The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-06-18
DRIVEN BACK In ARMENIA
Gallantry Of the Turkish
Commander Useless.
AT KARS AND ERZEROUM.
The Russians Repulse An
other Sortie.
THE TURKISH DEFEAT AT BENKI.



(1Y CABLE TO THE HKRAI.D.1
LONDON, June 18, 1877.
Another desperate and sanguinary battle
took place in Montenegro, near the Albanian
line, at little town called Plana, on the
main road leading from Spuz to Nicsics.
A HERALD special correspondent forwards
details of the engagement in q despatch
from Cettinje dated yesterday Sunday.
CROSSING THE LINE.
The advance of the Turks from Podgor-
itza, Albania, had been carefully watched
by Montenegrin spies, and every precaution
had been taken in selecting suitable point
at which to receive the invading party. The
Turks moved forward to Spuz, reaching
that place on Friday night and encamping.
On Saturday morning, at daylight, the ad.
vance into Montenegro began.
STRENGTH OF THE INVASION.
The Turkish force numbered 10000 men.
under the command Of Ali Saib. There are
two roads leading in the direction of Mic
sizes, toward the north. The road to the left
is far less direct and in q much worse con-
dition than the one on the right therefore,
as the Montenegrin commander, Bouza
Petrovich, had foreseen, Ali Saib chose the
road to the right. The Montenegrins vert
believed by the Turks to be at Rassitji.
STRENGTH OF THE DEFENcE.
The Montenegrins had taken up their
station It Plana, very small village on the
route of the Turkish advance, and, 5000
strong, awaited the invaders. The situa-
ton was one of their own choosing, and
was adapted to their manner Of warfare.
With the utmost confidence the hardy
mountaineers awaited the attack.
HERE THEY COME.
About ten o'clock the Turkish advance
came upon the Montenegrin pickets. who
fell back to the main body. An hour later
the fourteen battalions of Ali Saib came up,
and, without hating. attacked the Monte
negrin position. As usual, defle Of the
road, fanked with heavy woods and high
hills, had been selected by the defenders Of
their native territory.
EIGHT HOURS OF FIoHTINo.
During the eight hours following, or until
tho haze Of nightfall forced cessation Of
the fighting. the engagement before the de-
file and the fighting during the retreat
lasted. Four determined attacks were
made by the Turks. but in each
instance were repulsed by the Nom
tenegrins. Bouza Petrovich had thrown
up two rows Of entertainments, the first
at the foot Of and the second slight distance
up the hillsides. Immense powders, with
which the place abounded. had been hastily
gathered into place, and the front was pro-
tected by several feet of earth and by deep
ditch. Behind these ramparts the Monte
negrins fought during the three first attacks,
with safe retreat into the wooded hills oil.
ways open behind them.
THE FINAL VICTORY.
The third advance of the Turks was made
with eight battalions, led by Ali SAib in
person. He was nearly beside himself with
rage because Of the repulse of his men.
Flushed with three victories, the Montene-
grins saw that their enemies came up to the
attack with little heart therefore they re-
fraincd from firing until they we're within
200 yards, and then poured deadly volley
into their enemy's front ns small body Of
Montenegrin horsemen dashed out from
either side and fell upon the TANKS.
''ovEa AND AT THEM
At first the TANKS wavored, but rapidly
changing front they killed many of the
attacking party. The centre came up with
ont hating, until it received the second
volley. Then, through some mistaken
| order, or because Of disinclination to
advance, the Turks halted- This was
fatal to them, for. quicker than
it takes to tell it. the Montenegrins sprana
as one man over the parapet Of their en-.
trenchments, and with the most fendish
yolls attacked the column with the bayonet
A few horrible bayonet wounds settled tho
fray. The Turks broke, but were partially
rallied by Ali Ssib, and fell back about tw1