New-York tribune., 1877-07-12
TIE CROSSING OF THE DANUBE.

Details of the crossing of the Danube Mt
slmnitza the 9Th ut are given by correspondent
OF The London Daily Ners who was an eyewitness OF
the enterprise. Gen DragimroTs division had the post
OF honor, and expected to make footing on the
Turkish by early morning. Prince Morsks division
was to make a night march from Isa anj be in position
at smnitza follow its sister division across IN the
event OF the attcrs In the event of 0iure II
was to take up TIE fighting, and force passage Mt all
hazards for the AIehduke Nicholas had announced that
he would take denial The river had to be crossed at
simnitza cost what it might. With the darkness Gen.
DragimlroR began his dispositions The first work was
70 plant made empacements row Of field guns all
along edge of the fats to sweep with fire the opposite
banks. THIS while his infantry was being marched
over the fats down into the OF the willow wood
The darkness and the distractions were both so great
that all was not ready till the first gimmer Of dawn
There bridge. but number Of river boats capabe
OF holding fifteen to forty men each These were
dragged carriages through the mud and launched III
the darkness from under the spreading boughs OF the
willow The boats put of singy rowing across for
the little cove, aud later a little s;eIm-tug was brought
into requisitOn. For the Turks had not spent the
night watches heavy sleep. Their few cannon at once
opened fire on the boats, the hidden masses among
the willows and on the columns marching across
the lat. Nor this all. From the slopes above
the cove, there came at the boats smart infantry
hrc. The Turkish rinemen holding the land
ing place. General Yochne had not gained expert
ing. His boat leading. The Turkish rinemen
were in position about 30 yards from the shore lie
landed his handful and badc them lie down In the mud
One or two down instantly with Turkish bullets.
He opened sirmishng fire To cover the landing boats
that followed One by these landed their frclghts.
who fOllowcd the example Of the first boat load. AT
length enough had accumulated. Young skobeon was
there host IN himself Gen. Nolchine babe his men fix
nayonets stand mp and follow their officers There was
a rush aud cheer that rang louder III the grey dawn
than the Turkish yOllcy that answered IT,. That
vuley was not in vain, nut the Turks did not
wait FOR cold steel Yolcnlnrs skirmishers to!-
tlpu
ior tue time could not press far fr0m the base.
Busly, vet slowly the craft moved 70 and fro from the
shore. Tne Russian guns had at opened when the
Turkish fire showed there no surprise, but however
beav, le may be- it Will moi all al once crush another
fire The Turkish shells kept falling IN the water WHIST
Ing through the willows aud bursting among the COZ
DIc fats. one shell, from moutaln gun iell
into boat containing twO Guns, Leir gunnefs ana the
Cummaniant OF a battery. The boat was swamped at
once and AL board fcsh,d 1hiswas the only serious
casualty, but numerous Russian soldiers were falling on
both sides Of tie river. Nevertheless the work went
steadily on and after o'clock YO.chne's Brigade
Russian battery, and Gen. ORA gmi Off had crossed the
The ground thus gained was acid until fe-eniOrce-
nents arrived aud S>tOya was captured.