Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1877-07-28
FALL OF NlKOPOLIN.

FALL OF NlKOPOLIS.
The Russians CaptariRG the Tswn Wncr n
Desperate Resistance .. Carrying the
Heights by storm.
l. A war correspondent Of the New York
Herald gives the following vivid &C.
count Of thecapture by the Russians OF
the Tsu1nhr nunsQj Nikopolis, on the
Danub0 o.,
- - - Possesses many
flvantae es SV6f that At 6istova. The
rivers current Ia not a. STRONG, and n
number OF small islands fronting Turna-
Magurelli are very favorably located for
bridging purposes. In reality Nikopolis
was the selected point for the Original
crossing Of the Danube, but citsg
stances and the Turks forced the adop,
ton of the Sistova line. % 80
The batteries Of ::rurna. Magurelli bad
reduced Nikopolis 10 ruins butU1he
two hills on which thu town was bum
cdnpletely ~ nIhisL forces
from tho IN III AZ be.
came necessary to attadl - and
position from the Bulgarian side of the
river. ,l..
The extensive swamp and lake west of
Sistova interfered considerably with the
Russian advance, although it afforded II
decided protection against Turkish at
tack from that side. The Cossacks had
been skirmishing and scouting for more
than two days in the direction of Plevna
and Nikopolis, AMI their operations and
activity masked the preparations of the
attacking column very effectually.
Finally the order for the Russian al
vance was given, and after an arduous
march around the lake and toward Nj
kopolis the contending forces came into
collision. The Turks had taken the pre-
caution to cover their position by double
lines of pickets, supported, at intervals,
by several companies of picked troops.
This was to guard against the raids of
the Cossacks, whose enterprise has i'm.
pressed itself thoroughly upon the Turk
ish mind. These lines of pickets made
what might be termed formal show of
resistance, and slowly retired on the
main body.
As soon as the Russians came within
effective range of the Turkish position
they were met by n severe artillery fire,
which, however, did not check their adj
vance, and to which they replied with
a still more formidable fire. The Turks
being posted on commanding position
had n considerable advantage, and, Us
the Russians approached, frightful gaps
were made in their ranks by the Turkish
artillery.
With surprising valor, however, they
continued to approach the heights, and
as soon as they came within rifle range
they opened terrible fire on the Turks.
For half an hour this musketry duel
continued with unabated vigor. The
Russians, in the meantime, developed
their front, SO as to approach their left
in the direction Of the Osem river. This
was Il movement which threatened the
Turkish line of retreat to the southwest
ward and westward.
About midday on Sunday the order
for the assault was given, and the whole
Russian line, supported by several bat
teries of artillery, advantageously posted,
stormcd the heights occupied by the
Turks. During this awful climb, in the
face of deadly fire, the Russians suffer-
ed terribly; while the Turks, stubbornly
defending their position, sustained equal
losses. But the onset was so impetuous
that the Turks could not withstand it
md were driven hcadlong over the crest
of the hills toward Nikopolis, followed
by the Cossacks and detachments o
light infantry.
After obtaining possession of the
heights commanding the town at terrible |
cost, it is true the Russians virtually had /
Nikopolis at their mercy. The Turks,
finding their line of retreat threatened,
abandoned the town, which the Russians
entered this morning. 1t was filled with
Turkish dead. Many wounded were also
found in the streets and in the houses,
where they had been abandoned by the
Turks in the haste of their retreat.
Another bridge will at once be thrown
over the Danube at this point and across
it will pass immense stores of provisions
and war material which have been ready
for transportation for several days. Thus
provisioned and supported the Russians
can go forward from Tirnova, always sure
of their base of supplies. The capture
of Nikopolis is most important event
for the Russian campaign in Bulgaria.