The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-07-17


covered
THE cIRcAssIAN cossAcKs.
'This Russian advanced column con-
sisted of Circassian Cossacks, commanded
by Colonel Judolmin. The main body was
commanded by General Gourkha. They
were in light flying order, without wagon
transports or artillery.
THE ESTIMATE OF LOSSES.
ut is impossible to estimate the losses.
The Russian main army intended to
cross the Balkins at this point, the
Eighth corps leading. 1t is not known
what effect this repulse of Gourkha's flying
column will have on the main advance"
sHUMLA TO RAsGRAD.
From Rasgrad the HERALD correspondent
telegraphs as follows:-.I arrived here
from Shumla on Saturday. Vague and
contradictory reports had been coming
in from the front for some days and the
most intense excitement prevailed in Shumla
amoug the townspeople and the soldiers.
All was hustle and confusion and no reliable
information could be gathered
EXCITEMENT IN sHuMLA.
'"rhe most conflicting rumors few from
mouth to mouth, and found it impossible
to ascertain the exact position of affairs
All that was certain was that desperate
fighting was going on at more
than one point, and that move
ments of tho utmost Importance were talk
ing place. At one moment it would be an
nounced that after desperate battle the
Russian army had been utterly routed and
in an hour a report of a contrary nature
would be circulated.
FEAR AND HOPE
"Thus the feelings of the people were
worked up to fever heat and hope, fear and
confidence and despair alternately held the
mastery for the moment The Turks looked
grave and gloomy, while stranger could not
fail to detect the furtive looks Of gratifica-
ton exchanged between the Bulgarians,
who evidently had some occult meaus of
ascertaining the true position of affairs.
The air was thick with rumors, and
the activity among the troops showed
that they were preparing for great
emergency. felt that the hour of action
had come, that a great battle had either
begun or was about to take place, and I
resolved to hurry to the front at once.
ACROSS THE TRACK OF THE INVADERS.
From various observations hastily made
and from information given to me by trust
worthy persons I concluded that Rasgrad
was abont the best place to obtain accurate
information as to the progress of events
and from which to forward my des-
patches to the HERALD. shall
never forget that eventfnl journey along the
main road from Shumla to Rasgrad, right
across the front Of the Russian army. The
dangers and fatigues OF that trip, the con-
slant alarms and the narrow escapes
were annoying and embarrassing in the ex-
treme, but pale into insignifcance in face
of the great events which are now in
progress or on the eve Of accom- plishment.
cLUrcHINo FOR TURKEYS vIrALs
'"rhe Russians occupy the line of the
Jantra, throwing out detachments of cavalry
toward the road which had to traverse and
the railroad from Shumla to Rustchuk, which
runs parallel to the main road. The Co.'S
sacks secured the whole country, driving in
the Turkish outposts, and On almost in
cessant skirmish was kept up. The coun-
try people, or, rather, such of them who
had not already fled, were flying in
CONSERVATION, and the roads were covered
with every possible form Of conveyance
carrying the terror-stricken fugitives. No
great battle has as yet taken place. but
everything betokened the advent of des-
perate struggle"
EoUMASIA's RuBIcoN.
The HERALD's correspondent at Vienna
telegraphs that Roumanian detach-
ment crossed the Danube yesterday
(Monday) morning near Isaly and
remained on Turkish territory un-
molestcd. This overt act on the part of
Roumania ends forever all surmises as to
Austria's influence upon her. Austria must
act or Servia will probably follow Rou-
mania's example
BATTLE EFFECTED NEAR RusTcHuK.
The HERALD correspondent at Sistova,