The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1877-12-20
The Fall Of Plevna.

The great blow, which all Europe has been
awaiting with varied feelings for the past three
months, has at last been struck, and the only
stronghold Of the Turks north of the Balkan
Mountains has fallen into the hands of the
Russians. Plevna, the beloved, the impregna-
bic, wherein have been centered all the hopes
of the fading Ottoman Empire, was surren-
dered Internationally, according to our dis
patches, after sharp assault, Monday morn
ing. The announcement, coming, as it does,
suddenly and without any previous intimation
III the shape of renewed general fighting, is no
less surprise to those who have had contin-
ued confidence in the ultimate triumph of the
Cars warriors, than to the smaller number
whose delight has been the occasional success
es of the only two Turkish Generals whose ca
reer has not been a series of uninterrupted de-
feats. 1t is only common fairness to assert
that, aside from few rebelliOus Russian Prov
inces, the only sympathizers with the Turkish
cause have been the English holders of Turk
ish bonds and that class of Englishmen who
can never overcome the National hatred of the
Russians engendered in the Crimca. To the
rest of the civilized world the news of this
morning will be welcomed as another step in
the march of civilization.
Nearly eight months ago the Gar issued
proclamation of war against Turkey, having
previously endcavored vainly to procure by
arbitration a guarantee from the Sultan that
the Christian Provinces would be protected
from misrule and persecution. An army
with the meager facilities for transportation
and sent across the frontier into ROumania,
while another force was dispatched around
the eastern shore of the Black Sea into Asia
Minor. Two months were occupied in get
ting these troops into position, and on the
22d of June the passage of the Danube was
made at Braila, the total number of available
troops i'm ROumania at that time being about
2OO, This movement, which was only intend
edas diversion, was followed on the 26th by a
crossing at Simnitza. From this time forward
there was a continual succession of Russian
victories. Nikopolis was captured, and an
advance guard of cavalry under Gen. Gourko
penetrated the Balkans and spread alarm and
dismay to the gates of the capital. The old
Serdar Ekrem, penning himself and his army
up in Schumla, allowed Russian corps to
march without opposition across Bulgaria.
The Grand Duke established his headquarters
in Tirnova, at the very foot of the mountains.
Every indication pointed to speedy conclusion
of the campaign and certain victory for the
Russians. England began bestirring herself
to secure voice in the final treaty arrange
ments, and the English journals were filled
with appeals to the Government to join in the
fray.
It was at this critical juncture that the Turks
seemed to experience sudden awakening,
and to cast off in moment the slOthfulness
and fear which had hitherto bound them. The
young Sultan, by great effort of responsible
ty, and contrary to the insidiOus advice of his
Ministers, several of whom have since been
suspected of open treachery, ordered the
Serlar Ekrem under arrest and Mehemet Ali
at the head of the Schumla Army. At the
same time nc issued instructions to Osman
Pasha who had hitherto remained according
to orders Quiescent at Widdin, to advance
upon the enemy at all hazards. The result
Shove the extreme wisdom Of both these
orders. The Russian force had by this
time become scattered in long dcsultory
linn, frxNr, Inn, IN, En1,r
worse than that, had grown SO sclf-con-
iidcnt that they scarcely considered as focmcn
worthy of their steel the Turkish sOldcry who
had never SO much as dared to oppose for
cign invasion. One corps had branchcd of to
the eastward, and were already pressing care
lcssly In the direction of Schumla. Only a
single division remained near the point of
crossing OF the Danube, and against this
Osman Pasha flung his troops, on the 10Th of
July, compelling them to withdraw. This was
the frst serious reverse sustained by the kus-
slams, and even then the latter did not antici
pate any important check; hence only pOr-
ton Of the Eleventh Corps was recalled from
the Jantra to cope with the new enemy. Two
weeks were allowed to elapse before the
Russians sought an engagcment-an In
sha to thoroughly intrench himself in the
hills about Plevna. The first great battle of
the war took place on the Goth of July, and,
to the inexpressible establishment and dismay
OF the Russians, they were repulsed with i'm
mense slaughter. Again and again they
en- back, to learn finally the simple but stern
lesson that even the Turks could fight behind
intrenchments. This great disaster, in which
the losses have been estimated as high as
$1,000 men, caused an immediate change of
Russian tactics. The headquarters were pre-
cipftately moved back to a point near the Dam
ube, and all the regiments on the march south
ward were turned In the opposite direction. 1t
was now time for the Russians'to concentrate
and consider.
1t is not our purpose to give any detailed
story of the war in this place. Sufficient to
say that since that day all the action on the
scene of war in Europe has been turned upon
Plevna as on a pivot. Osman Pasha has stood
his ground firmly, and has effectually barred
the door of ROumelia, and the Generals Of the
Car have recognized the fact that Plevna must
tual attempts to dislOdge the Turkish Com
mander, it was determined to commence
regular siege, and Gen. Todleben, the ven
cradle hero of SebastOpol. was called to take
charge of the operations. Days, and weeks,
and months passed, and readers of the news
papers have long since passed the stage of
wondering II anything more was going to be
gradually being woven about the victim.
Day by day sources of supply were cut of,
and new positions taken up by the Russians,
while all the time the ceaseless beat of shot
and shell has been heard and felt by the
doomed Turks. Escape was completely pre-
vented. If Mehemet Ali or Suleiman Pasha
had shown little more strategy or zeal it
is possible that Plevna might have been re-
lieved or evacuated without great loss. But,
these Generals have kept at a safe distance.
II is easy to imagine the horrors endured nv