Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-08-03
THE RUSSIANS IN TURKEY.


.4leiier from an English officer at Constanlinople
May 2, Isss.-ln my last told you we were
on the eve Of great events. We have at present
here eleven Russian sail Of the line, feet OF
transports, and a land force OF between so aud
40 600 men. The first division occupy, as IN
formed you, an intrenched camp at ScutarI, on
the Asiatic side; the second are encamped in the
beautiful valley Of Bujuxdsre.
cannot say much for the appearance OF the
Russian men of war; they are clumsiy built
their very masts slovenly, and from their manner
Of hauling down their top gallant yards, should
nronounce them mere fresh water sailors. Still
have no doubt they will give good account OF
the Egyptian feet, should the tide of events de-
cree that thew shall come athwart them. No
thing can exceed the good understanding between
the Sultan and his Russian allies, who have him
as fairly in their nets as lion III the tolls OF
hunter.
The morning Of the 2s,h uItimo was fixed for
grand review Of the Russian troops at BuJud.
kee, BY the Grand Signeior in person. The day
dawned beautifully, aud the novelty OF the sight
reused even the apathetic indifference OF the Us.
manlis, who repaired in crowds to the scene OF
action.
The number Of troops on the ground amount
ed to about 90. 600, independently OF brigade
Of Turkish tactico Infantry, and four squadrons
of the Sultan's Hussars. The Russian infan.
try were in contiguous columns OF battalions
or grand divisions. The artillery ON the right,
likewise 10 column par densie batterie;' the ca.
valry. composed entirely Of Cossacks, formed
the second line.
The appearance Of the Russian troops under
arms greatly disappointed me. They were un-
der sized, and their fat CalmOuc swarthy faces
reminded me forcibly Of the Colombian troops
whom had seen years before in South America
Their appointments aud uniform were however
in the best military taste, and in the highest or,
der; and the different formations were executed
with the greatest seadlness and precision. though
with by no means the celebrity OF the British or
French troups. This observation does not how.
ever amply to their artillery-it was beautifully
formed; the .materlel' simple and solid, and NOV
ed with rapidity equal to our own. Oh their
science and instruction / can OF course say no.
thing.
About eight o'clock, the thu1 der of artillery
frum the castles on the Asiatic shore, and from
two Turkish ships and the Russian fleet IN the
Bosphorus, announced the approach OF the Grand
Syneior. On landing from his state barge, he
immediately mounted a beautiful Arabian, and,
accompanied by all the great officers OF state aud
a numerous retinue. rode to the ground, where
he was received by General Mouravief at the
head Of a brilliant staff The Grand Signeior
wore a richly embroidered dark brown green
Uuzzar uniform, light pantaloons, and hessian
boots, with fixed spurs; even the turban was re-
placed by the red fez with diamond aigrette.-
The major part of his train with the new unit
form, but none Of them, remarked. approached
so closely to the European model as the Sultan
himself. Some still preserve the Mameluke
costume, and as they spurred their Arab chargers
across the plain. their appearance was god-l,ke'
The Russian staff, glitterins as it did with stars
and embroidery, looked poor beside this gor'
geous costume.
was so fortunate as to obtain a very near
view Of Mahmoud on this occasion, and it struck
me, though perhaps it was only fancy, that his
pale marble countenance wore an air Of deep de-
lection; but as he rode along the Russian line, as
their hurrahs peeled in his ears, and as their ca.
giles were lowered before him, recollection OF the
fates of the Princes Of Georgia, the Kavats OF the
Krimea, the Kings of Poland, and the dark cloud
of uncertainty that hangs over the fortune Of his
own empire, may have flashed across the memory
of the unfortunate Sultan, and saddened his
brow.
The recollection Of this day will be indeli5ly
stamped on the tablets Of my memory: the pictu-
rescue variety and beauty OF the costumes, the
glorious pomp aud circumstance Of war, the mag.
ni6cence Of the surrounding scenery, that has be-
held SO many revolutions OF breed and empire,
and tina, is now on the eve Of another, that will
reconstruct, upon new basis. the civilization OF
the East. produced in the mind train OF sensa-
t;ons and reflections It would be in vain to at
tempt to describe. The Russian troops are
strictly kept within the precincts OF their IN.
trenched camp. at Scutari, with view OF giving
as little umbrage to the Turks as possible; for the
feelings Of the ConstantinoPolitans towards the
dogs OF Moscow are well known. With the ex.
ceptiOn Of the staff, the Russian officers are sci.
dom seen.