The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1877-07-05
A DOOMED CITY.
Vivid Description of the Bombardment of
Rustchuk-Death in the Streets and Be-
hind the Batteries-Fhght of the Terrified
TnIra hitop
is dead.

HlIu 1Alo DdCCeTles-ElgnCO OF the Terrified
Inhabitants. ta
[Rustchuk Cor New York Herald
Suddenly from one of the Russian bat
terles fash was seen in the center of a
globe of grayish white smoke, anda shell
sped screaming over Rustchuk to explode
on the slope OF the hill crowned by Fort
Hanamdji. 1t was the signal for the
bombardment. Immediately after it
seemed as if every Russian gun was
fired simultaneously, for the earth fairly
trembled with the roar of the artillery
and the shells flew over the doomed city
with an awful and Understandable sound.
Although the Roumanian shore above,
below, and in front of Giurgevo was en-
tirely obscured by the smoke from the
Russian guns the Turkish batteries
promptly opened an answering fire, and
soon nothing could be seen on the river
banks but dense rolling volumes of
smoke, through which, almost every two
seconds, flashes would dart like light
ming through storm clouds. Boom.
boom, went the Turkish guns, with an
uninterrupted regularity, although the
Russian shells were falling in and around
the works with fatal precision.
This extraordinary artillery duel was
maintained at range of not more than
5000 yards. The guns on both sides
being heavy pieces, the fire was direct
and the trajectory of the missiles very
fiat. Consequently every object hit in
Rustchuk was rent and torn bv pene-
tration or demolished by the explosion
that followed. The effects of the Turk
ish fire could only be observed at inter-
walls, when the smoke would clear lit
tie; but it is evident that considerable
damage was inflicted on the Russian
batteries.
The terribly effective character of the
Russian fire can scarcely be described.
The gunners seem to have directed
every shot at Rustchuk without regard
to the buildings liable to be injured.
Shell after shell came crashing through
the roofs Of the houses and burying
themselves in the floors, where they ex-
ploded, demolishing the walls. The
mosques seemed to be selected as par
tlcular targets at times, for two, three
and often more shells would fall on and
around them, tearing pinnacle and dome
with fearful effect.
Not even the hospitals were spared by
this awful rain of shells. Several of
these buildings happened to be quite ex-
posed, and, although surrounded by
flags indicating their character, they
we're involved in the storm and their in
mates In many cases were killed in their
beds. This has caused the utmost in
dlgnation among the Turks, and the
authorities have requested the foreign
Consuls to testify to the occurrence, SO
that the Porte may make formal pro-
test against what it deems to be uncivil-
lied warfare.
Although the flags Of England and
other European powers were displayed
over their respective consulates, the
Russian fire did not spare these build
ings. The guns we're aimed at Rust
chuk and everything animate aRd mani
mate within its limits. Shells have no
neutrality and do not discriminate be-
tween consulates, mosques and hospi-
tails.
The unfortunate inhabitants of Rust
chuk suffered terribly during the bonn
bardment Hid away in deep recesses,
or sheltered behind thick walls, the
Russian shells found and destroyed
them. AS they darted through the
streets toward places of greater security
their bodies were scattered in fragments
by the explosion of these terrible mis-
siles. Women flying from their burning
or ruined homes were killed as they ran.
Little children, clasped in the arms of
their terrified parents, were struck dead
by the fatal fragments. The scene was
one of unqualified horror throughout.
Such of the people as could muster up
courage to fly from their hooks of shell
ter have hurried away to the interior.
The ruin of the town is almost complete,
but the Notifications are practically in
tact and not much damaged.