The true northerner., 1877-08-31
NEWS OF THE WEEK.
THE WAR IN THE EAST

THE WAX In 1h6 GASA
The heavy draft upon Russia's population
for soldiers to fill the ranks Of the imperial
army is producing infinite distress and priva-
ton among those dependent on poorer con-
scripts Families are broken up, with little
prospect of reunion; even their furniture is
sacrificed for the bread that is no longer earned
for them the streets Of Moscow are thronged
with departing soldiers deserted wives and
children, and the household goods of the
homeless.
The fight for the possession of the Schipka-
pass proves to have been one of the most stub
born and well-contested on both sides that the
war has afforded. The Russians occupied a
number.of intrenchments originally constructed
by the Turks in the defles of the Balkans, but
abandoned by them soon after the Russians
penetrated into Roumelia. The Turks hurled
themselves with desperate valor upon these
defenses, and were repeatedly repulsed with
terrible slaughter. For six days the con-
test ragged with fury, the valorous Turks,
with gradually thinning ranks, returning time
and again to renew the assault. always with the
same result. The Russians, ON each approach
of the enemy, poured CALLING fire into their
ranks, moving them down by hundreds, and
literally paving the mountain side with corpses.
The number of Turks killed and wounded is es-
timated at not less than 10000, including many
officers. The Russian loss owing to the fact
that they fought under cover of their works,
was comparatively small. The total Russian
force engaged in defending the pass was $4,000
men. Opposed to these was the whole Of Sulei-
man Pasha's army, estimated at 10000.
battle of some magnitude was fought near
Kars, in Asia Minor, on Saturday Aug 25, be-
tween the Russians under Gen. Tergukassoff
and Moukhtar Pasha's army. A correspond
ent, describing the engagement, says: "The
heights of Kiziltepe, which were captured by
the Turks, were only held by one Russian
battalion. The Turks swarmed upon
the mountains, protected by siege
guns, which they used with ter
rible effect. They made desperate
flank movement from the direction of Kars to
capture Kurukdara. The Russians had their
tents loaded on wagons ready to move, but the
perfect discipline and admirable management
of the officers, together with the fierce fighting,
saved the day. The infantry contest at the
Southaton village and fort was terrible, the
Turks retiring at sundown with heavy losses.
The Russians lost before Kurukdara two Gen
erals and eight officers killed, 237 soldiers
killed. and 712 wounded. Deserters say the
Turks lost 5000 men,"
A dispatch from Shumla, dated Aug. 80, says:
"The Russians still hold Fort Nicholas at
Schipka pass. The Turks are attacking the
highest Russian positions in the pass. large
number of Turkish wounded are arriving.
Since yesterday afternoon and during to-day
the Turks have maintained feeble fire against
the defenses in Schipka pass. The Russians
maintain all their positions. The Turks hold
the neighboring heights, continually relieving
each other in fighting. They bring up supplies
on beasts of burden and where the roads are
impossible for animals compel the Bulgarians
to drag the loads. This is the greatest battle
of the war, having now been in progress seven
days."
The Roumanian army has commenced cross
ing the Danube, and will henceforth take an
active part i'll the war.
A correspondent of the New York Herald
who was present at the late battle near Kars
in Asia, says he saw three explosive bullets
extracted from as many Russians They were
so charged as to literally blow man to pieces
when exploded in his body.
The Gar is i'll, and has been advised TO leave
for a healthier locality than that of the general
headquarters.