The New York herald., 1879-11-16
THE RUSSIAN DEFEAT
How the Tekke Turcomans
Fight.
THE GEOK TEPE AFFAIR.
Heroic NOmadS on the
Warpath.


graphic account of the battle. which has yet ap-
spondent. council of war was held. composed of
the Commander-in-Chef. General Lomakin; the
chief of the infantry. Major General Borch; the
head of tho cavalry Prince witgensten; the COM
mandcr Of the advance guard. Colonel Prince
Dolgoroucki; the chief of the staff. Colonel
Malaam. and several other officers, and .
decision arrived at to penetrate the Benin
defe. to invade the Tekke oasis and conquer the
Turcoman inhabitants. In spite of the transport
and food supply being in a far from brilliant condi-
ton it recognized that there q chance Of
striking crushing blow against the Tekkes, all Of
whom had left their fortified encampments and had
collected at two points at Dengil Tepe. in number
10000 WARRIORS and at Askabat in body of many
more. 1t was calculated that general engagement
might place them under subsection for to Rus
sian rule. This determination Of the Council of War
led to the troops being ordered forward. On the
22d August (old style) church parade held and
q mass performed in memory of General Lazaref
Although the troops. not having slept all night,
fatigued. their spirit was nevertheless excel
lent. and they advanced singing and playing
impromptu Russian airs, one of them being about
the Tekkes. and beginning. 'Ah. you rascals. the
Turks we have thrashed. and now come to pay
you out also.' The officers discussed the
fighting Of tho Tekkes in groups. examined
plans. talked Of taking Askabat. and
even in thought already themselves in Merv.
the Turcoman Mecca. We marched in full fighting
order in square, with the 'wagenburg or laager at
the corner. When four and one-half miles from the
storming place we received despatch from the
staff that the Tekkes showing themselves in
lar GO numbers. General joy! Songs sung,
shouts were raised rifles examined and re-
volyers loaded. The commander of the column
thought it necessary to feel the enemy. and
100 Cossacks and 100 Samata horse were
sent in front. The Tokkes. galloping on their
SWIFT horses like lightning. swept them back.
and the latter. returning. led tho enemy upon
the infantry. The daring of the nomads in
duccd them at 300 PAGES to surround the laager.
in order seize it. but the artillery and rife fire
drove them away with thirty killed. our own loss
being seven. The vigilance of Count Borch saved
the lager. The picture was splendid. Masses of
Tekkes. many in white turbans huge black bus
bies and having curved sword or double-barreIlcd
gun in hand. dashed upon the square with Hurrahs'
and then seeing their danger ed back to the desert
This affair occurred at eleven second despatch from
the commander then arrived Hurry up quicker;
greatly wanted Notwithstanding the weariness of
the troops We pushed on. hurrying the more be-
cause we thought were needed, perhaps, to sue
cor friends We hurried the faster when we heard
the sound Of guns The troops began to be i'm
patient the fight. The fever increased when they
upon the body of Cossack orderly OF the Put
regiment, who had been sent in advance by Count
Borch The sight was dreadful. square had been
cut out of his chest and the number of his regi-
ment had been stuck in it. Some soldiers nearly
tainted. Others were filled with rage and declared
vengeance against the Tekkes. We buried the man
and pushed on, our pace being checked by the
'wagenburg.
PREPARES STORM.
EAT length the svant-garde reached the front posi-
tions of the enemy and prepared to storm the near
est one. which was 500 PAGES from it. The Tekkes
advanced within 200 yards. many of our
soldiers thinking they were going to surren-
der. At that moment the commander of tho
cavalry. Prince Witgenstein. gave orders for two
sotnias GAO men) OF the Daghestan Horse and two
saaadrons OF POI, WITH the rocket corps to at
by the enemy. The charge successful; the Tex
kcs cleared ont. leaving several bodies behind
man. Figure to yourself we'll built, tall man. with
a swarthy face. beard as black as COAL dark shaggy
ine with blood and held in his teeth snd pistols
in each hand. Imague Thousands of such
swarming about you. the sensation is strong;
lie stark the sand. l may here add that it il
sin for Tekkes to leave their dead comrades behind
them. The moro they carry away from tho battle
field the moro houris they receive in Paradise
They have regular men to undertake ambulance
work to carry away the wounded As to their
self upon our troops and use his sword till he
killed. Another concealed himself in some
straw and dealt deadly bullets all round When dis
covered and dragged out he was found to be pierced
with great number of Berdans bullets which did
not prevent him from starting up and lighting till
cut to the ground. On the arrival Of the principal
force at haf-past three p NJ. the enemy retired to
the fortress. the front part of which taken by
tinued. The advanced face Of Dengil Tepc was pro-
tected by high wall. in front of which was deep
fosse. defended by masses of Tekkes. Beyond were
riaemen, whose accurate shooting laid low many OF
our officers and men. The right flank OF the
advanced face was attacked by sappers. who
fred into the encampment. To the left Co.'S
sacks. and still further left were rifcmen, the
mountain battery being behind and firing at dis
campment. The attack. notwithstanding tho pres
ence OF General makn with the advance guard,
conducted by Prime. &C.. posorouski s The cavalry
enemy's escape. The D.ghsstan 1rresulsrs.
under Colonel Prince dotzin. held tho
mill. At four o'clock the and
children. camels, tried by two roads to
Sight was picturesque. The cameis were '' crowded
with women. children clung to the side, men
behind with children around their necks. The
women threw themselves at the feot of our horsemen
and taking the babies from their begged pe-
ously for them to be spared. The cries OF children.
and the crack of rifles made awful medley. Pre-
serving strict discipline, the horsemen did not touch
deviry Of war All wcre turned back to the aou, by
command OF the chief OF the stan. Tho sight was
touching tcensorial cxpurgationl But
always will be war. The result OF the advance
storming the capture of the front of Dcngil
Tepe. At halfpast three the force was divided into
two columns under the Count Borch and Prince
Dolgoroucki. The general com maud was assumed
by Lomakin. II agreed that Borch should pro-
coed to the extreme left and attack the northern
and longest face OF the fortress. being sup
ported by artillery. The battalons arriving
at the spot werc formed into companies,
in two lines. having two companies in each.
Skrmishers thrown out and these. at $50 PAGES
from the wall, received with q strong dropping
hre. proceeding even from tho second linc IN the
battery. The skrmishers took shelter In the broken
ground and renamed till q quarter to Ave. whom
Borch gave the order TO storm.
CLOUDS OF NOMADs.
"At fve O'Clock the Fourth battery signalled, tho
trumpets sounded the attack. and the troops, with
the officers in front, rushed on with hurrahsi The
sight was awful. The troops hurried pe
nell to the battery; the enemy swarmcd
on the wall. the imam In the minarct Of
the mosque summoned the faithful. and the
artillery poured volleys into the aou Our soldiers.
singing songs crossed the sx-foot fosse and clam
bored on anothers backs TO get into the battery
At that moment there started from the earth.
though by magic, thousands OF desperate Tokkcs.
Our brave soldiers were astonishcd, and even
stunned. by the unexpected attack. Looking back.
they not single reserve behind them. Giving
va io the m % Tckkes they fell back The