The Saint Paul globe., 1897-05-20
BATTLE BEFORE DoMoKos.
Graphic Description of the Last
Stand of the Greeks.

BATTLE BEFORE DOMOKOS.
Graphic Description of the Last
Stand of the Greeks.
TURKISH HEADQUARTERS, Be-
fore Domokos, May ia great battle
is ended. The fighting ragged on Mon
day from early morning until long after
dark. When the last, dropping shots
were passing over the field the advan-
tage did not appear to rest with either
side. The Greeks maintained their po-
sitions, having acquitted themselves so
we'll as to have earned the hearty
praises of the Turks. They resisted
with stubborn endurance the determin-
ed attacks of the Ottomans through
the livelong day, and still held their
entertainments at nightfall. The Turks
made supreme effort late in the even
Ing, but it was met with the utmost
bravery upon the part Of the Greeks,
and failed The Turks losses were
heavy.
The Turkish troops were on the move
at an early hour, most of the divisions
leaving Pharsalos at dawn, led by
the Circassian cavalry, which acted
as skirmishers during the early part
of the engagement The real fighting
began at about II o'clock, when the
Turks encountered a squadron of Greek
cavalry occupying village on the
plain before Domokos. After a sharp
exchange of shots, the Greek squad
ron retired from the village and re-
treated towards Domokos. This pre-
Hminary skirmish was the signal for
the Greeks to prepare all along their
line to receive the Turkish attack.
One Of of the Turkish divisions was led
by its bands of music and the troops
moved forward as if on parade. The
Greeks had established siege guns on
the SUBMITS of the hills around Domo-
KOS, and these pieces opened the en-
gagement with we'll directed fire upon
the massed battalions of Turks ad
vancing from the foot Of the hills. AL
though the Greek artillery was admir-
ably handled, it had no material effect
In checking the Turkish advance.
suddenly at given word of com
mand, the Turkish troops deployed to
the right and took up a position behind
a nil, where they waited while the
wings of the Turkish army completed
their forward movement. Then follow
ed period Of suspense, during which
the Turks steadily took up the posi-
tons assigned to them and at last. at
O'Clock In the afternoon. the Turkish
artillery opened fire. The Greek gins
replied, both sides exchanging shell
hre for about an hour with no very
great results, so far as could be seen.
on either side.
towards o'clock. Nechat Pasha.
VINO commanded the advance on the
Greek position, ordered the infantry
brigade to advance. The bugles sound
ed, and, taking advantage of every
line of ground, the skir1nfshers little
by little, crept up to the first position
held by the Greeks. The spitter-spat-
tering fire Of the skirmish lines was
answered by long, grinding rattle of
musketry from the Greek entrench-
ments, forming long line, which was
well held by the Greek infantry. and
which commanded the approach from
the plain.
The preliminary over, terrific COM
bat between the opposing forces com
menced. The skirmishers increased the
rapidity of their fire, the main bodies
Of the Turkish troops advanced, then
forward movement being covered by
the fire of ten batteries of artillery.
musketry fire increased in fury and
the booming of the field pieces became
general. The guns of the Greeks were
being splendidly manned, and succeed
ed in putting one Turkish piece out
Of action. but the Turkish artillerymen
revenged themselves by Pumping a
shell into a Greek caisson filled with
ammunition and it blew up. This af-
forded the greatest encouragement to
the Ottomans. During this artillery
duel, the main body of the Turkish
infantry opened fire at long range In
order to discover the positions occu,
pied by the enemy. The Greeks were
not long In replying. No sooner did
the Turkish commander "feeP' the
enemy accurately, that he pushed for
ward his irregular troops to the at
tack. The latter advanced with the
greatest spirit, and. in the face of a
hot fire, drove the Greeks from several
of their advanced entrencheds positions
But, if the fighting had been gallant
and desperate on both sides up to the
present, it was still more so from this
time on. The firing ON both sides be-
came really terrific. Both Greeks and
Turks realized the Importance Of
achieving decisive results before night
| fall The sun was getting near the
horizon, and there was no telling what
might happen during the night. There
fore, the cannonading and rifle fire
| increased in intensity Long lines of
| flame and smoke opposed each other,
| the Turks from the plain pouring a
| hail of lead at the Greeks in their en-
| trenched positions, and the lat
| ter replying with continuous rain
of leaden missiles. Both the Turkish
| and Greek batteries, in the meanwhile.
| were belching forth a never-ceasing
storm of shells and shrapnel. It was
then o'clock in the evening, and
neither side had gained any very great
| advantage. The Greeks stubbornly re-
| sisted the advance Of their enemies,
| but, 1T is true, the soldiers of the sui
| tan had gained ground and were fight
| ing with as much dash and brilliancy
as when the first cannon shot an
nounced the opening of the engagement.
| The sun finally disappeared and dark
ness spread slowly over the blood
| stained country, but the fierce combat
waged on uninterrupted and with un-
| abated vigor.
Towards 9 O'Clock, the Greeks having
calamity held their entrenchments
| against superior forces, and having
given proof Of the greatest courage,
deserving of all praise, began to slack
en- their fire. The firing Of the Turks
/ ait the same time also abated. and soon
1t ceased altogether on both sides.
While the main fight was in progress
| there was q strong movement forward
on the Turkish right. intended to out
flank the Greek left. But the Turkish
commander at that point was too slow