The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-05-30
THE DOWNFALL OF CHoCzIM.
FIGHTING THE turks A CENTURY
AND A HALF AGO.

Unique Account of How the Russians
Captured the FOrtress-Extract
From BENJAMIN FranI&Iin's Ne VS.
paper, Published in February,
174O-The InfdeIs Got SOundIy
Thrashed, Somewhat to the Sur
prise of the VictOrs.
1t is interesting, at this juncture, to
read the subjoined account of the battle
of Choczm. fought by the Russians and
Turks over a century and a half ago. The
account is taken from the Pennsylvania
Gazette benjamin Franklins paper of
Feb. Z, 174O, an authenticated original copy
of which is the property of the editor and
proprietor of the Morning News. The ar
ticle follows, the stars o. showing omis-
sions where it is not possible to decipher
the letter press:
THE following Account dated the 3lst
of August. N. s.. and writ by the Veldt
Marshal Count Munich, being more par
ticular than any hitherto published con-
corning the Victory gained over the Turks
near Choczim, we give it a place in our
Paper, in order to set that glorious
achievement in a better Light.
C'An the Honour and Thanks be
given to the Almighty, for the
singular victory gained the 2Sth
of this month over the Enemies
of the Christian Name. by the Russian
Arms, to the Eternal Glory of Your I'm
perial Majesty)
THE Scraskier Wely Bashaw, General
in Chief, commanded the Ottoman Army.
with the Scraskier Islam Grey Sultan of
Biologorod; Jensen Ali Bashaw; Bashaw
of Choczim; Mustapha Ala Chief of the
Jannissaries and several other Sultan Ba-
shaws. The Ottoman forces consisted of
between 40 and $4,000 Turks, with 10000
Jannissaries and 10000 Tartars, making in
all about 10000 Combatants. All those
Troops were not only posted in an advan-
tageous camp, on the high Road to Choc-
zim, in order to hinder our Approach to
that Place, but were likewise troubled
with a triple Intrenchment defended by
60 Pieces of Cannon and Mortars. The
Enemies had fortified themselves in a
Manner that il appeared almost mpOss-
bic TO drive them out of so advantageous
a Post; for besides the Intrenchments,
they had Hills on their Right with thick
Wood through which it was impossible to
march; little River with Marshes and
bikes lay before them al their left they
had deep Valley with steep Hills and de-
files, and the Fortress of Choczim behind
them and we were obliged to march above
two Wersts upon continual Ascent be-
fore we could come up to them.
LAS to our Army, il was surrounded dur
ing As Hours; We had no Wood and but
little Forage; the Enemy harassed us both
Night and Day, as we'll in the Wings as
in the Centre; the Seraiskier continually
cannonaded us, tho without any Effect:
1t is true indeed the the Turks and Tartars
were repulsed in every Attack, and that
our Hussars. Calmucks and Cossacls Kill
ed great Numbers of them and brought
back now and then
but we could not remain any longer in that
Situation because the Serasskier was for
tfying himself both Night and Day and
raising Batteries Wherefore. being de-
sirous to take Advantage Of the Ardour
of the regular Troops to come 60 Blows
with the Enemy, We resolved, after i'm
ploring the divine Assistance, to attack the
lnfidels I'm their Camp; which was accord
ingly performed the 2Sth. Instant
AS 1 observed, that IL was impossible
to come up with the Ottoman Army on any
Side but the Left Wing, / ordered a false
Attack TO be carried ON az the Right For
this purpose your Imperial Majesty's
Guards filed of to that Side very cary I'm
the Morning, with Three Regiments of
Foot, two Of Dragons. a few Picquets and
Detachment Of Hussars. Cossacks and
Calmucks. with I Mortars and several
Pieces OF Cannon; as soon as these Troops
arrived within Cannon Shot Of the Enc
mics Batteries they began to throw
Bombs, while all the Army, which was
then made n
show as " IL was following IN order to at
tack the Epcmy's lntronchment on that
Side. This stategem had the desired
effect for the Inhdels Immediately ran
thither with the greater part of their
Forces aud began 60 strengthen their
entrenchment Works, and raised two new
Batteries on a hll over against us.
I'm the meantime the Army wheeled |
suddenly TO the Right and called in tho |
Guards with the other Troops aud Artg. /
lery. sent toward the right wing OF the |
Inndcls who perceived our desire like I
wise wheeled about 20 their left, but we /
marched 40 briskly, laid our Bridges with /
30 much Diligence and playd our Artl- |
cries so well that about two O'Clock in the |
Afternoon, Lieutenant General charles 81 |
ron had happily passed the Donels. ana |
with great Slaughter OF the Iundels that |