The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1897-05-07
Capture PharSalOS, the Headquarters OF
Prince COnStantine'S Forces.
The Greeks Evacuate the Place In the
Early Morning Hours,
Suspecting That an Attempt was
Being Projected to Surround the
Greek Army at Pharsalos, the Lat
ter Decide to Retire to DOmokos,
Where II is Now Entrenched.

Where IL is Now EntrencneO.
LARISSA. May Ga dispatch from
Pharsalos dated II a. m. to-day de-
scribes the battle there, which began
yesterday A Turkish corps first APP
peared on the summit of Mount Tekke
yesterday morning. From formidable
intrenched position on the hillside they
attacked the Fourth Regiment of EV-
zones about noon. The latter made
strong resistance, but were finally COM
PEELED to fall slowly back.
The Turks then cannonaded and de-
stroyed the village of Ordskini, which
is about two hours, march north OF
Pharsalos. The Crown Prince having
ordered their army to draw up IN line
of battle, the Greeks advanced about
D. m The Turks. numbering 3o,OoU'
Immediately descended the slopes OF
Mount Tekke and planted batteries
which began TO lombard the Greek reg
iments. Owing TO superiority Of weight
the Turkish cannon inflicted heavy
losses upon the Greeks and especially
near the station.
The Turks continued TO advance un-
then the Crown Prince decided to retire
to more commanding positions
All the ammunition and supplies have
been transported to Domokos, on the
nights Of which the Greek batteries
were prepared for action. The turks
have burned the village of Tatal ana
have massacred a priest and the en-
tire family in the village of Dloskanl-
LARISSA. May 6.-3:20 p. m.-The
Turks have captured Pharsalos.
CONSTANTINOPLE May 6.-Edhem
Pasha. the Turkish commander-ln-
chief in Thessaly, has sent the follow
ing dispatch to the Minister of War, de-
livered this morning:
The Imperial army. while marching
to Pharsalos. met the enemy in the vii
lagos of Soubathie, Souledji Turco-
manli and Lamia- After a severe en-
gagement lasting fifteen hours, we dis
lodged them from their positions ana
advanced to Pharsalos, which the i'm
perial army has Just VIGOROUSLY occu-
pied"
WHY THEY RETIRED.
ATHENS. May 6.-Austria and Ger
many have Joined the other Powers IN
proposing mediation between Greece
and Turkey. General Smolensh is re
treating slowly and in orderly fashion
TO AImvro. and Nolo has been almost
completely evacuated.
The forces under Prince Constantine
reached Domokes unmolested, and have
not been attacked to-day. 1t appears
that the great massing of Turkish
troops and their movements led TO a
suspicion that an attempt was being
projected to surround Pharsalos. A
council of war was held in the Greek
camp. and it was decided to retire to
Donolos. which was reached this morn
ing at dawn.
The Greeks promptly occupied strong
positions on the mountain range over
looking Domokos During Wednesday
night the Turks continued to execute
movements. with view of outhanklng
Pharsalos. and only discovered at day
break this morning that the Greek
army had retired.
The retreat began at o'clock TINS
morning and the occupation of the new
position at Domokos was finished at
10. The Greeks buried their dead ana
convened their wounded, including hVe
officers TO Lami.
General Smolensli wired to Athens
for instructions, and the Government
advised him to retreat. He renamed
at Velestino all night, and was attacked
nv the Turks at 6 the next morning.
Hard fighting continued until late in
the afternoon. when the firing ceased
and General Smolenski retired to At
rnvros. where he took up new posi-
tons.
ACKNOWLEDGING DEFEAT.
LONDON. May 6.-According to spe-
cial dispatches from Athens this even
ing the news Of the evacuation of
Pharsalos caused unqualified despair at
the Greek Capital. and the irritation
against the Powers for non-interference
threatens to become so strong as 10
compel NJ. Rail-, the Greek Premier, TO
ask the ambassadors to intervene.
Special dispatches from Athens this
afternoon say that Prince Constantine
has occupied an entrenched position at
Domokos dominating the plain.
Greece. the dispatch adds. is willing
TO accept an armistice.
A DECISIVE BATTLE.
LONDON. May 6.-The Daily
Nails" correspondent with the Turkish
force at Pharsalos telegraphlng yester-
day morning says:
Yesterdays "wednesday battle was
the most decisive of the entire war.
1t was intended at the beginning that
the fight should be a regular pitched
engagement. but on the arrival of Ed
hem Pasha at the outposts furious
firing began.
The weather was cool and the sky
somewhat cloudy. after thunderstorm.
The village Of Pharsalos could be seen
huddled. as it We're under a line OF
low-peaked hills. Higher and round
about were black hills rising behind
the others. while between US and the
village ran the small stream known TO
the ancients as the Raipeus. crossed by
a bridge at the railway.
Between the stream and the village
were the Greeks in an excellent posi-
ton. well defended by earthworks.
Their advance line consisted of two
brigades, and their reserve Of two half
brigades. altogether about 10000 men.
against were 10000 Turks
The artillery began the engagement,
the Greek practice being much better
than usual. but after two hours they
began to retire across the river. This
was a great mistake, as they were thus