The Sun.
London, England, 1853-11-07 00:00:00

THE RUSSIAN AND TURKISH ARMIES,

The following letter is from the European staff-
officer, dated Shumla, Oct. 15 :
" You are aware that a commander-in-chief is of as
much importance as the whole army. Do you believe,
for instance, that the ill-clothed and half-starved French
battalions would have commenced at Montenotte a series
of uninterrupted victories, which lasted fifteen years,
without a Bonaparte ? I have now been a month at
Shumla, and have had occasion to know Omer Pacha,
the seraskier, and will tell you what I think of him. He
is a most frank, disinterested, and loyal man—a zealous
friend to the land of which he has become a subject, and
to the army which he commands, and which he has
brought to a state of great perfection. His personal ap-
pearance is handsome, and he possesses very great per-
sonal courage. His age may be about fifty-six. To this
you must add great military instruction and experience,
and a natural instinct for military affairs.
" With such qualities, he has, as you may easily
imagine, an irresistible influence over the forces he com-
mands, possessing their full confidence. By origin a
Croat, he was educated in the military schools of his
country. When yet very young he left the Austrian
service and repaired to Constantinople, where he made
himself master of the Turkish language. He was ap-
pointed to a situation in the War Department. The
Sultan Mahmoud created him major in the army, as a
recompence for his services whilst thus engaged. He
has since risen to the highest posts. He owes his pre-
sent position to his sword, and has been a marshal for
several years. He successfully commanded the Turkish
troops in Syria,•Bosnia, and Montenegro.
"I speak of him. thus particularly in order to point
out all the elements which Turkey at this moment dis-
poses for the war. lam also desirous of contradicting
the report spread not long since that Omer Pacha was
a Hungarian sergeant, a deserter from the Austrian
army, who had all of a sudden been made marshal of
the empire and grand seraskier. The chief of his staff is
Major-General Ahmed Pasha, who has studied at Vien-
na. He was director of the military academy at Pera,
and unites much instruction to zeal and ability.
"Mustapha Pasha, Reis Pasha, or president of the
council of the army, occupies a situation which does not
exist in European armies. He is an energetic, active
man, and has the appearance of a good soldier. The
chief head-quarters of the seraskier are also composed of
some other superior officers, educated at the military
academies of Vienna ; and of many young officers who
have received their education at the military college of
Pera. The fortifications that have been constructed
under their auspices, along the line of the Danube,
speak favourably of their ability.
"I brought from Europe the most incorrect notions
of the Turkish army, which my journey to Shumla has
succeeded in rectifying. Hitherto I thought that per-
sonal valour, united to ferocity, disorder, and indiscip-
line were the main features of the Moslem force, and I
attributed to these troops as much energy in the at-
tack as disorganisation and panic afterwards. The
foreign officers and the German instructors, who have
rendered the greatest services to this army, and who
well know it, assure me, however, that the Tur-
kish soldier is made of good stuff, jovial and obe-
dient, and very enduring under hardships. The
rapidity with which the new recruits who have just been
incorporated are instructed, proves beyond all things the
aptitude of these people for military purposes. All the
elements for forming an excellent army exist. A few
years' time for development—and let the military
academy of Pera be increased in proportion with the
army, by educating a greater number of young men
there—let the position of the lieutenants and captains
be ameliorated—and the army will be as good as those
of the Western Powers.

"As it is, this army is infinitely superior to the
opinion in which it is generally held, and, to judge of it
by the forces at present concentrated at Shumla, it may
be safely stated not to be behind any army for precision
in tactics and the manoeuvres of the three arms - in-
fantry, cavalry, and artillery united. You will see that
if war really commences, and the Gordian knot, which
diplomacy has but the more entangled, has to be cut by
the sword, the army will do its duty well. The rest
will depend on grand combinations, on the latitude
given to the seraskier (Omer Pasha) for his operations,
and on good fortune and chance, which, after all, play
a great part in all wars.

I think I have already told you that this army num-
bers at present about 100,000 men, regular and irregular
soldiers. Other 16,000 men are being drawn together
behind the Balkan—formed out of the reserve of Rou-
melia ; but if hostilities commence, I do not see why it
should not be reinforced by 72 pieces of artillery, and
by other battalions of Muazaf, of whom eight or ten re-
giments still remain at Constantinople, in Bosnia and
other parts.

" The Russian army, is stated to be good and well-
looking. It numbers three corps d'armee, the 3d, 4th,
and sth. This united force ought to amount to 180,000
men, but from what I learn it does not exceed 150,000
of whom 10,000 to 12,000 are regiments of cavalry. To
these are to be added 6,000 Cossacks from the Don, and
10,000 men of cavalry of reserve. Thus there is a total
of 166,000 men, with a great proportion of cavalry. A
month ago, the 4th corps d'armee, under General Dan-
nenberg, which entered the Principalites by two roads—
the one along the Danube, by Ibraila, Lucsin, and
Slobozie ; the other in the interior, by Foksan, Buszeo,
and Bucharest—occupied the whole of the Danube from
Galatz to Sistov, whose left bank was guarded by the
light cavalry of the sth corps.
" The fifth corps d'armee was spread from Ismail to
Galatz, and General Luders was at Reni. The 3d
corps d'armge, under the orders of General Osten
Sacken, after from thirty-five to forty marches from
the province of Mohilew, arrived on the banks of the
Pruth. This army crossed the river, and advanced
into the Principalities ; for which reason the corps
d'armee was obliged to extend itself towards the Upper
Danube and to Rahova.
" A park of artillery, 60 siege-pieces, was also ad-
vancing to Bucharest. The Russian flotilla, composed
of 80 gunboats;,,+ is still at Braila ; and though it ap-
peared that they proposed remounting the Danube,
they arrested their movements in consequence of the
energetic measures adopted by the Mussulman army.
" All the preparations—amongst others the maga-
zines of biscuits established at GiurgeTo and Zimuitza—

predict the passage of the Danube between Rutschuk
and .Silistria. Notwithstanding the excellent disposi-
tions taken on the right bank of the river, I tell you
that I think such a passage executable, even should the
Russians, in order to force their way with greater im-
punity, be obliged to draw up their flotilla from Ismail,
thus causing an alarm on the right bank. Remember
the passage of Lobau, before the battle of Wagram, On
a fixed point at which the Austrians had spent forty
days to entrench themselves, and were commanded by
the Archduke Charles, the best commander of the empire
in those wars.

" Want of energy on the part of a commander, 3
storm, delay in a message, able dispositions on the part
of the enemy, or well-calculated displays on other points,
may render such au operation possible. But, after all,
provided it is not thought easy to oppose the passage,
and no errors are consequently committed—provided
matters are so managed on the right bank, that all
enemy may find even on reaching it a united army tooppose him—this passage of the stream is not an essential
advantage, and the question will have to be decided
by battle. The enemy would have one sole real
vantage should he sucifeed in forcing the extended line
whilst the Ottoman troops are still drawn out along
it. The retreat of those who guard the lower Danube
at Dobrodgia would in that case be difficult, and the
others would have to concentrate in order to draw back,
choosing the point of meeting as much to the interior as
the line was long. In this case only would Russia have
successfully commenced the campaign, and might iro"
mediately march on Shumla, leaving a proportionate
body of troops to besiege Silistria and Riistshuk. These
calculations are without the knowledge of any of Omer
Pasha's plans ; but I feel confidence in him. If the re'
spective state of the two hostile armies is compared te,
that of the years of 1828 and 1829, it will be found thab
the relative advantage is decidedly in favour of Turkey;
for, whereas now the Russian army is one-third stronger
than the Turkish—Turkey is now at least thrice es
strong as it was then, both as regards the army itself
and the fortresses. A short time since ten Russian us'
serters arrived here, who swam across the Danube'
Several were drowned. They are Massulmen from the
Crimea, who, no doubt, are unable to comprehend wig
they should be ordered to fight for the triumph of the
Orthodox Greek faith.
" General Prim has arrived here. He is laid up with
the fever.
"I have not as yet given you an exact description of
the entrenched camp at Shumla.
"The mountain of Shumla belongs to that chain 01:
Balkan which is detached from the principal range at
the mountain of Deminkapu, and then extends in
parallel line to sea, from the west to the east. But this
mountain is nearly isolated, as it is very low in the
parts where it joins the chain to which it belongs. - The
mountain of Shumla has a circumference of from seven
to eight hours. All around it is abrupt and rocky, the
summit forming an extensive and almost hozizon7
Platform, about from 500 to 600 metres above the vel'
leys surrounding it, its sides and the top being in grett
part covered by thick and almost impenetrable brush
wood.

"Small inlets or valleys to be met with at intervals'
running more or less into it, in which there is sometimes
a village, from some of which a narrow path leads to thcei
top of the mountain, passing through the wood, ell
descending in an easterly direction to Shumla.
" The town is situated to the east, in the largest end
deepest valley, which has been compared to a horse-A°
the entry being to the east.
"This is consequently the only vulnerable part of the
place ; whilst to the west, south; and north it is aline'
wholly protected by the nature of the mountains and the
woods, which render all approach impossible.
"But this opening to the east is well fortified by
range of detached forts, which are built up against the
reeky side of the mountain, being thus able to open
°
cross-fire in the plain at the east.
."This chain numbers four forts of stonework, eacil
carrying from 25 to 30 pieces of artillery ; and 11 other
forts of earthen-work, capable of holding an entire re,
ment. This is to the east also.
"To the north, where the mountain, at the extremitf
of the horse-shoe, is more open, a parapet of earthy/era'
has been constructed, in addition to a stone fort ; 5
3,500 yards Ding, and is flanked by many outworks an
redoubts for its protection. It extends to where the
wood becomes impenetrable, crossing the roads leading
to Tirnova and Rasgrad.
,4 To the south and to the west the place is protecteg_
by the same woods, and there remain but a few of th
pathways above-mentioned which it has been considered
necessary to protect. Small works were sufficient Where
these paths approach the town. Omer Pasha has, 1101:
ever, fortified the entry of one of these inlets, which s;
easiest approached from the west of the mountain, st ah'"
village of Keutesch, two hours distant from Shun
Whilst he covered these roads, he has turned the wir„;
mountain of Shumla into a vast system of defence ; t°,l-0
making it possible to sally out from the camp by t'.th
valley to the east into the valley of Eseki Dschumay w 1„
all the disposable forces, against an army of observatl?;
and against the flank of an enemy who should attempt
cross the Balkan by those valleys in the range of hills. t
" The fortified mountain of Shumla thus commands sed.
the same time the two parallel valleys of Pravadi as
Kamehsick, which are separate from the range to White
it belongs ; thus shutting up the roads that lead ,
Adrianople by Aidas or by Kasamlick, because it 111`
naces their flank.
" The, position of Keutesch is excellent, and ife°
entrenched ; and 20 cannon, with 2,000 or 3,000 ine.n
a"'
are sufficient for its defence. Shumla will soon be 03eyw'
pletely armed by about 250 pieces of artillery of
is
calibre ; and whilst 25,000 men are sufficient fer
defence, it is capable of containing 100,000.
" The forts may be considered as all terminated oc/ks..
In 1828-29 nothing of all this existed—a few ontvier';s
thrown up of earth, and ill supplied with a/tine*
much the work of nature as of art.
" The actual state of things cannot be compared
to
it ; and I am of opinion that for the future the Goverii:
ment ought to carry out the defensive workft.tf Shtira,.4
rebuilding the old circle that closed the entry to
the
horse-shoe to the east, and also reconstructing t,e
parapet which has been built on the northern side 0f..4,we
mountain, not in earthenwork, but in masonry. .-LP,at.„
permanent detached outworks which at present o'l'4
and two other redoubts which have just been built
earth, are sufficient for outward defence. By the oui_..huk
of from 15,000,000 to 20,000,000 of piastres, the Tur
Government could erect a stronghold, and at the sai!ir
time an entrenched camp, which would not be inferl°re
to any fortress in Europe ; and they might for the fet°,_e
place more confidence in it than in all the passes of tvg
Balkan.
" How often, in the past wars, the Alps have bee,:
crossed the valley of the Po, and by that Of
arm,
Rhone, of the Rhine, and of the Inn ! Now that aryl%
possess greater mobility, why should they not be able '-
to
cross the Balkan, which is scarcely to be compared
the smaller chains of those mountains ?
" An army of from 60,000 to 70,000 men assembled
at Shumla, as is now the case, is a far greater i_urs;
pediment to the forced passage of the Balkan, vo
that range of hills doubly as intricate as they ali"_a .
But when the works above mentioned will have bee°
constructed, 50,000 men, out of a garrison of 60,000,
will be enabled to go out and act upon the offensit
whilst, as things are at present, a body of from 20,04
to 25,000 men must always be left in defence of tPt
camp. Ido not think that I exaggerate in saying tf
the seraskier can concentrate at Shumla a force
60,000 men, deducting the garrisons of Wilden,
shuk, Silistria, Varna, and Nissa. Such an army e°ls"
not at Shumla be attacked by less than double its feral;
It must be reckoned that the Russians, who are 165,1::/;°;
strong, will be obliged to leave 25,000 men in the Pi".
cipalities, to observe Widdin ; and 50,000 men to be:
siege and attack Rustshuk and Silistria. Thus 90,00 e
men would remain to act against Shumla —to besiee
the entrenched camp."

n Rutschuk
,ent dtsposi-
r, I tell you
❑ should the
greater iru-
from Ismail,

Remember
Wagram, On
spent forty
nmanded by
)f the empire

mmander, a
on the part
other points,
,ut, after all,
the paage,
;d—prossvided
,nk, that an
ited army to
t an essential
) be decided
sole real ad-,
xtended line
n out along
)wer Danube
ult, and the
o draw back,
ie interior as
Russia have
d might or
oroportionate
huk. These
my of Omer
1. If the re.
compared to
N 3 found that
r of Turkey ;
bird stronger
ast thrice as
army itself
Russian de'
the Danube'
ien from the
prehend why
Lumph of the

laid up with

lescription of

hat chain °l'
pal range at
extends jo
ta.,!,
3t. But this
low in those
elongs.
f from seven
I rocky, the
st horizont6l_,
ove the
eing in greet
trable broil"

at intervAlol
is sometimes
leads to the
wood, Oa
a largest and
a horse-eb°6

e part of the
h it is almost
tains and the

e.
fortified by •
against th.e
ble to open

rework, OA
and 11 otb°l:
entire or

the extreteiti
Df earthvill
Ins fort • it
kutworks &PL.
where 0'
roads leading

is protected
a few of 01
an consider&
fficient wile°
tha has, bOV'
Lets, which i 0
untam, a • t the
_,„
•om Shtillw7;
ed the vlll°-
efence • tb`w
1
amp by T 4
it.'ll
schuma,
observatioot
Lid attempt
ige of hills•
at
commands
Pravadi
nge to ww,„
that lead "-
cause it 0r

it, and lel 1
r 3,000 vie"'
soon be COI:
'ery of Jilts
.cient

ainated n°111:5
'esv outwor 55
artillery/

a to
compare
the Govel'
bf Shllo3l*
entry to tb
the
tructing
• the
'n side o
sonry. tr
nesent e
,n built 1213., °
ly the oily 6.7,„ ,
the Turko;
at the PO.
)t be inferior
Or the future
passes of tile

3 have beet!:
that of tr;
v that arral,„e'
of be able
compared t

n assembled
greater lir
alkan, Were
s they are'
1 have bee°
n of 60,0 A,
e offensio,,'
from 20,00 u
;fence of tlle.
saying ata_cf
a force
ilden R05;',1
army' cool
its force.
are 166,000
in the Prin,
men to be"
Chus 90,000
—to besiege

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