The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-06-25

horses should be paid for. The whole town
narrowly escaped destruction by fire this
morning.
PRESENT POSITION OF TIE RUSSIANS.
"The main body of the troops which have
crossed the river are quartered to the north
west of the town. Only two Russian bat
talions occupy Matchin, but two lines Of
videttes have been thrown out to the south
ward and eastward, SO that the approach Of
an enemy can be reported to the main body
at once.
THE DoBRUDsCHA OPEN.
''There does not seem to be the slightest
fear Of any attack at Matchin, however. for
refugees from the neighborhood of the Kds-
tendje railway soy that the Turkish troops
have evacuated all the intermediate coun-
try. To the northward Of course, there is
not q sign of single Turkish soldier.
CAPTURED TURKISH ARTILLERY.
'sThe troops whom l saw pass over at
Galatz on yesterday rejoined the Emperor's
own regiment at Matchin before left,
having marched over twelve miles and cap
tured numerous Turkish field guns found
abandoned along the route.
THE LINE OF TRAJAN's WALL.
IL am now satisfied from what I have
r1,cop al 1ocr 4 I'LL
that the Russians do not anticipate being
compelled to fight serious battle until
their advance reaches the line Of the Schema
voda and Kustendje Railroad. Abdul Kerim
is sending large reinforcements into
the Debradscha, below that point,
The Turks will make no attempt
to defend the Northern Dobrudscha, and
have already abandoned the first line of
defence-namely, that between Matchin
and Babadagh through mountainous
country. The second line, which is that Of
the railroad, is marked by the celebrated
Trojat's Wall, erected, as you are aware,
by the Romans to protect the present Bull
garian territory against the incursions of
the Scythians.
PROSPECTIVE RELATIVE POSITIONS
Before proceeding to describe the
ground would remark that the Russian
advance to Tchernavoda will necessarily
compel break Of the long spell of inactivity
which has kept both armies face to face on
the Danube almost without firing shot.
By referring to map of the Danube valley
you will see at once why this must
be. The Turks flank the line of Trajan's
Wall, as will call it, on the east by hold
ing Kustcudje and being able to throw
troops from Varna and Constantinople by
sea into that town without opposition.
SUPPORTED By aUNBoATs.
''On the other hand the Russians will
flank the line at Tchernavoda by
holding, as they undoubtedly can,
both banks of the Danube at that
point As it is. they hold the
Roumanian shore, and are advancing south
ward along the right bank with view to the
occupation of Hoisova and all the small
towns on the shore road leading to Tcherna-
soda This advance is supported by gun
boats on the river which follow the retreat
ing Turkish monitors MS they ascend toward
Tchernavoda, where they will attempt to
cover the town.
TURKISH SUPPORTS FROM sIIIsTR1A.
cit is highly probable that the Turks will
send reinforcements from Silistria as well
as Schumla to aid in the defence of the line
Of Trajans WALL This cannot be done with
out the knowledge of the Russians, and as
consequence q movement win be made
on that city. This again will react
on the situation ut Rustchuk, and
80 on up the river to Widdin.
The approaching struggle at Tchernavoda
must, therefore, be the first Of series of
bloody engagements that will fill the
Danube Valley with the smoke of battle.
NATURAL DEFENSIVE LINE.
Although up to the present there are no
works of any account constructed for the
support OF troops defending the line of
Trajan's Wall, the character of the ground
ance. At the Tchernavoda end there is n
chain of small lakes, sometimes united
by inundation that, covers the line
for fully half its length east
L. he