Summary:

This collection of telegraphic dispatches from 1876–1877 provides a fragmented but vivid account of the intense and often chaotic fighting during the Montenegrin-Ottoman and Serbian-Ottoman conflicts. Reports consistently describe heavy Montenegrin losses, including the catastrophic defeat at Nevesinje where 7,000 men were routed by the Albanian forces of Mukhtar Pasha. Subsequent Montenegrin retreats involved scorched-earth reprisals, such as the burning of Albanian villages in Gado and Podgorica.

Serbian operations also suffered repeated setbacks near Niš, Bjelina, and elsewhere, often following brief advances. Ottoman commanders, especially Mukhtar Pasha and Ali Pasha, are portrayed as generally successful, pursuing Montenegrin and Serbian forces, repelling attacks, and regaining lost positions. Civilians, both Christian and Muslim, were swept up in arrests, displacement, and terror, and numerous villages were destroyed.

Meanwhile, Austria-Hungary watched the frontier anxiously as the fighting approached its border. The reports collectively depict a brutal border war marked by ambushes, reprisals, mass casualties, destruction of settlements, and shifting local offensives. They highlight the Montenegrin and Serbian struggle to hold territory against a more numerous and often better organized Ottoman-Albanian force.

Montenegrins loose 7,000 men at Nevesinje against the Albanians of Mukthar Pasha

“Constantinople, July 27 (Official) The Montenegrins defeated at Nevesinje numbered 7,000 men. Their losses were ten times greater than those of the Turks. Mukhtar Pasha pursued the Montenegrins, who retreated as far as Studeniza. Upon the approach of the Turks, the Montenegrins left Banjani without engaging in battle, leaving behind a large amount of food and livestock. According to a report from Novibazar dated July 24, the Serbs shelled the blockhouse at Sieniza. The Turks disrupted the Serbs and pursued them to the border. “

Montenegrins burn down 80 Albanian houses in Podgorica

“Cettinje, August 31: The Montenegrins, advancing as far as Podgorizza, are bombarding the fortress. 80 houses are burned to the ground. Prince Nikita denies the report that he wants peace.”

“Constantinople, August 1. From Nish comes the report: The Turks launched an offensive, drove back the Serbs, captured the Serbian entrenchments near Dirvent, and advanced into Serbia in the direction of Gurgussovas. Dispatches from Viddin also report the launch of the offensive by the Turks; the Montenegrins were defeated at Antivari. Frank R.”

Other telegraphs

The Montenegrin loss at Biola (Albanian Vjollë of Malësia) or Picla (Albanian Pikalë) close to Pruda (near Hoti) of Albania

“Ragusa, September 14th. Yesterday, 1500 Montenegrins attacked 800 volunteers from Constantinople and Zeibeks, who had been stationed near Biola or Picla, close to Pruda in Albania. Despite six detachments coming to their aid from Dinabia, the Montenegrins were repulsed and suffered heavy losses. The Ottoman volunteers distinguished themselves.”

The Montenegrin loss at Bischina and Montenegrin burning down the houses of the Albanians of Gado

“July 25th. The Political Correspondence reports from Ragusa: As a result of the serious defeat suffered by the Montenegrins on July 23rd at Bischina, near Nevesinje, against Mukhtar Pasha, the Prince of Montenegro withdrew. During the retreat, Turkish-owned houses in Gado, from which shots had been fired at the Montenegrins, were burned down.

In the vicinity of Podgorizza (Podgorica), the Turks have been making numerous arrests of Christians for days. New entrenchments are being built by the Turks near Podgorizza.”

“Semlin, July 4th. In Belgrade, news has arrived of the defeats suffered by the Serbian army under Chernaev near Niš. This has caused great excitement, especially since it was reported yesterday and this morning that Chernaev had crossed the Turkish border and captured the Babina Glava camp near. Chernaev’s retreat is all the more bitter now that he is back in the Morava Valley near Alecsinac (Aleksinac).

“Sarajevo, July 4, 7:20 PM. Telegram from the North Frisian Army: The Serbs attempted an attack on the city of Bjelina (Bjenlina) but were vigorously repulsed by the garrison, which consists of only one battalion. The Serbs, who were very strong, left 200 dead, 400 wounded, and 400 rifles on the battlefield.”

“Mitrovik, July 4th. The Turks have triumphed at Bjenlina. After nearly ten hours of fighting, Alimpits retreated. His corps, as reported by various sources, is very weakened. The Turkish losses are also quite significant. The Turkish army fought with true heroism. The Austrian Serbs are very discouraged by the defeat of their brothers”.

“Vienna, August 1st. The Pol Corr reports from Zara: Moukhtar Pasha is slightly wounded and has withdrawn from Bilek to Trebinje, where he awaits the arrival of 1000 Baschi Bozuts (Bashi-buzuks). The Montenegrins attacked Bilek yesterday, which is why Moukhtar Pasha has recently withdrawn there with all his troops. The fighting at Bilek is still undecided and continued this morning. In Trebinje, all shops are closed by order of the authorities. They seem to be prepared for the worst.”

“Vienna, 10 August. Trebinje is no longer in Serbian hands; the Montenegrins have marched toward Albania. Moushtar Pasha has for the moment received six battalions at Mitrovica for reinforcement and has been able to supply the Stara-Serai fort with provisions and water. Serbia has not yet declined to enter into an armistice. (N. W.)”

“Ragusa, July 4th. Yesterday, hostilities between the Montenegrin forces and the Turks began. Near Podgorizza (Podgorica), the Turkish corps under Ali Basha (Ali Pasha) encountered the 8,000 Montenegrins led by Plamenac. After a five-hour battle, the Montenegrins were repulsed. The fiercest fighting occurred near Fundina. The Montenegrins left 1,400 dead and wounded in the square.”

“Ragusa, Oct. 8. – Muhtar Pasha attacked the Montenegrins on the 6th of this month; they were positioned on the heights of Bojanobrdo and had taken three trenches. The Montenegrins defended themselves bravely, but were eventually forced to retreat. Muhtar Pasha pursued them further, took their positions at Krstac in the south, and inflicted heavy losses on them. The Montenegrins lost about 100 dead and wounded, while the losses of the Turks are not yet known.”

“Pera (Constantinople), July 13. – The latest reports from the Montenegrin border say that the Serbs were victorious in several engagements. The Turkish forces withdrew on July 9 from the heights of Lješkopolje, which they had occupied. Muhtar Pasha, who commanded at Niksic, moved his camp to Gacko. The Montenegrins burned several Muslim villages near that town.”

“Constantinople, August 10 (Official) From Sienica (Sjenica), August 7, it is reported: After a fierce artillery battle, the Turkish troops captured the Serb entrenchments on the heights near Javar. (F. K.)

Gettinje (Cetinje), August 8. The Montenegrin Official Gazette signals the imminent departure of the Montenegrins for Bosnia, as Turkish rule in Herzegovina has already been broken

-Ragusa, August 9. A Montenegrin raiding party intercepted a supply column bound for Trebinje for the army of Moukhtar Pasha (Mukhtar Pasha). On this occasion, the Montenegrins captured the war correspondent of the Milanese newspaper “Pungolo.” The Italian consul in Ragusa demanded the return of their countryman, but to this day without success. The Montenegrins are therefore preparing to extend their military action north into Bosnia and south into Albania. (Berliner Tageszeitung)”

Source

Schweinfurter Tagblatt die Zeitung für die Region Main/Rhön. Volumes 21–22, 1876.