THE FIGHT NEAR BIELA.

Bruce Herald, Volume X, Issue 959, 20 November 1877, Page 3

THE FIGHT NEAR BIELA.

At Yodiateha, eighteen miles east of Biela, on 21st September,: a portion of Mehemet Ali's army comprising ten battalions made Jan. oflkusive recon— pigantje, at.taok.ing. a strongly entrenched 'Rua&ian "'position'/ On a ridge commanding >he main road to Biela, fifteen milea south east of that town, the Russians had established batteries, 1 and had twenty-four guns in. action on the crest of the ridge, which was also secured with trenches and dotted with rifle pits; Turkish batteries were planted on the heights on either side of the main valley above the burnt villiage of Cherkowna,.; The /engagement commenced at eleven in the morning with a heavy cannonade. The Tu,rka attacked the Russian right with three battalions. They gallantly pressed up the hill,' but being totally unsupported were driven back by a heavy artillery fi r © & n( * greatly anperiqr force* of ' infautpy. On the right centre of the Husaiana position was thick: forest, which the Turks carried- the Russians falling back. The Turks then assaulted the Russian- left, and held the village of Yerbea. They were unsup ported fgr twq hoursj retiring before a heavy artillery fire and charges of the Russian infantry.- While these movements were in progress a direct front attack on the Russian position was made by three battalions of Ottoman infantry, who advanced over the crest of the hill where the Turkish batteries were .posted, and dibbended Jnto the valley with enthusiastic cheers, and bugles SuinajJing the advance. The Rus>v nn guns opened on the advancing battalion with shrapnel. They descended swiftly into the valley, broke into, lines of skirmisbere, and undaunted !y,,adyanced up the slope amidst a 1 tretnp.udonß fife of artillery and infantry. The Ruaaiah infantry streamed down the hill, and attempted to drive the direct! attack back across the valley, the Ottoman line tenaciously holding its own. The. conflict continued till after nightfall, and the slope was lighted up by continuous flashes of musketry.