The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-04-23
EARLY DISASTROUS CAMPAIGNS.
The Empress Catharine's Scheme to Drive
the Mohammedans from Europe
TURKEY ON THE VERGE on Ruin IN TIA
Continued Territorial Acquisitions
by the Gears.


Black Sea- and II Was then that the magnificent scheme
OF stretching the Muscovi,s dominions an extent
unparalleled In the history Of pations became fixed
policy be unfalteringly pursued Toward the close
Of the seventcsnth century Turkey Power
Of great strength and inspired fear all Europe
Peter, taxing advantage OF tho moment whom the
vsnetans and the Emperor appeared TO be making
strong impression the Suitan's territories dc.
clared the Ottoman Porte. HIS real motive
70 extension OF his frontier toward the
south Azo then belonging TO the Turks, was an I'M
portant fortress standing the point Of land where
the waters OF the Don tail into the Black Sea Peter
In subordinate station, joined the army that laid
siege Azof Twelve armed vessels that he caused
be built on the river Veronica brought TO
the sen. The Turkish feet beaten in their own
harbor and Azof capituated in July, 1906. The first
use the Gear made Of this valuable acquisition to
establish dockyards under the shelter OF the fortress
and to commence the augmentation OF his feet with
view Danish the Turks from their coasts This
the foundation OF Russian power In that quarter and
which nearly every good Russian dreams viii finally
end in planting the flag OF the Empire ST. Sophia
In Constantinopie.
AFTER rrLrowA.
After the memorable battle Of Pultowa the Swedish
monarch . fugitive in Turkey. Charles XII. en-
ployed all his interest In antinope prevail
upon the Sultan to undertake war against Russia.
which the Sultan was easily induced to embrace in
consequence Of the ravages committed by the Musco-
vite troops the OF Turkey the rapidly
extending power OF the Gar tho the Black
Sea- The Khan OF the Crimcan Tartars naturally re-
garded with apprehension the Russian establish ment
At Azof which tho Turks bad been forced surrender
few years before aud he therefore readily sup
ported the arguments urged by Charles XII. TO the
Dvan to persuade them into declaration OF hos
al tho
friend OF the Swedish King, joined his voice for war
against Peter Tho Turks determined upon hostitics
In order TO render the feelings OF the Sultan de-
cided the Cars Ambassador at Constantnope was
arrested In the streets and committed to the Castle of
the Seven Towers. This a.most unhcard OF indgnity
filled Peters cup Of anger TO overlooking, though
within short space OF time his Plcr pot entury in
Saxony was broken on tho wheel and his Ambassador
In London contrary 10 all international usages was
Imprisoned for debt, and for which outrage ample
apologies were subsequently, givea War being
determined upon against Turkey Peter made
the necessary arrangements A division OF troops
WAS sent into Modavia. another to Livonla,
and fleets to tho Azof, the Baltic and the Black Sea-
The Gar, for active operations bud at his disposal
1900 men; but beng distributed in different quar-.
tsrs and failing TO JOIN HIN on the Prrth,
pected, he was Obliged 10 proceed with army that
fell short OF forty thousand men.
Tue BATTLE THE PRrTH
Catharine, who had been espoused by the Gear, In.
sisted upon remaining with him, which circumstance
eventually proved DO the salvation OF the Empire.
Arriving at Jassy Peter disappointed In not oeing
Joined with contingent promised by tho Prince Of
wallachia, who had been dcposed by the Sultan. In
this extremity the Russian ruler found himself at
the head Of an inadequate force In tho heart
oil Wild and rugged country. Intelligence
trnc uad hat tha TtrL Ia bad
tho Danube and marching along the Pruth. Peter
determined TO advance and meet the enemy notwith-
standing objections made by OF his ablcst off,
sers On the 18th OF June the troops arrived the
Pruth Here they were Joined by few wallachians,
and they continued their march until the 9th, when
they discovered The enemy TO tho number OF 100000
mcn already crossing the river There alter
native left but to form the lines of BATTLE and Peter
perceiving that the Turks endoavoring to sur
round MIN with cavalry, extended his lines consd-
orabc way along the right bank. The hos
tito Tartars OF tho Crimea confronted the
Russians side and the great body OF
the Turks on the other. Escape seemed impossible,
but the Czar's presence OF mind and indomitabls
courage mover deserted MIN. He formed hts srmy,
which consisted OF 49, 900 men, into hollow square,
placing the women In the CENTRE and prepared
ceive the disorderly but furious onslaught OF the
Turks The superior discipline Of the Russians was
SHOWN In the steacness with which they met the
charge Tho fight continued tor three days. and there
remained nothing for the Russians but to surrender.
or, making q desperate attempt, to cut their way
through the enemy. Through the personal mediation
Of the Empress Catharne suspension of arms was
ngreed upon. II would appear strange that the vzicr
should have agreed to armiscc under such circum
stances, when tho Russians were ompetey at his
mercy. But he was aware that Russian troops in
4 l..a.
other division Of the army march from the
frontiers Of roland He therefore considered 1t advs
able to avail himself OF that opportunity dictate TO
Peter the terms upon which he wished 10 terminate
the campaign, knowing that he postponed the treaty
he would be compelled to renew the against the
whole force OF the Empire.
HEAVY IOssHs BY norm ARMIRs.
The conditions the Car was forced to accept
sufficiently humiliating The Turks demanded the
restitution Of Azof, the demolition Of the har.
Dor Of Taganrog. the announcement OF all further
Interference in the affairs OF Poland and the Cossack
. tree passage for the Swedish King back to his
country, and withdrawal from tho Black Sea. Tho
battle OF the Pruth fatal Its results the Car,
was one Of the most destructive In the annals OF his
tory II the statements OF Peter be correct hs army
on the nrst day Of the engagement consisted OF
infantry and 1000 cavalry and reduced the
Day 70 Y 600 men, which would make his loss amount
10 over lt,0U0 men, The loss sustained by the Turks
was still greater Ia consequence oil their Irregular and
scattered method OF attack. There can DO doubt
that the Gar fought at great disadvantage apd per-
haps Il not Tor timely assistance he obtalne
from the Empress Catharinc Inc campaign would have
proved IN almost fatal blow 10 Muscovite power in
EUROPE.
ANOTHER DISASTROUS CAMPAIGN.
Tho result Of tho campaign upon The bank Of the
pruth, by which Peter surrendered many important
advantages which no had previously obtained by con-
uest the annoyance caused by frequent ncursions OF
Crimean Tarars and tho naughty refusal OF the Porte
10 recognize the Czar's imperial ttle led Peter 10
heditac new war against the Turks. He made ample
fepnrations Tor the project but his death
recution, which was entirely laid aside BY Cathar,ne
su Peter II. The Empress Anna determined To renew
ih design, and found no opposition obtaining pre-
tat Tor breach The Russian army in 1866 severely
pushed tho offending Tartars, but tho latter on
ih,r Hight laid their country In ashes, and IL
wa impossible to lind subsistence for the
trcps. and they we're consequently obliged
10 retire. General Lascy now laid siege TO
Ard nuu reduced IL akinQ ta rklah xurrisnn mis-