The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1877-05-14
T.E2ILEGRA.P.E1H:3.TC, .E2IL :.
ITeEegraphsd to the Rock Island Argu.. !
NEWS,

ST. PETERSBURG, May IA dispatch
official contradicts the reported attempt of
the Russians to cross the Danube at Revi
and defeat on the 9Th. The Times Bucba-
rest correspondent says it is stated in Off
cial circles that a Turkish vessel built in
Pesth, completed and arrived in Danube
above kalafat, and the Turks had com
menced violent bombardment of that
place on the streets, to distract the atten-
ton OF the Roumanlans After the firing
ceased the vessel passed the Roumanian
batteries unharmed. Extensive move
ments of Turkish cavalry are observed
from the Roumanian side of the Danube.
The Turks threaten to lombard Simnitza
and to cross the river afterwards and
plumber the town.
CHICAGO, May l4-Late editions of the
morning papers here have New York spe-
cials giving details of the sinking of a
Turkish monitor by Russian batteries be-
fore lbrail. The entire Turkish feet was
bombarding that fortress and a fierce
deadly battle was raging. One Russian
battery fired at the Coukfgdii, as the YES
sci was called, and two shells struck the
monitor which sunk in less than minute,
without explosion. The vessel was two
miles away and the Russians Immediately
attempted to rescue the drowning, and
dispatched boat for that purpose, but
they only captured the flag, finding but
one Of the crew. The Turks made no
effort whatever to succor their comrades
| Grand Duke Nicholas Immediately apprise6
the Emperor Alexander of the facts and
the Gar replied asking for particulars.
| According to the rules of Russian service
! both officers and the man who aimed the
piece Of artillery are entitled to receive the
grand cross of ST. George.
BAToUM. May ll.-About 5 o'clock this
morning the Russians, largely augmented
advanced with field artillery and made d
furious attack upon the heights defending
Batoum, on the Landslide, occupied by
Bashi Bazourks. The Ottoman troops
were entrenched and.opened a terrible, wei
sustained Of cannon and musketry which
literally moved the Russians down il
swathes. They fell by scores aud hun
dreds on the plain below the Turkish I osi
tons. During their attempts to maxi
way against this fire body of Turkisl
horse and foot, taking advantage of tht
thick forest, broke forth upon the flank o
the Russian column and effected grea
slaughter, the Muscovites being upol
perfectly open ground and having DO choic
but to fight or fly. In short time tn
spot, which was the scene Of this fam
move, became covered with dead and dyin!
Russians, but the enemy quickly brough
up reinforcements and the battle wa
. renewed with much determination
For many hours the efforts Of the assnil
ants were desperately maintained, bu
towards midday their artillery fire gradu
ally slackened and they at length withdre'
after suffering considerable losses, A
E eye witness of this important engagement
teshfes that the Ottoman soldiers behave
admirably. They had, however, during
great part of the action the advantage {
: entertainments on high ground, and it
= due to this fact no doubt that their losses
5 compared to those of the Russians. wer
y insignificant, The victory was won by tb
4 extraordinary courage OF the Bashi Bs
# zouks The dead and wounded Russian
e exceed 1000. The engagement lasted owe
eight hours actual fighting. The last {
: the Russians did not withdraw until nea
b midnight The Russians lost many gun
. The only Turkish officer Of note killed
r khalim Bey, major of irregularS.