Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1877-05-14
The Eastern War.

report severe and important engagement be-
tween The Russiaus and the vanguard Of Turk
ish auxiliary troops in the Ielghborhood OF
Ba,ouul, in Asia Minor, on Friday last. They
say that the Russians were completely routed,
aud suffered loss Of 1000 men, while that OF
the Turks was incousiderablc Subsequent &C.
counts, apparently Of the same affair, from ST.
Petersburg put an entirely different race upon
it, making it but of little account and the losses
on either side comparatively trlflng.
Dispatches from Ru5Icbuk OF late date re.
port that the preparations on both sides plainly
| indicate that the time for action on the Danube
is close at hand. The opinion is expressed that
| the Russians will open fire upon the Turkish
| positions along the whole line, and, under cover
Of an overwhelming fire Of their artillery, at
| tcmpt to cross the river at number OF points
at the same time. The Turkish tortrcsscs on
the Danube are said to DO 10 excellent order,
and we'll prepared for an attack, but their mon
itors on the Upper Danube arc spoken OF as
being worse than useless their armor beng but
| of tLrccuuartcr inch thickness and their guns
| OF small callbrc.
The Bey Of Tuuis asserts bis financial lnabil.
ity to send q contingent force to the Sultan,
but will allow his subjects to join the Turks az
volunteers.
The Porte is said to be very uneasy about
supplies Of arms and ammunition expected
lrom New York, and ID also very angry with
tho u. S. for allowing the Russian squadron to
remain 10 American waters.
Austria aud Spain have published decIara
ton of neutrality 10 the Turko. Russian war.
The khcdvc's actions arc watched very dis
| trusfully. 1t is known that he has been tempt,
ed previously by Russia, aud it is thought II
the Turks suffer any important reverScs the
temptation will prove too strong tor him..
The Chamber Of Deputies at Constan!lnople
has voted an address Of thanks to the British
government tor Lord Derby's reply to Prince
Gorlschakcff's circular.
The following news is official: The Turks
cpLcavorcd on Saturday pight to effect a land.
ipr at OltcnitZa. The attempt was frustrated
by the gallant resistance Of the Romanians,
The Russian troops have exchanged their or
binary colors for flags bearing the double Grcek
cross, which are sacred only during religious
war.
A Vienna correspondent saya: have read a
letter from q person for some years III close
connection with Turkish government circles.
Tie letter says tic Grand Eizicr is losing bis
head, and Safvet Pasha is at loss what to do.
There are frequent councils Mt which already
hiuts are thrown out as to whether it would not
be better to treat with the Russians before they
CT css the Danube.
LONDON, May l4.-Thc Times Vienna Cor
respondent explains the vote 10 the Roumanlln
Chambers. He says although the resolution
adopted By the Chambers speaks OF severiog
the bonds between Turkey and RoumaDle and
empowers the Government at the conclusion Of
peace 10 secure an Independent position 1t
4 tt,nIr ri rnt IF,n
10 acting according to circumstances, so, that
for the present the whole matter is shclvcd.
The Turks have crossed the Danube at
Crochaucsch and captured 1900 sheep and
killed shoperd and some cattle.
The Daily London Telegraph's special from
Batoum Friday midpigh says: About 5 o click
this morning the Russian forces which had
been largely augmented for the purpose adj
yanced with batteries Of field artillery aud made
furious attack upon the heights defending
Baoum on the Landslide which we're occupied
by Bashi Bazouks. The Ottoman troops were
cntrcnched in the usual effective manner
upon the slopes and lodges of these hills, and
/, upon the advance OF the enemy they opened
on his columns a terrible and we'll sustained
FIRE OF c!nHGn and muSketry which lite
rally moved Tie Russians down in sWathes.
They fell bg scores aud hundreds on the plain
+ below the Turkish positions. During their at,
tempts to make way against this lire body OF
Turkish horse aud foot taking advantage of u
thick forest, broke forth upon the flank OF the
Russian column and effected great slaughter,
the Muscovites being upon ground perfectly
opcn add having no choicc but to fight or fly.
La short time the spot which was the scene
; Of this funk movement became covered with
dead and dying Russians. but the cDemy quick
" brought up rcinforcemcnts and the battle
was renewed with much determination. For
:, many hours the efforts Of the assallauts were
desperately malGtained but towards mid day
their artillery fire gradually s!ackcned and they
at length withdrew, after suffering very c0Dsld-
| cradle losses | myself was an eyewitness OF
this Important engagement from first 10 last,
and can testify that the Ottoman soldiers be-
haved with q gaIlantry which was most admir-
able. They bad, however, during great part
Of the action the advantage of entertainments
on high ground, and it is due TO this fact, 10
doubt, that their losses compared to those in.
!; hictcd upon the enemy were insignificant.
The Ielegraph's Batoum dispatch, dated
Saturday, says: "rhe victory was won by the
extraordinary courage Of the bashl. baz0uSs.
The dead and wounded on the Russian side
will exceed 1000. The engagement lasted over
eight hours actual fighting. The last Of the
Russians did not withdrew until near mid
night. The only Turkish officer Of note killed
is khalim Bey, major Of irregulars.'
Intelligence received from St. Petersburg
states that the report that the Russians on the
9Th inst. attempted to Gross the Danube at
Rcri and suffered 4 defeat is officially cou;ra-
diccd as devoid of all foundation.
The Times Bucharest correspondent says
at is stated in official circles here that Turk
ish vessel built in Pcs.h has been completed
and arrived 10 the Danube above Kalalat, and
that the Turks commenced their violent bonn.
bardment Of that place on the 18th lostaDt to
distract the attention Of the Roumanans. AT.
ter the firing ceased the vessel passed the Rou,
manian batteries unharmed. Extensive move.
meets Of Turkish cavalry have been observed
from the RoumaDian side Of the Danube. The
Turks threaten to lombard Sminilzl and to
cross the river afterwards and p!under the
| Town.
In the British House Of Commons this alter
noon Hon. Nobt Bourke, U1derSecrctary for the