‘Russo-Turkish War, 1877. Operations in Asia.’ [‎42v] (18/42)

88
OPERATIONS BETWEEN THE TURKISH RIGHT AND RUSSIAN
LEFT WINGS.
The demonstration on the 29th ult. was only an exchange of artillery
fire at long ranges without any apparent object, and the regular troops on
either side continued to remain in September in the camps they occupied in
August, both sides being apparently either unwilling or unable to undertake
anything decisive. 1 .
On the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd September, Ismail Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. leceived some rein
forcements in the shape of about 1,000 Arab-koords- Sulimanis, from tie
neighbourhood of Hamadan. Of the 10 battalions referred to m the nan a ive
of events in August as expected from Erzeroum, 2 (Redif) armed during the
first week in September, 3 more with a battery of field guns were on the same
date at Karakilisseh, and the remaining b at Zeikidan en route. Six batahons
of Mustaphiz were in addition expected from the south. . 1 _ .
On the evening of the 6th, 500 of the newly arrived Sulimanis left the
Turkish camp at Zor on a marauding expedition against Russian convoys, having
obtained leave to do so from the Turkish General after considerable difficulty
and only on condition of their giving a solemn promise not to kill or plunder
unarmed villagers. They crossed the Araxes, to the \\est of Tgdvi, by
swimming their horses, and returned to camp on the morning of the 8th with
some captured horses whose owners they had accounted foi, together with a
Russian post bag between Kulpi and Igdyr as well as a mail fiom Lman
to the latter place, which they had intercepted. From the contents of
despatches thus captured, the Muchir learnt that General I ergukasotf had
resigned and had been replaced by General Devel, and that 8 battalions had
been withdrawn from Kulpi to Alexandropol. In spite of this, however, Ismail
Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. showed no signs of undertaking any active operations against the weak
force now in his front, much to the disgust of the troops under his command,
who openly showed their dissatisfaction and discontent at his inactivity. Ihe
Russians now only numbered some 10 batalions, 5 of which were at Igdyr and
the remainder at Kulpi, Gulidja, and neighbouring villages; they were still
superior, however, to the Turks in cavalry and artillery.
Fearing the advance of a Russian force from Abbasgol, Ismail Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. had,
in the meanwhile, posted a force consisting of 8 or 9 battalions of infantry,
1 regiment of cavalry, and a large number of irregular horse, on the heights to
the north of Mussin, in that village itself, and in the valley leading thence to
the Bakyklygol. The cavalry outposts of this force extended, in the com
mencement of September, to at least 10 miles from head-quarters at Zor.
On the 12th, a brigade of 8 battalions of infantry, 2 field batteries, and
4 mountain guns took up a position on the plateau overlooking Khalifalu, about
31 miles in advance of the Turkish position. Of these, 2 battalions and the
4 mountain guns were posted to the left of the ravine running from Zor,
the remaining 8 battalions and 12 guns being aligned on the heights to the
right of it. Khalifalu and the ground adjacent was occupied as an advanced
post by the Russians, with a force of 1 battalion of infantry, 4 squadrons of
cavalry, and 8 guns. The Turkish battalions now sent forward their skirmishers
for some little distance, and about noon 5 battalions of Russian infantry issued
from Igdyr and deployed on the plain, but, seeing that no offensive movement
was attempted by the Turks, withdrew towards evening.
Ismail Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. intended, it is supposed, to have followed his advanced
brigade with his main body on the following day (13th) and have attacked
Khalifalu, to co-operate with a contemplated diversion of the Turkish cavalry
from Mukhtar Pasha’s force, but on the same night (12th), the temperature
suddenly fell some 40°, and a violent storm of snow and rain ensued, lasting
for over 36 hours, and effectually putting a stop for the time to all idea of
military movements in the mountains.
On the 14th, a Russian force, consisting of 4 or 5 battalions, 4 squadrons
or sotnias, and 1 field battery, encamped near the village of Tcharekdjilis,
and their advanced camp at Igdyr was strengthened at the same time by
4 battalions of infantry from their camp somewhat in rear of that place.