Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-08-15
RussO-Turkish War in Asia.


ERzFRooM, TURKEY IN ASIA, June 25, 1877.
Nessrs. Editors The much dreaded time has
come at last This much vexed Eastern ques-
ton has been fostering till already it has come TO
be great and aggavating sore in the hearts Of the
rulers in the Fast With all their efforts to avert
the storm, it has burst upon them and us all at
last Following hard upon the declaration of
war, April 2ith came active operations on both
sides, and, for time, we had strong hopes that
what was to come would come quickly, and the
poor people Of this land not be held in long sus-
pense. And yet from present appearances, the
Russians have not taken the Prussians for their
PATTERN and we know not when the end of this
matter will come, and when this country will get
settled down into ~ good state as it was before
the rumor of war was abroad in the land.
Upon the declaration Of war, the Russians
crossed over the line in front Of Gumz and pushed
on towards Kars with very little resistance. They
also crossed over from Erivan way towards Bay
aid, and made an easy prey Of this latter place.
Mookhtar Pasha, the commander-in-chief Of this
division Of the army, was very put to flight,
and he made his stand this side Of the Soghanly
mountain some eighteen hours march this side Of
Kars. The Russians very soon cut the communi-
cation Of kars and, having force in front Of the
city, the remainder pushed on this way in pursuit
Of Mookhtar Pasha. Meanwhile the left wing
of the army pushed ON from Biyazid, only leay-
ing from three to four thousand men in charge of
that place and soon routed the Turks from the
front of 1oprak-Kaeh, driving them into the
mountains towards Deli-baba Had the Turks
| been wise and held on to their strong position in
front OF Deli-baba, and not gone through the pass
they might have held the Russians at bay. But
| finally they allowed themselves to he allured on
through the pass to reinforce the outposts that
had been routed from front Of Toprak-Kaleh and
the result was AN engagement. begun by the
Russians on the 10th, and continued with severity
till the forenoon Of the 10th. The Turks were
forced to retreat and with quite heavy loss, in
killed and wounded some fifteen hundred, and
how many prisoners know not But the bat
! tie was resumed again ON the 2lst, and with some
| thing Of success ON the part Of the Turks Mookh-
tar came over with reinforcemcnts from the head
quarters, Khorasan, and they were able to
hold their ground, while this time the Russians
had to fall back
ON the 25th u battle took place at the head
quarters on the other side Of the Araxes river.
Mookhtar was able to return and take his place
at the centre in time to lead in this engagement
They were situated at village, levine by name.
They had quite a strong castle for breastwork,
that covered a large part of them, while the poor
Russians were wholly without cover. They made
a charge on the fort from the hill opposite, com
ing down through the valley and up the hill al
most to the fort; but the deadly weapons Of the
Turks were too much for them, and they were
forced to retreat with heavy loss, perhaps five
hundred killed and probably two three times
as many wounded The Turks also lost several
hundred.
Though the Russians fell back, the Turks did
, not dare to come ont OF their stronghold and pur
+ sue but waited four days, when they pushed
out and made towards Kars. 1t is very hard t.
learn just where they are at this time as report,
are conflicting The Turks are very iubilan
these days, and claim much greater things than
they are to be credited WITH AS matter of course
o They claim that the road is open to Kars, an,
that their force is within three hours Of that place
But dom credit it, though the place does not seen
i To be under strict siege at present, as now ant
: then a man gets ont or into the city.
9 The prospect is dark, very dark indeed for the
nominal Christians Of this land Starvation mus
r stare people in the face in very many quarters
- the war should continue very long. Hence | an
r glad to see by the May Heraid that our mission
c board has acted in the matter and requested tina
v American Board of Commissioners for foreig
Missions Rooms Congregational house, Boston
REV. K. NJ. CoIE, Missionary.