SPECIAL MESSAGE. (FROM OUR AUCKLAND CORRESPONDENT.)

Otago Witness, Issue 1342, 18 August 1877, Page 5

SPECIAL MESSAGE. (FROM OUR AUCKLAND CORRESPONDENT.)

The following account of THE CHOSSINO THE DANUBE from Simnitza to Sjstova is from a correspondent who was an eye-witness : — With the darkness, General Dragomiroff began Ms dispositions. His first work was to plant in made implacements a row of field guns all along the edge of the flats to sweep the opposite banks. This was while the infantry was being marched over the flats to the cover of the willows. The darkness and obstructions were so great that all was not ready until the first glimmer of dawn. There was no bridge, but a number of river boats capable of holding from 15 to 20 men each. These were dragged on carriages through mud and launched in the darkness. The boats put off singly, rowing across for a litlle cove, and later a little steam tug was brought into requisition. The Turks immediately opened fire both on the bo<*ts and troops which were waiting to cross. The leading boat contained Major- General Yolchine. The Turkish riflemen were in position about 50 yards from the shore. He landed his handful of men, and bade them lie down in the mud, and then opened a skirmishing fire to cover the landing of the boats that followed one by one. These landed their freights, whn followed the example of the first boat load. At length enough had accumulated. Among them were General Skobaloff and his son. General Yolchine bade his men fix bayonets and stand up and follow their officers. There was a rush and cheers. The Turks fired an effective volley, but did not wait for a second. General Yolchine's skirmishers followed them some distance up the slope, but for a time could not press on far from their base. Meanwhile, Rus sian guns from across the river and the Turkish artillery were firing briskly. Turkish shells kept falling in the water, whistling through the willows, and bursting among the columns on the flats. One shell from a mountain gun fell into a boat containing two gun 3, their gunners, and a commandant of battery. The boc.t was sunk and and all on board perished. This was the only serious casualty in crossing, but many Russian soldiers were falling on both sides of the river. The Turkish gunners clung to their guns with wonderful staunchness amid clouds of dust thrown up by shells which burst around them. The Turkish monitor had been hemmed in by a cordon of torpedoes within the channel south of the island opposite Vardin, and the Russian battery on the Roumanian side shelled her vigorously. After their first repulse from the landing place the Turks rallied and concentrated on the upper sloped in front of their battery, aid then came down on the pickets of Yolchine'3 brigade and made some headway, bnt only for a moment. Soon after noon the Russian infantry had crowned the heights. A Turkish infantry detachment tried to work round and down upon Sistova, but was thwarted by an intercepting skirmish force, their los 3 being estimated at 1000, but it is probably much greater. A bridge will be laid at Semina, which will be the main thoroughfare for the Russian army. 3000 men will march in the columns which are now crossing. The Russians wisely drew a thick veil around their movements, at the last moment placing sentries on every road and buffering no man to pass. They then p.i.ssed higher up the river than was expected. The Russians crossed at PeroceL upon raft 3, a son of the Grand Duke Nicholas going over ou the first one. The Grand .Cuke Nicholas crossed at 3 o'clock in the morning at Pretocini, and officially stated there were 50,000 Russians on the southern side of the Danube on" the 27th, opposite the Simnitaand Pretocini line. The Russians were

surprised at the comparatively little resistance. Nothing is known of the Turkish disposition, except that the headquarters have been removed to Shumla, where Redif Pasha, Minister of War, joined Abdul Kerim, and a Council was established under whose direction the campaign will be prosecuted, possibly with more vigour than heretofore, as the only good quality generally conceded to Rediff Pasha is energy. TLe Turkish Danube flotilla remained supine while a single pontoon bridge at Sistova was permitted to supply a large Russian force on the north bank with provisions and Wo.r material. The bridge is reported so weak that it has broken of its own weight several times in the week. One ironclad in determined hands might place the Russians in desperate straits, for the country along the Turkish side of the Danube would not maintain them many days if deprived of their commissariat. It was repoited that Hobarfc Pasha contemplated an operation of this nature on the Danube under personal direction, but was restrained by the jealousy of Turkish pashas. The military and civil commandants of Sistova, Tirnova, and Oaman Bazar have been summoned to Constantinople for trial by court martial.

Abdul Kerim P^sha demanded 60,000 more troops. It wa3 anticipated tuat he and Eyoub Pasha would be superseded. A Russian official account of the crossing of the Balfcans, dated Tirnova, says General Gourke, with an advance guard of cavalry, infantry, and artillery, co^sed the Balkans on July 14th, surprised and defeated the Turkish battalion which guarded the outlet of the Pass, near the village of llezanlik. Terguassen is now marching upon Kasanlik, in the rear of the enemy, who uccupy the fortified Chipka defile. They cut the telegraph between that place, Lski-Saghra, and Seleamo. On Sunday, £.n engagement was fought near the village of Orzazarare between a Cossack force and some detachments of Ba3hi Bazouks and Circassians, supported by Turkish infantry. The enemy held their ground until the arrival of dragoons and batteiy of artillery sent by General Gourke, and then fled. The flags of several standard - bearers and a quantity of arms was captured.

A New York special, giving an account of the capture of Nicopolis, says :— As soon as the Russians came within effective range of the Turkish position, they were met by a severe artillery fire, which, however, did not check their auvance, and to which they replied with a still more formidable fire. The Turks being posted on a commanding position, had considerable advantage, and as the Russians approached, frightful gaps were made in their ranks by Turkish artillery. With surprising valour, however, they continued to approach the heights, and as soon as they came within rifle range, opened a terrible fire on the Turks. For half an. hour this military duel continued with unabated vigour, About midday on Sunday the order for an assault was given, and the whole Russian line, supported by several batteries of artillery, stormed the heights occupied by the Turks. During an awful climb in the face of a deadly fire the Russians suffered terribly, while the Turks, stubbornly defending their position, sustained equal loss. After obtaining possession of heights commanding the tov/n at a terrible cost, the Russians virtually had Nicopolis at their mercy. The Turks, finding their line of retreat threatened, abandoned the city, which, was filled with Turkish dead. Many wounded were found in the streets and in the houses, where they had beea abandoned by the Turks in the haste of recreat. One correspodent says Nicopolis was surrounded, and the garrison of 6000 men and 40 guns surrendered with their commander, but all other accounts represent that tha Turks evacuated before the Russians entered.

The British Cabinet has officially informed the Vienna Cabinet that the Fleet has been sent to Besika Bay for the protection of British interests and of the Christians in Turkey. Sir Stafford Northcote made a similar statement in the. House of Commons. He also denied that Mr Layard had informed the Sni tan it might be necessary for English troops to occupy Constantinople. At an interview Lord Odo Russell informed Bismarck that England would under no condition suffer the Russian occupation of Constantinople. Prince Bismarck replied that he considered the occupation of Constantinople the best way to obtain the purpose 3 for which the war was commenced.

The Admiralty has strengthened the Mediterranean squadron by the addition of the Shannon and Temeraire. The latter *s the most formidable sea-going ironclad in tue service, carrying four 25-ton guns. The Ai'miralty also intend to despatch either the Thunderer or Dreadnought, should the hydraniic gear for loading guns prove satisfactory. The Daily Nows states that the British fleet in Besika Bay, with the additions ordered by the Admiralty, will present an aggregate of 24 vessels, 150 £uns. and 7000 or 8000 men.

Much uneasiness exists in regard to the Mahommedan population of India. The famine has had the effect of rendering the Indian population unsettled. It is feared that this, in connection with ths demands of the Sultan, may lead to a widespread series of outbreaks. A despatch from Plymouth says the new gun vessel Condor will be fitted with a torpedo apparatus, and sent to the Danube with the sister vessel Flamingo, under the orders of the British Ambassadors at Constantinople and Vienna, for the protection of British interests. Twenty Turkish steamers have arrived afc the mouf-h of the Danube, fco hamper communication between the Russian troops in the Drobrudschrv, and to prevent them advancing. The Russian Governor of Tulscha has laid down torpedoes in the estuary.

A cablegram to the Times gives an account the Russian defence and relief of Bayazid. In the advance of the Russian left wing towards Erzeroum about a month ago, this small garrison wa3 cut off from the main army and surrounded by a force from the regular Turkish troops, reinforced by a large body of wild horsemen of the warlike Turkish tribes that inhabit this mountainous region of Turkey. The besieging army numbered about 3000 men! The defensive works were weak, provisions short, and the supply of water smpll and of the worst quality. The small garrison was compelled to be under arms day and night, to guard against surprises and night attacks. Fortunately for them the besiegers were not very strong in artillery, but still had sufficient of siege tiviin to keep fatigue parties of garrison continually employed in the work of repairing tlie damage to their- works by the enemy's fire! Constant vigilance was demanded from the small force. The sleeplessness and grinding fatigue of incessant labour ,vere aggravated by a burning thirst, oppressive heat, and clouds of flies tbat swarmed about their camp day and night. In this iiaiuful condition it was necessary to bring water from outside their works, in the face of the besieging army. Volunteer parties were daily called on to engage in this perilous duty, which became afc lost complete self-immolation, in which volunteers sacrificed themselves to enable their comrades to prolong the defence. Notwithstanding their sufferings they were determined to resist to the last man. On the Bfch July General Turgukasson arrived at Ingir. From this point ho started once more by a direct route to Bayazid, with General

Kalboliskhan's column as advance guards. On tho following day the beleaguered garrison espied the Russian flag in the distance, which they welcomed with vigorous fire on besiegers from all the gin.s on the works, in order to divert their attention from the approaching force. The advance of the relieving force wa*s soon made apparent by the roar of artillery and musketry tire. The Turks for some time heH the Russians in check. The fight continued for several hours with uncertain results, the losses on both sides being very heavy. At length the Russians made a terrific onslaught, advancing their whole line, with a well-directed fire, tinder which the Turks were compelled to fall back. When the regulars yielded to the last attack a horde of Kurds broke and fled in every direction, and at the close of the day the brave defenders of B.iyazld were enabled to embrace their equally brave deliverers. Despatches from the Tiine3 correspondents at Shumla and Bucharest describe the brilliant onward march, of Russians iv Europe, which is tarnished by atrocities committed by Bulgarians and Circassians, unhindered by the Russians. Troops like the famous Uhlans of the Franco-German war cavalry pushed their way ahead, their sabres flashing in the defiles of the Balkan mountains, far beyond the main body of the army. They spread terror iv every direction in the country through which they pass Mussulman families fly before them, terrified and panic-stricken, and savage Bulgarians fall on helpless crowds and massacre them in cold blood. Fugitives are pouring into Shumla and Varna with terrible tales of death and sufferings. The country is alive with Russian troops. Hill and dale echo the noise of martial hosts. They hold 'the road from Selvi to Keslinik. They are marching by the way of Demir Kapu Pass to Aidos and Jambo.i. They threaten Rasgrad, where the Turks are posted. They are, while I am sending this despatch, in the mirfst of a desperate engagement with the lurks at Dreuova, battling fiercely for the possession of the road to Kesanlyik, by way of Chipka Pass. The Turks have fled before the victorious standards at Biela, and tha latest news places the eagle triumphantly on the fortifications of Nicopolis. A. telegram dated July 17th, the da;* before the mail steamer left, reports a Turkish victory over the Russian forces south of the Balkans. The Herald's cable correspondent at ,7eniSughra reports that t'ae Turks, under the command of Sulieman Bey, had an engagement with the Russians, defeating fchem° a^id driving them back into ths Balkans, with heavy loss. The battle ground was at Febitcn 12 miles from Jeni-Saghra. At first, the Russians seemed to be successful, but the determined fighting of the Turks afterwards appeared to promise Turkish victory. Tha Russian forces consisted of infantry and cavalry outnumbering Turks, whose first attack was repulsed, and ?. flanking column of force of dismounted dragoons greatiyimperilled the Turkish position. The Tuikish artillery was splendidly handled, raking columns of Russians, and thinning them afc every discharge. Perceiving the terrible havoc caused by the Turkish fire General Gonrke ordered the Russians to charge. A. fearful hand to hand conflict ensued. The Turks formed a hollow square after lesing several guns. The Russians attacked desperately and fearful carnage followed on both sides. lixo Russian flanking movement, and its desperate onslaught, threatened to exterminate the Turks, when suddenly brisk firing on the left announced the arrival of a, Turkish reinforcement, under the command of Raouf Pasha. The Russians had no artillery, and the rapid advance of the Turkish reinforcements compelled them to fsce their new enemy, thus affording their opponents an opportunity to abandon their hollo v square, throw forward their flanks, and renew the attack vigorously Ike -Russian Uno, thus held between two rows of bayonets, was completely overwhelmed. The Cossacks made a splendid resistance, fixating with the utmost but unavailing bravery. The Turkish charge was made over heaps of dead bodies, driving the Russians back into the mountains. Their flight was precipitate. The Turks pursued the flying Russians until the mountain pass was recovered. The Russian advance column consisted of Circassians and Cossacks commanded by Colonel Juclomin. The main body was commanded by General Gourke. They were in light flying order without wa«gon transports, or artillery. It is impossible to estimate their loss. The Russian main body intended to cross the Balkans at this point, the light corps leading. It is not known what effect this repulse of Goarks's flying column will have or. the main advance.

Letters from Constantinople give alarming pictures of distress prevailing the>-e. Govern" menfc has wrung from the people their tesfc piastre, it is still penniless. Streets are full of respectable people begging for food. Thousands are subsisting on scanty supplies of dry bread, and absolute starvation scares multitudes of Christians in the face, as well us families of Turkish conscripts gone io war, unless speedy lelief comes from some quarter. Pestilence such its the world seldom witnessed may be expected to add its horrors to the existing situa tion.

A cablegram under date London, July 17th, says—" As regards supplies, the Russians leave nothing to chauce. Bucharest the great central depot contains stores of meal to which supplies of rice for relief of Bengal famine, were a mere bagatelle. _ Sistova will be intermediate, and also the Tirnova advance depot. A rapid advance on Rustchuk does not seem imminent. Convoy out posts 'extend from a point on the Danube twelve miles west of Rustchuk to forty miles inland, facing the Turkish foremost position on the River Lorn. Sm«li reconnoisances are pushed forward, bat the mass of the division has been stationary for about a week.

_ Railway communication on the Adrianople line has been suspended for everything but troops. Prince Kara Georgewich, pretender to the Servian throne, has entered the Montenegrin army.

Russian official despatches claim that in Nicopolis, the garrison, two pashas, and GOOO regulars surrendered.

The reported attack by Turkish monitors on the Sistova bridge is untrue. The Turks evacuated, and the Russians occupied, Mejedied and Maugalie in the Drobudscba.

A correspondent writes that the losses sustained by the Russiau army in recpnt operations south of the Danube wore much more serious than admitted by tha Ru-sUiu authorities. As they advanced into districts of Bulgaria just occupied by Turkish forced they found the country a desolnte waste, all cork crops not ready to be gathered, and all grain storehouses deserted. Every head of cabbie had beeu seized and run off !<y the retreating Turks. So complete .and widespread was the devastation in Bulgaria, that every Russian train sent to the front hits to carry stores of biscuits and other supplies not only for tho army, but ah-) for the starving population. The advance guard of another Russian corps has airived at Ployeati.

Many Mussulmans, \trlth their wives and children, fleeing before the Russians, have been killed in the defile between Tirnova and Keziulik.

An Adrianople special reports that Russians from. Tirnova have advanced at Gabreva, Their force is estimated at 90,000.