The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1877-12-20
RUSSIA'S WAR WITH TURKEY,

the number of Turkish prisoners taken at
Plevaa at 10000 and the number of guns cap
tured at 400. The ground which was the
scene Of of the sortie, was literally strewn
with dead and dying. Osman Pasha himself was
wounded before he would consent to surrcnd-
er. His valor, which is described as dcsper-
ate, is everywhere the theme of conversation
The sutfcrings of the Turks in the bclcagured
town were actually awful. Cold, disease and
famine dccimatcd the ranks and reduced the
soldiers to living skeletons. 10 aggrayatc the
sufferings there was no doctor, and no mcdi-
cine could be obtained.
The Russian official account of the cap
ture of Plevna confirms the details already
telegraphed. 1t says that the Turks fought
like lions. Seven Pashas were captured. The
counting of prisoners and trophies is not yet
completed. The emperor was present on
the 18th at Il thanksgiving service held on the
site of the former headquarters of Osman
Pasha. grand council was held on the 18th
at the war Office in Constantinople. It is
said it was resolved OH war to the last cx-
trcmity.
According to official returns, the Rus
sian losses in the fighting preceding the sur
tender of Plevna were ten officers and 1872 men
killed, and forty-fiye officers and 1907 men
wounded. The Turks lost 1900 killed and
wounded, and the prisoners inclndc ten
pashas, 1928 staff officers, 1900 officers 10000
infantry and 1900 cavalry. seventv-scvcn
cannon were also captured. The first batch
of prisoners, numbering 10000, have already
started for Bucharest.
The London Tines correspondent at
Plevna telegraghs: Grand Duke Nicholas
told me Osmun Pasha reported his force at
27,OO0. At the same time the Grand Duke
seemed doubtful if there were so many.
About sixty cannon and many hundred wag-
ons were among the trophies. Osman Pasha
had three weeks provisions still on hand, and
ten days rations in his transport train for the
whole army. The immediate cause of his
abandoning the cntrcnchments was the
breaking out OF an epidemic among the
troops. There were forty Or fifty dead bodies
day in Plcvna. There were no men availa-
bic to bury them, and the mortality was in
creasing. Eight hundred sick and wounded
are in the hospitals.
A correspondent at Plevna tclegraphs
concerning Osman Pasha's reception by the
Russians. The Grand Duke Nicholas rode I'D
to Osman's carriage, and for some seconds the
two chiefs gazed into each others faces with
out the utterance Of a word, then the grand
duke stretched cut his hand, shook the hand
Of Osman Pasha heartily, and said, ~ compli-
ment you on your defense of Plevna. It is
one of the most splendid military fcats in his
tory Osman smiled sadly, rose painfully to
his feet in spite OF his wound, and said some
thing which I could not hear. lie then re-
seated himself. The Russian officers all
cried "Bravo, bravo" repeatedly, and all sa-
luted respectfully. There was not one anon Q,
them who did not gaze on the hero of
Plevna with the greatest admiration and
sympathy. Prince Charles, of Roumania, who
arrived, rode up and repeated almost every
word of the grand duke and likewise shook
hands with Osman who again rose and bowed
this time in grim silence. He wore loose
blue cloak with no apparent mark on it to
designate his rank, and red fez. He is large
strongly built man. The lower part of his face
is covered with short black beard without a
streak of grey, and he has large Roman nose
and black eyes. It is a grand face exclaimed
Col. Gaillard, French military attachc. was
almost afraid of seeing him, lest my cxpecta.
ton should be disappointed, but he more
than fulfilled my IDEAL 1t is the face of a
great military chicftain. Said young Skobc.
leff, II am glad to have seen him. Osmar
Ghazi he is,and Osman the victorious he will
remain in spite of his surrender"