Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1877-08-21
Spirit Of yeffersp1r.
charlestown, Jefferson County. west Va.
TUESDAY MORNING. AuGUsr21. 1877.
THE BATTLE OF PLEVNA.


THE troops did not begin the march for
ward before 6 o'clock on Monday. instead Of
1 o'clock, as arranged the day before. Leav-
ing, in many instances, their sleeping places
ON the damp ground, the men did not appear
to have suffered in the least in morale from
the nights discomforts, but stepped sturdily
forward when the order was given to march.
The number of infantry comba,ants was act-
uaIly about thirty.two thousand, with one
hundred and sixty field cannon and three
brigades of cavalry. The Turkish position
was convex-somewhat in the shape of
horseshoe, but more pointed. Baron Kru>
deuer was to attack the Turkish left flank from
Crivica toward the river Vid. Schackoskoy
was to assault their right from Radisovo, also
toward the river Vid.
"Baron Krudener on the right opened the
action a. haIf>past 9 o'clock, bringing a bat
tery into fire on the Turkish earthworks
above the village. At first it seemed as if the
Turks were surprised. It was some time be-
fore they replied but when they did it was
with marked vigor, and giving as good as they
go, from Krudeuer.
"We Of the left column have our own
business TO attend to. and we leave onr
casual outlook place among the plum trees,
and move on in the direction Of Rsdisovo.-
This village lies in deep valley behind the
southern wave or ridge of the Turkish posts
ton, and there is another ridge behind this
village. On that ridge our cannon, placed in
position by Col. Bischofskv, chief of Prince
Schackoskoy's staff, were firing in limo on the
Turkish guns away on the ridge behind the
hills with fine effect.
"By one o'clock our infantry had nowhere
been engaged Gen. Baron Krudener on the
right flank. had gained much less ground
than we had. He seemed little further for
ward than at the beginning of the battle,
whereas were at comparatively close quar-
tcrs and within striking distance. krudeuer
was behind, either because his attack was not
pushed energetically or because he was en-
countering obstacles which VIC had not met
Now, Krudcner is regarded as slow soldier
and an unencrgetic man. We swore at what
seemed his inertucss; but it was not swear
ing only. Schackoskoy. in his impotence,
determined TO act independently and to strike
the Turks single handed. If krudener was
slow, Schackoskoy rash . The leading
battalions were ordered to advance over the
ridge to attack. The order was hailed with
glad cheers, for the infantrymen had been
chafing at their inaction, and tho battalions,
with swift step, streamed forward through
the glen and up the steep slope behind.
marching in company columns. The rife
com panies led the way. The Russian artil-
ery had afforded active support to this move-
ment by firing with inereased rapidity over
the heads of the advancing infantry.
The Turkish shells whistled through them
IS they advanced in line. and the men were
already slain in great numbers, but the long,
uudulating line tramps steadily over the stub
bles and crashes through the underground on
the descent The horse Of the gallant col
=. L. Al ~.
but the colonel is on his fee: in a second. and
waving his sword leads his men forward on
foot. 1t is only for few PAGES. Hc stag
gers and falls heard Gtterward that he was
killed. We can hear the sound of wrath
half howl, halt yeIl-with which his men,
bayonets at the charge, rush on to avepge
hun. 1t is but few yards now to the Turk
| ish works, and these are soon traversed. In
an instant they are over the parspct and in
| among the Turks like avalanche. The
carnage is seen 10 be terrible II is hand 10
hand and breast to breast The rush which
carried tho Russians iu sweeps all before it.
Not many Turks get chance 60 run away
from the cleaning bsyonets swayed by mus
| zcuIar Russian arms The outer edge of the
| first position is won.
80 fell the first position OF the Turks
Being village it afforded ample cover, and
| Schackoskoy would have acted wisely it he
| had been content to hold IL and strengthen 1t
until krudener should have carried the Cri-
vica earthwork and come up in line with him.
| Blu. the Cross of St. George dangled before
his eyes and tempted him to rashness. The
word to advance was again given /; tho bugles
again rang out the welcome notes aud again
| the men moved forward. Then one sees
swarm of Turks flying across the green Of the
| vineyard, but they do not run far. and prowl
| around the western and northern faces OF the
| work, rendering its occupation, very preca.
rious The Turkish cannon from behind
| drop shells into the Russian position with sim
! gular precision. As matter of fact the
| Russians occupied this position but never
| held it. 1t was all but empty for = long time,
aud continuous fighting took place about its
! fanks.
ga 6 o'clock the Turks pressed for
ward heavy mass of infantry to recapture
the position, and in spite of the most deter
mined fighting by the Russians had reoccu-
pied their second position before O'Clock.
1.-The first brigade of the thirty fifth divi.
! sion was exposing its right flank TO the Turk
| ish cannon mounted astride of the ridge. but
the goal of PIevna was keen temptation
There was no thoroughfare, however. They
would not give up and they could not sue
ceed. They charged again and again, and
| when, from sheer fatigue. they could charge
| no longer they stood aud died. for they would
| not retire. The reserves came up. bnt only
to swell the slaughter. Then the ammu-
| milton failed for the carts had been LETT far
behind, and all hope vanished. Even the
mos. sanguine could see no bright spot in the
gloomy outlook, and the disastrous retreat
began"
1t ia the admirer of himself. and not
| the admirer of virtue, who thinks himself