The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-07-21

IL enabled Oenerhi 0ourkna 10 uennlteiy To-
cate the presence of about six thousand men
in that district, constituting the left flank of
the Turkish alignment between the Danube
and the Balkans. The Turks fought with
determination, and, after one charge, which
failed to produce any panic among the
troops on the defensive, the Russian cavalry
was ordered to fall back into an open
stretch of country beyond the reach Of the
Turkish guns. Here they awaited the in
fantry which was hurrying to their sup
port.
AWAY FOR THE BALKANS.
Finding that the Turkish position did
not extend into the mountains, General
Gourkha's course was determined upon at
once. Leaving detachment of the Ninth
corps, principally from the Thirty first in
fantry division, Second brigade and Ninth
Don Cossacks, to watch the Turks in the
neighborhood of Osman Bazaar. he coolly
turned his back upon the enemy and headed
boldly for the Balkans.
THE BULGARIAN GUIDES.
"Overtaking the entire infantry force,
which was pushing forward to his support,
General Gourkha turned them about tow
ard the southwest, and by two forced
marches, each of nearly sixty versts (about
forty-eight miles), he reached the heart of
the mountains in the section known as the
Elena Balkans. Supplied with the best
Bulgarian guides, not an hour was lost
passable defiles. The Bulgarians have in
every instance rendered their friends faith
full service and there has not yet been even
a suspicion of foul play attaching to their
conduct.
CHOOSING THE ROUTES.
''There are three passes through the
Elena Balkans into the valley of the
Tundscha River-namely, the Hancoi pass,
the Zupanci Mesari pass and third, the
name of which have forgotten. Additional
Christian inhabitants, and General Gourlha
seized these passes, sending troops through
each. The General passed through the
Hancoi defle with his part of the troops.
This pass is narrow, tortuous canyon, too
narrow for the wheels of artillery.
FIGHTING gErwEEN TWO WALLS
cat the narrowest point in this detile the
fclairews encountered q fertilization held by
battalion of Nizams, who fed precipitately
after the first volley from their assailants
leaving many dead and wounded. They
might easily have checked tho Russians, and
doubtless would have made stand had they
not known Of the passage of the two detach-
ments through the other passes.
BEYOND THE HILLS
"Having passed the Balkans General
Gourkha struck ct Kasanlik, Jeni Saghra,
and Eski Saghra, in addition to sending
detachment of Cossacks to cut the railway ut
Jeni Saghra, in the rear and toward Jambol
Thus he prevented any immediate surprise
ATTACKING KAsANLIK.
Learning that the Turks were in force
at Kasanlik, General Gourkha marched to
attack them, and must by this time have
fought battle or occupied the town. He
also sent column to attack and, if posi-
ble force the Shipka pass from the south
ward. It is believed that this is the only
way in which it can be taken, as it is
strongly fortified, but it is thought that the
defences in the rear are not such as con be
held against determined attack"
GREECE MUST STRIKE
An Athens correspondent telegraphs as
follows:-"It will be difficult to re-
strain the Cretans and Thess-
alians any longer. The prestige of
Turkey is completely destroyed by her
failure to guard the Danube and Balkans.
The misfortune is that Greece is not ready.
In two months more Greece would have
been we'll prepared to assert her claims, but
now some great risks must be run to avoid
the danger of trouble at home
STILL ADVANCING.
despatch from Pavlo says:-"fhe CzarewItch's
headquarters crossed the Jantra on Wednesday In
preparation for an advance on the river LON and
the investment OF Rustchuk Half of the Fourth
corps, numbering probably 1880 men, will cross
the Danube and advance toward the Balkans. The
Fifth division Of the Ninth corps goes to Tirnova.
and will also form part Of the Balkan ADVANCE
ENGLAND TO OCCUPY GALLIPoLI.