The Battle of Phersala.

Colonist, Volume XL, Issue 8861, 10 May 1897, Page 3

The Battle of Phersala.

Turkish Victory. Garibaldi to the Front. Athens, May 8. Further details cf the battle cf Phersala show tbat Edbem Pasha directed fonr divisions of the Turkish array to move uoon Phersala, intending to force the position held by by tbe Greekß on Ihursday. On Wednesday, however, the advanoe line oame into contact with the Greek outposts, and a series o! skirmishes developed into a general engagement. After fighting fiercely for mar>y hoars the Greeks, towards evening, retired. Tbey were heavily shelled by tbe Turkish artillery while crossing the river.

During the night the entire line of the Greek main army, comprising thirty thousand troops, retreated, compelling General Smolenski to abandon the position held by him at Velvestino.

The Turkish losb daring the fighting is estimated at one hundred, and that of the Greeks at tbree hundred.

The Greeks refused to engage in a pitohed battle. In their retreat tbey managed to save their artillery, but left behind tbem a large qaantity of stores, whioh fell into the hand* of the Turks.

The viotory has given the Turks tbe entire command of tbe railway running from Volo through Phersala to Trikhala. They also hold the spurß in the Othrys mountain, some distanoe southward of Phersala, separating the hoes communicating between General Smolenski's and the Daka of Sparta's forces. Ten thousand Greeks have vacated Vo'o' Bnd the Greek fleet, which iB cruising in the Gulf of Volo, has been ordered not to oppese tbe Turks entering the town.

Bioiotti Garibaldi and big band of Italian volunteers left for tbe front on Friday. A drunken orowd shouted and hurrahed for a social revolution.