The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-06-27


ing volumes of smoke, through which, al
most every two seconds, flashes would dart
like lightning through storm clouds. Boom.
boom, went the Turkish guns, with an nm
interrupted regularity, although the Rus
sian shells were falling in and around the
works with fatal precision.
AT SHORT RANGE
"This extraordinary artillery duel was
maintained at range Of not more than
three thousand yards. The guns on both
sides being heavy pieces the fire was direct
and the trajectory of the missiles very fat.
Consequently every object hit in Rustchuk
was rent and torn by penetration or demol-
ished by the explosion that followed. The
effects of the Turkish fire could only be
observed at intervals, when the smoke
would clear little but it is evident that
considerable damage was inflicted on the
Russian batteries.
CITY bOMbAhDEO.
s'The terribly effective character of the
Russian FIRE can scarcely be described.
The gunners seem to have directed every
shot at Rustchuk, without regard to the
buildings liable to be injured. Shell after
shell came crashing through the roofs of the
houses and burying themselves in the
floors, where they exploded, demolishing
the walls. The mosques seemed to be Sc
lected as particular targets at times, tor
two three and often more shells would fall
on and around them, tearing pinnacle and
dome with fearful effect.
EVEN THE HOSPITALS
s'Not even the hospitals were spared by
this awful rain of shells. Several of these
buildings happened to be quite exposed,
and, although surmounted by flags indicat-
ing their character. they were involved in
the storm and their inmates in many cases
were killed in their BEDS This has caused
the utmost Indignation among the Turks,
and the authorities have requested the
foreign consuls to testify to the occurrence,
so that the Porte may make formal pro-
test against what it deems to be uncivilized
warfare.
THE CoNsULATRs UNspARED
s'Although the flags of England and other
European Powers were displayed over their
respective consulates, the Russian fire did
not spare these buildings. The guns were
aimed at Rustchuk and everything animate
and inanimate within its limits. Shells
have no neutrality and do not discriminate
between consulates, mosques and hospitals
KILLED IN THE STREETS.
1.-THE unfortunate inhabitants Of Rust
chnk suffered terribly during the lombard.
ment. Hid away in deep recesses or shell
tered behind thick walls. the Russian shells
found and destroyed them As they darted
through the streets toward places of greater
security their bodies were scattered in frag-
ments by the explosion of these terrible
missiles Women flying from their burning
or ruined homes were killed as they ran.
Little children, clasped in the arms Of their
terrified parents, were struck dead by the
fatal fragments. The scene was one Of un-
qualified horror throughout.
DURING MONDAY.
ssThe Russian fire continued during Mon
day, and with still more terrible effect.
Such Of the people as could muster up
courage to fly from their hooks of shelter
have hurried away to the interior. The
ruin of the town is almost complete, but
the Notifications are practically intact and
not much damaged"
FUTILE DEVICE.
It is asserted at Constantinople that the
English Consul at Rustchuk, who also acts
for the United States, unavailingly endeav-
ored to avert the Russian fire by hosting
the American flag
The consuiates of France, Italy, Greece
Germany and Belgium have also been in
jured by the Russian fire.
FURTHEI DETAILS OF THE ACTION
The Daily Ne,os has the following from
Rustchuk Monday entire pop
ulation are flying into the neigh
boring villages. The Governor Gen
eral Of the Province has declared that
he holds the authorities rcponsible for
the lives Of the fugitives, who are mostly
Christians Twelve shells have fallen upon