The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1877-08-09
THE EUROPEAN WAR.


very little formidable opposition into the
Turkish territory, beyond the Balkan
Mountains has met with serious check
by defeat of "a portion Of the Czar's
army in series of engagements fought
at Plevna about the last of July The
position of the Russian army is very crit
ical if the reports be true, and it is not
improbable that the invading army will
be forced to retreat back of the Balkans.
1t is not improbable that the willy
Turk has permitted the invading army to
advance without serious opposition, until
it has placed itself in a position where
defeat is almost certain ruin. The pur-
suit of this policy by the Turks may yet
prove the part of masterly policy, and not
the evidence of weakness as has been
generally supposed. The fate of Russia
in Asiatic Turkey should have forewarned
the commanders of her army in European
Turkey. The strategy which destroyed
the campaign in Montenegro was enough
to convince the Empire of the Cross that
the soldiers of the Crescent were not with
out leaders. 1t appears from present in
formation that the Russian officers at
Plevna were over confident and reckless
in making the attack, and were simply
outgeneraled. If Russia can concentrate
reinforcements speedily, the impending
disaster many be checked, but the condi-
tion of her advance, which has been made
more rapidly than prudently, is such as
to render reinforcements or concentration
almost impossible. 1t will require great
skill and rapidity of movement to sustain
the Russian line beyond the Balkan
range.
The following detailed account of the
engagement is from Turkish sources, but,
if true, shows the Russians to have been
very reckless in their attack of the Turks,
who literally overwhelmed them:
FIRST DAY.
LONDON, August 2, 1877.
A correspondent telegraphing from
Bulgareni, fifteen miles east of Plevna,
gives detailed account of the fighting of
Monday. The Turkish force was esti-
mated at $4,000. They occupied series
of positions which are naturally strong
and also artifcially fortified in every
available spot, forming horseshoe in
front of Plevna, with both fanks resting
on the river Vid. The Russian force
consisted of the Ninth army corps, under
General Krudener; the Thirtieth divis.
ion and Thirtieth brigade of the Second
corps, under Prince Schackesky, with
three brigades of cavalry and 100 guns.
It was arranged that General Krudener
should attack the Turkish centre at
Griyica and the northern flank of the in
trenched position over Bahova, while
Schackesby attacked Radizvo, and Gen
eral Skobeleff, Jr., held in check strong
Turkish force at Looca, which was the
extremity Of the turkish line.
General Krudener began the battle
about half-past nine o'clock. After a
long bombardment he succeeded in
silencing the Turkish cannon at Grivice,
but could never expel the infantry from
the earthworks. BE spent the whole af-
ternoon ruavailingly endeavoring to force
the northern flank of the Turkish posi-
ton, desisting after dark without having
gained anything material and having him
self suffered considerable loss.
Prince Shakosky about noon carried
Radizevo, and, planting four batteries on
ridge beyond, bombarded the nearest
Turkish position, which was an earthwork
armed with cannon in front of an in
trenched village. After an hours can.
nonade he silenced the Turkish G. rs, and
his infantry, after long and bloouy con-
test carried the earthwork and village.
The second Turkish position, consisting
ofaredoubtand series ofintrenched vine
yards strongly held, was then attacked
and ultimately carried, but with terri
BILE effort, and very severe loss, owing to
the heavy Turkish artillery fire.
USELESS SUCCESSES.
The Russians, moreover, were unable
to utilize the captured position. About
four o'clock reserve brigade was brought
up and an attack made on the positions
Immediately covering Plevna. The at
tack continued till nearly sunset. The
Turkish infantry was in great force in O
continuous line under shelter of trenches.
Despite the most stubborn efforts, no
impression could be made upon that line.
Two companies of Russian infantry did
work round to the right of the Turkish
trenches and entered the town of Plevna,
but it was impossible to hold it. The
Russian batteries pushed boldly forward
into the position first taken to attempt to
keep down the Turkish cannonade, which
was crashing into the infantry in the open
field, but they we're compelled soon to
evacuate the hazardous spot.
At sundown the Turks made contin-
uous forward movement and reoccupied
their second position. The Russian in
fantry made a succession of desperate
stands and died like heroes. The Turks
gradually re-took everything they had
lost. The fighting lasted:long after night
fall.
With the darkness the bashi-bazouks
took possession of the battlefield and slew
all the wounded. The Russians held the
heights above Radizeoo, but the bashi-
bazouks worked around to their rear and
fell on the wounded collected in the viii
lage of Radizeoo.
A retreat was compelled in this direc-
ticn, namely Bulgareni, and the contin-
gencies arising from this untoward battle
are of ominous significance.
TURKISH CLAIM OF VICTORY.
A despatch dated Pcra, July 81, mid
night says: Intelligence just received
here from Osman Pacha announces a
great Turkish victory. The enemy were
completely routed after two days severe
fighting, with a loss of 5000 killed and
$4,000 wounded. The Turks captured
great quantity of arms and ammunition.
The Turkish casualties were comparative
ly small. owing to the fact that they