The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-07-14
ON THE DANUBE.
War Scenes Round Rustchuk Before
: the BOmbardment.
RUSSIANS REFUSED
The Defenders of the Danube
On the Alert.
ATTEMPT TO CAPTURE A GUNBOAT.

RUsTcnUK, Juno Q. 1877
This morning, at an carly hour the whole town was
suddenly reused by the loud boom OF . cannop, which
in the stl morning came rolling up tho river with
sound like sharp peal OF distant thunder Scarcely
had tho report died away when . second and 'hi'd
followed in rapid succession. The popuace, thor
cuxhy awakened, poured into tho streets and began
discussing the probability OF a Russian attack
on the town Hurricdly nipgng some
clothes and spatching up n field glass jumped
into an ARABIA and told the driver 10
hurry on as hard as he could 60 in the direction Of
the firing which evidently al some distance out
side inc walls Of the town. On reaching the outer
gate found u battalion OF soldiers already drawn up
waiting marching orders, and having ascertained
from The officers that they were expecting the enemy
10 attempt passage few mics lower down the river
opposite the Marctn tort, whipped up the horses
and aitlcd OF at gailop IN that direction
MAREriN
The village of Maretin gives its name to the fort
which cou sutes the ouernost OF the detached lort-
ncatons of Rustchuk. II is Situated about six ana
half miles down the river, opposite the island
Mokap and contains 124 families, representing pop
uation OF about six hundred souls OF whom two-,hrds
are Buigarians and the remainder Turks aud gypses
The village boasts OF a Christian chapel aud school,
kuu Ccau, We'll Hal VI H~Vetill I'M, sHeTo
Is no mosque
Fort Maretin is at little distance from the village
and is separated from it by narrow branch oil the
Danube, which almos: completely cuts it OF from the
main land, that all transport has to DC done by
means Of caiques native boats. The position is
rcen as tue bank of the river at this point is high
and runs out Into promonory, on the summit oil
which stands the earhwork 1t is circular in form,
we'll constructed and contains tour small Krupp guns
which command the river in every direction On
zach side OF Maretn fort the Turks have further
the position by limo Of shelter trenches
running parallel with the river aud hanked by small
batteries, armed with Held guns.
OPPOSITE SHORE
IT, OH the contrary very low tho land forming an ex-
tersive rai3 stretching far as Gurgevo the LETT
On the right OF The plain IS good-sized village and a
small forest ofyouug trees Lying between the Wslla
chan shore and the FORT about third OF the distance
1cross Is the island OF osl-AokaD, under the procc
lion of which Russians have been trying estab
lish some small batteries
THE ROAD TO MARErIN.
On leaving Ruslchuk the road runs close to the edge
" the river and noticed rs VIC drove quickly along
chat the whole length OF tho bank is guarded by sen
tries, stationed in rifle pits a. every Ity yards and
that at longer distances they supported by pockets
OF from fifteen TO twenty mounted Circassans. Be-
sides these precautions the military authorities had
stationed one OF two companies OF infantry at every
spot where there is any possibility OF cnecting u
we found battalion OF Turkish troops camped
on the slope OF the HILL anu Uoay
Of 500 CircAss'an horsemsn on the branch
stream which, as already mentioned, divides
The fort from the village. During The whole OF our
drive the battery HAD been steadily firing shell after
she'll object the opposite bank. As we nearcd
iflc rising ground eagerly turned glass The d.
:ccion OF he snot and soon discovered he enemy. ~
Il appears init over night some movements Of troops
had been noticed the Roumanian side, and, MS
mornins eawned tho turks, who had been fruitessy
peor'ng into the darkness all night found themselves
face 10 face with tho long expected Russians. AT
short distance from the shore
THE RUSSIAN CAMP,
a large cavalry encampment OF some 1000 horse,
ana 10 advance Of them, making Tor the river, were
four batialions OF infantry, supported by guns The
guns lad. and the little garrison anxoasiy waited
unii the enemy ncared the bank
ADVANCE on THE BATTAIIoAs.
Steadily and firmly The baiiaons advanced toward
the river they were apparently unconscious OF what
was preparing tor them, Tor with the exception o. a
line OF skirmishcrs they wcrc actually marching IN
columns OF companies the worst possible lormat on
under artillery Ire. HassaD Pachn, the general Ia
command OF the Egyptian troops standn g ON the
parapct OF the for. closely watching the OF
The Russians, and as soon as tho columns within
'angc he passed down the order. Fire" Three OF
he enns immediately responded, and in rapid
luccession three we'll aimed shells flew acruss
he river and fell plump into the adyanc-
ng columns Loading and firing again with
.reat smarLness and rapidIty, the gunncrs sent
ihel after shell screaming INFO the encmy's ranks.
The columns at once began to retire OF range and
was evident that they were carrying on with them
number OF dead and wounded The Russian artillery
made futile attempt to stand, but us they haa only
small field guns winch could pot carry across the river
they, III their turn, hnd 10 leave, hurried along by
lew more spiendidy placed snois iron our tort
During the RENAL dcr Of the day the Russians,
having quietly fixed their camp for the night ou; of
range spent their timo IN watching movements
aud doubt cursing The excellence OF Herr hrupps
famous Infants" he Turks wisely reraned from
turther hring, rcscrvDg thcr ammunition Tor future
action should the Russians again come within shooting
distance. AS may be imagined, the day passed quickly
enough IN the discussion OF the event OF inc morning
ana tho little iun was the OF much excitement
The lever OF battle had seized us ono aud all
RgxEwAL OF THE CASNoSAD..
Toward evening, when wa were beginning TO think
about getting back 10 the Town before the gates
closed, the alarm was given again. CLOUDS OF dust
we're seen rising IN the direction OF Giurgevo and be-
fore long could dis lincty make out by helm OF our
glasses rat OF artillery tho road
approaching the camp. The Russian troops were again
set Ia melton toward the bank of tho river, evidently
with the intention OF establishing batteries. Again
the attempt was ioiled, tor as they camo
within rnnge the Turks opened them cpnnriled
Them 10 retreat Thus ended the first really serious
AFFAIR which we had yet experienced at Rustcnuk. We
had waited long for IT, anu now that the game had
begun We cried, like Oliver Twist, for more And
more We had before long.
FREQUENT ARTILLERY DUELs--AN ATTEMPT TO
CAPTURE THE TURKISH auNDoAr scopRA
JuSE 49, 1877.
Since she attempt of the Russians 10 the river
~ naretn flor such every one believes to have been
their ultimate intentonl on the 9th inst dcsuliory
artillery dnellins has been going morning and even
ing the enemy regularly throwing up earthworks on
the bank OF The river during the night which the Turks