The New York herald., 1877-12-11
PLRVNA FALLEN.
O5man Pacha Surrenders
Internationally.
AN UNSUCCESSFUL SORTIE.
Attempting to Cut His Way Out
Toward Widdin.
CONDITION OF HIS TROOPS.
Talk of Mediation Already
Begun.
CONDITION OF HIS TROOPS.
A GREAT BATTLE GROUND.
History Of the Events Which Led Up to the
Great Capilulation.
lpy CABLE TO TIE HERALD.

[DY CABLE TO TIE HERALD.
LONDON Dec. II. 1877
This day will witness scenes of the wild
est excitement in London. All the morn
ing papers print despatch from the Ro-
manul, of Bucharest, dated from that
city ut nine o'clock last night declaring that
Osman Pacha surrendered Plevna on Sun
day, and that all the Turkish Notifications
are in the possession of the Russian and
Roumanian armies.
AN UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER.
It appears that sortie brought on se-
we're engagement, which was crowned with
complete disaster, and after being severely
wounded Osman surrendered uncondition-
ally.
soRTIE TOWARD wIpDIN.
The Agence Russo makes the following
announcement:-"Osm Pacha attempted
to break through in the direction of Widdin.
GLORIOUS FIGHT.
''He was attacked in front and rear, and
was compelled to lay down his arms un-
conditionally after glorious struggle, in
which he was seriously wounded.
EVEN HIS ENEMIES PRAISE.
"All with one voice praise his conduct.
STARVATION.
''The Turks in Plevna were dying Of hun
ger and cold.
''There is great joy here Bucharest is
covered with flags"
DESPAIR AND RELIEF.
All the pent up anxiety and hope Of the
friends Of Turkey in England will come to
an end to-day. A cruel and crushing blow
has been dealt to the blatant panagerists
who have for months past been telling of
the prowess of the Turkish troops.
WHY DID he TAfL2
Osman will cease to be hero, although
reports from official Russian sources speak
Of his courage in the hour Of d eieat; still,
he has failed and the Turkophiles of Eng
land will never forgive him.
WHAT WILL FOLLOW?
Strange to say, this blow will cause o
shock, although it has been expected
for days. Only last evening it was
the subject of almost universal dis
cussion in the clubs. The proposition as
put usually took the following form:-
''After Plevna-what? To-day the people
Of England must make up their minds. It
will be interesting to know what the verdict
will be.
The Times urges that the moment has now
arrived when mediation between Russia and
Turkey is possible, and it is to be hoped
that the British government will use all
efforts to that effect
THE STORY OF PLRvNA how osMAN PACHA
CONVERTED AN OPEN BULGARIAN TOWN INTO
FORTIFIED POSITION THAT STAYED THE
RAPHY OF THE VALLEY OF THE aRAvITzA
gIvER-THE FoRTIFIcAr1oNs OF pLEvNA.
To form estimate of the military valuo OF Plevns
is necessary to revert to tho early movements Of
tho Russian army long before the Danube was crossed
sither at lbrail and Galatz sstova 1t will
be remembered that during tho period preceding tho
Invasion OF Bulgaria much hesitation was displayed
by the Russian generals TO tho line OF thor main
m avon noy
conditions presented themselves and caused modifca-
tions in the Russian plans which tended 10 delay
their execution until far into tho summer season.
Much Of the criticism launched at the Russian gen.
erai staff was the outgrowth OF tho imp patience Of
special correspondents at the mcthodicai ana ap-
parently timid conduct OF the operations pecos.
sary for the concentration OF the army at
strategical positions in Roumania. Every BODY
anxious that something should bo dono
to relieve tho mouotooy Of tho marching and
countermarching that was going on north OF tho
Danube without any effect on the arrangement Of tho
defence beyond causing the moyeme 1t
OF Turkish troops along the south bank or tho river
But the meaning OF all these movements became vcrv
apparent when the Russians had developed their plan
Of attack and commenced to execute IL with charac
tsristic energy and remarkable success.
THE PHYSICAL DIFFICULTIES IN THE Way
Although the Danube presented TO Russians lopo
sud apparently vulnerable line Of Turkish deoncc 4,
vas by no such, considering the magnitude Of
thc proposed operations From Sstova Giurgcvo op
posto Rustchuk. and thence 10 Katarasch, opposite
sils,ria and thence to lbrail, the northern bank
OF the Danube is low swamp often over
flowed In the spring and fall Of the year and
always maiartous. With the exception Of tho points
referred marking the subdivisions OF the length
Of this marsny region there arc available places
where troops could be concentrated for crossing by
roads leading from the interior lines Of communca-
ton IN Roumania to the river Hence. with regard to
tho points Of crossing the choice was limited to tho
few named, and each OF these was masked by Turk.
tsh fortress we'll garrisoned and equipped. Be-
aides the river itself was actually In posses.