New-York daily tribune., 1853-12-16
THE WAR ON THE DANUBE.

AS we have already observed, the retreat of the
Turks from Oenitza appears to indicate the conclu
sion of the first epoch Of the TurkoRussian with
it at least first and distinct series of operations, be-
ginning with the passage at Kaleat, seems to be
cluded to make room either for the tranquility Of win
ter-quarers for the execution Of plans not yet
developed. The moment seems opportune for review
of the campaign up TO that epoch the more so the
official and non-cical reports of the only action Of
consequence fought the Danube, the Russian attack
upon the Turkish tete-dupont at Oitentza are just
come TO hand.
On the 2Sth of October the Turks crossed from
Widdin to Kalefat. They were hardly disturbed in
tIeir occupation Of this point except by recOnnoerng
skirmishes; for when the Russians were the point
of concentrating effective force at Kraova for the
attack Kalefat. they disturbed by the news OF
q second and more dangerous advance Of the Turks,
who on the Cd of November, had crossed the Danube
at Oltenitza, whence they seriously menaced the Rus
sian communications Simulated and secondary at
tacks were at the time made by the Turks on the
whole line of the Danube from Widdin to Oltentz,,
but these either found the Russians well prepared,
were not undertaken with sufficient force to deceive
the enemy and lead him into any setious error.
The corps at Ksefat, therefore, remained unmo
Tested and gradually received relnforcements, which
are said to have sweled it to something like $4,000
But as this corps bas neither advanced or suf
fred repuse, may for the present leave it out of
consideration
The passage at Oltenza took place according to Omer
Pasha srepor in the following way Otenitza is village
situated near the confluence ofthe Ardgish Rverand the
Dsnube. Opposite the mouth of the Ardgish there is
an island in the Danube on the southern bank of this
r. IL; al
steep bank rising to COO 200 feet the top
Of which elevation the fort of Turtukai is constructed
The guns of Turtuka therefore, form most effective
support to any corps crossing the river at this
point On the lst Nov. the Turks crossed over to the
island and there threw up solid entrenchments during
the night On the I'd they crossed from this island to
the Wallachan shore, east Of the Ardgish Two
batalions with 100 horsemen and two guns passed in
boats to the Walschian side few gun-sbots from
Turtuksi drove the Russian ouposts from lazirett0
building situated near the river side and this building
which was Immediately taken possession of by the
Turks, proved great advantage to them 1t was mas
sively constructed, with vaulted chambers thereby
Offering with hardly any additional labor all the sdyan
>tsees of that great desideram in iel-ortiication
rtdut Consequently the Turks at once began throw
ing up enrenchments from the Ardgish to the Danube
four hundred men were kept constantly employed
gaars and fascines having been prepared beforehand
From all the reports receive, we can only concule
that these entertainments continuous lines cut.
ting of entirely every communication from The Russian
positions to the Turkish points of landing Fortifca
ston by continuous entrenched lines has been osg since
generally condemned and found ineffective; but the
special destination of this entrenchueu eut as bridge
head the fact that capital rtdrit was found ready
made, the want of engineers among the Turks, and
other circumstances peculiar to the Turkish armyInay
h7e rendered it, after all more advisable TO employ
this entiquated system In tie Arigish the Turks
found number of boats which were at once employed
together with what they had before, in the construc
ton Of bridge across the Danube. All the.e works
were nfsrly completed by the morning of Nov. 4.
II Olteniza thcs. the Turks had a mere bridge
head On the left bark of the Danube; the Turkish ar
NJ tad not crossed the river nor has done so since
but il lad c safe dthoueh6 the left bank, which
might he turned TO account the very moment when
sufficient force was concentrated at Turtukai They
he'd the beside OF taking eiher the right OF the