The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

LONDON,

Extract of a Letter from Moldavia, Sept. 19.

SEVERAL Actions have lately passed between the Russian and Turkish Armies (which are now considerably reinforced) in which the Successes have been various, but upon the whole greatly in Favour of the Turks, who have had the Ballance of Advantage preponderate in their Behalf through the whole Operations of the present Campaign. In the Course of the last Months, several Attempts were made by Part of the Grand Vizir's Army, which remained at Silistria, after the Battle there, under the Command of Hospodan Baa, against Hirsova, which the Russians garrisoned very strongly, and rendered these Attempts unsuccessful for a long Time; but at last the whole Body of the Turks, amounting to 5000 regular Troops, and joined by 2000 of the Turks of Silistria, embarked on Board 120 Boats on the Danube, and again attacked the Place. Count Romanzow, who had Notice of their Intent, caused the Garrison to be reinforced with 1500 Men, and 5000 were detached to cover Hirsova from Surprize, as it was judged a Fortress of the highest Importance: The Turks had formed two strong sailing Batteries, by joining several Vessels together, and covering them with thick Timber and Earth; these on which were mounted Thirty large Guns, were moored fast opposite the Fortress, and begun to play with great Fury; the Garrison returned the Fire with equal Violence, and maintained it for near Two Hours, when most of their Ammunition being expended, and above 800 Men killed or wounded, they began to relax, which the Turks perceiving, landed 8000 Men, immediately, under the Fire of their own Cannon, and advanced towards the Fortress. in order to hinder the Detachment of Romanzow from throwing in any Relief to the Garrisons, the Landing was managed with the greatest Prudence and Order by Hospodan Baa, who headed it himself; the Russians were drawn up to receive him, having the Fortress in their Rear, round which there is a very deep Trench; the Attack began on the Side of the Turks, by 200 Janizaries, who advanced on the Right of the Enemy, and began the Attack with incredible fury, but received So warm a Reception, that most of them were soon killed by the regular and well ordered Fire of the Russians. The rest of the Turkish Force now came up, and the Battle became general; the Turks behaved with an unusual Bravery and Conduct, to tha superior Force of which the Russians were obliged, after a very obstinate Defence, to submit, and retreat with the utmost Confusion towards the Fortre, the Cannon of which had been long before Silenced by the floating Batteries; the Turks followed, entered with them, drove them into the Trench, where they perished, it being full of Water, and took the rest Prisoners, together with all the Cannon, &c. in the Fortress.

The Rest of the Turkish Force now landed, and the Turkish Colours were hoisted; at this Instant a large Body of Russian Horse, amounting to 4000 under the Command of General Suvorow, who was quartered at Licarest, but had received Orders ta give a further Support to the Garrison of Hirsowa in consequence of which he had set out with the a-forementioned Troops, but arrived too late, and learning from some of the Russians who had fled from the Battle, the success of the Turks, he thought proper to retreat, without attempting any Thing in Favour of the Prisoners. Notices of this Event were immediately dispatched to the Grand Vizier, at his Head Quarters in Ishumla: and to field Marshal Romanzow at Gara. Both Generals gave im- mediate Commands for large Bodies of Men to march for Hirsowa, one in order to defend, and the other to recover if possible, that important Place. Tha Russian Detachment amounts to upwards of 14000 Men, and the Command is given to General Solti- kow. Marshal Romanzow is preparing to follow him with the main Body of the Army.