The Hillsborough recorder., 1877-08-08
A DOOMED CITY.

"
Suddenly from one of the Russian bat
teries flash was seen Ia the centre OF q
globe Of grayish white smoke, and shell
sped screaming over Rustcbuck to ex-
plode on the slope of the hill crowned by
Fort Hanamdji. 1t was the signal for the
bombardment' Immediately after. IL
seemed as II every Russian gun was fired
simultaneously, for the earth fairly trenb-
bled with the roar Of the artillery and the
shells few over the doomed city with al
awful and indescrlbable sound.
Although the Roumanian shore above,
below and IN front Of Giurgevo was en-
tirely oijscured by the smoke from the
Russian guns. the Turkish batteries
promptly opened an answering FIRE, and
soon nothing cnuld be seen Oh the rider
hanks but dense volumes Of smoke,
through which, almost every woseconds,
flashes would dart like lightning through
storm clouds. Boom, boom, went the
Turkisl, guns, with en- uninterrupted re-
gularity, though the Russian shells were
falling IN and around the works with q
fatal precision.
This extraordinary artillery duel was
maintained AZ range OF not more than
5000 yards. The guns on both sides being
heavy pieces, the fire was direct end the
trajectory OF the missiles very iiat Con-
sequently every object hit in RustchGck
was rent and torn by penetration or de-
'molshed by the explosion that followed.
The effects OF the Turkish fire could only.
be observed at intervals, when the smoke
would clear little; but 1t 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 Al Ruschulk without regard to the
buildings liable 10 be injured Shell after
shell came crashing through the roofs Of
the houses and burying themselves In the
floors, where they exploded. deusolishing
the walls. The mosques seemed 70 be
selected rs particular targets ut times, for
two, three. and often more shells would
fall on aud around them, tearing pinnacle
and dome with fearful effect.
Not even the hospitals we're spared by
this awful rain ofshells. Several Of these
buildings, happened to be quite exposed,
and. although surmounted by flags In
dicating their character, they were in
volyed In the storm and their Inmates IN
many cases were killed Ia their beds.
This has caused the utmost Indignation
among the Turks, aud the authorities
have requested the foreign consuls 20 tcs-
tify to the occurrence, 50 that the porte
may make formal protest against what
Il deems TO be uncivilized warfare.
Although the flags Of England and
other European powers were displayed
over their respective consulates, the Rus
Sian Gre did not spare these buildings.
The guns were aimci at Rustchuk and
everything animate aud inanlmats with
10 is limits. Shells have no neutrality
and do not discriminate between consula-
tca, mosques and hospitals.
The unfortunate inhabitants Of Rust
chuk suffered terribly during the boni
bardment' Hid away In deep recesses,
or sheltered behind thick walls, the Rus
sian shells found and destroyed them.
AS they darted through the streets to-
ward places Of greater security their
bodies were scattered In fragments by the
explosion Of these terrible missiles. wo-
men flying from their burning or ruined
homes were killed as they ran. Little
children, clasped In tho arms Of their ter
rifed parents, were struck dead by the
fatal fragments. The scene was one ofun-
qualified horror throughout.
Such ofthe people as could muster up
courage tofiy from their uooks Of shelter
have hurried away 20 tho interior. The
ruin ofthe town ln almost complete, the
Notifications are practically intact and
not much damaged.
s.s~~~-~s--~s.-~s.
Love Il n big thing; it karm0nizes and