New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-25
THE BATTLES IN THE MOUNTAINS.
CREEKS THOUGH OUTNUMBERED FOUGHT
VALLAINTLY THE INVADING
MASSES OF TURKS

| patches from Larissa dated April 1S. April 10
| and April 20, delayed in transmission. owing TO
the enormous congestion Of the wires with off,
| ciai communications to Athens received in Lon
don up to midnight confirm the previous ad-
| vices from Larssa, more complete details Of the
| conflicts being given.
| Regarding the battle Of Nezercs teegraphing
| on April Is. the correspondent Of the Associ-
ated Press describes the difficulties Of dragging
| to the crest OF Annunclation Hill by mules and
| men four guns which arrived that morning.
Many hours were spent before this mountain
battery was placed In position on the great
| ridge above the lake. Hardly had It been To-
Gated and scarcely had the gunners opened fire
before the enemy debouched from the thick
wood on top Of Marcasi Hill, and, forming
steadily into a column. swept rapidly toward
the Greek position. Then the value OF the noun
| tain battery became Immediately apparent. Two
| smells from the guns commanded by Captain
Pieris fell In the centre OF the Turkish column.
| exploding with great havoc. The column wav-
cred. halted and retired for shelter In the wood
| Later the Turks. adopting the plan OF open
| formation. three times attempted to rush to the
| top Of the hill. coming on impetuously and
| animating each other with loud cries. but the
| Evzones whose discipline Of the very best,
extended their ranks in admirable order on the
| lower slopes Of Annunciation Hill and poured in
a steady and well-aimed fire. which was we'll
supported by the shells from Captain Pieriss
guns. Their position proved impregnable, and
when night fell hostties ceased The Turkish
fire was poor. OF the Greeks eight were killed
and twenty wounded.
While Captain Pieris successfully bombarded
several Turkish blockhouses before dawn, the
Greek renforcements arrived and posted
by Colonel Fouros along the eastern slope Of
Annunciation Hill. AS dawn broke at o'clock
on Sunday morning three Turkish battalions
debouched from the woods Of Marcasi Hill. The
first line rushed forward to occupy intrench-
ments dug during the night and facing those 90
cupied by the Evzones. The second Of the Turk
Ish battalions took up position higher up the
slope. while the third held In reserve On
the Greek side the four-gun battery on the crest
was supported by artillery, and by the Evzones,
some in extended order, some under cover Of
trenches or rocks while the second battery WITH
the Evzones as supports. held in reserve at
the lakeside. The action began with a slow
rife fire on both sides, At $50 o'clock the
Turks springng from the intrenchments, rushed
on the Greek position. but the Evzones
sponded with the bayonet, driving the Turks
back In a most gallant manner. BY G o'clock in
the morning It was light enough to employ the
battery. the gunners opened fire and the en-
gagement became general The Greeks, who
numbered ], 200, in obedience to orders re-
Trained from attacking the Turkish position.
They kept up calling fire, and, after Smelling
the position Of the first battalion, compelled
the Turks belonging to that organization to
seek the cover OF the woods. Two Of the guns
Of the Greek battery were thrown out Of action,
breaking the trunions. owing to the force Of
recoil
The correspondent continues follows;
r,
Sunday evening, the Turks had not attempted a
combined assault on the Greek position. The
villagers of Nezeros fled to the mountains led
by their pastor, with a rifle flung over his Shout
der"
Telegraphing from Larissa. under date OF April
TO- about the fighting at Kurtsiovali (Gritzo-
valD. the correspondent says that the Turkish
attacking force numbered 100. The Greeks.
numbering 1000 under Major Kathniotio, had
difficulty In holding their position until 5000
Turkish achievements arrived, when their stu
alton became hopeless.
After their victory the Turks pushed on to
Matt on the Thessaan side OF Milouna Pass
The Greeks retired toward Tyrnavos and Karat
sail. Requirements were hurried forward from
Tyrnavos and Larissa Colonel Mastrapas TAX
ing command Of the combined forces which num-
bered 1000 Evzones, 1000 infantry. the I'd and
4th Regiments, and battery Of six guns. The
infantry and artillery were drawn up in battle
array three miles due north Of Tyrnavos. The
Evzones spread over the plain In skirmishing or
der. The infantry occupied a spur at an angle
to the main mountain range. and low hill in the
plain. The artillery posted at the junction
of three roads leading to Mlouna. Kratsa and
Tyrnavos. In this formation the Greeks united
to resist the Turkish attack. all day and night
standing to their arms. During the day three
batteries Of mountain guns arrived, but none Of
the Turks or Greeks retired.
From Tyrnavo telegraphing under date Of
April 20, Of the fighting at Revan Pass, the
correspondent Of the Associated Press says:
"Northward from Kurochtros the river winds
through the pass 10 he village Of Reveni. where
the pass Is at least a mile and half wide. At
the north end OF the pass rises the rounded
hill Of Viglia. This hill commands the town
and pass Of Damasi from which a road leads
on the left to Eassona- Viglia on its east front
faces the Pass Of Boughazi, which Is entered
from the Thessalian Plain at Sderopoluki Re-
veni Is also approached by the defle OF Ka-
amaN along precpitous sides. The paths here
are well suited to the placing Of artillery.
"The Greek attack on Nigla was by the hrst
two roads The latter highway was used for the
purpose Of bringing UP supplies The Greek bat
teries which yesterday were established in the
or.n valley Of Reveni began the artillery duel,
which lasted all day long. Yesterday morning
| the battle began on the Reveni side of the val
| ley, which was occupied by thee Greek bat
| teries two on the left side and one on the right
| Each battery was supported 10y a battalion from
the ID Regiment. In the middle OF the valley
behind the frat line, we're four battalions OF the
| 18th Regiment and company of engineers
| For some time after the opening OF the night
| the firing from the Greek batteries was slow, but
| the Turkish fire WA slower still. Shells were
| thrown from the Turkish artillery the Greek
| left but very few exploded. The Greek practice