The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1877-08-11
The Battle of PleYna.

On Monday, July 80, was fought
the most important battle which has
occurred since the opening of the war
between Turkey and Russia, and the
forces of the Car met with a crush
ing defeat. The following graphic
account of the engagement was tele-
graphed by correspondent of the
London Ne,rs, who was on the battle
field:
The Turkish force was estimated
at $4,000. They occupied a series of
positions which are naturally strong,
and also artifcially fortified in every
available spot, forming a horseshoe
in front of Pleyna, with both TANKS
resting on the River Vid.
The Russian force consisted of the
Ninth Army Corps, under Gen.
KrudeDer the Thirtieth Division
and Third Brigade of the Second
Division, under Prince Schachowsky.
with three brigades of cavalry and
100 guns. 1t was arranged that Gen.
Krudener should attack the Turkish
centre at GriVica and the northern
flank of the entrenched position over
Rahova, while Schackowsky attacked
Radizoo and Gen. Shobeletf, Jr., held
in check strong Turkish force at
Looca, which was the extremity of
the Turkish line. Gen. Krudener be-
gan the battle about half-past 8
o'clock.
After long commandment, he sue
ceeded in silencing the Turkish can
non at Grivica, bat could not expel
the infantry from the earthworks. He
spent the whole afternoon unavail-
ingly endeavoring to force the north
ern flank of the Turkish position.
desisting after dark without having
gained anything material, having
himself suffered considerable loss.
Prince Schackowsky about noon
carried Radizevo, aud planting four
batteries on ridge beyond, bonn
barded the nearest Turkish position.
which was an earthwork armed with
cannon in front of an entrenched
village. After an hours cannonade
he silenced the Turkish guns, and his
after long ard bloody con-
test carried the earthwork and vii
lage. The second Turkish position,
of a redoubt and n series
of entrenched vanguards strongly
held, was then attacked and ulti-
mattel y carried, but with a terrible eff
fort and very severe loss, owing to
the heavy Turkish artillery fire. The |
Russians, moreover, were unable to |
utilize the captured position. About
1 O'Clock, reserve brigade was
brought up and an attack made Oh
the positions Immediately covering
Plevna. The attack continued till |
nearly sunset. The Turkish infantry
was in great force in a continuous
inc under shelter of trenches. De-
spite the most stubborn efforts no i'm |
preston could be made upon that
inc. Two companies of Russian in
santry did work round to the right cf
he Turkish trenches and entered the
own of Plevna, but it was impossi-
Die to hold it. The Russian batteries
pushed boldly forward into the posi-
ION first taken, to attempt to keep |
Town the Turkish cannonade which /
vas crashing into the infantry in the
open field, but they were soon COM
1elled to evacuate the hazardous
'pot. At shutdown the Turks made u
forward movement, and
eoccupied their second position. The
russian infantry made IL succession
# desperate stands, and died like
heroes. The Turks gradually retook
very thing they had lost. The fight
ng lasted long after nightfall. With
he darkness the Bashi Bazonks took
possession of the battlefield and
lew the wounded.