The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-07-06
CROSSING THE DANUBE.
Graphic Account of the Passage of the
River by the Russian Center-A Brill
liant ExpIoit-Bravery and Admirabi
Discipline of the Troops.

On Wednesday the first move in the
descent into Bulgaria was made Mt Kali
arash. The bombardment of Widin,
Nikopolis, Sistova, Rustchuk, Turtokai,
and Silistria continued in a most furious
manner The scenes of destruction re-
ported from Rustchuk repeated them
selves in every Turkish town assailed.
The crossing at Nikopolis from Tunu-
Magurelli was witnessed by the Gear,
who sat on horseback on the summit of
Mount Gropavi. The Turks made des-
perate resistance with every available
man they could muster. Opposing the
landing were ten Turkish battalions and
eighteen field cannon. Savage fighting
took place on the banks, and, in a little
time, the corpses We're thickly strewn
there. Still the Russianas anne on. For
every man killed ten were ready to take
his place.
The Eighth Russian Corps, under
command OF Gen. Radetsky, embarked
behind the island of Vardin, opposite
the mouth of the Jantra, some distance
below the town of Simnitza. The Four
teenth Division covered the embarkation
with field artillery and sharpshoot-
ers. The Turkish force opposing
this movement was soon rein
forced from the neighboring towns
of Biela, Batin, Nowigrad, and other
points, but they did not arrive in time to
crush the first parties of Russians that
landed, and were met on the shore by an
overwhelming force, which drove them
back by tremendous musketry fire.
The attempts at crossing made by the
Russians Mt Rustchuk and Turtokai were
unsuccessful. These movements were
evidently feints to occupy the attention
of the Rustchuk, Turtokai and Silistria
garrisons. The Russian Eighth Corps
crossed at Sistova. Preparations for the
crossing at that point began in the
swampy meadows below Simnitza, where
the troops were assembled on Tuesday
evening at dusk. Silently and steadily
battalion after battalion and battery after
battery moved into its assigned position,
the greatest possible care being taken to
avoid attracting attention. The most
perfect order and discipline prevailed,
and every man acted as if the issue of
the war depended on the manner in
which he executed his individual duty.
The point selected for the landing on the
Bulgarian side was about two miles be-
low Sistova where it had been previous
ly ascertained by efficient Russian spies
that the circumstances were favorable.
The men slept little that night. the
ground being damp, and the morning
was awaited with feverish anxiety. Not
sound was heard but the tramp of men
as they moved into their places, or the
dull noise made by wagon or artillery
wheels.
The orders were given in subdued
tones, and as few lights as possible were
used. 1t was a night of deep suspense,
and of eager hope for the soldiers who
on the morrow were to be face to face
with the hated Moslem. At dawn on
Wednesday morning the order to move
was given. Every man fell into his
place, and the work of crossing the river
in the face of the enemy was begun. A
number OF boats had been collected, and
into these the first detachment stepped
after few encouraging words from their
officers. The boats were pulled briskly
out into the stream, and made straight
for the Bulgarian shore, followed by the
eager eyes of their comrades. The troops
composing this advance were all picked
men, and finer or more soldierly set of
fellows could not be seen. Their move
ment was observed from the Bulgarian
side, and IA heavy fire was opened on the
boats from the Turkish artillery. The
boats pushed CALAMITY on, however, and,
as they neared the other shore, the
Turkish infantry commenced a Wig
orous fusilade. Detachment after
detachment followed from the Russian
side in boats. and. as they ran in
lie fhn we
turned the musketry fire with good effect.
The Russian batteries, meanwhile, kept
up terrific cannonade to cover the land
ing. As the boats dashed into the bank
the men leaped ashore with ringing
cheer, and Immediately formed strong
skirmish line to protect the landing.
Boat after boat pushed in, and company
after company disembarked, and soon q
sufficient force was assembled to justify
an attack on the nearest Turkish posi-
ton. The Turkish infantry were vigor-
ously charged, and, after brief but
desperate struggle, were driven from the
landing place at the point of the bayonet.
BY o'clock whole brigade was across.
and the movement was kept up without
moments interruption or delay. Every.
thing had been provided for with won.
derful foresight, and the orders of the
commanders were executed with the
greatest promptness and precision. Al
noon whole division was over, and an
other division ready to start Mt mo-
ments notice on the Roumanian shore.
A body of Turkish infantry, 5000
strong, was pushed forward and com
menced an attack on the troops that had
been landed A short fight ensued, bu
the Turks were in a short time driver
back. The Russians, following up theil
first victory, soon after took possession
of the heights near Sistova and estab
lished themselves firmly there, so as t.
protect the landing of the troops which
followed them.
So successful has the movement across
the river been at this point that TN,
Turkish resistance has been completed,
overcome, and the Russians occupied
Sistova on Thursday. AS soon as tina
operation was completed, bridge wa
thrown across the Danube, and thu
whole Eighth Corps moved over to thu
D..1~ az 10