The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1877-07-19
AND ONTO CONSTANTINOPLE.'
Hot Work at NlcOpOliS The Place Taken
by Gallant Charge of the Russians.

TcaDlo TolegIam to the New York Horald,l

OIL Duuuhy Wy NhN ~
commanding the town. The Consterna
ton of the Turks at the dashing advanc,
of their enemies seems to be very grea
throughout the entire Empire.
The Heralds special correspondent a
Sistova telegraphs, under date of yester
day. the 10TH "For several days the
Russians have been preparing for de
termined effort to capture Nicopolis. The
fact of their holding only one point O.
crossing at Sistova and bridge of more
than doubtful strength rendered it abso
lutely necessary that they should ex
tend their control of the river bank uI
stream"
A crossing at Nicopolis possessessmany
advantages over that. at Sistova. The
rivers current is not as strong, and q
number of small stands fronting Turna'
Maguerilli are very favorably located fol
bridging purposes.
In reality Nicopolis was the selected
point for the original crossing ofthe Dan
ube. but circumstances and the Turks
forced the adoption of the Sistova line.
The batteries at Turna-Magurelli had re-
duced Nioopolis to ruins, but the two
hills, on which the town was built, COM
pletely sheltered the Turkish forces from
the Russian fire.
Therefore it became necessary to attack
the town and position from the Bulgarian
side of the river. For this purpose con.
siderable force of infantry was massed
west of Sistova, and during the concen-
tration these troops served to cover the
crossings. When the two corps had es-
tabIished themselves in the direction of
Biela and Tilnova the crossing body was
prepared to move on Nicopolis; but in
the meantime the Turks were strength
ening their position and preparing to de-
feat the very apparent object of their
enemy. The indications, therefor, point
ed to 8 bloody struggle for the possession
of Nicopolis, and to speak truly, neither
side seemed over anxious to begin it. The
threatened failure of the Sistova bridge,
and the frequent interruptions Of traffic
necessitated by the repairs, forced the
Russians to make the attack.
The extensive swamp and lake west of
Sistova interfered considerably with the
Russian advance, although it afforded a
decided protection against the Turkish
attack. From that side the Cossacks had
been skirmishing and scouting for more
than two days in the direction of Pievna
and Nicopols, and their operations and
activity masked the preparations of the
attacking column very efectually.
Finally the order for the Russian ad-
vance was given, and after an arduous
march around the lake and toward Nico-
polls, the contendsng forces came into
collision.
The Turks had taken the preCaution to
cover their position by double lines of
pickets, supported at intervals by several
companies Of picked troops. This was to
guard against |
The Raids Of the COssacks,
Whose enterprise had impressed itself |
thoroughly upon the Turkish mind. These |
lines Of pickets made what ought to be
termed a formal show of resistance and |
slowly retired on the main body, AS
soon as the Russians came within etec- |
tive range of the Turkish position they
were met by severe artillery fire, which
however, did not check their advance,
and to which they replied with a still
more formidable fire.
The Turks,
Being posted in commanding position,
had considerable advantage, and as the
Russians approached frightful gaps were
made in their ranks by the Turkish ar
tillery. With surprising yalor, however,
they continued to approach the Heights,
and as soon as they came within rifle
range they opened terrible fire on the
Turks. For half an hour this musketry
duel continued with unabated vigor, the
Russians in the meantime developing
their front, so as to approach their left in
the direction Of the "Osern" river.
This was movement which threaten
ed the Turkish line of retreat of the south
westward and westward. About midday
on Sunday
The Order for the Assault
Was given, and the whole Russian line,
supported by several batteries of fartillery
posted, stormed the
heights occupied by the Turks. During
this awful climb, in the face of deadly
fire, the Russians suffered terribly, while
the Turks stubbornly defending their
position, sustained equal losses. But the
onset was 80 impetuous that the Turks
could not Withstand it, and were driven
headlong over the crest of the hills to-
ward Nicopolis, followed by the Cossacks
and detachments of light infantry. After
obtaining possession Of the heights COM
the town-at terrible cost, it
is true-the Russians virtually had Nico-
polls at their mercy.
TIE Turks finding their line of retreat
threatened, abandoned the town, which
the Russians entered this morning. 1t
was hl N,
Filled with Turkish Dead. .g
Many wounded we're also found in the
streets and houses where they had been
abandoned by the Turks in the haste of
their retreat. Another bridge will be
at once thrown over the Danube atithis
point. tna
The Turkish artillery was splendidly
handled, raking the columns Of the Rus
slams, and thinning them at every dis
charge. ~"
Perceiying the terrible hayoc caused by
The Turkish fire, General Gourgha or
derad the Russians to charge, A fearful
hand-to- hand conflict ensued. The Turks
formed in hollow square. After losing
several guns, the Russians attacked des.
perately and fearful carnage followedon
both sides The Russian thanking move. h
ment and desperate onslaught threatened
10 exterminate the Turks, when suddenly 4
brisk firing on the left announced the ar. I
rival Of Turkish reinforcements under I
command Of Raouf Pasha The Russians !
had no artillery, and the rapid advance
of the Turkish reinforCements compelled
the Russians to face new enemy, afford
ing their opponents an opportunity to
abandon their hollow squares and throw
forward TANKS and renew the attack Wig