New-York tribune., 1877-08-21
p Q SITS G RlPT
LATEST FOREIGN Ne US
CEN cuOrRKO's RETREAT.
3:45 a. m.

GEN CHOU URKO'S RETREAT.
THE DARING couMANDER OVERWHELMED BY ST.
pERIoR NUMBEEs-HEAvY LOSS SUFFERED ~
HIN. 49,, ., TO-,
The correspondent of Ihe Daily Neics telegraphs
underdate of Sstova August IS detailed account OF
events which caused Gen. Ghourko's retreat. The
account shows that even independently of retreat
being necessitated by the disaster at Pleyna, Gen.
Ghourko's forces were overwhelmed by the superior
forces of the Turks andathough the Russians gained
a brilliant victory at Jenl Saghra on July 80, Gen
Ghourko was compelled to retreat on the following
day, although in sight of Eskl Saghra, where
he was Obliged TO leave the Bulgarian legion,
who were operating as separate body, 10 their
fate OF the Bulgarian legion, which was
originally 1000 strong, only 400 or DUO
managed to reach the Shipka Pass. Exclusive oi
the Bulgarian loss, Gen. GhOurko lost 5000 men IN
the two days fighting Of the 30th and 3lst of july
During Ghourko's retreat through the narrow Dal-
boka and IIainLo Passes, which was accomplished
on the I'd inst, the wounded died like hles
from the joltng Of their conveyances and
exposure. Hale succumbed from fatigue
and sunstrOkc. The Russian cavalry rs now all on
this side of the Balkans. Shlpka Pass Is thoroughly
fortified, armed with twenty-eight guns, and garrI-
soned by regiment OF the Eighth Division TWO
regiments hold Hankoi Pass, whlchpresentsa series
of formidable defences
There are few troops for the present at Drenova
and GalbTOva. brigade Of the Fourteenth DIVISION
is at IirnOva. ReinfOrcements are moving soutn to
strengthen the detachmcnts holding the Passes.
Cavalry is advancing against Osnan BaZar.
Ghourko's defeat seems partly To have arisen from
the same the other Russian reVerSes, namely
the dividing of his forces.
THE PLAN OF OPERATIONS.
The Daily Nacs's correspondent, who has excep-
ti0na facilities for information, gives tfc following
az Gen. Ghourkos plan of operations: The right
column consisting of the Bulgarian Legion. two bat
telies and three regiments of cavalry were to march
from Eski Saghra. The central column, under Gen.
Ghourko himself, consisting of the Rife Brigade, a
regiment of Cossaeks and four batteries; marched
from KaZanlik. The left column OF hve batiallOns
of infantry two batteries and some C0sSacks,
marched from HainkoI Pass, the objective point of
all three columns beng Nen SaghTa. The result OF
this division was the destruction OF the Bul garlans
at Esli Saghra, and the TOut OF Gen. GhOurkO, who
had however, previously effected junction with the
left column.
THE FINAL DISASTER.
The account of GhourkO's defeat of July
81, shows that he marched upon DzuranlI,
the fact that some 10000 Turks confronted him
and stopped the road leading into the latter place.
The Turkish batteries swept the road with a per
sistent fire. Nevertheless Gen. GhOurIo came into
action. sending forward five battaioDs of
infantry, covered by artillery. lie had forty-egh
horses killed in one battery and eight in
another The Turks made desperate attempts TO
turn Gen. GhOurko's TANKS which however, were re-
pulsed by the assistance of Prince Leuchjcnberg'5
calvary, who had cut their way out from Eski
Saghra. where the BulgarianS beset by 20, 900
Turks. Gen. Ghourko small was hls force
resolved on an attempt to succOr them and in the
meantime determined 10 maintain his position
But his resolution quaed before the appearance of
two massive columns of Turks marching on his
flank and rear, and he had to leave the Bugarians
to shift for themselves and make good his 0syn re-
treat. There are contradictory reports regarding
the possession of the Hankoi Pass here said to be
held by the Russians.