Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1877-06-20
ALL ALONG THE TURKISH LINE
THROUGH GORE.
That is the Way the Turks Ad-
vanced to Nicsics.
Graphic Account Of Another Crea,
Battle with the m ontenegrins.
By Cable to the Inter. ocean


LONDON, June 1S.-Another des-
perate and sanguinary battle took
place in Montenegro near the Alban-
ian line at little town called Flana,
on the main road leading from Spuz
to Nicsics. The advance of Turks
from Podgoritza, Albania, had been
carefully watched by Montenegrin
spies, and every precaution had been
taken in selection a suitable point at
which to receive the invaders. The
Turks moved forward to Spuz, reach
ing that place Friday night and en-
camping. Saturday morning at day.
light
THE ADVANCE INTO MONTENEGRO BE-
GAN.
The Turkish force numbered To-
QUO men, under the command of Ali
Sab. There are two roads leading
in the direction of Nicsics, toward
the north. The road to the left is far
less direct and in much worse coun-
try than the one on the right. There
fore as the Montenegro commander,
Bouza Petronih, had foreseen, Ali
Saib chose the road to the right.
The Montenegrins were believed by
the Turks to be at Crassitji. The
Montenegrins had taken up their sta
ton at Plana, q very small village on
the route of the Turkish advance, and
5000 strong awaited the Turkish in
yaders. The situation was one of
their own choosing, and was adapted
to their manner Of war. With the
utmost confidence the hardy noun.
taineers awaited the attack. About
10 o'clock the Turkish advance came
upon the Montenegrin pickets and
fell back to the main body. An hour
later the fourteen battalions of Ali
Saib came up, and without hating
ATTACKED THE MoNTENEGRIN POSITION,
As usual q defile of the road, flank
ed with heavy woods and high hills,
had been selected by the defenders of
their native territory. During the
eight hours following, or until the
haze of nightfall forced cessation
of the fighting, the engagement last
ed. Four determined attacks were
made by the Turks, but in each in
stance
REFUSED ny THE MoNTENEaRiNs.
Rouza- Petrosice had thrown up
two rows Of intrenchments, the first
at the foot and the second a slight
distance up the hillsides. The i'm
mense bOulders with which the place
abounded had been hastily gathered
into place, and the front was protect
ed by several feet of earth and by a
deep ditch. Behind these ramparts
the Montenegrins fought during the
three first attacks, with safe retreat
in the wooded hills always open be-
hind them. The fourth advance
of the Turks was made with eight
battalions,
LED BY ALI sAIR IN PERSON.
He was nearly beside himself with
rage at the repulse Of his men.
Flushed with three victories the Mon
tenegrins saw that their enemies came
up to the attack with little heart,
therefore they refrained from firing
until they were within 200 yards, and
then poured deadly vollcy into
their enemy's front as small body
of horsemen darted out of the other
side and fell upon the TANKS. At first
the TANKS wavered, but rapidly
changing front killed many Of the
attacking party. The center came up
without hating until it received the
second volley, then, through some
mistaken order or because Of q disin-
clination to advance, the Turks halt
ed.
THIS WAS FATAL TO THEM.
Far quicker than it takes to tell it the
Montenegrins were over the parapet
of their intronchments, and with the
most ficndish yells attacked the col
umn with the bayonet. A few hor-
rible bayonet wounds settled the fray.
The Turks broke, but were partially
rallied by Ali Saib, and fell back in
tolerable shape to an open piece of
country. Meanwhile the Montene-
grins had reformed, many slightly
wounded men falling into the ranks.