The Indianapolis journal., 1897-04-20
BATTLE OF MILOUNA PASS.
An Eye Witnesses Account Of the En-
gagement-ValOr of the Turks.

LONDON, April 19.-The correspondent of
the Associated Press, who is at Elassona,
the headquarters of the Turkish army in
Macedonia finds difficulty in forwarding
his dispatches. Sunday he filed the follow
ing dispatch dated "Elassona, evening"
but it did not reach London till to-day:
THE Turkish forces, as this dispatch is
being forwarded, are holding their posi-
tions in the Milouna Pass. During the Sc
we're fighting which began yesterday even
ing Greeks and Turks alike fought and be-
haved in the most admirable manner 1t is
believed that the battle which will be
fought tomorrow (Monday) will be of a
decisive character. Tonight information
was received from the front that the Turks
had occupied the whole extent of the
Miouna Pass and all the commanding
heights from Neckche TO Papalyvava, as
we'll all the defiles. All the Turkish
losses thus far are reported TO be slight
thirty killed and fifty wounded. The cor
respondent counted one hundred Greek
corpses on the hill opposite the Turkish
position. The Turks declare that the
Greeks were drunk during the fight to-day,
being constantly supplied with liquor
Kenan Bey has returned from Karya,
where the fighting continued when he left
there. The Turkish loss at that place was
two hundred. Kenan Bey says he counted
nearly one thousand dead Greeks"
Another dispatch from Elassona, dated 9
p. m. says: After "A most fatiguing day
with the headquarters staff i'm the Milouna
Pass, the correspondent of the Associated
Press has returned here The battle result
ing in giving the Turks possession of
Milouna Pass was waged with admirable
courage and determination on both sides.
The whole pass rang with the roar OF ar
tilery and the rattle of musketry 1t was.
however around the two Greek block
houses that the most furious conflict oc-
Cured. They We're defended with the ut
most valOr and tenacity The correspond
ent was greatly struck with the cooness
and discipline of the Turks. In the midst
OF the hottest lighting four Turkish SOL
diers. advancing in skirmishing order under
a deadly lire. became detached from the
main body. Nevertheless. they continued
TO advance with perfect self-possession
amid hail OF bullets. One OF the men
was hit and fell and the second man was
shot and the third received a bullet wound.
but the fourth man calmly continued firing
without regard for his personal safety until
the Greeks retired. The most important
strongly fortified and defended by earth
works. The Turks mostly attacked in skir-
mishing order. firing independently. They
seldom fired volleys.
The scene while the enga cement was at
its height was exceedingly picturesque.
Edhem Pasha, surrounded bv a brillia nj
staff. was the center of a striking group.
with the constantly going and coming of
orderlies, carrying reports, instruction. etc.
The ambulance corps was busy I'm every
direction bringing in the wounded, whose
faces were black with powder and covered
with blood. Edhem Pasha gravely followed
every phase OF the fighting through a field
glass. giving orders and receiving reports
with imperturbable deltberance. Many of
the reports were scrlboled on scraps of
paper stained with blood. The officers and
men alike were black with the dust of bat
tie and had not slept. shaved or washed
for two days and nights. Riza Pasha. com
manding the Turkish artillery Is a man of
magnificent presence. He exhibited most
mastery skill in placing the batteries and
In directing their fire. IL is believed that
to-morrows fighting must be decisive
Several additional batteries of artillery and
battalions OF infantry nave arrived 10 take
Continued on Second gageJ