The New York herald., 1877-10-13
Destruction of the Remaining Houses in
the Beleagnered Town.
THE TURKS RETURN THE FIRE.
Reinyestmcnt OF RuStchuk Probable Since
the Retirement Of Mehemet ali.

feet peace ana happiness since terrible days
OF June and has only been indirectly connected Win
the military operations going on In its neghborhood.
But this living In clover not allowed TO CONTINUE
uninterrupted for the 4th Of August the town re-
solved such voney OF shells that those who were
present and live through what may follow Will never
forget it.
1t is difficult to understand what be the meaning
Of the fierce bombardments 70 which Rustchuk has
been subjected II tney are intended TO aGs as fen
or blinds to conceal scme other designs on tho town
well and good, but movement has yet taken place
in connection with them. The Russians do not nre at
tho Turkish batteries and redoubs, as no doubt thoy
would do were any such designs in contemplation, but
purposely them, treating them, as 1t were with
silent contempt. The fire OF the heavy siege guns 10
directed upon the houses and public buildings only,
and the dsfencos are left untouched
THE cAxNoXADE OF AUGUST ID.
On the morning OF Tuesday, the 14th the Turkish
garrison observed large body ol infantry behind the
village OF Soboza, with several squadrons OF cavalry;
and, naturally supposing that they were there to
carry out some design against the town, Immediately
opened Ere upon them and sent several shells into
their midst. tho batteries fred with great precision,
and tho Russian loss must have been considerable.
This cannonadc quickly dispersed the enemy and the
firing ceased the Russian guns remaining silent
All went on quietly until four O'Clock in the
Qflern0ou, W0on the huSslAn3, IN fetalaLou aP-
pareny for the loss Of their men, or the disturbing
of their plans-which Is the prevalent idea here-or
with view the further rum OF the town, opened
fire. frst from The Sobozla batteries shortly alter
ward from tho whole line extending 70 Giurgevo The
Shes fell with uncsasing rspidy, more especially IN
The .Konak' square and the Turkish quarter OF tue
town. which has almost ceased TO exist, although
there still remain few wretcned houses, upon which
the Russians wreak their vengeance and waste
their ammunition.
DESTRUCTION OF A YLoUR MILL
While the bombardment continuing the Rus
sians observed smoke issuing from the chimney Of
large flour null tho private property OF certain Cap
tain Jany, a Greek This mill is situated above the
River Lom being close the banks Of the Danube
served excellent mark for the Russian batteries
Captain Jany has unfortunately started hs works that
morning TO grind -four, not expecting any bonn
bardmcnt nor Imagining that his mill would bs
touched as he had raised the Greek Dag TO show his
nationality during the last boEbardment and escaped
damage. This time, however, he was disappointed,
for the Russians, notcing that the null was WORKING
Immediately dred 1t from batteries. Alter
Few successful shots II was set on tire, aud nothing
remains OF IL except four black and charred walls
one OF the first shells AIMED at the building smushed
through the wall and bursting IN the INTERIOR Killed
eight mon and wounded many others; the loss 10
Captain Jany IS considerable
4 NOCTURNAL BoMBAKDMRNT
Thor success with the our mill did not ecem 10 sat
tsfy the Russlans or tney contnued to lire IRON the
wo SloboZa during tho whole night, tue
shells betug STILL directed Durniue mill ana ltS
surroundings, the houses on the Lom, The Turkish
the koDak square. Al four O'Clock IN tho
Tor long was possible Ior those who had any nerves
left. During the whole or this terrible and furious
cannonade tho turks never hred single shot on me
batteries Gurgevo in reply The reason OF tnis
silence have been unable To ascerain but 1T Is cur
renty supposed that the Turks are short OF ammuni-
tion and do wish to seriously diminish what they
have hand until there is real OCCASION such AS tho
siege Of sne town from the land side lancy how
ever, they were swalIing Tor orders. "
KUsTcHuK EgrALIATEs.
After the Russian batteries had ceased firing many
supposed that respite would be granted and that tho
Inhabitants would Ut least duo time to clear out OF
the town, bag and baggage But their hopes were
1uicky dashed TO tho ground Tor alter silence Of
ouly half an hour the SOUND OF the cannon again
burst forth This time IL was not from the Russian
guns but from the Turkish. The Turks had been anx-
iously awaiting tie dawn, and when there suli-
cent light they opened tremendous lire and settled
aown " their work with grca, vigor and energy.
Not only did all tns heavy batteries along
the Danube commence to play, but q field bal-
tcry was also run INTO position Immediately opposite
Giurgevo and bIazsd away Ut the Town. The ain was
tremendous tho shots following each other IN rapid
succession What with the roar OF the guns, The
bursting OF the shells and the bowling echo-tne sound
OF rushing anu mighty wind-ironi the wooded
island OF Ramadan, In toe middle OF the river, it
seemed us though he'll had broken loose, and may
be thankful have any tympanum lett In our ears
The Russians, doubtess iatgued by their iaDors Of
was cnledy directed against their batteries and gun
pits, with patience Tor about three hours
A TERRIBLE DuEL
Then they could stand IL longer, but went 10
their guns and replied vigorously and eagerly. Tho
now ensued battles escription-from my pen at
least-and Used strong expressions TO give idea
OF effect Of the Turkish nrc alone, what say
express adequately tho effect OF this artillery con-
1ict when both sides were engagecr IL was the most
terrific and magnificent and fascinating eight ever
witnessed, ana 4 do not suppose shall ever the
liko again. ! hopo not. lnc Turkish shells wore
smashing into Gursevo, and me EussIan shells rip
tue air win the whizzing, deadly fragments ana
clouds OF dust aud smoke where they dropped ana
burst. No Que knew whore to ind shelter from the
storm, II he did he feared 10 come out and run tho
gauntlet TIL he reached IT, Men, women and children
renamed shut up IN their houses, sitting still and
taking their chance
The Konak, Government Houso-lhat Is to say, tho
little OF IL tai rcans-was repeatedly struck and,
during the former bombardment, now again three or
four wreiched prisoners were killed BY shell which
tered their place confinement The square
ing Tho building gam the most dangerous place
in but officer ara two soldiers did not seem
10 tblnk so for whether they were indifferent to fato
whether out OF mere bravery, they SAT down out
side coffee house and calmly slipped Their ccnee.
shell dropped near them and tore them to pieces,
thor bodies being quite unrecognizaDle
RESULTS.
II is impossibe to ascertain the exact number OF
deaths IN the town. but II Is SAID that from lity 10
sixty OF both sexes were killed, number when is
incredibly small considering Inc intensity OF the IRE
cape from aeath. shell struck the zaptioh (gen.
darme) guard house in the Konak square, passed
through IL without bursting, and carried away q
zaptch who guard; the was hurled INTO
the air and came down in cloud OF dust and ru5oiah
very much astonshed but none the worse ior his lit
beyond tho shock and a heavy fall
AZ midday the dring ceased almost simultaneously
on Lon SIDES ana since thcns August To- the batteries
have been silent
TIIB BoMBARpyRyT
After all was over ! made a tour OF the town, and
found that the damage was very great IL VIII not
qulre many more such canncnadings 10 reduce
Turkish quarter to heap oil ruins The Bulgaria.
portion oil the town is only slightly damaged IL
evident since tue last DomDnramcpt the Russians
had placed sti larger siege guns IN position, Tor |
found many bases ol shells which measured twenty
I've centmetres across, while on tho former occasion
none exceeded twenty ceLtimesres. On examining The
Anterior VI the bases OF these great shells ouna
Bral which retained traces OF pitch, and one sneit
btrongly of petroleum and sulphur.
ANOTHER EXODUS.
Since this second DomDardment many more fami-
lies, who remained through tho former one, or took
mp tner quarters the nolghboring villages nave lg
for VarDa, their houses having been wrecked, and
every DAY scores OF OK earts laden with women and
children and household gOods, slowly pour out ol the
town iDto the country. 1t lie long aud tedious Jour-
ney TO tile sea, ana many o the iuglves old and
inrIn and will probably never back. Starvation
and death VIII stare many oi these homeless Wander
L.-a4.- A.-l1. -. ...l.