Daily Kennebec journal., 1877-07-02
RUSSIA vs. TURKEY.
A Fierce Battle In Progress.
DEFEAT OF THE RUSSIANS
AT BATOUM.
Terrifl: BOmbardment on The
Danube.
OUTRAGES BY TURKS.
American Missionaries in
Danger.
NARROW ESCAPE OF
5000 RUSSIANS.
Large Losses Reported on Both Sides.
THE TURKISH ARMY RETREATING.
NARROW ESCAPE OF
5000 RUSSIANS.
Large Losses Reported on Both Sides.
THETURKIsHA ARMY RETREATING

New YORK. June 80. Kiernan's cable saws
the corps of Russians that eros sed the Danube a,
Turin Msgurelli have joined the Grand Duke at
Sistora, below which place fierce battle is pro-
gressing.
A telegram from Trebizond says the Turks on
Friday assailed and carried the Russian positions
at Batoum, achieving great victory. Tue Rus
SANS retreated after a severe battle and grest
loss of men.
kilograms from various points on the Danube
give particulars OF the frightful bombardmcni
along the river. At Rustckuk the German consul
late WAS destroyed by twenty four shells; the
French by three; the Austrian consulate rlddled
The military hospital in the jews quarter received
seventy-two shells. They fall everywhere, and
no spot can be considered safe.
Up to Wednesday the Turks had thrown two
or three shells into Giurgevo. Not more than
one house out of twenty or thirty, however are
seriously injured.
At Oltenitza Gen. Ehrenworto, of the llth in
fsntry division, was shot through the shoulder by
Turkish sharpshooter from the other side of the
Danube.
An Ottenitza despatch, dated Wednesday, says
TINS mornings operations have been successful
the attempt to unmssk the Turkish batteries by
| launching fleet of eight boats loaded with dunn
my soldiers. When the fleet reached midstream,
| it drew fire from thousand rifles and cannon
upon itself and Russian earthworks.
letter fiom Ezroem says the Turks collected
at Van for the defence OF the country struck ter.
| ror to the whole district.
American missionaries have taken refuge on
Lake Van, floating about the lake during the day
| and sleeping in some secluded spot at night.
Cable special states that troops from Rustchuk
hastened to support the Turks who retreated from
| Sistors, and detachments from Shumla and Ras
grad, making forced marches to the scene of the
| conflict below Sstors. near the river Jantrs.
1t 10 stated that the Turks gunboats broke
the Russian platoon bridge durng thelcrossing al
Mstchin, and for time 5000 Russians who had
crossed, were isolated, and if the Turks had sui.
fcent force they could have slaughtered them
all.
Grand Duke Nicholas and General Dragmirofi
| were among the first to cross after the bridge q,
Siminitxr was completed, and their arrival on the
| Blu Igarian bank was greeted by shouts and cheers
Of the Russian advance guards. After them
poured battalion after battalion of infantry followed
by light field pieces, and their enquipments in
boats. These quickly mounted when they
| reached Sistova side.
At this point OF crossing the Russian loss wa.
probably 1000 in killed and wounded. but the
Turkish loss must have been nearly as great q,
they held their ground until fairly overpowered
| BY numbers.
1t is stated that the Khedive of Egypt ha,
agreed to erect forts at the mouth of the Susz ca
nal.
| BUCHAREST, June 80. The Car has taken ut
quarters at farm house called Dracia, near Tur
per Maqurefs. The headquarters of Grand Duk,
Nicho SIS have been transferred to Sistova.
A Russian official despatch says after the Rus
| SLAMS were driven from their foremost positions
near Zewinon the 25th, they retired at nigh
| to their previous lines to escape the Turkish fire
The Russian troops fought with great heroism ans
suffered considerably because of the enemy wer,
! merciiully superior. Six officers were killed
twenty -four wounded and five hundred and hft,
privates hors de combat.
A great battle has occurred at Sistova and Nj
cppols. The Turkish accounts re present tnat the
Ottoman troops successfully resisted the Russian
attack, and repulsed them with great slaughter
Every available man hurried to resist the Russian
advance.
The latest reports Saturday state thet the re
| suit of the battle is unknown. No crossing has
| taken place at Turnu Magurello, but demonstra
| ton there was made in such force and with prep
| araton as regards boats and material for pontooI
bridges, that would have been turned into an act
| ual attack had fair chance of success offered
| The appearance of the Car then induced the
concentration OF the Turkish forces and the Rus.
| slams accordingly made real attack on Smrilza
The town Of Sistova was occupied by the Rus.
sian forces without serious opposition ON the al
| ternoon of the 29th.
LONDON, July l. The long expected crisi.
which Europe has been awaiting, has virtually
passed without struggle. Tue Russian left is il
| force near Hirsovs, and all their troops between
Kalarash and lsmsil. Some 80 900 have by thi.
| time passed the Danube and driven the Turks to
their second line of defence of kuitendji, and Ro
worth speaking of.
| The Observer has the following from CONSTANT
nople, Saturday evening A terrible battle il
| progressing near Sistova. Renforcements ar,
| being hastily forwarded from Rustchuk, Shuml,
and Nikopolis. The Turks are still holding thei
ground, and their artillery is inHicting great los
upon the Russians.
A Reuter- despatch from Constantinople, 2
hours later date, says that Abdul Kerim, replyin!
to telegram sent him to-day, Sunday by th,
council of ministers. report that up to the presen
tie is imminent at Bjela, which is expected to las
| several days.
A later despatch says q special to the StandaI
from Shumly. Jnly lst, reports a large force O
Russians advancing inland, have been defeated a
| Bjela with cons idersble loss.
WARRINGTON.