The Turko-Grecian War.

Hastings Standard, Issue 348, 15 June 1897, Page 4

The Turko-Grecian War.

THE BATTLES OF VELESTINO AND PEERS ALA. -

[PER S.S. OKUBA AT ALBANY. [

The latest*war news from English papers shows that a strong Turkish force, estimated to number nearly 10,000 infantry and cavalry, attacked Colonel Smolenski's position at Yelestino on "Wednesday, sth May. After five hours' heavy fighting, the enemy were repulsed with heavy loss. Some 600 Turks were killed, the Greek artillery being handled with deadly effect. The enemy made several assaults upon both flanks, that delivered on the Greek left being the most vigorous one. On each occasion they were repulsed, and were finally driven from the field. The Turks brought up about 12,000 men, and they slightly outnumbered the Greeks.

The Turkish cavalry charged upon the Greeks left above Velestino. It seemed an act of sheer madness, as viewed from below. It was a long steep incline which the Turkish horsemen attempted to ascend in the face of two entrenchments of infantry, some 200 rifles in all. The Greeks speak with emotion of the gallantry of the enemy at this point, yet few of these horsemen succeeded in approaching within 200 yards of the nearest Greek lines, and further down, on the more level ground, the Greek wheat fields were

dotted with fallen men, horses and standards.

Another correspondent describes tbe Turkish cavalry's achievement thus : —" Three bodies of some 1500 Circassians made a brilliant charge in order to capture the Greek battery of field guns in position on the slope behind Velestino. The battery wes supported on either flank by strong bodies of Greek infantry, placed so as to be able to open a cross fire upon any enemy attacking the guns. The Circassians nearly reached the guns, but beingswept by the musketry fire on each flank were forced to fall back, the battery opening upon them with shell as they retreated, with great effect. " After the battle the Turks applied for a five days' armistice, to enable them to bury their dead, which numbered about 600. On Ist May, 300 dead Turks were found and buried upon the Pellon range of hills. The Greek casualties were also heavy, about 100 being killed and 300 wounded." THE PHIiBSALA ENGAGEMENT. Simultaneously with the above Ehdcm Pasha's main force engaged the outposts of the Greek army at Phersala. The Turks advanced about 2 p.m., and severe lighting resulted. The Turks made vigorous attacks upon the Greek position, but they were successfully repulsed. At 7.30 fightingceased for the day, both armies retaining their respective positions.

The Crown Prince commanded the infantry in person against the charge of the enemy's infvntry columns, while Prince Nicholas commanded his field battery on the right wing, and engaged in an artillery duel with two Turkish batteries. This gallantry on the part of the Princes created real enthusiasm among the Greeks. According to further accounts of the battle, on the Turks coming into view, the posts fell back on their centre. After a keen fusilade the fighting became desperate, and lasted two hours. The Crown Prince, who was much affected at the attack to which he was recently subjected in the Athenian press, and who had returned to Phersala after paying a visit to Velestino, fought most heroically in the front line, and won the hearts of his troops. The cheering of the Greek camp could be heard from Phersala. A number of shells fell into tbe town. The Greek artillery, which had a good position when the engagement began, succeeded in occupying a better position later in the day. The Greek troops held their ground, and they gained a brilliant victory, and the Turks were finally repulsed. The news caused great rejoicing in Athens. The streets were filled with crowds of people, who eagerly bought the papers containing the news. The Greeks claim the fighting at Phersala as a second victory, the success of Colonel Smolensk! in retaining his position at Velestino being regarded as the f,r;t. The Greek losses at Velestino and Phersala were very heavy.. One account states that Colonel Smolenski telegraphed that his brigade was deluged with blood. A DISGRACEFUL GREEK ROUT. The comparatively trifling defeat on 28th April at Pente Pigadia was followed by a panic, which spread throughout the entire force occupying the ground on the Turkish side of the Arakathos, numbering not less than 1000 men. This resulted in a rout down to the river and across into Arta. Never was any body of men so utterly demoralised for so small a cause. Indeed, in the case of most of the troops there was no cause at all, as they had neither seen the enemy nor felt his fire. Had the Turks followed up their success, and pursued, a horrible massacre would have been inevitable, not merely of the troops, but also of thousands of peasants, women, and children, who were en ionic, and whom the soldiers had obliged to abandon their homesteads and follow the army across the Arakathos. What with Turkish oppressions and pillagings, and this fresh misfortune, the condition of the peasantry is beyond expression. A lamentable story of the disaster is told by a correspondent in these words: —" We held a table-topped hill, facing Janina, and the crest of the mountains on the right of the road through the pass. The Turks faced us in a position almost identical, though ours was much the stronger. Our weak point was a slope towards the Turkish side of the hill crest, which, though on our side so steep as to take 90 minutes to climb over the naked rocks, was on the Turkish side fairly easy and well wooded. This hill crest completely dominated oar

position on a central fiat-topped hiU. The Turks set all their energies to take it by assault. The position, when hostilities ceased on 28th April, was as follows : —The Turkish infantry, supported by grins, and, say, -1000 men, had made several attempts to carry the hill crest. Each time they were driven back, our men working well together, and behaving splendidly. They numbered on the bill crest 600 Evzones and 400 others, with two guns, at the entrance of the pass. At the advance post, seven hours' march distant, the Greeks had 6500 men and 30 guns, yet no support was sent. On the 29th firing began. The Turks bad planted guns on the hills on our left front, but their shells fell short, and our two guns on the central hill quickly forced their removal. Our guns on the crest of the hill ou the right were also working well. "In the afternoon the fire was brisk, for the Turks were evidently preparing for a serious attack. We could see that they were gathering in loose groups of 20 and SO men, taking every advantage of the ample cover of brushwood and oak scrub. They made at this time a comparatively slight response te the increasingly heavy fire of the Evzones on the hill crest, where our guns, for some reason unknown, were now silent. Then there was a lull, broken only by occasional shots from the central hill guns at the Turks; who gathered thickly opposite. Our guns on the hill crest were still silent. They were not again fired during the day. " Suddenly at 8.30 there was heavy firing again. The fusilade was maintained for three-quarters of an hour, the Turks meanwhile massing on the slopes on the right front, preparatory to rushing up the hill through the thick cover. " The Evzones on the hill crest made a gallant reply to the murderous Turkish fire. They held out manfully, losing 100 men, till 5 o'clock. A moment later the Evzones came tumbling over the hill crest, firing as they came. The Turks came after them, firing incessantly, and hurried down the rugged hillside, and the position was taken. Some one gave the order for a general retreat, and the Evzones, leaving their position with a groan of disgust, began to move sullenly away in a most orderly retreat. These men, like their comrades on the hill crest, had behaved perfectly throughout. As we approached Koumuyaa, the countryside was dotted with groups of Greek soldiers, who had quitted the various posts on the hills, trudging down towards Hanopoulo.

" These men had received no orders. Nothing would arrest the stolid progress of the great mass of men steadilytrudging towards the bridge. It was the most lamentable sight ever witnessed .''