Russians, largely
augmented, advanced with Their
field artillery and made further
attack on the heights defending
Batoum on the land side, occupied
by Bashi-Bazouks. The Ottoman
troops were intrenched and opened
terrible, well sustained fire OF
cannon and musketry, which liter
ally moved the Russians down in
swathes. They fell by scores and
hundreds on the plain below the
Turkish position. During their at
tempt to make way against this
fire, body of Turkish horse and
foot, taking advantage of the thick
forest, broke forth upon the flank
of this Russian column and effect
ed great slaughter, the Muscovites
being upon grounds perfectly open
and having no choice but to fight
or fly. In q short time the spot
which was the scene of this flank
movement became covered with
dead and dying Russians. But the
enemy quickly brought reinforce
ments and the battle was renewed
with much determination. For
many hours the efforts Of the as
sailants were desperately maintain
ed, but toward midday their artil-
lery fire gradually slackeDed, and
they at length Withdrew after suf-
fering considerable losses. An eye
witness of this important engage
ment testifies that the Ottoman
soldiers behaved admirably. They
bad. however, during the great part
of the action the advantage of in
trencbments or high ground and II
is due to this fact, no doubt, that
their losses as compared to the
Russians we're insignificant.
The victory was won by the ex-
traordinsry courage of the Bashi-
Bazouks. The dead and wounded
Russians exceed 1000. The en-
gagement lasted over eight hours,
actual fighting. The last Of the
Russians did not withdraw until
midnight. The Russians lost many
guns.
Batoum [Ba toom] is seaport
of Turkey in Asia, in the province
of Trebizonde, near the Russian
frontier, on the east shore of the
Black Sea. 1t possesses q fine
deep harbor. Population 5000.
The Bashi-Bazouks are o body o.
irregular Turkish cavalry, and are
formed principally of Asiatic races
AS light cavalry they are consider
ed excellent, far surprising the
Cossacks in courage and powers Of
endurance.
Athens, May 15.-The first col
lision between the Greek insur-
gents and the Turkish troops oc.
cured near Armyros, Thessaly.-
The press of Athens unanimously
demands war.
London. May 49, The Standards
special at ConstantiDople telegraphs;
Monday. Admiral Hassan Pasha,
after bombarding Sookgoomkale,
landed o number of soldiers, who
were Immediately Joined by 1900
natives. A violent combat ensued
The Russians were driven out Of
Sookgoomkale. To-day upwards
of 10000 natives joined the Turk
ish forces, who hold the fortifica-
tons. The town is in flames. All
the surrounding country is rising
in support of the Turks.
The Russians deny the Turkish
victory at Sookgoomkale, but a
dispatch to the London Telegraph,
from its correspondent, seems to
confirm the Turkish success. The
dispatch is based upon the report
of tie Turkish commander to Con-
stantinople, May II, md says:
They drove the Muscovite gar
rison and the road guards all over
the district, chasing them to Gar
era, which they also destroyed.
When these successes were report
ed, Hsesan Psebs landed . supply