The New York herald., 1877-07-07
THE WAR.
Operations Of the Russian Army
in Bulgaria.
PUSHING TOWARD THE BALKANS.
Fighting in the Neighbor-
hood Of Bjela.
THE RUSSIAN DEFEAT IN ASIA.
The Turks Sending ReinforcementS to
the Front In Armenia.
CALCULATING MONTENEGRO.
Why the British Fleet Has Gone
to Besika Bay.
THE RUSSIAN DEFEAT IN ASIA.
The Turks Sending Reinforcements to
the Front In Armenia.
CALCULATING MONTENEGRO.
Why the British Fleet Has Gone
to Besika Bay.
rBY GABLE 10 THE HzsALD.1

[BY GABLE 10 THE HERALD.
LONDON, July 7, 1877.
The H1RALD correspondent at Sistova tel
egraphs that the advance posts of the Rus
sian army which crossed the Danube near
that town are now at Tirnova, which was
captured few days since by the Cossacks.
They have had several skirmishes with the
Turks, who are being steadily driven back.
The main force, which is still near the bank
of the river, is pushing the Turks gradually
back on Rustchuk. The fighting in this
vicinity has been very severe, and the
Turks have shown great steadiness and de-
termination. Numbers, superior organiza-
tion and more intelligent direction, how
ever, are gradually enabling the Russians
to overcome all obstacles.
RUsrcHuK SHORT OF PROVISIONS.
The stock of provisions in Rustchuk is
failing and the Turkish authorities are in
sore straits. The lack of proper commits
sariat arrangements has told heavily against
the Turks and the province being almost
entirely drained of supplies they are now at
their wits end to provide for the large army
massed in and around the town.
THE PLAN OF OPERATIONS.
The 100, 900 Russians who have crossed
the Danube at Sistova comprise 10000 cav
airy and 25O cannon About 80, 600 more
Russians are concentrated between Simnitza
and nu-Magurelli. The army which
crossed at Sistova has been divided into
three bodies, the principal of which is
marching on Rustchuk, and the other two
toward the Balkans and NiSopolis respect
lively. General Ignatieff has arrived at the
headquarters of the Grand Duke Nicholas,
at Sistova.
DRAWING THE TURKS OUT OF sHUMLA.
It is reported that the Turks are concen-
trating about Shumla in order to take the
Russian advance to the Balkans in the flank.
The Russians will probably go forward
until the Turks come out of Shumla, and
then face about and give them battle in the
open country.
DELAYED RUSSIAN ADVANCE.
Bucharest despatch says:-"No impor-
tant action is expected until the Russians
have established depots OF supplies on the
southern side of the Danube and prepared
everything for an advance"
REPORTED RUSSIAN BEPULsE.
A telegram from Shumla, dated July g.
10 A. M, says:-'A battle was fought yes
terday in the vicinity of Bjela, which lasted
twelve hours. The Russians were repulsed
with considerable loss and fell back on Sis
tova. No details of the fight have been
yeceived"
THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM.
The Gear is at Simnitza watching the
preparations for the general advance. He
visits the wounded almost daily, and his
presence has very good effect on the spirit
Of the troops. All is quiet along the Danube
now, but the bombardment of Giurgevo is
expected at any moment, as the activity of
the Turkish preparations on the opposite
bank evidently indicate an intention to
commence it.
POOR BRIDGE.
The bridge at Sistova. which has already
been spoken of as weak, does not seem
equal to the strain of the immense traffic.
It has already given way twice. causing a
delay of few hours
THE czARowIrcH TO THE FRONT.
The special correspondent of the HERALD
1t Simnitza reports that the Czarowitch will
lake command of the right wing of the
Russian army operating around Rustchuk.
This is intended to inspire confidence in
the troops by making them feel that the
imperial family are prepared to take their
share of the risks Of war.