The daily gazette., 1877-09-13
SECOND EDI T[ON
WAR NEWS
Fighting for Pievna.
A DESPERATE ARTILLERY DUEL.
SLOW BUT STEADY ADVANCE OF THE
RUssIANs-THE RESULT STILL
IN DOUBT.
Fighting for Pievna.
A DESPERATE ARTILLERY DUEL.
LONDON, September 13.

respondent before Plevna, dated Satur-
day, September 7, describes the situation
at that date. The telegram gives a good
idea of the great difficulties which the
Russians have still to Overcome. Its
principal points are as follows:
The attack on Plevna resembles a
siege more than anything else. So far
there does not seem to have been a sim
gle shot exchanged by infantry on the
Russian right and centre. The fire of
the Turkish redoubt Of Grivica does not
appear to have slackened in the least,
despite the enormous number of shells
thrown into it yesterday, and although
we can see earth flying into the air in
the middle of the redoubt, the Turkish
guns reply regularly as clockwork. 1t is
evident none of the Turkish guns have
been dismounted. It is very probable
that the Turks have not many men in
the redoubt.,
THE RUSSIAN ADVANCE.
The same correspondent, in later dis
patch, reports the continuation of this
artillery duel on Sunday and Monday,
during which the Russian batteries grad
ually pushed forward, as described in the
official Russian telegram in front of Ra-
dizevo. Four guns in the Turkish re-
doubt were dismahtled on Sunday, but
replaced during the night. They were
on Monday replying to the Russian fire,
but making sadly slow work in the midst
of the shells poured into the redoubt.
Every now and then the Turks suspend
fire for many minutes, as though the re-
doubt had been silenced, but after the
pause come back a shell or two.
The correspondent also describes, from
personal observation, the attack on Sat-
urday by column headed by General
Skobeloff, from the Russian left flank,
near the Lovatz and Plevna road against
one of the redoubts on the southern side
of Plevna. In this attack the Russians
drove the Turks from their outlaying
positions, but as they neared the foot of
the slope the Turkish fire became terrible
From the parapets of the redoubt poured
forth steady wave of flame and the re-
doubt was hidden In thick white smoke,
The roar of this tremendous fire was
simply fearful. 1 never heard anything
like il. This lasted about twenty min
utes, when the Russian skirmish line be-
gan to withdraw. The Turks then made
a sortie from this redoubt, which was re-
pulsed by the Russians in their turn, as
was second Russian attack on the re-
doubt, although it was this time support
ed by the fire of the Russian batteries
and made with large reinforcements.
THE SITUATION REVIEWED.
The folio wing is a general view of
the situation: 1t is obvious that that
the Notifications have been much
strengthened since the last ba tile.
The longer one looks at the place the
the more thoroughly does one feel the
toughness of the Russian task. The
position must be attack ell as whole
aEd taken as a whole. IT the north
ern ridge were taken aad occupied
the position of the central swell would
not be materially impaired. Suppose
a lodgment was. effected on the cen
trail swell that lodgment would be
commanded by the northern ridge
and redoubts on the sou'h of the
town. All that is wanted to make
the Turkish position virtually impre
gnable is the forti6cation of the ridge
in front of Radizevo. Probably this
Was not undertaken, owing to the
force available not being strong
enough to hold so wide an area.
According 10 the foregoing telegram
an y sault was fixed for Tuesday.
The Emperor and the Grand Duke
Nicholas slept at Poredin Nc cnday
night, so as to be near at hand to wit
ness it.
The Times Paris correspondent says
is announced from Ragusa that the
majority of the Bosnian insurgents
have submitted to the Turkish gov
ernment at Bosnia Serai.
S,leimdn Pdsha across the Balkans.
Shumla) that SuleimaH Pasha has cros-
sed the Balkans.
The Post announces that the British
Admiralty has ordered the construction
of thirty torpedo boats.
The Standards Vienna dispatch saws
that the Servian Government has pre-
pared circular to the powers explain
ing its reasons for entering into war.
Nicsics Heard from Agdin.
Reuters dispatch from Ragusa reports
that the Montenegrins yesterday, at
Jesero, defeated Hafiz Pasha, who was
marching to the relief of Nicsics. Six
hundred Turks were killed and one hum
dred taken prisoners.
The Political Correspondence special
from Bucharest states that the new bridge
over the Danube at Nikopolis was COM
pleted on Monday.
Societies.
MEETING THIS (THURSDAY) EVENING.
Jefferson Lodge, No. 2, I. 90. F., at
Odd EelloMS, Hall.