The New York herald., 1877-10-19

wood already mentioned and the other two had ad-
vanced through the village Of ChekovDe Immediately
had ATTACKED Inc posi,on directly IN front Until Ave
O'Clock these TWO devoted batiaons had maintained
their ground at the foot OF the deadly slope and car
ried q fruities contest with the enemy, who was
strongly entrenched above them. AT that late hour
the General resolved to send another battalion down
10 their support-the same thai had drawn up
behind the redoubl-and it advanced along the ridge
up 10 the shelter trench al which point was TO make
It's descent The battalion advanced by ours and at
their head marched their bnltdshi with his sword In
one hand and stick IN the otheE What the slick was
there tor cannot imagine, as the Turkish soldier does
not require 20 be beaten into action probably was
only a whim. The men were hno. sturdy fellows
whose uniform. weather stained and ragged, left much
ssn. %sn we're Splendid TO Wnss Every sp other
man carried iasclne Tor the purpose OF filling up the
bed OF the river and enabling the battalion 10 cross he
stream. just they passed the shelter trench the
Duees sounded the advance, and:nstapty the whole
battalion burs. into loud cheers Amid shouts OF
."Aliah Aiahp sns battalion wheeled INTO
and rapidly dashed down The steep mn
away before q laundering crash just beneath
The crest Of the ridge the sharp eyed
Russian gunners had seen tho battalion ana were ply
Chiefs aids toward the group OF correspondents
and other spectators and requested US to lie down be-
meath tho parapet OF the shelter trcnch, request
which was unnecessary, as some had already
ducked" behind IT, and the rest OF US, who had not
the nonchalcnt dignity OF uniform 10 support wore
making u compromise between inclination and pr1e
by sitting down the edge OF tho dltch. Long
the battalion was well on its way down the hill tho
Russian guns continued TO shell the ne,g bornood Of
the sholter trench II was pretty hot corner alto
eether and 1--WE we're not sorry when at last tho Rus
SIAN artliorymen turned their attention and their
guns upon the battery 10 our right, which was sup
porting the advance OF the battalion by shelling the
trenches In their front
THROUGH THE VILLAGE.
We watched tho akirmishers they passed. through
the ruined village and advanced boldly the foot OF
the slope to reinforce their comrades in their mad
terpriSc Ihe ceutro Of the slope became the
scene OF u tremendous infantry light; from evory
hedgo and and trench In their trout terrific lire
poured upon them, aud the guns the top oil
the slope pounding away with time fuse shells
There doubt That by this time the Russians had
received orcements aud were doing their best to
drive back the three gallant baitalions
perately clingDg TO the hillside with undauned valor.
rho whole ol tho foreign officers present wero enthu.
siastc their praise oi the gallant conduct OF these
three battalions General Baker remar ked that in
the whole course oil his experience as a soldier
ho had never before beheld such splendid and
devoted bravery. Not man OF these three baltaons
faltored turned, and although advance was mpos-
slbie they maintained their positions In two steadiast
lines until hour after nightiall, and when tho
der then sent for thor withdrawal they obeyed
with reluctance asking to be allowed to remain
they were until morning and then rccommenc 1ght
ing II properly led ana handled what could not be
done with such soldierys single instance Will show
the extraordinary ardor for nghtng which possesses
the Turkish soldiers During the conflict on the slope
two were observed TO DO fighting side BY side,
and slowly, but steadily pressing up the hill; soon
lay down behind tho prostrute body, and using u as
parapet, fired TWO cool. steady shots at tho enemy
and then gos up and continued mis- advance
At about six O'Clock the battle came 10 end and
the cannonade ceased although for hour alter dark
the slope was lighted up with flashes OF musKetry
Just before left tho ridge Izzet Bey came up to me
and colleague who was standing with me and cx
pressed his astonshmcnt that should have rIsked
our lives under hrc he seemed puzzled VIXEN said
IT was duty TO do under certain circu
The telegraph and the railway have ceased 10 DO
elites to the Turks, but tho war correspondent s
enigma to him.
AFTER THE BATTLE.
AS rode home IN the bright moonlight met SIX
or seven battaons OF infantry and battery Of 1eld
pieces hurrying up TO tho front, and had 10 wait hall
an hour as they passed. along the narrow road. THIS
force part OF the reserves who had bcen leii
idle the whole day while handful OF their mrades
eorey needing their support wero being useiessly
riiiced hopeless attempt
Thus ended the battle, or, as We wore officially 70
quested 10 call IT. the 'ononsivc reconnoissanccn o
Cherkovna, nnossance" by nine battalions o.
position which 20 900 men would have been barel,
sufficient to carry by storm. The result the frs
check experienced Dy Mcncmet All since he assumed
the command OF the Army OF tho Danube, ana ths
lesson will not be thrown away disastrous change
OF plan the last moment and the utter OF obcdi
TO tho commands Of the Comman der Chief
PROBABLY the OF tho failure OF the attack which
was only saved from being u serious defeat by tht
splendid nghtng quatios, the undauntcd valor OF th,
turkish private soldier.