The New York herald., 1877-07-26


lines. This treacherous volley surprised
the Russians and killed and wounded l40
OF their number
VICTORY AvENGEs THEM.
"The survivors Immediately made furi-
Gus onslaught on the Turks. and quickly
captured and occupied their advanced
works, but were not numerous enough to
pursue the retreating enemy. A summons
was, however, sent demanding the surren-
der Of the Turks, whereupon Meheiret
Pacha, the Turkish commander, replied,
offering to surrender
"AND As SILENTLY STEAL AWAY"
Subsequent negotiations fixed the hour
Of noon next day for the surrender, but
during the night the Turks ran away and
during the following morning General
Gourkha occupied the Schipka Pass. The
hasty departure of the Turks and the mys-
terry of their disappearance cast something
like damper on the enthusiasm of the
Russians but then the seizure Of the pass
was, after all, the complete accomplishment
of the object OF the expedition.
MInsKI's MEN MYsrIrEp.
"When Prince Mirski's division again ad-
vanced it met with no opposition. Great
astonishment filed the troops us they passed
line after line of entertainments and all the
evidences of the hasty flight OF the Turks.
They found lighted camp fires, half-cooked
grams, and saw troops in II camp situated
considerable distance down the pass.
GoURKHA AND MrRsKt UNITE FORCES.
'Soon they recognized on the colors the
Russian red cross, and Immediately ran
down the pass toward their fellow soldiers
under General Gourkha. Thus junction
was effected between the two forces, and
the Schipka Pass was completely occupied
by the Russian troops.
THE spoiLs AND HORRORS or WAR.
"The Russians captured all the Turkish
camps and baggage, twelve cannons and
400 prisoners. The ferocity of the defeated
Turks was horribly exemplifed in their
treatment of the Russian wounded who had
been left on the field the previous night
These untortunates had all been murdered
as they lay, and when this pitiless slaughter
was completed the dead were all decapit-
ated and fearfully mutilated. The CHASTITY
spectacle filled all beholders with horror,
and has Intensified the fury of the Russians
against the Turkish irregulars.
HOW THE TURKS ESCAPED.
'From the direction taken by the retreat
rection Of Hermedji, it is surmised that
they climbed the heights Of the pass on that
side and fled in small parties over the lower
ridges Of the Balkans. The country through
which they were compelled to pass is so
difficult that it was impossible for them to
carry off any supplies, and many are be-
lieved to have been lost during the retreat
WAITING PoR REINFoRCEMENTs.
General Gourkha remains at Kasanlk
until the Eighth corps, now occupying the
defles of the Balkans, shall have passed
through and be massed, with full supplies,
for a further movement. This operation en-
tails much delay. The road through the
pass at present is only practicable for We
hicles drawn by bullocks, but large num-
bers of men are engaged in improving the
way. The Fourth corps will follow the
Eighth over the Balkans
UNAVOIDABLE DELAYS.
"Several days will elapse before the on
ward move is made. Even the cavalry ex-
peditions arc suspended for the moment,
although the recent successes are regarded
as the direct fruit of the dashing enterprise
of the cavalry. The precautions necessary
for the successful transfer of the active cam
paign to the region south of the Balkans
necessitate delays that are considered una
voidable under the circumstances.
WHY THE TURKISH DEPENcE FAILED.
'The Turks sacrificed their chances of
defence by continually dribbling forward
reinforcements OF two or three battalions
Mt time. These small detachinents lent
no weight to the force they joined, because
they invariably arrived only atter the Rus
slams had received proportionally much