The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1877-08-08
How the Moutenegrins Fight.

How the dontenegrins Flight.
In the campaign of last year tho
Turks lost about ten to one against the
Montenegrins. From the mountain
SUBMITS overlooking POdgoritza and
the approaches from Scutari, their
scouts sigualized the advance Of the
Ottoman army. From peak to peak
signal fires by night announced the
coming of the foe, while by day mount
ed troopers sped TO every district to
rally the people to the defense Of the
threatened frontier. On they came,
men, women aud children, every one
that could carry gun, roll rocks OH
the head of the enemy, or assist in the
building of intrenchments. The Turks
were allowed to enter for certain dis
tance in the passes, until they reached
the narrow gorge. There they found
their progress arrested by massive
walls of rock and stone, stretching
from side TO side, completely blocking
up the road, pierced with embrasures
for cannon and musket holes. A halt
is called A council Of war determine
that retreat is impossible, and that the
intrenchments must be carried. At first
it was an artillery engagement. I'm
der the smoke Of the cannonade an
assault is ordered Forward dash the
Turkish troops, with the blind fury
that characterizes them in the field.
The Montenegrin FIRE having lulled,
-,,,Dncs,,rr thnf ~, sio &c v,fnl1-
ing, the Turks hurry forward with
cries and yells as if sure of their prey.
Hardly have they got within twenty
feet of the intrenchmepts, before from
every opening in them pours stream
of incessant fire Of shell, shot, mimic
balls, and all kinds of deadly missiles.
Suddenly the top Of the rampant is
crowned with sharpshooters, whose
steady aim picks off the officers and
mows down the heads Of tho columns.
On the overlooking heights armed
men, women and children appear.
Enflading yolleys tear the shattered
ranks from above, aud huge bowlders
and rocks come rolling down the prec-
ipices, crushing into the midst Of the
serried masses and laying low thou
sands Of combatants All this while
the air is rent with the shouts of the
mouptaineers the Banner of the Cross
is waved de6antIy from on high and
on the works, priests, with the cruoi6x
displayed on their robes, pointing to it
as sign Of hope and victory. After
repeated Onsets, their ranks broken,
their officers, for the most part, slain,
the Turks begin to wayer. AS soon
as this is perceived the enthusiasm of
the Montenegrins can no longer be
restrained. Over the ramparts they
leap. and with indescribable fury they
charge, bayonet and sword in hand,
on tie disordered masses before them.
For a moment the Turks stand at bay,
But as the deafening clamor sounds
like continuous roll Of thunder, aud
in rear and flank they are assailed by
unseen enemies that have descended
by secret paths from the top Of the
mountain walls, and in front by the
regular troops, they break and run.
Then comes the hour Of vengeance.
For miles the pass is strewed with
! heaps Of Turkish slain. Whoever turns
to fight finds himself face to face with
squad of foes who leave him no
chance of escape. No quarter is giv-
en-; blood flows in torrents it becomes
pitiless massacre; only a remnant
| is left to tell the tale of disaster aud
woe, and to carry dismay into the AL
/ L T. ~ L ~
to God for the triumph vouchsaied to
their arms, the Montenegrius sheath
their bloodied swords, and homeward
turn loaded with captured arms and
precious spoils. This is a picture of
the mode Of Montenegrin lighting as
described to me by participant in
one Of the worst defeats the Turks ev-
err encountered at their hands, Con-
8tantinopye Cor. Philadelphia Presa.