The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1877-05-17
Russia and Tutkey-progress Of the War.

The attitude of the bellieerents on the Da-
nube and in Armenia is still one of prepara-
ton. The sinkirgof Turkish Ironclad with
800 men is about the only serious result yet
reported of the artillery duel now proceed
ing along the lower reaches OF the Danube,
though simultaneous assault on the Turkish
forts and an effort to cross the river in force
is hourly expected. In Asia Minor. the Rus
sian advance las evidently beer checked
Kars has certainly not fallen, and its invest
ment does not appear to be very close. The
objective point Of the Russians is still the for
tress OF ErZeroum, but it is obvious that the
difficulties of feeding large bodies of troops
in sparsely cultivated country retard their
advance quite as effective as any resistance
offered by the Turks. In Asia, delay tells
against the Russians as decidedly as 1t counts
in their favor in Europe. In the former,
they are operating too far from the base Of
their supplies to make the danger Of inter-
rupting their communications at all a slight
one, while in the latter, their superior organ
ization, equipment, aud command of the SIM
ews of war, render it simply question Of
some decided advantage over an enemy lack
ing in all the requirements-save courage
and endurance-of modern armies.
The Daily Telegraph s special from Batoum,
Friday, midnight. says 'Abeut five O'Clock
this morning the Russian forces, which had
been largely augmented for the purpose, ad-
vanced with batteries of field artillery and
made furious attack upon the heights de-
Tending Batoum on the land side, which were
occupied by Bashi Bazouks. The Ottoman
troops were entrenched in the usual effective
manner upon the slopes and lodges of these
hills, and upon the advance Of the enemy
they opened on his column a terrible and
we'll sustained fire of cannon and musketry
which literally moved the Russians down In
swaths. They fell by scores and hundreds
ON the plain below the Turkish position.
During their attempts to make way against
this fire body of Turkish horse and foot,
taking advantage OF thick forest broke forth
upon the flank OF the Russian column and at
fected great slaughter, Muscovites being upon
ground perfectly open and having no choice
but to fight or fly. In short time the spot
which was the scene of this flank movement
became covered with dead and dying Rus
slams. But the enemy quickly brought up
reinforcements, and the battle was renewed
with much determination.
For many hours the efforts Of the assail-
ants were desperately maintained, but to-
slackened and they at length withdrew, after
suffering very considerable losses. myself
was an eyewitness of this important engage
ment from first to last, and can testify that
the Ottoman soldiers behaved with gallan-
try which was most admirable. They had,
however, during great part of the action
the advantage OF entertainments on high
ground, and it is due to this fact no doubt
that their losses, compared to those inflicted
upon the enemy. were Insignificant.
The Telegraph's Batoum dispatch, dated
Saturday, says: s"The victory was won by
the extraordinary courage Of the Bashi Ba-
Zouks. The dead and wounded on the Rus
sian side will exceed 1000. The engagement
lasted over eight hours actual lighting
The last of the Russians did not with
draw until near midnight. The Rus.
SLAMS lost many guns. The only Turkish Of
ficer Of note killed is Khalim Bey, major of
irregulars.''
WARLIKE MOVEMENTS IN ENGLAND.
The Guardians London correspondent
says: 81 have from time to time referred to
preparations which are being made in the
war department to dispatch an army corps
of $4,000 or 10000 men upon foreign service
should the government deem that course nee
essary. The admiralty are also preparing for
contingencies. The departments of control
Ter and director Of stores are both actively
employed and special committee meet dali
ly for confidential business.
THE DESIGNS OF RUSSIA.
BRUSSELS, May Ale Nord, the Russian
organ here, publishes letter from st. Pc
tersburg which contains the following -
''Russia has but one aim, namely the aneli-
Grafton of the lot OF the Christians; but if at
n r>ek Iois
guarantees Europe must blame herself, not
the ambitious designs whereof it gratuitously
suspects Russia. Russia after the war will
give fresh proof of moderation by consulting
Europe respecting the conditions to be die
tated to Turkey to prevent further massacres.
The Times Belgrade dispatch says the Rus
sian consul has declared in special audience
with Prince Milan that Russia has notified
Austria and England that Servia will observe
neutrality. and that Russian troops will not
enter Servia, she being excluded from the
plan of operations.
The Vienna Correspond has a semi-official
letter from St. Petersburg which says that
the Russian troops under General Kaufman
will cross the Panier into India in the event
of England taking part In the Turkish war.
LONDON, May 1.-THE Daily Te1egrapA's
dispatch dated at Matchim Monday, says =
1.-THE Russians are apparently making an at
tempt to cross the Danube. Heavy Artille-
ry firing has been going on up to the moment
Of my sending this dispatch. The Turks have
been successful in repelling the attack. The
Russians are believed to be in great force"
A Turkish gunboat was forced to surren-
der near Kalafat, because OF the heavy fire
from battery.
LONDON, May ia Reuter- CONSTANT
nople dispatch dated to-day at 7.3O A. M,
says: News has been received that Rus
sian corps, with cavalry and artillery, crossed
the Danube near Pollock and entered the
Dobrudscha. An engagement is proceeding.