The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1853-12-07
Turkey and Russia.

Inc Lonuon news OF the 10th; |
The more recent dispatches from the |
Danube, though still sufficiently laconic,
when combined with those which preceded |
them, enable us now to infer, with terrible |
precision, the great outline of the plan up
on which the Turkish generalisslmo is
bringing his army into action. Unless ap-
pearances are very deceitful indeed, he is |
handling the forces at his disposal with
skill, showing that to his en-.
ergy and promptitude he adds rare gift
OF skilllul and comprehensive combination.
Let US glance over the field where the
hostile iorces are now arrayed. The prov
moe Of Wallachia approaches in its super.
tisial coniguration to parallelogram of
nearly 800 miles in length by about $50
in breadth. On the south. south, and
southeast, it is bounded by the Danube.
From the neighborhood of Orsowa to lit
tie beyond Windin, the course of that riv.
,er is nearly from north to south; and from
the latter point TO the vicinity Of Silistra its
general course is from west to east; and
thence to Galatz it flows from south to
north. The northern boundary Of the
province, for distance Of some 200 miles
from its western extremity, is a mountain
range; thence to its eastern extremity an
affluent OF the Sereth, which flows eastward
from where the mountains terminate, and
the Sereth itself to its embouchure in the
Danube. The portion of the province
which is enclosed or three sides by the
Danube, is generally low and fat; to the
north, it gradually rises TO the base Of the
mountains.
The western part OF the province. be-
tween the western frontier and the river
-Argish-comprisingsfully two-,hirds Of the
whole-is divided into three pretty equal
parts by the valleys ofthe Schyl and Aluta.
flowing from the northern mountains at
right angles to tie Danube. The Schyl
and the Argish rise on the southern decliv-
ity of the mountains; the Aluta rises to the
north Of the chain and breaks through it,.
The part of Wallachia which lies to the
eeat Of the Argish, is bisected by the Ja-
lemoritza. which flows from west to east
The Turkish or southern bank Of the Dan
ube from Orsowa to where it again turns
northward, after flowing nearly 800 miles
from west 10 east is high and abrupt; the
Wallachian low and apt to be oyer1owed.
Aiiule to the north oil the point at which
the course Of the river turns from south to
east, is Windin, on the Turkish, and oppo.
site to Kalafat on the Wallachan bank;
commanding the mouth of the Schyl as
Rahowa, on the Turkish bank; command
ing the mouth Of the Aluta as Nikopoiis.
on the Turkish bank; midway between the
mouths of the Aluta and Argish is Rust.
chuk, on the Turkish, and opposite Giur-
gewo:on the Wallnchian bank. Bucharest
Is situated ne arly north Of these places, al
q distance of some sixty miles, on ar af.
fluent of the Argish, which intervenes be-
tween ii and them. Turtukia is situated
on the Turkish bank. opposite the mouth
OF the angle formed by that river and the
Danube al the Argish; Olteniiza on the
east Of the Argish, in the junction. Siis-
lria stands on the Turkish bank of the
Danube, near the point where the river
turns to the north, and Schumla is some
eighty miles to the south Of it.
The principal Russian force is concen
trated between Bucharest and the Danube
but parties had been thrown out in advance
as far as Kalafat. Some OF these parties
were pretty strong, but still this was dis
persing the army over longer line Than
Its numerical amount warranted. We OBJ
serve attempts are being made TO palate
this mistake OF the Russian commander
by alleging that he had been led to expect
support fsom Austria, which is now with
held. When the faithless, Jesuiiical char.
acter Of the Austrian government is taken
into account. this story looks plausible; il
Il
aItertIiought, to screen the siratigetical
blunder Of the Russian general. The
main body Of the Turkish army was. con-
cenirsted in the region between Silistria
and Schumta; a strong body of troops was
posted at Sophia, in the. rear Of Widdin
aAnd the communication was kept up by O
chain Of posts. The Turkish troops have
hitherto been healthy; according to the la
test accounts from Bucharest there are al
present I2, 900 Russian soldiers in hospital
there The advanced period of the sea-
son, and The want Of roads. render it diff.
ficult If not impossible for the Russians to
receive speedy reinforcemenis; the commu-
nication of the Turks from Siiistria with
vama-either direct or by Schumla-is
open and easy.
Keeping in view the outline sketch we
have given oI the country and its principal
positions, and the account Of the relative
position and condition Of the two armies,
we are in a condition to appreciate the
movements that have been made by Omar
Pacha. From Widden corps d. armee
has been thrown into Western or Lesser
Wallachia, amounting, according to the
most recent accounts, to 12 900 men; and
the force stationed round Sophia is stated
10 be advancing to support them. The
Russian troops in that part of Wallachia
have fallen back without offering any Sc
fious resistance. There is talk of iheil
making stand behind the Schyl, but a
present they appear TO be in full retrea
towards Bucharest. On the Eastern OIL
Lower Danube strong body Of Turkish
forces has been thrown across near the
mouth Of the Argish. No less than 10 00C
men crossed from Turtulai TO Oltenitza
they were attacked by the Russians, bu
made good their footing; after combat o
three hours the Muscovites retreated. with
q loss nf several ofieers and 00O nrivat tes