, 1877-12-26


whfcti can be worn under the regulation ovcr.
c,ht. The Rounantans arc strongly intrcnchcd
In double lines. The relouhtt forming the
second line are msdes Of field engineering, with
DIR, under thu command of Nsi. Msecov, il
the mnst perfect eAsth.Hork on tlc line Of cir
eumsallation. The Ra,lmanEans and Turks urc
within converting DISTANCE nn tho two crcsts Of
the usas'tza r!dge, where their lines face each
other down TO the paint where the hukova
raylne turns 10 tie eouthwsrl aud separates
tho Grasitza and Dppuctz ridge; then they
lx,th mount tho latter height, aud cx-
tend 10 tho VEd. The intention Of the Roll
Hill, which is separated frotn the rest ri the
Turkish positions b! the 0ravftxa and Bukoya
Fartnes, and ttarrc out tue Rarrsnu. when they
would have been able to render Plegna untcna-
R..n @ ~ rse fsrssd ssm t. ex!sn ter ef M
to Urxsitza. anA this left them without snfti-
ctent dlsppsAbe trtups TO iso'Ate Qponctz.
This Idea OF the houtnantans was good one, ~
tho 0ponctz height, althouzh the most com.
protected b5 catthworka Of any point on osman
P4stlafs line.
peserters com,ng into the Roumanian lines
repeat the rad tale Of short ratlon.. Three who
bread which were to serve for twenty'four hours
food. Nal. Maceor saltl tho pieces wefe not 30
large Is hts haml.
No words can better do Justice to tho courage,
soldiers. 'rheY have ,mmursalized pIcvna; but
- for their commander, although possesstng
the tenacity Of bulldog, he omes his rcputa-
ttnn - General to tho mistakes of htacnemles.
Had the Russians left f)evna masked BY In
zRallucc, .: tho Inns Of the 0sma, Plevna
slid Os1nan rasha would not bc linked
together historically ~ they arc today; OF If
the nussians had done ~ July Nhat they havc
kn0wn the fth1Nrnf hfh rnUHh& In h1R
own trap. 1Auvntz fs 4 much stronger and
natural position than rlcTna. Practically, Il Is
~ near Blstora, Atld 1t Threatens the Russian
line between Ttrnosa and SLtpka Pass. ltsita
open country IN the rear by which It could easily
be surrounded rs PlorHa has been. It has the
road through tho Trnian Pass for its supply,
and It is tAuch ncarcr the Turkish base than
del and Loratz m outrork. Osman has
done cxactly The reverse Of what be should hare
done. ILL., iorcc u too all to hold TUG natural
lines OF Ilevna; consequently the allies haTo
sommananE positions % on gooa .aIs Ut ths
vnotocre line of the Lovatx atnpttt hcatrc, and
no enemy could gain foothold within striking
dt4tanca Of his position. The Maryitza dam Is
1isd With water: It ef1sses t,,o yal!s! a6oqt
Will probably soon ID blown up, and tho water
let loose to swecp away tho mills on this sirulet.
4 heavy satyo oi artillery was hrcu ut half
past last night, aud to-day scattering boul-
bardmcnt hui been kept up, which ceased at
nightfall. The Infantry trenches constructed
ry The Russtans Is their grat,d Etlarl llae arc
nne specinens VI military engineering. They
are revetted with sods, wcll drained, and In
muny places furnished with shelter for the men
Just bohlna the ditch, which Is on tho inside. 1t
Is about eight feet wide, thlec feet deep, and
slopes upward aud backward to tin natural sur.
faro Of tho Garth. There is q banauctto un the
interior slope tor the Infantry, and tho ,parapc!
rIses about i've feet nhoYe the natural level oi
the ground, where tho tsenches are ycry neat
the enemy, The top OF the parnpet Is covered
With larec sods. forming 1oopliolcs for ths rifles
aud protecting the beads Of the nlen. somo o1
the last redoubts built BY tho Russian Gu
| ginccrs on their reserve llnc aro exceedingly
well constructed, anl arc very strong. :Iht
4+usktsh infantry trenches are sunk deeper Into
Tie earth than tho lsussIans, and, therefore, dc
not present 10 strong barrier aRaiust sud
! den rust,. although they are designed to With
slaud artillery 1re. A wooden house ts In prog
ross Of construction at Boeot for thc residence
Of tho Grand Duke NIcholns.