The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1854-07-05
On reaching the battery we found Mussa

On reaching the battery we found Mussa |
Pasha, the commandant of the garrison,
Russian Pasha, of Turtuk al celebrity, and
Colonel Grach. the Prussian instructor of
artillery; and while there we were particu-
larly struck with the admirable manner in
which the Turkish ar,illerymen worked
their guns. Their mortar practice was ex-
cellent, most Of the shells bursting in or
Immediately over the Russian batteries.
The practice Of the enemy was very SLOW
emily, and on the whole Indifferent. as our
list OF casualties only show one chasseur
and horse killed, peasant and child in
the town wounded, and trading shallop
on the bank Of the river destroyed.
AS an instance of the carelessness of the
Russian artillery, we found an eight inch
she'll fired by them with the fuse uncapped,
and was told this was by no means rare
occurrence. Considerable damage, how
ever, has beed done to the buildings OF the
town; and, as far as shattered roofs
and broken walls testify, the luckless in
habitants. who are the principal sufferers
on these occasions, have but small cause
to thank their would-be protectors.
Towards five in the evening an opposi-
ton cannonade was got up overhead, in
the shape of thunderstorm, and perfect
rainbow which followed appeared as if in
mockery Of the bellgerents below. who
we're hammering away at each other with
such hearty good will. The Russians
seem to be carrying on their operations
with great activity and energy. They have
very nearly completed a zig gag of ap.
Iproach across the island Of SchiblaE. On
the morning of the 18th, we observed a
battery of four guns had been thrown up
during the night on the adjacent island ol
Salhane. which had not been previously
occupied by them.
During the whole Of this forenoon (the
12th) the enemy seems to be engaged in
transporting ammunition and stores from the
mainland to the Island of Hopper, as their
boats and shallops made frequent passages
from one side to the other; and towards
evening large bodies Of infantry were seen
moving down to the waters edge, for the
purpose, as we concluded. of being thrown
, into that island. No attempt has been
{ made to cross as yet. and it seems to me
that the enemy are much more likely te
take advantage of the position they have
now obtained in the Dobrudscha, to throw
across force and march against this place
by Rassava and Beilik.
:. Had Mustapha Pasha, when he retired
, in disorder through the Dobrudscha, re
tanned the line of the kara-su. the siege
OF Sillistra would have been much more
difficult affair than it is now, as the pass
age from the island must always be con
I siderable obstacle TO an assailant. Hat
the line of kara-su then been retained
q which, | believe, was quite possible, tn
siege would have been very differen
affair. as the great obstacle, viz: the pas
sage OF the Danube. is now overcome.
The Turks have not been idle, ,and Muss
, Pasha is indefaigable in his exertions.
My companion, Capt. J. A. Bntler, Ceylol
Rifles, and myself, have rendered our ser
vices during the siege. AS we are in 70
\ it, you may expect a more full account 0
it as soon as Omer Pasha or the allie
Generals may deem II fit to raise the siege
News has just come in that large bod
9 OF Russians is within twelve miles of thi
place, and they have succeeded in drivin
4 in our cavalry outposts at Yonikoi with
!, loss on our side of forty men killed an
! wounded. To morrow we may expect {
!, see them here.