The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-05-07

LARISSA, May s.--4:2o p. m.-The Turks
have captured Pharsala
ATHENS May "A collective note will
be handed TO the Greek and Turkish gov
ernments today calling upon them TO cease
hostilities. on the distinct assurance that
the powers will undertake the fnal solu-
ton of pending difficulties.
LONDON, May 6.--The Daily Mails cor
respondent with the Turkish forces at
Pharsala telegraphing yesterday, says:
Yesterdays battle was the most de-
cisiye of the war. Ii was not intended at
the beginning that the fight should be a
regular pitched engagement. but on the
arrival of Edhem Pasha, at the outposss.
a furious firing began.
The weather was cool and the sky
somewhat cloudy after thunderstorm.
The village of Pharsala had been huddled,
as il were, under line of low peaked hilis-
Higher and round about were black hills
rising behind the other while between ls
and the village ran the small stream
known TO the ancients as the Raipeus.
crossed by bridge at the railway.
Between the stream and the village
were the Greeks in an excellent position.
well defend ID by earthworks. Their adj
vance line consisted of two brigades and
their reserves of two half brigades, al
together about 20,oo0 Against them were
5Oooo Turks The artillery began the en-
better than usual. but after two hours
they began 10 retire across the river Tnis
was a mistake, as they were enclosed De-
tween the river and the mountains, with
nc room to deploy.
'~rhe sight was superb. In many cases
the Greeks fought with the courage OF de-
spair The great black masses forming
the rear guard TO hold the bridges covered
the whole rich green plain. The endur-
ance and dash OF the Turks was magnin-
cent. reached the battlefield with reg
iment. The Greeks repulsed them vigor-
ously, and followed up the repulse.
THE Turks had formed in seini-circie
of laundering batteries and cracking bat
talions. The division on the extreme
right tried 10 cut off the retreat to Domo-
kos while the remainder OF the force
flung itself upon Pharsala.
The battle was but little like the bat
ties described in books. There was no mr.
ing of volleys. no bayonet assaults no
cheering no rushing; but only steady,
leisurely advance into the open In perfect
order There was some individual hring.
and the soldiers shouted Allah. Allah.
until the constant repetition sweiied INTO
one heavy, monotonous shout. 4 saw some
men suddenly fling up their hands ana raii
face downward. but the Greek nre IN tho
main was Ineffective
.,Before O'Clock the village north of the
river had been taken. Then the village OF
vasili and the intrenchmenfs near the
river were stormed with considerable loss
to the Turks. The battle ceased at night
fall, the flanking division having fssAp-
lished itself behind the Greeks ana cnt on
the best line OF retreat TO Athens.
ATHENS. May 6.--The retreat or the
Greeks began at o'clock this morning.
and the occupation OF the new position at
Domokos was finished at 10. The Greeks
buried their dead and conveyed their
wounded including FIVE officers. to Lami.
Gen. Smolenski wired to Athens for in
structions, and the government advised
him TO retreat. He remained at Neiestno
all night and was attacked by the Turks
at the next morning. Hard fighting con-
tinued until late In the day. when firing
ceased and Gen. Smolenski retired 10
Atmyros, where he took up new positions.
II appears that the great massing OF
Turkish troops and Their movements ied
to a suspicion that an attempt was being
projected TO surround Pharsala- A coun-
ell of war was held in the Greek camps
and Ii was decided TO retire.