The New York herald., 1877-10-19

70 the summit OF the slope fear Of drawing the
euemy's nre upon the infantry mTscd IN the hollow.
Watching the shells burst around the Turkish guns
como hopping over the ridge, tearing up the
ground at each ricOeh:I fhs Russians had
struck beneath the parapet OF the redoubt
with Numbering roar sending the dust great dun
colored Clouds which high In tho arr and minged
with the wreaths OF smoke that shot out from the
muzzes Of the Krupp field pieces they replied.
Occasionally however, one OF the shells would como
screaming overhead and plunge the wood or jusy
grazing tho round OF the slope would burst uncom-
lortaoy close 20 tho group Of which was member
Away TO our right on the other side OF vide ravine
another projecting spur Of the ridge which swept
round the mead OF the ravine, forming OF amphi
terics could DO rode of toward Il with somo Of
the English doctors and my military friend. In half
thckiy wooded. but clearing near the end OF per-
mitted TO SEQ the enemy The whole battle field lay
beneath us and beyond far Ihe slope held by tho
RUSSIANS extended series OF long, fiat ridges fainter
and fainter color, until tney merged into the long
blue limo OF the Balkans, whose serrated peaks
stretched along the horizon as far as the eye could
reach.
NOT IN LOVE WITH NATURE.
We mad little inclination to con template the glorious
beauty of the which unfolded before us,
while at fesl In the foreground, a tremendous
scene was being enactsd-a scene OF hatred and Jury
and striie-which contrasted sartlngly-l was going
to say magnilccnty--wth The lovely landscape
s.Eyery prospect pleased. and only mansne quotation
brown hin on which tho Russians had planted their
batteries before US and the gunners pound
ing away from Six points at the Turkish guns on our
right and left for oven beyond us, the spurs fur
ther left, the Turks had thrown up earthworks
single gun pits. But was now one O'Clock and
tho artillery duel had lasted without cessation
tor two hours. II was long past the time
whom tho development OF Isina.l Pacha's
Snd ali Sers anxOv toward
that quarter Of the field Something had gonc wrong
Presently, however It became evident thar the head
OF lsmaii's column had come into contact with the
enemy Tor could faint lines and jets OF smoke
the distant wooded country beyond the ittie village
OF Criklcr and on tho turtber end OF the slope
PIED by the Russans;a fierce infantry tight was rag
ing, but why had u begun SO late, two whole pro-
cious hours alter the appointed time 2
THE ADVANCE OF THE TURKISH CENTRE.
From spur which We stood looking ut the
artillery duel and the distant coudct the right Of
the Russian position, We could look across the ravne
at the Turkish redoubt which We had just lott whence
Menemot Ali was watching anxiousiy enough,
should think the progress tho BATTLE and could SEQ
wha. wa had moi noticed before TWO battal,ons of
Turkish infantry masscd In columns OF companies In
the hollow beneath the slope to tho right rear
OF the batteries; thor flank lew squadrons
ofcava!ry dismounted, the troopers standing beside
their h0rsos
that lsma had begun his attack we could scea move
mcnt among the battalion ana the cavalry u sort Of
compression and solidhcaton Of The Two great black
masses which had remained so long motionless IN The
hollow. .Our contre ls about to advanced" exclaimed
military companion, and az he spoke tho faint
notes OF the buglcs camo across the valley, and tho
now rigid squares began 10 move up the slope. We
should been too late had attempted TO gallop
back to our first position near tho battalons, and
we renamed intently watching them through our
glasscs They advanced steadily up the hill IN solid
formation, but when they came 70 the crest we saw
the masses suddenly break up into open order and
extend right and leit into long inea For moment
they were visible against the sky. and ran Tor few
hundred yards at the double along the crest 10 their
right Wo could SEQ that the neld officers had dis
mounted end wero leading thor horses At trot be-
hind them; then, suddenly the whole line vanished
the brow OF the hill; tho noxt moment saivo
six OF the Russian guns announced that they had
como into sight and range.
WHERE Is HEY
TulS stirring Sght sent The blood dancing through
veins, and we gaopcd back TO the redoubt almost
overturning In our wild scamper. orderly who
coming in hot haste in the opposite direction. He
stopped US 10 inquire whether We knew where Sabit
Pacha was. We had heard musketry firing below Us
our right, and as wo knew from our military friend
that Sablts force 10 operate the right OF the
Turkish line were able TO tell him. what ho proba-
On arriving at my original position In tho rear OF the
red0ubt found another battalion dcployng into line
and evidently preparing TO follow its comrades A
little further on, beneath tree at the edge OF the
RIDGE found the English and French military at
and Saich aud Baker pachas, with lheir Stalls
eagerly watching tho infantry fight which was pro-
crossing In tho valley below tho centre OF attraction
being triangular wood OF large troes which lay on
the slope Of the Russian hill beneath the
right centre of their line. The possession or
the wood was being nercely contested. Ono of the
batalions which we had seen 80 ovcr tho crest had
been sent into u and were driving tho Russians
slowly through It, At tnrec O'Clock this gallant bat
TALON had done It's work, and could see the Rus
steadily they rctrcated 10 their trenches above,
while the edge OF the wood next ~ them was lined
by u thin sheet OF smoke which marked the position
OF the victorious Turks who had driven them out
For very long time aiterward that white line irnged
the green oil The WOOD but advanced no further.
The single battalion totally unsupported, maintained
its position In the face OF the hot hre poured upon
them from heights, and presently two vi the
mys guns were seen TO shell INC wood with shrapnel
British military attache. "British troops wouldn't
stand that"
FAILURE OF THE ATTACK THE RUSSIAN RIGHT
Entering into conversation with some Of tho officers
who had gathered on the ridge 10 watch the battle
was now abe 70 form some idea 10 low matters were
gong They were going very badly. The attack on
the right flank OF the Russian position, which had
been entrusted to Isnai Pacha the Egyptian General,
had Jailed. He had taken tour hours Tor his
instead oil two, ana instead OF throwing the whole
weight OF his fifteen bataons into tho attack he had
only sent three into action and carefully Kept tho
others out OF tire. The three bat.alions which
forward mad behaved with the greatest galantry
pressing up the hill with eager courage and only
firing inch by inch when, al tho critical moment,
supports from their own division forthcoming,
under a heavy lire OF artillery and an overwhelming
ported the height would have been gained aud the
RUSSIAN position turned. Eventually tho three bat
taons driven quite out Of action and all chance
THE RUSSIAN LEFT ATTACKED
Tho Commander-in.Chief seeing the failure OF the
attack on the Russian right and that lsma had got
his troops mess ordered another flank attack TO
be made the other end OF the line by Tho village of
Nerboka Tho diversion came TOO late aud being also
unsupported, failed. II just four O'Clock when
this attack the right OF the Russian position
made by the troops under ASSN Pacha, or rather
say ~ WAS NJ tnaI nouT became
for probably the orderly whom had met tho
other ridge two hours before carrying tnat very
order attack Nerboka We could see that hot in-
fantry fight was gong in the vineyards near tho
village, and about niteen minutes aiterward two Run
sian horse artillery guns advanced at galop along
the top OF the slope and opened nre At the attacking
force Presently a mass OF Russian infantry
charged down the hiil, and the fire OF tho
two became hotter aud quicker. Assm
had held the village tor hours any adequate
support, but had 10 retro before the rush OF the
enemy down the hill; the advance OF the Russian in
fany was supported oy cavalry and closed tho battle
so fur as thar portion oil the hed was concerned. In
both these attacks the right and left TANKS OF the
Russian position, which were conducted with immense
bravery 0y the troops who took part In them,
rendered impossible by the gross smanago
ignorance which denied them the necessary sup
port The position which the Russians bold is Of
great natural strength and has been heavily fortified
with ski ana care. IL can only De carried by good
troops hurled In successive eel supported attacks
against II. To have attempted 70 turn II with three
Isolated battaiions act OF folly almost amounting
to Madness IL Is due, however, TO Ismail Pacna 10
state some oil the difficulties which he had
encounter aud for which, perhaps, he Is not
himself responsible TO such an extent the head
quarters stan. 1 told on good authority
tnat those whose business IL 10 know had
reported that there three practicable for
guns, ieadln ng to the extreme lett OF tho Turkish line,
~ stlh rIA nHaA AIA.f