The New York herald., 1878-03-04
THE ARMENIAN CAMPAIGN.

THE ARMENIAN CAMPAIGN.
simultaneously with the passage OF the Pruth by
the Russian columns from KischeneT the army Of
the Caucasus crossed the frontier OF Turkey In Asia
from its headquarters at Tilis. Thus Turkish terri
tory was invaded at two points widely distant from
each o'her but bearing equally important relation
to the general plan Of operations. The Russian army
OF tho Caucasus was composed of the best troops In
the service Of the Gar. Although numerically weaker
than the army which crossed the pruth that of the
Caucasus was stronger In maternal and, therefore,
proportionatey more effective. Advancing rapidly
into Armenia In three columns the Russians swept all
before them In q comparatively short space OF time
Ardahnn and Bayazid werc captured, Kars partially
invested and strong iorec pushed toward Erzeroum.
SO complete was the Russian the outset OF
the Armenian campaign, and SO feeble was tho Turk
ish defence, that II seemed tho conquest OF tho
province was TO be nrar OF weeks instead the slow
work OF seges and stubborny contested battles IN
tho field, which was al first predicted. For moment
attention was drawn almost entirely from
tho operations in Europe, and It was for
tme anticipated that the brunt Of tho war
was to be in Asia 1t was even asserted that
tho presence OF large inactive Russian army the
RoumanIun bank Of the Danube Intended as u
nero demonstration, AMI that the real attack was TO
bc made In Armenia Tho Porto became alarmed and
Ahmed Mukhtar Pacha was despatched to take CON-
mana OF the Asatic army, with large renforcements
OF men and artillery. Though not skiiul general
Mukhtar Is decidedly hard lighter, and ho at onco
commenced series OF vigorous attacks on
the hitherto victorious Russians Tho advance
OF the latter had been rather hasty and
too much confidence had been placed In
the tactics which had succeeded we'll In tho Cau-
casus and In Central Asia Tho army had been hurried
forward without adequate supplies. and sufficient caro-
had nOfb bao akant Inn r
necessary to supply such large force with the
monest necessaries Tho first check naturally
produced tho most serious consequences, and for
short tlmc tho army OF the Grand Duke Michael
seemed to be IN serious danger
OPERATIONS NEAR KARs.
During tho carly autumn the war In Asia lang cd
ana It was thought by many that tho campaign had
virtually ended for tho year; but IN the meantime
tho Russians we're quietly and largely reinforced,
whiie Mukhtar Pacha, lately rewarded with tho tito
Of "Ghazi," had becn deprived OF some OF his beat
regiments His position between Kars and
the Russian frontier, though strong both
by nature and by tho defcnces which
had been added, was too extensive for
the iorco at his disposal; and military critics hold
that no ought have left Kars TO Its own resources
while he kept his main army ready to threaten n be-
scgng force in the In the first half OF October
Mukhtar inflicted ono serious deioat on tho
enemy, who afterward harassed him with daily
attacks, for tho purpose according to competent
observer, OF killing rs many o. his men pos
sble. In their moro serious and unsuccessful as
sault tho Russians had for time occupied hill
In tho centre Of the Turkish position which they
wcro unable to retain They had accomplished part
OF their purpose by acquiring knowledge of
the ground aud OF the orco with which they had to
deal On the 18th OF October General Llzaren turned
tho position by flank march skliully executed and
u direct attack made the same timo resulted IN
great and decisive victory. The loss OF tho Turks
killed and wounded was enormous, and many thou
sand men, With numerous officers and seven Pac has,
surrcn dercd to the Russians.
FALL kARs.
/ The Grand Duke and his lcutcnants seem 10 havo
disposed with great judgment Of their superior num-
bers yet, according to some accounts their success
might doubtful but for panic which seized
on body OF Turkish troops who had been ordered
up as reserve. Mukhtar Pacha, after obstinate
defence, in which his personal gallantry con.
! spicuous, rotroatcd to Erzcroum, whore he was
joined by Ismail Pacha. HIS chance OF maintainln ing
his position depended tho severity OF the cli-
matc, which rendered military operations dilncult
during the wintor but by tho middle Of December the
regular siege OF Erzeroum began. Kars, accoun tod
tho strongest fortress In the Turkish Empire,
fell almost without resistance after tho re-
treat Of tho army. There had been ample
to collect stores and provisions and blockade,
though II might havo been ultimately successful,
would have involved hcavy sacrifices on the part Of
tho besegcrs. To the general surprise the place was
taken by assault, though the Russian force is said
not TO have outnumbered the garrison The open
town OF Plevns held tho Russians In check for hvo
months while the great Asiatc fortress scarcely re.
sisted during mary hours. Mukhtar made his
escape with much difficulty and great prccipaton TO
Erzeroum, aud his power was finally crushed IN u
baltic iought near the latter place Erzcroum was
invested and no event OF great importance toox place
| In Asia till the proclamation oil the isticc.