Geok Tepe (Russian Conquest of Central Asia)

This place, the stronghold of the Tekke Turcomans, defended by a garrison of 15,000, was besieged, September 9, 1878, by the Ru ians, under General Lomakine. After a short bombardment, an attempt was made to storm the fortre , which was repulsed with a lo of 500. The breaching guns were with difficulty saved, and the Ru ians retired on the following day. About 4,000 Turcomans were killed by shell fire. In 1881, a second attempt was made by Skobeloff, with 10,000 Ru ians, the garrison being now nearly 30,000 strong. After a regular siege, lasting from the 8th to the 17th of January, the place was stormed, 6,500 Turcomans falling in the a ault, and 8,000 in the subsequent pursuit.