400,000 Men In Battle.

New York Times 100 years ago today, November 2, 1912:
Port of Rodosto Captured by the Bulgarians.
Special Cable to The New York Times.
Despatch to The London Times.
    SOFIA, Nov. 1.— The Turks on Thursday made a desperate effort to retrieve the situation. The retreating troops rallied between Tchorlu and the village of Istrandja, and were reinforced by a division sent up from Constantinople. They were completely defeated, however, by the Bulgarians, who captured Tchorlu, Istranja, and Rodosto.
    Now it appears that in the great battle around Lule-Burgas, beginning last Tuesday, nearly 400,000 men took part. After the capture of Bunarhissar on the direct road from Kirk-Kilisseh to Constantinople, by the Bulgarians, about forty-eight hours after the fall of Kirk-Kilisseh and the capture of Baba-Eski, Nazim Pasha concentrated his main force around Lule-Burgas, with his right wing extending north and east toward Sarai and Istranja. His left wing projected southward to Muradli station and Rodosto, on the Sea of Marmora. His reserve force occupied Tchorlu on the railway.
    The whole series of positions, extending almost from sea to sea, was attacked by the Bulgarians on Tuesday. The Turks offered obstinate resistance, and the series of conflicts continued until Wednesday with wavering success. Eventually the Turks gave way all along the line, the Bulgarians capturing the railway station at Muradli.
    Yesterday, however, an effort was made to rally the Turkish troops at Tchorlu, where two divisions of Asiatic troops had arrived from Constantinople, and some 50,000 men altogether were assembled.
    A fresh battle, or series of battles, now took place in the district, extending from Tchorlu to Istrandja and along the heights dominating Rodosto, the landing place for the Asiatic troops.
    A diversion was attempted on the right Turkish wing, Shefket Torgut of Albanian fame landing at Midia with 20,000 men, advanced toward Visa, where he encountered the Bulgarian troops under Gen. Kutincheff.
    The Turks were completely defeated, but whether they succeeded in regaining their ships or retreated eastward is not stated.