The New York herald., 1877-08-28
THE WAR.
Further Details Of the Battle
at Kuruk Dara.
A DOUBLE ENGAGEMENT
Two Russian Generals and Eight
Officers Killed.
DESPERATE FIGHTING AT SHIPKA
The Russians Still Maintain
Their Position.
THE TURKISH PLAN FOILED.
Object of the Turkish Attack at
AghaslarO.
DESPERATE FIGHTING AT SHIPKA
The Russians Still Maintain
Their Position.
THE TURKISH PLAN FOILED.
Object of the Turkish Attack at
Aghaslaro.
[pY CABLE TO THE HERALD

The HERALD's special correspondent at
Kuruk Dara, Armenia, continues his account
of the Russian victory at that place on Fri
day last in later despatch. dated August
&C.
"The Turks yesterday gained only the
heights of Kezziel Tapa held by one Russian
battalion. The Russians are half way be-
tween Bash Kudiklar and Turkish head
quarters, and they still occupy Kudiklar
and Kuruk Dara.
THE TURKISH ONSLAUGHT.
''The battle was opened by the Turks
storming Kezziel Tapa heights in front Of
Bash Kudiklar. They swarmed down from
the mountains protected by their siege guns,
which they used with terrible effect.
HAND TO HAND CONFLICT.
"The great event Of the fight, and what
brought on one Of the most dread
ful hand to hand contests, was the
flank movement made by the Turks
from the direction OF Kars with the object
Of compelling q retreat from Kuruk Dara.
The Russians had their tents and camp equip
page loaded on wagons ready to retreat if it
should be necessary but there was no de-
moralization. Perfect discipline and ad-
mirable management on the part of the
Russian officers, together with the fierce
and answering fighting of the men, saved
The day.
CHANGE IN RUSSIAN TACTICS
''There was an infantry contest at Sauba-
tan village and fort. which was two hours
desperate fighting. A change in tactics
On the part of the Russians has been
observable since the Plevna fight in Bul.
garia. That battle marked the end of the
Did system of tactics, which the Russians
had not improved upon since the Crimean
war.
THE GERMAN METHOD ADOPTED.
At the fight in the valley below the fort at
Sanbatan the Russians made two charges in
regular modern line of battle in open order,
adopting the German method of support
ing the first line with second,
and the second again with reserve.
The evolutions of the men were
made in good style. This system of form
Ing by battaiions in open order is so much
superior to the old formation in columns
Of masses in vogue among the Russians,
and, indeed, oil European nations.
THE RESULT.
The first onset of the Turks against the
heavy bodies Of men which the Russians
have usually opposed to them very often re-
suited in throwing the mass into confusion.
more from the desire of the soldiers in the
rear and centre to participate in the re-
pulse. When the mass gave way there were
seldom any reserves at hand, and an orderly
retreat was the very best that could be
hoped for
RUSSIAN vALoR
All this will be revolutionized under the
newly adopted tactics, and in my. opinion
Russian valor, which truly exists will show
to much better advantage in the future,
because the soldier individually will
have more scope in actual fighting.
For this reason / have dwelt upon this
brief engagement as an indication that the
Russians are alive to the changes in
modern warfare necessitated by the
universal use Of the breech-loading gun.
The result of the manner in which
the Russian troops were handled was that
the Turks were quite willing to retire at
sundown with serious losses. The Rus
slams were not greatly fatigued, and did not
retreat II foot during the afternoon.
HoSoRrSa THE GRAND DuEr.
''Thc Grand Duke Michael visited the
camp to-day. The enthusiasm with which
no was received, now that the victory of yes
terday is assured, is indiscribable
THE RUSSIAN LOSSES.
"Three staff officers wore wounded at
Kizzicl Tara heights, namely, Gen.
erals Kama1oF and Tchavcbavdse
and Colonel Baratowksky. They
received their wounds about daylight and
were evidently in the front. At this place
sixty-nine Russian soldiers were killed ind
twenty wounded