The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1877-08-07 00:00:00

THE BATTLE OF PLEVNA.

The details of the battle of Herne reveal a condition
of affaira thoroughly disastrous to the Russians. The
carnage was terrible, and regiment after regiment was
sent to inevitable death in the hope of defeating the
Turks. It seems that General Kruslener made no
reconnaiesance before enteri. g the town. The
soldiers, says the Correspondent of the /May News,
"had laid sable their cloaks and packs in the street,
and had quitted the fighting column fomiation,
believing all Was over, and were singing as they
straggled along. N.. patrol,. had been pushed into
the recerasi of the town. N.. cavalry had been sent
forward beyond. l'he whole businees was slovenly
to a degree. The penalty was Rid. Suddenly, from
• hundred window. and balconies, a vehement fire
was poured into the troops straggling along the street&
They were beset on all skim and had to retreat. (Inc
regiment loot nearly two thousand. The retreating
troops witnessed the butchery of their wounded."
Such a narrative may well excite incredulity. It in to
be feared, however, that there in too much truth in
the statement. A council of war having been held,
another move was resolved upon, and on the last day
of July the Russian army made a concerted attack
upon the Turkish position. Observation showed that
the Ottoman trooos were strongly entrenched, and
more numerous than was at heat supposed. Indeed,
the Correspondent, from whose graphic story of the
fight we gather the particulars, boldly aaaerts that
the Russians had far too few men in the field, and
that communication could not be maintained between
the divisions appointed to assail the Turks On the one
hand it is asserted that Krudener was slow in making
the attack, on the other that Prince Shackoskoy, like
another Rupert, was over hasty and unduly rash.
Defeat is attributed to want of unanimity. The
first position of the Turks was taken by the Prince,
and many fled before the advance of his men.
Krudener was not no fortunate. Notwithetamling the
moat persistent effort*, he failed to occupy the heights
above him. Charge after charge Wan mule, and the
troopa only fell back when ammunition failed them.
" Two companies of the Ruesian Infantry," ear the
Correspondent of our contemporary, 'did indeed
work round the flank of the Turkish works and dodge
Into the town of Plevna, but it was like entering the
month of hell." Ultimately the Turk. were victorious,
and the Russians withdrew in confusion. Then scenes
were enacted as darkness settled down upon the Valley of
Death, which are too common when actual fighting is
over. The Bashi - bar, .nks swat med over the battle-
field, and "lingering there on the ridge till the moon
rose, the staff could hear from down below the still
night air the cries of pain, the entreaties for mercy,
and the yells oh bloodthirsty fanatical triumph. It
was indeed an hour to wring the sternest heart" No
doubt a supreme effort will be made by the Russians
to redeem their defeat. They are placed in a most
critical position, and unless a forward movement can
be made by them the campaign may be brought to •
apeedy close. It is said that large bodies of troops are
marching to the support of General Krudener, and
that the Imperial Guard has been ordered to leave
St. Petereburg for Bulgaria. Under existing circum-
stances Nioopolis, Sisters, and Timova would appear
to be in danger, and if the Turks found themselvs
able to follow up victory they might drive the
Russians back across the Danube. The Czar, how-
ever, has immense reaoUnNea. and thousands of men
will yet be sacrificed, as thousands have already been,
In an attempt to reach Constantinople. In Rounielia
the Turks are also said to have defeated the Russians.
If each is the case the position of the Czar's troops
there must be almost hopeless. With a victorious
enemy in front of them, and the intricate passes of
the Balkans behind, they stand a great chance of being
cut to piece., unless the fortunes of war should once
more turn in their favour, ant the Grand Duke
Nicholsa succeeds in sending reinforcements to their
aid. Nees from Sarvia comes to the effect that the
militia will be called out, the object being to make a
military diversion with the view of compelling Osman
Pacha to weaken his army by sending detachments to
the Servian frontier. Taken altogether the condition
of affairs is calculated to excite deep interest in
!mope. The complications become more perplexing
every day, and what next may happen it would be
difficult to predicate. Of one thing we may be
certain —a fierce le is imminent, and that, too,
upon a scale compared which even the frightful
carnage at Menu will sink into insignificance.
DICIPERATI FIGHTING AT WORM).

raid appear
themselves

Mehemet Ali's attack o Rasgrad has ended successfully
after two day's meow fightini.
Th. Turkish lows were extremely heavy, the Russians
having fought with great determination.
Both armies still face each other, and the Bassians
having received reinforcements are preparing for • new
muck.
FURTHER RUSSIAN LOSSES.