Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-12-01
.fortiam = intelligence.
A Decisive Battle looked for.-on learning

OF the defeat oil Dannenberg at OitenilZa Prince
Gortschakof, without delay, look measures 10 at
tack the Turks, ere they mad time to recover from
the casualties OF the former action. With this
view he left Bucharest the Sth, al the head of
$4,000 fresh troops; and, accompanied by his en-
tire staff, advanced upon Oltenitza. The Turks,
at that position, were only 5000 strong, less the
horS du combat Of the previous battle, probably
1000 in dead and wounded. This left but 5000
10 oppose the Russian general, but the Turks be-
ing III force higher on the river would, no doubt,
come up in time TO take part in the fray.
Al the date when our correspondent prepared
his dispatch, TUESDAY evening, the l5th,) rumors
were already flying thick that the battle had been
fought.
One account stated circumstantially that the
Turks had been dsastrously defeated and driven
across the river. Another asserted, no less posi-
lively, that the Russians had met with terrible
repulse. The locality of this battle is vaguely
called the neighborhood OF Bucharest. Another
report says between Widdin and Bucharest; and
third dispatch, promulgated by certain specula-
tors, said under the walls of Bucharest, and that
the Russians attribute to themselves the victory.
And yet, another account states that the fight took
place ut Krajova, which is the most likely ito be
correct as we learn that on the third instant the
Turkish force at Kalaiat was awaiting reinforce
ments TO march upon kraJova.
That battle has been fought, appears highly
probable. From Vienna we learn that fighting
going on near Bucharest, on the morning OF
the llth
Out of the confused and contradictory state
ments that circulated, correspondent en-
beavers 10 elucdate the respective position of the
hostile armies.
The Austrians have 10000 men spread along
their frontier.
The French and British have feet in the
of Marmora.
The Russians have feet Of about thirty heavy
ships on the Black sea.
The Turks have fleet Of about equal strength,
and under the command Of an EngIishman, (Ad-
miral Hade) part before Constanlnople and part
in the Black sea.
The Turks have 200 gun boats on the Danube !;
the Russians about half that number
The Turks, in alliance with the Circassians. and
having as auxiares many tried soldiers of Hun
gary, have force in Asia that gives the Russians
enough TO do to hold their own.
The Russians have now in the municipalities
$4,000 serviceable men and 10000 in hospital.
Their headquarters are at Bucharest, defended by
some hundred heavy guns. The army operates in
two divisions, commanded respectively by Gen.
Dannenberg, (already aogged) and Gortschakof.
The latter hold his various positions with suit
able garrsons and spare $4,000 men for the field,
either in conjunction with Dannenberg, or on his
own hook. They have communication open with
Russia, are well equipped. and passably well pro-
visoned. Strong reinforcements of infantry are
on the way, but cannot reach for five weeks
Cavalry reiniorcements are not intended to be
sent until spring. Old Paskiewtsch is totake the
command, and the emperor, 1t is expected, will
come the seat of War being now for
maly declared, the Russian generals may act on
the defensive, fthey can.
The Turks having crossed the Danaube are es-
tabshed at ten points, namely, kaarasch, oppo
site Sstra, at Ohenitza at an island opposite
Gulrgevo, (but not at Guirgevo ITSELF which is still
held by the Russians, although enthusiastically
bombarded by the Turks across the river al
Simnitza, at Turna, at Kaarasch at kalafat
where they have az 900 men; at Rustchuck, and at
Silistria. There are, besides, movements along
the Turkish side of the Danube that indicate an
80, l,o ul,.s laxr
down the stream, at Galatz, perhaps, with view
to turn the Russian flank Omar's quarters, and
base Of the Turkish operations, are at Shumla
He has already-taking the medium of conflicting
staements-s00o0 men across the river, and an
equal number between the Danube and the Bal
kan. His troops are well armed, equipped, fed
and in the meantime, paid, and he has in his army
officers of skill
A movement we may look for at an early date,
is an encounter between the main body of the two
armies.
For their respective positions, see map.
A notification from the Russian minister of
Finance gives warning that an embargo will be
laid on Turkish vessels in Russian harbors on the
22d Of November. On and after that date, Turk
ish merchant ssels will be declared lawful prizes
even although they may have other than Turkish
property on board Neutral flags will be respected
even after the commencement of hostllities. The
following is the text of the announcement:
NOVEMBER s. ls53.--In consequence of war
having been declared against Russia by the Otto
man Porte, the minister OF finance considers 1t III
to make the following communications to the
trade. The warlike operations which Turkey has
already begun against Russia put stop to all d.
rect intercourse between their respective subjects;
nevertheless the Porte has laid no embargo on
Russian vessels lying in her ports, and in her pro-
clamation promised to grant them limited period
for their free departure for whatever port they
may please at the same time the Porte promised
not to hinder the free passage of merchant ships
of friendly powers through the slraghts leading to
the Black sea-
Promoted by feelings OF justice, the Russian
government, on its part, offers free exit TO the
Turkish vessels that happen to be in her ports up TO
the 10th (22d) November, of this year furthermore,
if even after the expiration of this date, our cruz
sers should fall in with Turkish vessels loaded
with goods belonging to lie subjects of those
powers with whom Russia is in friendly inter-
course, and their cargoes recognized as invioable,
ifthe ships documents prove that they were loaded
by the aforementioned date. Further as the
Porte has not exempted the mercantile navy of
Russia from the rigorous measures which are JUS
tilted by the rules of war, cruisers also will
chase Turkish merchant ships on the sea, and in
the event Of capture, the vessels themselves, as
well as their cargoes, will be considered as right
full sea prizes, although the cargoes seized under
Turkish flags may not have been Turkish prop
erty but belong TO subject of friendly power.
To the navigation of merchant ships of neutral ma
tons even during warlike operations on the part
of Russia, full freedom will be allowed. CONNER
be permitted enter and leave our ports at will.
Besides this in consequence Of the rupture of that
general intercourse between Odessa and Constan-
tinople which was carried on by Russian steamers,
our government, appreciatng the importance Of
this intercourse TO trade in general, has empow-
cred the company, Lloyds) during the war, 10
keep up the regular communication between
Odessa and Constantnople by means OF steamers.
in which they al liberty to transport not only
passengers and goods, but also correspondence"
The Paris Steele says that letter OF the 30th
utimo, from Constantinople, announces that the
Turkish government has defnitvcly set aside the
project of arrangement proposed by Lord Red
cliff. Reschid Pacha has declared. in the name
of the ministry and of the grand council of the
empire, that the war having broke out in spite OF
the forbearance shown by the Porte there was no
longer any question of the solution Of special
point. A new treaty must now regulate the rela-
lions between Turkey and Russia, and the Sultan
hopes with the aid of God and his allies, that the
new treaty will raise solid barrier against that
Russian ambition that necessarily endangers the