Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1877-06-27
THE WAR.
The Russians After, Hard
Fighting Gain llnpOr-
tant Advantages
The Russians Now Threaten
Mukhtay Pashas Communi-
cations with Erzeroum.
The Bashi Bazoulks Still Com
mitting Excesses.
By Cable to the Inter. Ocean.

LONDON, June 10, 1877.
There is no longer any reason to
doubt that the
TURKS HAVE SUFFERED SEVERE DE.
/ FEAT AT KARs.
! Every effort is being made by the
authorities at Contantinople to con.
ceal the truth in reference to the ASH
attic campaign, from fear of the dis
couragement that would follow the
news of serious defeat, hence all the
news from Moukhtar Pasha's head
quarters is tinged couleur de rose.
| The Herald correspondent at Con.
stantinople telegraphs that the true
account of the affair which took place
near Kars had reached the Turkish
ministry, but had been suppressed
from prudential reasons. Moukhtar
Pasha had established q portion of
his forces near the river Phasis. at q
point between Kars and Erzeroum
with the object of covering his COM
munications with the latter city. This
force had taken the precaution to
erect earthworks for the defense of
their position, and considered them.
selves safe from any sudden attack by
the Russians. This feeling of securi-
ty probably caused them to neglect
the necessary precautions to prevent
surprise. On Thursday last the Rus
slams Unexpectedly appeared in force
and began vigorous attack.
THE TURKS, THOUGH TAKEN BY SURPRISE
offered q vigorous resistance, repuls-
ing the attacking column several
times, and only giving way when
driven from their positions by supe-
rior numbers. The battle continued
till nightfall, the advantage resting
with the Russian forces. Several re-
doubts had been captured and held.
At day break the battle was renewed
and continued during the day with
great obstinacy. Notw outstanding
the devoted valor of the Turkish
troops, they were driven from all
their positions by the sustained vigor
Of the Russian assaults. The heavy
losses sustained by the Turks bear
witness to the obstinacy Of their de-
fense. The loss:of this position is very
serious for Monkhtar Pasha's army,
as the Russian forces are now directly
threatening his communications with
Erzeroum. 1t shows also that the
Russians are preparing to deal vigor-
ausly with the Turkish field army in
Asia. There was some severe fight
ing on Saturday at Sookoum- X aleh,
which resulted unfavorably to the
Turkish arms. The Circassian troops
especially suffered heavy losses.
COMPLAINTS CONTINUE TO POUR IN OF
OUTRAGEs
by the Zcbicks or Asiatic Bashi -ba-
zouks, hut no effort is made by the
government to check their atrocities.
On Saturday last five of these ruff
fans attacked a Christian family at q
place midway between Pera and The
rapia. The family consisted of the
father, wife, and daughter, Is years
of age. After beating the father till
he'becamc insensible, the five soldiers
subjected the two women to the most
horrible Outrages. The perpetrators
of this outrage have not been arrest
ed and will probably escape all pun
ishment.
The Herald correspondent in Con-
stantinople telegraphs that the pres
ence of large bodies Of Asiatic Bashi-
bazouks in the environs Of that city
causes much anxiety to the inhabi-
tants. They conduct themselves in q
most disorderly and violent manner.
Groups of these irregulars march
through the streets with q swagger-
ing gait, insulting and assaulting
whoever happens to incur their ILL
will. Among those who have been
subjected to violence at the hands of
these half savages are an English
military officer and one Of the Amer
lean naval officers. A few days ago
they carried their violence so far as
to kill one man outright, The au-
thorities seem wholly unable TO con-
troll these ruffians. When appealed
to for protection they reply evasively
and seek to shelter themselves from
responsibility by alleging the difficult
ty Of enforcing strict discipline under
existing circumstances.