The Osceola times., 1877-07-28
A DOOMED CITY.
Vivid Description OF the Bombardmeus
Of Rustchuk Death I'm the streets
and behind the BRtteries-
Flight OF the Terrified
u-s.-

IumnDttnnts.
Suddenly from one of the Russian
batteries a fash was seen in the center
of a globe of grayish white smoke, and
shell sped screaming over Rustchuk to
explode on the slope OF the hill crowned
by Fort Hanamdji 1t was the signal
for the bombardment. Immediately
after it seemed as if every Russian gun
was fired simultaneously, for the earth
fairly trembled with The roar of the
artillery and the shells flew over the
doomed city with an awful and indie
scribable sound.
Although the Roumanian shore above,
below, and in front of Giurgevo was
entirely obscured by the smoke from the
Russian guns, the Turkish batteries
promptly opened an answering fire, and
soon nothing could be seen on the river
banks but dense rolling volumes OF
smoke, through which, almost every two
seconds, flashes would dart like lightning
through storm clouds. Boom, boom, went
the Turkish guns, with an uninterrupted
regularity, although the Russian shells
were falling in and around the works
with fatal precision.
This extraordinary artillery duel was
maintained at a range of not more than
5000 yards. The guns on both sides
being heavy pieces, the fire was direct
and the trajectory of the missiles very
fiat. Consequently every object hit in
Rustchuk was rent and torn by pene-
tration or demolished by the explosion
that followed. The effects Of the Turk
ish fire could only be observed at inter-
walls, when the smoke would clear a
little; but it is evident that considerable
damage was inflicted on the Russian
batteries.
The terribly effective character of the
Russian fire can scarcely be described.
The gunners seem to have directed every
shot at Rustchuk without regard to the
buildings liable to be injured. Shell after
shell came crashing through the roofs
Of the houses and burying themselves
in the floors, where they exploded, de-
molishing the walls. The mosques
seemed to be selected as particular tar
gets at times, for two, three, and often
more shells would fall on and around
them, tearing pinnacle and dome with
fearful effect.
Not even the hospitals were spared by
this awful rain of shells Several OF
these buildings happened to be quite ex-
posed, and, although surmouuted by flags
indicating their character, they were in
volved in the storm and their inmates in
many cases were killed in their beds.
This has caused the utmost indignation
among the Turks, and the authorities
have requested the foreign consuls to
testify to the occurrence, so that the porte
may make a formal protest against what
it deems to be uncivilized warfare.
Although the flags of England and
other European powers were displayed
over their respective consulates, the Rus
sian fire did not spare these buildings.
rhe guns were aimed at Rustchuk and
everything animate and inanimate within
its limits. Shells have no neutrality and
do not discriminate between consulates,
mosques and hospitals.
The unfortunate inhabitants of Rust
chuk suffered terribly during the bonn
bardment. Hid away in deep recesses,
or sheltered behind thick walls, the Rus
sian shells found and destroyed them. As
they darted through the streets toward
places of greater security their bodies
were scattered in fragments by the ex-
plosion of thesa terrible missiles. Wo-
men flying from their burning or ruined
homes were killed AZ they ran. Little
children, clasped in the arms of their ter
ritied parents. were struck dead by the
fatal fragments. The scene was one of
unqualified horror throughout.
Such Of the people as could muster up
courage to fly from their hooks of shelter
have hurried away to the interior. The
ruin of the town is almost complete,
the Notifications are practically intact
and not much dsmaged.-Rustchuk Cor.
". y. Herald.