The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1877-12-13
Abundance of Russian Transport and
Forage.

Forage.
The weather, which has been splen did
here since the 18th, changed again last
night to rain, with storms and cold.
Many tents were blown down, and general
discomfort prevailed. However, five
days of dry weather have made an i'm
mense difference on the roads, which are
easily traversable again-a perfect god
send to the cattle. l cannot find any
reason for the idea that the cold and wet,
when they do come in earnest, need close
the campaign, certainly not as far as siege
works are concerned. 1t is wholly and
solely question of trs nsport, and this,
on the other hand, when the cattle are
good, simply means forage. l have never
seen an army with such an Cverplus of
transport means as this. Where we should
use three horses, or even two, the Rus
slams employ four or five, and so on in
proportion. The horses are all of hardy
race, accustomed to just such climate,
or one rather worse. Then, as to forage,
the country literally overfows with it
maize, oats, barley, hay of every sort that
the horses like, and fresh wheat-straw
with the grain still in the ear. In the
villages round the horses of the cavalry
of the Imperial Guard are standing up to
their knees in fodder. The transport
horses are just as we'll off, and thousands
of bullocks and butfaloes do the heavier
work and live well upon coarser food.
Besides the material brought from Russia
by rail, $4,000 hired bullock from
20 nd R,l, ~ vrnrlr Tho oI1n,,lv
There is no deficiency, therefore, under
the two heads of transport and forage.
While I write, and for hours past, inter
minable trains have been carrying shell
and stores to Plevna at the rate of two
miles an hour. A few thousand yards OF
canvasya few thousand poles, and there is
no reason why the horses of the reserve
cavalry and trains should not be snugly
housed and sheltered half under ground.
The snow seldom lies, am told, more
than ten days at time, and but a month
in all, during tire winter. Around Plevna
itself, the villages of Urbitza, Gravitza,
Tuchenitz, and Radichevo, going from
right to left, furnish abundant shelter for
the main body of the front line of the
besieging force. The outposts must, OF
course, as before Metz in 1870, and, later,
before Paris, be lodged in huts of bought
and straw, and even under tents d'obri
with which each man is fully supplied.
Therefore, do not see why the Russian
grip should be relaxed one moment all
the winter through, though, if necessary
the troops composing the besieging force
might be partially relieved by those can
toned-that is, lodged-in villages fur
Their in the rear. 1t seems to form an or
binary military problem that hes beer
solved successfully often before and IL
far more difficult circumstances. shall
indeed be much surprised ifthe cultivated
genius Of Gen. Todlcben, the we'll known
tenacity and hardihood of Russian troops
and the point of honor of not withdraw
ing. the hand once rendered from the pillow
do not between them supply the neces
sary impetus TO a successful blockade
even if not to vigorous siege; but my
belief is that the crisis for Plevna is not
far off, Exact details are here still want.
ing as to Osman's exact numbers and the
time for which he is actually provisioned
but the works have advanced very rapidly
within the last few days. A fresh ele-
ment has also appeared on the scene
The cavalry under Gen. Gourko now, oil
will within this week, number no fewer
than twenty four regiments, all carrying
the Berdan rifle. With these are nu.
merous and well-horsed light artillery
and if any more succors get into Plevna
it will be an indelible disgrace to whoever
is to blame Correspondence London
Times.