The Portland daily press., 1877-06-06
ON THE DANUBE.
No Russia ms Across the River.

LONDON, June ga correspondent at Rust
chuk says that despite the reports published in
English journals, not single Russian soldier
has yet crossed the Danube. Attention is now
concentrated on Nicopolis and Oltenitza, but
everything now is comparatively quiet at those
points.
The same correspondent gives an account of
gallant exploit by band of Cireassians ard
Bashi- Bazouks, about 100 in number. They
volunteered to cross the river at midnight in
the face of the Russian batteries, and capture
the Russian sentinels. They succeeded in sur
rounding the guard house, attacked the guard,
killed several Russians, and took some prison.
ers. They also captured 30 head of cattle. An
examination of the prisoners revealed the fact
that Giurgevo and the neighboring villages
were crowded with Russians. Much excite
ment was created by the statement by one of
the prisoners that Bulgarian church in Rust
chuk had been undermined by Russian
intriguers with view to having it blown up,
and the Turks accused of the crime, so as to
arouse the indignation of the neigh3oring
Christian states
The Number and Condition Of the Turk
ish Army-strength of the Danube
Fortresses.
The Times correspondent with the Turkish
army says the Turkish army on the Danube is
slightly deficient in artillery and very deficient
in cavalry. The cause is exclusively for the
want of money. The Turkish government
have still more than 400 breech-loading cannon
idle at Constantinople for want of horses and
harnesses, and there are multtudes of men
we'll qualified to be dragons. bat there is no
money to mount them. The armament of
troops is all that is perfect The infantry have
Martini army rifles and the cavalry Winchester
rifles. According to most trustworthy informa-
ton the present strength of the army, exclusive
of reserves in course of formation on the other
side of the Balkans, is $50 battaliOns of in
fantry Y squadrons of horse 800 cannon and
about 5000 fortress artillery and engineers.
OF these 45 battalions arei stationed at Wild
din, 36 at Rustchuk, 65 at Shumla, % at Varna
and 36 at Silistra. The remaining 20 battal-
ions are devided between Nikopolis, Sistera,
Danubian Bulgaria Every battalion on an
average is assumed to contain $50 men. The
contributions from Nsh are considerably be-
low this standard, but on the other hand num-
bers of Redif battalons have 1000 men and
even more. Therefore the total number of in
fantry is about 172, 600, and of cavalry, reckon
ing 100 men to squadron. 1900. Accordingly
the army of the Danube, including the fortress
artillery and engineers, is close upon 100000.
AS to organization there is want of every
thing indispensable in technical unity and sys-
tenn. Until within.a few weeks there were no
divisions, brigades or regiments. The battal-
ions lay scattered about without often knowing
from whom to receive orders. After the decla-
ration of war the divisions and brigades were
formed, but this was of little practical value
when it is considered that the troops and COM
manders were changed about at the caprice of
one superior officer.
The army is virtually directed from Con-
stantinople where all the movements are plan
ned and orders issued by the SO called Council
of War. This council is composed of num-
Der of generals who are mere puppets in the
hands of a few ignorant upstarts. Abdul
Kerim Pasha is mere executor OF the Will OF
this body. He possesses military experience
and sharp judcious eye, but is wholly want
I'M in and Of rand action and
is seconded by no general staff.
As regards the fOrtresses in European Tur'
key incredible results have been accomplished
Widdin, Rustchnk, Silistria, Shumla and Var
ma, especially the last two, are now quite for
middle. The Notifications almost entirely
consist of independent works, mostly of earth,
but constructed in strict conformity with mod
ern principles OF armament That the Rus
slams will succeed, perhaps at no distant date,
in forcing the river is more than probable, but
it is equally certain that in face of the tough
and enduring qualities of the Turkish soldiers
they will ,only after the splitting of much blood,
force the barrier opposed to their onward prog
gress in the shape of the fortresses of the Dan
ube.
The River Falling.
CoNsTANTINoPLE June 5.-Travellers from
Rustchuk confirm tbs reports that the waters
of the Danube have fallen and say the impress
sion has been gaining ground during the last
three days that the Russians will very
shortly endeavor to cross the river Danube at
three different points, making Rustchuk the
chief object of their attack. All the women
have left the town. The foreign consuls except
the English leave in a few days.
Russian Pontoon Party Driven Off
New YORK, June ga Rustchuk special
says this morning the Russians while prepar-
ing to cross the river at this point and laying
their pontoon bridges from here to Guirgevo.
were surprised and retiring, the Turks took
possession of some heights in the rear of the
town and opened fire this morning with con-
siderable effect. The accuracy of the Turkish
fire was remarkable. Three boats were des-
troyed by it and it is evident they have gum
ners other than of Turkish extraction. No Rus
sian response. Russians seem disposed to
until ready to move in force.