The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1877-07-28

h when Is represented to have been oh
= stlnately contested, and to have re
suited in the Russians being driver
y back through the pass.
LONDON, July 17.-The Russians un
der the czarOWitch occupied Vitova, OF
g the railroad between Rosgood and Rust
= chuk, cutting communication on tina
line.
i The capture Of Nikopolis involves
t the surrender Of Hassan and Achme
Pasha's $500 men, 40 guns aud two moni
tors: All other accounts represent tina
the Turks evacuated Nik0polis before
t., the Russians entered the town.
The Daily News Simnitza special par.
, ticularly reports that they managed
with no little skill, to carry off 40 guns
which constituted the armament OF tht
fortress.
THE PASSAGE OF THE BALKANS.
LONDON, July 17.-The following
dated Tirnova, July 16, is the Russian
official account of the crossing of the
Balkans: " Gen. G0urka, with an ad-
vance guard of cavalry, infantry and
artillery, has crossed the Balkans. On
July IA he surprised and defeated a
Turkish battalion which guarded the
outlet Of the pass near the village of
Kirau Khoi. Gen. G0urka is now march
ing upon Kasanlik in the rear of the
enemy, who occupies the fortified Ship
| kade File. Two sOtnias of COssacks
have arrived at YeRi-Saphra, and cut
the telegraph between that place, Moni-
gagra and Blivno.
On Sunday an engagement was fought
near the village of Orzazare between a
| Cossack force and some detachments of
| Bashi Bazouks and Circassians sup
ported by Turkish infantry. The enc
my held their ground until the arrival
of the dragons and d battery of az
| tlllery sent by General GOurka; on per-
| ceiving the approach of these reinforce
| ments the Turks fled The flags of sew
| eral standard bearers and quantity of
| arms were captured.
LONDoN, July 19.--A Times cores
pondeht telegraphs from Turnu Mag
| urelli, July 16: | have visited the two
monitors captured from the Turks.
They can probably be made ready for
action without much delay Ihave also
seen the Turkish prisoners, who were
transferred to the Ronmanian side of
the Danube to-day. The prisoners are
all regulars, the Bashi-Bazouks and
Circassians having left some time ago.
On the heights commanding Nikopolis,
empty cartridge eases are lying in every
bGll VI Il uGSDGfdGC SUIuS-
gle. Thousands Of rifles, bayonets aud
to the town, where train of three hun
dred wounded Moslems awaited removal
into improyised hospitals.
LONDON, July 18.-The Turks at
Nikopolis burnt stores and the princi-
pal buildings before retreating.
LONDON, July 18.-The Manchester
Guardians Vienna dispatch states that |
the two Pashas who surrendered at
Nikopolis are the same who recently |
permitted 260 pont0ons to pass NikOpOlis |
for building the Sistova bridge. Bribery !
is suspected.
No confirmation has vet been received |
Of the report that Raouf Pasha had |
defeated the Russians south Of the |
Balkans. He has, including the garri- |
son of Adrianople, hardly 10000 men.
The Daily News Vienna correspond
ent estimates the number OF Russians
south of the Balkans at 22,000.
Various special correspondents of
London papers; including that of the
News, at Turna MagnariEle, who were
eye witnesses Of the operations, fully
confirm the capture of the Turkish gar
rison and artillery of NilopoEs
The surrender, it seems, was brought
about by encircling Nikopo1is with an
overwhelming artillery fire, to which
the Russian and Roumanian batteries
at Tnrna Magnarille contributed. There
was three hours fighting on the Glacies.
The Daily News Vienna special an
nounces that the Turks have abondoned
the line of defense from Chernavada to
LONDON, July 19.-The Russians are
between hozanlik and Shipka. Forty
five battalions of Russians are south of
The Balkans: 1t remain2 to be seen
whether Suleiman Pasha arrives in
time to bar their further progress.
Suleiman's force numbers $4,000. He
will endeayor to hold the Russians in
and Abdul kerim from Shumla
10 fall upon their rear;
Abdul Kerin1 is holding himself in
readiness to assume the offensive at the !
irst convenient opportunity. A private
telegram, even announces that a battle ,,
las already begun. Rasltf Pasha, who !
1t first believed he had repulsed the
main body of the Russians on the other :
tide of the Balkans, merely drove back J
small body sent against him as feint, !
while the bulk OF the army passed on
,ehind. r
The Daily News dispatch from Con- !
tantinople says: The Ottoman army i
f the Danube commenced offensive !
perations Tuesday. The speedy de- >
,arture of Hobart Pasha for BatOum, !
o take command of squadron. is an |
oHnced. q
PARIS, July ia telegram from !
'onstantinopIe, Of to-day's date, states !
lbdul Keifm, generalissimo of the /
'urkish army, has been dismissed and /
eplaced by Osman Pasha. Redif :
'asha, minister of war, it is also stated, \
as been dismissed. +
LONDON, July ia RenteG telegram +
rom Constanfinople yesterday, ssys: 4
lbdul kerim telegraplls that lie will i
ut off the retreat Of the Russians who i
rossed the Balkans, and only waits the +
rival Of Suleiman Pasha to commence +
II attack. &c, 900 regulars and 30, 600 vol !,
nteers have left Constantinople for +
.drianople. The Mussuln1an inhabi-
lnts of Adrianople are arriving he9e
n masse, and are provided by The !,
overnmeHt with lodgings in the I
sho0ls.
RAGusA, July 19.-six Turkish bat J
lions aTe marching from seutari to
a steamer, stated to be English, ar