The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1877-07-26
THE BATTLE OF-NIKoPOLIs.
Details of the Capture of this Turkish
Stronghold-A Hard-fo1ght Battle.


Details of the Capture of this Turkish
stronghold-A Hard-fought Battle.
A correspondent at Sistova telegraphs
under date of the 10th: For several days
the Russians have been preparing for a
determined effort to capture Nikopolis.
The fact of their holding one point of
crossing at Sistova and bridge of more
than doubtful strength rendered it alb
solutely necessary that they should ex-
tend their control of the river bank up
stream. A crossing at Nikopolis pos
sesses many advantages OTer that OF
Sistova. The river current is not as
strong, and number of small islands
fronting acknowledgement are very fav-
orably located for bridging purposes.
In reality Nikopolis was the selected
point for the original crossing of the
Danube, but circumstances and the
Turks forced the adoption of the. Sistova
line.
THE BATTERIES
at Turnu-Magureli had reduced Nikop
oils to ruins, but the two hills on hich
the town was built completely 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 pur-
pose a considerable force of infantry was
massed west of Sistova, and during the
concentration these troops served to
cover the crossing. When the two corps
had established themselves in the di-
ing body was prepared to move on Nix
opolis; but in the meantime the Turks
were strengthening their position and
preparing to defeat the clearly apparent
object of their enemy. All the indica-
tons, therefore, pointed to
BLOODY STRUGGLE
for the possession of Nikopolis; and, to
speak truly, neither side seemed over
anxious to begin it. The threatened
failure of the Sistova Bridge, and the
frequent interruption of traffic necessi-
tated 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
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
Plevna and Nikopolis, and their opera
tons and activity masked the prepare
tons of the attacking column very eff
fectually. Finally, the order for the
Russian advance was given, and, after
an arduous march around the lake and
toward Nikopolis, the contending 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 has i'm
pressed itself thoroughly upon the Turk
ish mind These lines of pickets made
what might be termed formal show of
resistance, and slowly retired on the
main body As soon as the Russians
came within effective range of the Turk
ish position, they were met by a severe
artillery fire, which, however, did not
check this advance, and to which they
replied with still more formidable fire.
The Turks, being posted on a COM
manding position, had considerable
advantage, and as the Russians ap-
preached frightful gaps were made in
their ranks by the Turkish artillery.
With surprising valOr, however, they
continued to approach the heights, and
as soon as they came within riie-range
they
OPENED A TERRIBLE FIRE
on the Turks. For half an hour this
musketry duel continued with undated
vigor. The Russians in the meantime
developed their front so as to appro ach
their left in the direction If he Ozm
River. This was a movement which
threatened the Turkish line of retreat to
the southwestward and westward.
About midday on Sunday the order for
the assault was given, and the whole
Russian line, supported by several bat
teries of artillery, advantageOusly post
ed, stormed the heights occupied by the
Turks. During the awful climb in the
face of deadly fire, the Russians suffer
ed terribly, while'the Turks, stubbOrnly
defending their position, suffered equal
loss. But the onset was so impetuOus
and were driven headlong over the crest
of the hills toward NikOpolis, followed
by Cossacks and detachments of light
infantry. After obtaining possession OF
the heights commanding the town,
AT A TERRIBLE COST
it is true, the Russians virtually had
Nikopolis at their mercy. The Turks,
finding their line of retreat threatened,
abandoned the town, which the Rus
slams entered this morning. 1t was
filed with Turkish dead. Many wound
ed were also found in the streets and in
the houses where they had been aban-
dOned by the Turks in the haste of theiI
retreat.
Another bridge will at once be thrown
over the Danube at this point and across
it will pass immense stores of pro-
visions and war material have been
ready for transportation for several
days. Thus provisioned and supported
the Russians can go forward from Tir
nova, always sure of their base of sup
plies.
The capture of Nikopolis is mos
important event for the Russian cam
paign in Bulgaria.
A Punctuation Puzzle.