, 1877-08-18
THE FALL OF NIKOPOL.

The second great success of the Rus
slams in Europe eliminated at Nikopol at
half past S this morning, when the Turk
ish garrison Of this strong position surren-
dered with all their artillery, numbering
40 pieces of various patterns and calibre.
The first success was the passage at
Simnitza, and Nikopol is a fitting sequel
to that daring exploit.
The batteries of the Russians and
Roumanians upon the left bank of the
Danube at Turn Magurelle had been firing
upon the Notifications of Nikopol for
many days, and the Turks responded with
spirit, although their fire was harmless.
Yesterday the bombardment continued all
day, with more than usual vigour, and it
was evident some important move was
expected from this increase in the violence
Of the Russo oumanian fire. At half
past 2 in the afternoon of yesterday l saw
the Russians suddenly mount the summit
OF a high hill on the Danube, above Nj.
kopol, whence they could throw shells
into the town and its Notifications. The
Turks threw several shells at them with.
cut effect, as | could see the shells strike
the ground. The Russians at once COM
menced throwing up earthworks, and
soon had themselves under cover, after
which they threw several shells into
Nikopol by way Of introduction, and then
subsidized into silence. Soon after the
appearance of this force of Russians 7
observed shells bursting over the large
earthworks on the hills above the town
which defend the approach FROM behind
the city. | knew those shells came from
Russian guns in the rear of Nikopol, as
the town batteries were not firing at the
moment. Soon after these initial shells
were seen, the heavy roll of smoke which
appeared above the trees behind the town
showed that infantry were at work there.
aud it became evident that the Russians
were forcing The Turks back into The for
tifCatiOns around the town. The batte-
teries of the Roumanians on the right of
the line opposite the mouth Of the
little river which flows into the Danube
at Nikopol commenced a furious fire
about sunset. AS q Turkish battalion
attempted to make its way across This
little river for q retreat or an attack upon
the first Russian force intrenched upon the
hills before mentioned, the Turkish batta.
lion was driven back into the Notifications,
with heavy loss. Soon after this the sun
went down and the guns ceased firing on
both sides of the Danube.
This morning l was aroused at an early
hour by the news that Nikopol had sur
rendered. fastening down to the bank
of The river, 1 found Lieutenant-Gener
Stolipini, the Russian Commander of the
forces here +; General Manu-, commanding
the Roumanian contingent and the Off
GERS of their Stats, awaiting the arrival
of the Chief of the Staff of The force &C.
cupying Nikopol. From them I learnt
that three divisions of the 9th Corps, two
of infantry, and one of cavalry had cap
tured Nikopol, under the command of
Lieutenant General Baron Krudener, that
40 guns and G,OOO men had been captured
after a battle which had lasted from s
yesterday morning until 9 at night. Two
Turkish Monitors also fell into the hands
of the Russians. Achmed and Hassan
Pashas, commanding at Nikopolis, were
taken prisoners.
Heavy loases are renorted on both sides,