The Portland daily press., 1877-06-29
ON THE DANUBE.
Russians Controlling the Danube.

NEW YORK, June 2S.-A Vienna despatch
says that large detachment of the Russian
army has crossed the Danube at Guka meeting
no opposition. The Turks seem to be taken
completely by surprise. The Russian arm >
now practically control the Danube, and the
strategy Of the Russian generals has secured
command OF the river almost without striking
blow. The whole Russian army is now in
motion, and within few days news of the
gravest Importance may be looked for. The
Russian headquarters and staff have gone for
ward to Bangassi, where they will be Temporal
rarily established.
BUCHAREST June 28-Grand Duke Nicho-
las, at the head of the 9Th army corps, crossed
the Danube near Simnitz yesterday at day.
break, driving the Turks from their positions
Boats filled with troops continued to Gloss the
river all day. yesterday. Russian official ac-
counts dated yesterday, say the engagement
with the Turks was still proceeding. Eikopo-
lis was burned by the bombardment.
The BOmbardment of Widdin.
The work of reducing Widdin has been en-
trusted to Prince Charles and his Rounanian
soldiers. The bombardment of Widdin has
commenced, and it is believed the Turks will
| make strong defence. The Cossacks have
seized and occupy Hersova.
The Alleged Firing ON the ConsuIates.
LONDON, June 2S.-The Times in leading
article says the neutral states are painfully in.
terested by reports that the Russians have been
fio1abibR tuo laws OI war ny the 1Dnlctl0Q OF
wanton injury. If they deliberately directed
their guns against consulates and the defence
less points of Rustchuk, their guilt is surpass-
ed only by their folly, and that folly would be
all the more glazing because, if, as reported,
they continued to fire on the English consulates
after the consul hoisted the American flag they
have gone out of the way to assal a power Pc
culiarly friendly to themselves. 1t is difficult
to believe the Russians would have deliberately
inflicted such outrage, and it is we'll to remem-
Der that similar charges invariably accompany
every bOmbardment.
Crossing Mt sistova.
A Rustchuk despatch dated midnight, saws
the Russians are crossing the Danube near SIS
tova, not far from Jantrs, assisted BY islands
lying between the banks. Terrible fighting ia
now going on, the Turks doing their utmost to
resist the enemy. Another crossing is conf
IDENTITY expected at the Tlemunda, opposite Nj
copolis. The bombardment of Rustchuk con-
tinues.
Preparations to Destroy the Turkish Fleet
with TorpedOes.
The Globe hears that Russia has given Mr..
Whitehead, the torpedo inventor, an order for
100 fish torpedoes, to be dispatched to the Black
Sea and the Danube. The Russian government
IS resolved to destroy or drive away all Turkish
monitors IN or near the mouths of the Danube,
and then assume the offensive with the IRON
clads they have at Nicolareff and some torpedo
vessels now constructing at st. Petersburg.
The Crossing Officially Announced.
ST. PETERSBURG, June 2S-Grand Duke
Nicholas teegraphs as follows:
The difficult and complicated task of crossing
the Danube is achieved. Sistova and the sur
rounding heights are in our hands Gen Drago-
mirotf's division, with the Mountain artillery,
was the first to cross, the Volbyrian regiment
leading sthe van. There are now 1.-THE evening
OF the 27th) on the other side the 9Th army
corps and the Sth rifle brigade The 35th divi-
sion is now crossing.
Private dispatches announce that the Rus
sian headquarters have been transferred to
Simntza Flags are now flying all over st.
petersburg, and the solemn service of thanks
giving has been celebrated in the cathedral.