GREAT TURKISH VICTORY ON THE DANUBE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume III, Issue 115, 11 October 1854, Page 4

GREAT TURKISH VICTORY ON THE DANUBE.

ItRTREAT OF THE RUSSIANS FROM SILISTIUA.

On the 15th June, the garrison of Silistria made a sortie, attacked the Russians on all points, and drove them across the Danube.

Pursuing' their advantage, the Turks crossed on nrm of the river, seized the opposite island, where the enemy had conducted siege works, and from which Silistria had been bombarded. The Ru». ' films fled to the WalUchlan bank of tho Danube, und were compelled to witness the detraction of their batteries.

The Turks then brought out their guna and erected batteries on the Bulgarian bank of the river, destroying their bridges as they withdrew.

Tne garrison on this occasion was assisted by the corps sent from Shumla to its relief by Omar Pasha. Somo of the troops of the latter took part in the battle of thu 13th, and the junction of the enure corps was effected on the evening of that day.

There was nothing Toluntary or stategetlo in the flight of tho Rusfl.aiib. The defeats which preceded the rout of the 15th had been followed by extensive movements, with the object of reinforcing the besieging corps. On the 12th andiath it was said at Kalarasch, " Silistria must bo taken speed, ily, it any coat." The expulsion of the Russians is entirely the rroik of the Turks.

The Russian army is io a most wretched plight. The men arc downcast, and uttorly dispirited. All the chief commanders— Prince Paikienitsch, commauder of the entire army of the Danube ; Prince Gonschakoff, commander of the investigating corp ; and General Scbildcrs, director of tho siege works— are wounded and disabled, Five Generals were either killed or wounded on the 13lh, and on the same day the siege works on the right bank were destroyed by the Turks, with imraenst loss to tho enemy. Flight to Wallachla waa thui tho only course left to iho Russians. They ore now in the neighbourhood of Kalarasch, awaiting reinforcement and order*. At Vienna it is thought that the Russians j -mill find it impossible again to employ the same troops before Siliutrla, demoralised as they are by repeated and constant faihrc, and tli.it b< ing un« able to replace them in sufficient time, Marshal Paikicwitch will then glvo orders to fall back on Jai»y. The garrison of Rustchuk is said, in advices re» ceived from Widdin, to have crossed tho river and attacked Giurgevo. The Russians on this occasion lost 4CO men and nine guru. Tha intelligence is , leu authentic than the accounts from Siliatria and Kitlarasch.

The Rusiian division under General Liprandi Is marching In great haste from Shtina for Siliitr'm.

General Scbildcrs, who has lost a leg lies in s dangerous state. He is advanced in years, and of nerrous temperament. Prince GorticliakolT'a wound Is severe. General Luders, who is also wounded, is said to be doing well. Marshal Paskiewiticli suffers considerably from his contusion. Count Orloff, jun , lingers without hope of rscovery.