The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1877-08-09
THE EUROPEAN WAX.

crossing the Danube had advanced with
very little formidable opposition into the
Turkish territory, beyond the Balkan
MountaiIm has met with serious check
by Il defeat ofn portion Of the Cars
army in n series of engagements fought
at Plevna about the Isl of July. The
position of the Russian army is very crit
ical if the reports be true, anu it is not
improbable that the invading army will
be forced 10 retreat back Of the Balkans.
1t is not improbable that the willy
Turk has permitted the invading army TO
advance without serious opposition, until
it has placed itself in position where
defeat is almost certain ruin. The pur-
suit Of this policy by the Turks may yet
prove the part Of mastery policy, and not
the evidence of weakness as ha, been
generally supposed The fate Of Russia
in Asiutic Turkey should have forcwarncd
the commanders Of her army in European
Turkey. The sratcgy which destroyed
the campaigu IN Montenegro WAS enough
TO convince the Empire of the Cross that
the soldiers Of the Crescent were not with
out leaders. 1t ltappcars from present in
formation that the Russian officers at
Plevna were over confident and reckless
in making the attack, and were simply
outgcncralcd. If Russia can concentrate
rcinforcements speedily, the impending
disaster many be checked, but the condi-
ton Of her advance, which has l."en made
more rapidly than prudently, is such as
To render rcinforcemcnts or concentration
almost impossible. II will require great
skill and rapidity Of movement to sustain
the Russian line beyond the Balk IN
range.
The following detailed account of The
engagement is from Turkish sources, but,
if true, shows the Russians to have been
very reckless in their attack of the Turks,
who literally overwhelmed them:
FIRST DAY.
LONDON, August 2, 1877.
a correspondent tclcgraphing from
Brlgarcni, fifteen miles east of Plevna,
gives detailed account Of the fighting of
Monday. The Turkish force was esti-
mated at 5000. They occupied series
Of positions which are naturally strong
and also artifcially fortified in every
available spot, forming horseshoe in
front Of Plcvna, with both hanks resting
on The river Vid. The Russian force
consisted of the Ninth army corps, under
General krudencr; the Thirtieth divis-
ion and Thirtietii brigade Of the Second
corps, under Prince Schackcsky, with
three brigades of cavalry and 160 guns.
1t was arranged that General Krudcner
should attack the Turkish centre Mt
Griy!ca and the northern flank Of the in
treDchcd position over Bahova, while
Schackesby attacked Radizvo, and Gen
eral Skobelcff, Jr., held in check strong
Turkish force at Looca, which was the
extremity of the turkish line
General Krudener began the battle
about halfpast nine o'clock. After !.
long bOmbardmcnt he succeeded in
silencing the Turkish cannon at Grivice,
but could never cxpel the infantry from
the earthworks. lie spent the whole af-
serneon nnayailingly endeavoring to f,-ce
the northern flank of the Turkish ii
ton, desisting after dark without having
gained anything material and having him
self suffered considerable loss
Prince EhakOsky about noon carried
Radizcyo, and, planting four batteries on
q ridge beyond, bombardcd the nearest
Turkish position, which was an earthwork
rfmed with cannon in front of an in
trcnchcd village. Aftcr IN hours can
nonade he sienced the Turkish guns, and
his infantry, after long and bloody con.
test, carried the caT:liw0Th and village.
The second Turkish position, consisting
redonbt and series csofintrenched vine.
yards strongly held, vas then attacked
and ultimately carried. but with q terri.
bic effort, and very severe loss, owing to
the heavy Turkish artillery fire.
USELESS SUCCESSES.
The Russians, moreover, we're unable
to utilize the captured position. About
four o'clock reserve brigade was brought
up and On attack made on the positions
Immediately covering Plevna The at
tack continued till nearly sunset. The
Turkish infantry was in great force in
continuous line under shelter of trenches.
Despite the most stubborn efforts, no
impression could be made upon that line.
Two companies of Russian infantry did
work round TO the right of the Turkish
trenches and entered the town of Plevna,
but it WAS impossible to hold it. The
Russian batteries pushed boldly forward
into the position first taken to attempt to
keep down the Turkish cannonade, which
was crashing into the infantry in the open
field, but they were compelled soon to
evacuatc the hazardous spot.
At sunuown the Turks made contin-
uous forward movement and reoccupied
their second position. The Russian in
fantry made succession of desperate |
stands and died like heroes. The Turks |
gradually re.took everything they had
lost. The fighting lastcd:long after night
fall.
With the darkness the bashi-bazouks
took possession of the battlefield and slew
all the wounded. The Russians held the
heights above Radizcoo, but the bashi-
bazouks worked around to their rear and
fell on the wounded collected in the vii
lago of Radizeoo.
A retreat was compelled in this direc-
lion, namely Bulgareni, and the contin-
5encies arising from this untoward battle
src of ominous significance.
TURKISH CLAIM OF VICTORY.
a despatch dated Pcra. July 81, mid
hight says: Intelligence Just received |
zero from Osman Pacha announces a |
,rcat Turkish victory. The enemy were
routed after two days severe
lighting, with loss of 5000 Killed and |
5000 wounded. The Turks captured q !
,reat quantity of arms and ammunition. |
The Turkish casualties were comparative
y small owing to the fact that they |