Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-07-18
Desperate Battle Reported

CoNsTANTINoPE, July II. 1t is officially an
nounced that the reported attack by the Turkish
monitors on Sistova bridge, is untrue.
SHUMLA, July II. The Turks evacuated and
the Russians occupied Medjidie and Mongolia in
Dobrudscha.
LONDON, July II. A dispatch from CONSTANT
nope says the Turkish minister does not confirm
previous reports Of Grand Duke Nicholas defeat,
and dispatch to-day alleges the Turks retreated
from Seanizaghra and Adrianople.
1he Russians are firmly established on . COM
handing position in kusark pass and an early
Russian attack on Adrsnople is anticipated.
Various correspondents at Shumls concur in
stating they personally witnessed the results of
the Russian attacks on the unarmed Turkish pop
ulation. in the shape of wounded old men, wo-
men and children. Refugees say the Russian
troops attacked the wagon trains fleeing to Shum-
Ia. and murdered people Unfortunately. They
bred on some parties with artillery.
A despatch from Obentinik says after blockad-
ing the fortress Of the quadr 100 900 men
are available for crossing the Balkans by the wes-
tern line Of evasion, exclusive of Zimmerman's
army in the East.
BUCHAREST, July IL. The great central depot
contains great stores of meal. Sistova will be
the immediate and Tiernova the advance depots
A rapid advance on Rustchuk does not seem i'm
minent.
The cavalry division outposts extend from a
point on the Danube, twelve miles west of Rust
chuk, to forty miles inland, facing the Turkish
foremost position ON the river LON. Small recon-
noissances are pushing forward, bat most of the
divisions have been stationary about a week.
Constsntinople despatch states that railway
communication on the Adrianople line is suspend
ed for everything except troops
New YORK, July II. A Vienna report states
that the Russians corps south of the Balkans is
endeavoring to cut of all supplies by land from
Shumla.
A Rasgrad despatch says the Russians occupy
the line of the Jsntra, the Cossscks securing the
country from Shumla, and keeping up an inces-
SAINT skrmishng with the Turkish outposts.
great battle is imm inent there
Vienna special despatch says the Roman
ian detachment crossed the Danube, Monday
morning, near lslay, and remained unmolested on
Turkish soil.
A despatch from Sistova states that the Russians
cut the railroad near Rustchuk and battle is ex-
pected in that vicinity.
correspondent at Tifis telegraphs after the
first excitement and mutual congratulations over
the victory at Bayazid, General ergukasoff fou nd
the garrison almost starved and suffering from
disease. The Turkish cannon had made sad
havoc with the original force Of fifteen thousand
many dead lying unburied in q confused and hor-
rible mass.
The dead and wounded numbered five hundred
and the remainder of the garrison were in no con-
dition to fight. They had lived on horse flesh a
long time; vermin covered them. Bad water had
facilitating effect and the blazing sun aided to
place them in state of weakness and inefhciency
The Russian victory was of short duration.
Dispatches from Shumla and Bucharest de-
scribe the march Of the Russians in Europe, as
covered by atrocities committed by the Bulgar
ians and Crcassians, unhindered by Russian
troops.
The cavalry push ahead spreading terror in
every direction. Muse Imam families fly before
them, terrified and panic stricken, and savage
Bulgarians fall upon the helpless crowd and mas
sacre them in cold blood.
Another despatch says great battle has been
fought at Tebdtch, and the Russians met a de-
cided check.
Concerning the capture Of Ncopolis, despatch
says the town has been reduced to ashes, but the
two hills completely sheltered the Turk from the
Russian fire. The threatened breaking of the
Sistovs bridge rendered the taking of Nicopolis
essential in order that the Russians night estab-
lish another crossing.
The assault was fully made, the Russians meet
ing terrible fire from the Turkish artillery but
the whole Russian line steadily advanced Sunday
heights thus commanding Ncopolis which the
Turks shortly abandoned. The Russians entered
the town Monday morning, finding many wound
ed Turks in the streets and houses.
Another bridge will be thrown across the Dan
ube at this point, and the immen.e quantity of
The Russians can now 90 forward to Tiernova,
sure Of their base OF supplies. The capture of
Nicopolis is the most important event in the Bull
garian campaign.
A correspondent at Jeni Saghra reports that on
Monday afternoon the Turks under Liman Bey
had an engagement with the Russians, defeating
and driving them back to the Balkans, with heavy
loss. The battle WAS at Tebditch, twelve miles
from Jeni Ssghrs.
The Russian forces consisted of infantry and
~ vi lrv n m arin ha Turku BRAT
tack was repulsed, and fanking column of q
superior force Of dismounted dragons greatly
imperilled the Turkish positions. The Turkish
artillery was splenddly handled, raking the Rus
ceiving the terrible havoc by the Turkish fire,
General Gourkaha ordered the Russians TO
charge.
A fearful hand to hand conflict ensued. The
Turks formed in hollow and after losing several
guns they attacked desperately, and fearful earn
age followed on both Sides the Russians thanking.
a desperate onslaught threatened the Turks,
when suddenly firing on the left announced the
arrival of Turkish reinfoIcements under Raouf
Pashs.
The Russians had no artillery, and the rapid ad-
vance of the Turkish reinfofcements compe lied
them to face the new enemy, thus sifording their
opponents opportunity to renew the attack vigor-
ously.
The Russian line thus held between two rows
Of bayonets, was completely overwhelmed. The
Cossacks made splendid resistance, fighting with
the utmost bravery.
The Turks charged over heaps of dead bodies
driving the Russians back into the mountains
The flight was preciptate. The Turks then pur-
sued the Russians until the mountain pass was re-
covered.
This Russian advance column consisted of Cir
cassians and Cossacks, commanded by Colonel
/ Judalmin.
The main body is commanded by General
| Gonrkha. They were in flying order without a
wagon, transports or artillery.
II is impossible to estimate the losses. The
Russian main army intended to cross the Balkans
at this point, the Sth corps leading. 1t is not
known what effect this repulse of Gourkha's fly
| ing column W i'll have on the main advance.
| They in the midst of q desperate engage.
rnent with the Turks at Drenova. battling fierce