The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1877-06-16
Rutschuk, Silistria, Varna, and
Shumla.

| Varna on the Black Sea, and the inland
fortress of Shumla. These are the four
principal strongholds of the Turks be-
tween the Danube and the passes in the
Balkan range. 1t still remains an open
question whether the Russians will at
tempt to cross the Danube. The point
where their force was first concentrated
was Galatz, at the northern bend of the
Danube. If they cross here they will
have to march through the marshes of
the Dobrudja, where, during the war of
1854, the Turks cooped up the Russian
forces for several months. The Russians
have recently been concentrating at Bu-
charest and Giurgevo, and late advices
indicate that passage will be made be-
tween Oltenitza and Giurgevo, or posi-
bly, between the latter point and Nikopo-
lis. If a passage is made between
Giurgevo and Nikopolis, two roads will
lie open to Adrianople, each of which is
defended by small fortress. 1t is
probable, however, that the Russians
after crossing would march eastward, in
the direction of Rustchuk and Shumla,
before venturing their way over the
mountains. The quadrilateral then will
probably be the scene of battle within a
short time, and an account of its fortifi-
cations and natural defenses will there
fore be of permanent interest.
AS the traveller approaches it from the
interior Rustchuk presents a novel and
picturesque appearance, with its white
chimneys, mosques and minarets rising
from forest of fruit trees. Beyond lies
the Danube, two miles wide, with islands
and sand bars to retard its current and
detract from the grandeur of other parts
of the river. The town has population
of about 80 1000, and an extensive trade
is carried on with Vienna in cloth, indi-
go, corn and wine. 1t is the most i'm
portant Turkish town, in a manufactur-
ing sense, on the Danube. 1t contains
nine mosques and several Greek and Ar
menian churches, synagogues, and baths,
and is the seat of Greek Archbishop.
1t has been the scene of several engage
ments between Russia and Turkey dur
ing the century. In 1910 it was be-
sieged for several weeks, and finally sur
rendered to the Russians. After it's
evacuation, in 1912, the Russians burned
it, but it was soon rebuilt, and what is
now the town of Giurgevo, on the other
side of the Danube, was constructed as
fortified bridge head. In 1929 the
treaty of Adrianople compelled the
Turks to raze these works to the ground,
but they were rebuilt again in 1858, at
the opening of the Danubian campaign.
The Russians then occupied Giurgevo
and the Turks Rustchuk, several months
passing in which both armies attempted
to make passage, until at last the
Turks made toothold on one of the
islands, and eventually captured Giur-
gevo, the Russians retiring to Bucharest.
This was the last serious open-field con-
tiict of that campaign. The fortifica-
tiOnS of the town have been improved
during the past few months, and an at
tempt by the Russians now to cross the
river could be powerfully resisted
Silistria is strongly fortified Turkish
town, which has been prominent in the
wars of the past hundred years. 1t has
a population of about 20, 600, has several
mosques, large Greek church and con-
vent, capacious barracks and public
baths. The chief trade is in wool and
cattle. 1t is very ancient city, and in
the vicinity are the remains of fortifica.
tions which were erected during the
Byzantine Empire. In 971 the Emperor
routed the Russians under Sviatoslay.
In 1918 it was again besieged by the Rus
SLAMS, and still again in 1873, when they
suffered severe losses. In 1S10it capitu-
lated-the first and only time but one in
history. In 1928 another siege was laid
and continued several months, the Rus
SLAMS at last retiring. In 1929, however,
it was reduced and held as a pledge for
the payment of an indemnity by the
Porte. When new troubles with Russia
were apparent in 1S49-50, the fortified.
tions were greatly strengthened by the
addition of twelve detached forts, of
which the one on the hill commanding
the town is said to be one of the best
military works of the time In April,
1854, it was invested by an army of so,
600 Russians, which was afterward in
creased to 10000, and a siege begun
which continued until near the 1st of
July. A bombardment was kept up for
three weeks, midnight attacks were
made, 30, 600 men attempted to gain the
town, but all without success. Tine Rrs-
slams retired and retreated across the
river. 1t is recorded that 1000 shot
and shell we're thrown upon the town,
while the Russians lost 1900 men and
had 10000 laid up in hospitals. . ..
Varna lies on the northern side of a
small bay of the Black Sea. has good
anchorage for ships of small burden, is
the terminus Of railroad, and, like
Rustckuk and Silistria, has been FIRE.
quent scene of warlike operations The
sea side is defended by three powerful
batteries, and, as ships of large size could
not approach nearer than for lombard
ment purposes, these defenses are con.
sidered sufficient for the defense of the
harbor. On the land side the city is com.
pletely inclosed by wall, and at every
favorable place bastions have been thrown
out and are heavily armed A few years
ago they were in good order. An English
military traveller who visited the city in
1853 wrote: g Varna may be considered
a second-class fortress, capable of max
ing II protracted defense; and, as it is
one of the best of the very few harbors
on the western coast of the Black Sea,
it is a position of the utmost importance. "
1t is very old town, is on the site of
ancient Odessus, which was founded bv