Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1877-05-21
The Eastern War.


Minor is again contradictory, but there remains
no doubt that the Turks have captured tue
town and fort of Sukum Kaleh, on the extreme
eastern shore of the Black Sec, as heretofore
announced.
The first attack at Batoum was elnt to
cover operations on the other side OF the
Koloya range. The Turks had strong posi-
tim m the heights south of the river Choruk,
which. in turn, was commanded by force aud
field batteries on the northern slope OF the
Kolova, where it forms the southern boundary
of the Choruk plain. The continuation oil the
Koloya chain forming the southern aud eastern
boundaries of the Choruk plain is called
Kbatzubani. In order to quite shut in Batoum
| on the land side it was necessary to GUST the
Turks from their position on the KoloVa, so as
to flank their position on the river heights
lower down.
The Russians we're unable to force either po-
s;tion. but have succeeded 10 half turning the
Turkish position on the river by occupying the
Khatzubani heights. The next battle will re-
| snit either in the occupation of the lower hoI-
ova or 10 the complete defeat OF the Russlans'
who will then be thrown back on Osurgcthl;
| but Of this the Russians IN Ilti5 appear 10
have 20 fear. The movement Is regarded
there as having been successful, since 1t Is q
further step to the complete investment OF
Ratoum. It is said, however, that the Russian
commander exceeded his Instructions and it is
not denied that the losses have been heavy.
The following is the official account OF the
hattie of Arabian, telegraphcd by Gen, Nell
koff to the Grand Duke Michael: THE out
works Of Arabian, its fortiGcatlons, citadel,
sixtv guns immense stores Of provisions and
| ammunition, and the camp formerly ocaupiad
nv fourteen battalions OF Turks, lie at the feet
| oil the Gar. =.
"On NAV II, the admirable fire Of our ar'-
lerv. between 3 and o'clock 10 the afternoon,
made breach 10 tho walls. At e o'clock tho
! Erwar, Tiais and Baker regiments. aud the
| sappers advanced to the assault. The enGmy
could not withstand the onslaught aud He'd
| leaving great number dead. At y clock our
| troops traversed the whole town and tortsflea'
| lions, the bands playing the national anthem.
| The troops are full of enthusiasm. Our loss
! il believed to be ono officer aud fifty soldiers
killed, four officers and oac hunareu az" e's''y
| soldiers wounded.
| 81 cannot finl sufficient words Of praise ior
| the courage and coolness Of our young soldiers
or for the good disposition OF The troops made
nv the officers. A solemn service will hc held
at the central point of the tortiGcatlors.
| a Bucharest dispatch says that it is bccoM
inq more obvious every day that the Russians
are in no hurry to cross the Danube. They are
gathering and concentrating iiher forces with
nersistent industry, but the indications arc that
| general advance movement Will not take place
for several days yet The Gar is expected at
Bucharest this week, where, it is said, he Will
remain until the war is ended, and Will be pres
eut to witness the passage OF the river.
A Constantinople dispatch says The Shelk vi
Islam has proclaimed holy war against kus-
STA. An Imperial trade is published subject
ing non MussulmaDs to military service.
a Constantinoplc special tolegraphs !: " am
afraid that we are on the verge of another coup
d'etat. The relations between the Porte and
the Chamber arc so strained that the Chamber
will probably be close /. The Deputies recently
made violent attack on the Porto. alleging
that the financial envoy who was sent to Lou
don was corrupt. Of l02 members all but TWO
voted censuriug the appointment
The Russians 10 the vicinity of Icharukson
have sacked and burnt all the villages and mas
sacred the women, old men and children,
The Russians occupied hraJova on friday
night, and Oentza on Saturday. They Will
occupy Turuseveria and kaatat on the 25!h.
apolis to guard against any attempted passage
Of the Danube there On the lst Of June all
traffic on Roumapan railways will be stopped
10 allow the passage of stores and siege artll-
lery.
With all the reinforcemeuts recently brought
I'D the Turks, it is believed, have no more than
200. 900 combatauts north Of tho Balkans to re-
sist 100000 Russians.
LONDON, May 2l.-Thc Daily News dis
match from Pestb, Sunday, says: In O re-
markable article 10 the Pesther Lloyd the Min
lister of Foreign Affairs is warned not to con-
tinue any longer the policy of mastery mac
tivity. Prompt action is urged for the efficient
protection of the frontiers. The anxiety with
which events 90 the lower Danube are watched
in Hungary finds true expression in this ar'.
cle Although confidence in Count Andrassy
is yet unshakeu, the general uneaslness te!t on
account of the equivocal attitude OF the Gov
ernment mas reached high pitch.
The Telegraph's special from Elzeroum,
Saturday, describing the first attacks on Arda-
han, says: The efforts OF the Russians COM
menced with heavy artillery fire, which vas
as hotly returned. This was followed by i'm.
petuous infantry attacks, which were repulscd
every time with great slaughter. Under Or
ders, apparently to obtain success somewhere
or othor at any cost, the troops were led back
to the assault after each failure until night
stopped the carnage. From Kars we have 10:
,elligence that yesterday the Russians attac ked
the outer lines With furious determination,
having preceded their attempt by a heavy but
iIl.directed canonade from the siege artillery.
The powerful guns in the Turkish batteries re-
piled with better effect. The duel was vigor-
ously maintained till the Russians brought up
columns of infantry as close as they dared to
the Notifications, apparently purposing. if pos
sible, 10 take the place by storm. The Otto
man commander observing this, drew together
large body Of troops behind the ramparts
and launched a tremendous sortio upon the
Russian flank and rear, under the shock of
which the enemy we're obliged to retreat into
advantageous position. A bloody engage
ment followed at close quarters, and at It's ter
mination the Russians were obliged to retreat
beaten, leaving on the field 300 corpSes and a